It's that time of year again.

Many of us will be snuffling, sneezing and itching our eyes this month, thanks to the dreaded hay fever. Though, some influencers are now using a natural remedy to rid of their sinus struggles - and it's certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Believe it or not, this predominantly includes taking two garlic cloves and shoving them up the nostrils to 'work their magic' by relieving congestion. Moore Wellness (@moorewellness) is among countless influencers to have tried and tested it, having recently unveiled their results on the platform.

"Cleaning out my sinuses with garlic," the post read, as a woman waited for 10 minutes with the cloves in her nose. Once the timer was up, she then added: "IT WORKSSSSS!!!", while showing off a rather disgusting level of gunk pouring from her nostrils.

The post was quick to rack up countless baffled comments, with many users confused about the process and if it even works at all. One person wrote: "Do you not smell garlic for ages after this?," as someone else chimed in: "I keep it in for how long?" Another even joked: "Don’t invite me for dinner."

So, does it really work? Helen Bell, a health expert at the UK Care Guide, sadly doesn't seem to think so - claiming it's more of a 'fad' than a legitimate remedy. She told The Mirror: "In my experience, putting garlic cloves in your nostrils to unblock the nose does not hold any scientific merit for treating nasal congestion. While garlic does have certain health benefits when ingested, there is no scientific evidence, that I am aware of, to support its ability in clearing nasal passages when used in this manner."

Congestion, or a stuffy nose, usually occurs when the inside of our nostrils are irritated and swollen, with mucus generated in response to the inflammation. Blocking your nose with garlic while enduring these symptoms will not only prevent your sinuses from draining, but may even irritate the mucus membranes further.

As a result, your nose is far more likely to generate even more snot, which may be why so much flows out when the garlic cloves are removed in these videos.

Helen continued: "Inserting garlic cloves into the nostrils can irritate the sensitive membranes, leading to discomfort, swelling, and even bleeding. The strong smell may cause a temporary sensation of opening in the nasal passages, but this is more likely due to irritation rather than an actual decongesting effect."

While it's important to acknowledge that garlic does hold some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, these benefits are best received when the ingredient is eaten. Helen continued: "Garlic contains allicin, a compound known for its antimicrobial properties, which can be beneficial when garlic is consumed.

"However, inserting garlic cloves into the nostrils likely does not produce a concentration of allicin that is significant enough to have a therapeutic effect on nasal congestion...I’d also add that prolonged contact can also result in dermatitis or burns caused by garlic's natural oils and compounds. In some cases, pieces of garlic might become lodged in the nasal cavity, requiring medical intervention to remove it."

Amid this, Helen therefore recommends more conventional remedies to alleviate congestion and hay fever snuffles. This could include breathing in steaming hot water to help loosen the mucus.

Saline nasal sprays can also be used to flush out the sinuses safely, while eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil may offer some relief when used in a diffuser or added to steam. "It's crucial to approach health trends, especially those popularised on [social media], with scepticism and caution," Helen stressed.

Have a story to tell? Get in touch, at lauren.haughey@reachplc.com.