Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose....amidst the blossoming and blooming that delight the senses, for some this is also the season of allergies. Are you enduring the adverse effects of high pollen counts? Here's what to do about it....from dietary recommendations to supplement and herbal support.
First thing is to check your diet. If you're suffering allergies, it's likely your immune system could use a cleaner diet to decrease any inflammatory factors. Inflammation causes histamine release, and histamine release is what causes all those annoying allergy symptoms. Sometimes this is all the change you need to help your body cope with pollen, dust, and even mold.
Diet
Try out the Anti-Inflammatory Diet. Here's the gist: a whole foods diet, with lots of vegetables, healthy fat and protein. More specifically, avoid any foods that promote inflammation, such as sugar, certain highly processed dairy products, wheat and other items that may be specific to you. Click here for a link to the anti-inflammatory diet.
Supplements
Quercetin: 300 mg, taken first thing in the morning 1/2hr before food.
NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine): a phlegm buster. If you have mucus or post-nasal drip, try taking 2 caps 2x/day. This helps to thin the mucus.
ChaiHu GuiZhi Tang - a Chinese herbal remedy that allergy folks love. Preferably taken in powder form, this formula can be taken as a tea by mixing 9 grams (usually 3 scoops) of the powder in hot water. Try 3 scoops 2x/day for prevention, 3 scoops 3-4x/day for acute symptoms. Tastes slightly sweet, cinnamon-y and a bit bitter.
OR
WIND Pearls - a Classical chinese medicine formula in capsule form specifically designed to disperse wind, transform phlegm and open the nose and chest. I give this formula for the classic hayfever symptoms; stuffy nose, sneezing, watery and itchy eyes and also for red, itchy skin and wheezing and coughing.
Buffered Vit C: begin with 3,000 mg and increase by 1,000 mg daily until bowel tolerance (which means loose stools or diarrhea). Then back off by 1,000 mg and this should be your optimal dose. Vitamin C stabilizes your mast cells, the white blood cells that release histamine.
Other Options
Acupuncture weekly through the spring allergy season
Wash your face and hands after being outside
Drink 8-10 glasses of water with a pinch of salt
Shower off before bed
There are plenty of other options (nettles for example),.....if you have a favorite remedy or recommendation to share with us, please do so in the comments below.
(credit to Banksy, British graffiti artist)