The Season for Sneezin'

Spring is Springing here in the Southern Hemisphere! It’s a time for fresh growth, new life, and the promise of warmer weather to come. In Wellington, the wind really gets up, and swirls around with it all sorts of pollens and grasses, so those prone to hay-fever often dread the flare up of symptoms at this time of year...

Hay-fever - or allergic rhinitis – is a reasonably common condition where allergens such as pollen or dust cause an over-reaction of the immune system. This results in symptoms such as a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, sinus congestion, and sneezing etc. Hay-fever is often seasonal, flaring up in times where there are more allergens around such as Spring, or it can be a more chronic, year-round condition.

If you want to nip your hay-fever in the bud this season, you’re already struggling to keep your symptoms in check, or would like more tools in your kit than just taking anti-histamines then read on...

Give Traditional Chinese Medicine a Go

In Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM) terms, allergic rhinitis is viewed as being the result of both a deficiency of Kidney & Lung Qi and the meridian channel which connects the Kidney to the nose (called the Du Mai), combined with the onslaught of pathogenic ‘Wind’. So basically this is a constitutional vulnerability to external allergens.

Treatment approaches often start from before the windy season begins (check out my previous blog for some tips on supporting your health through winter that can cross over to preparing for spring). In spring the practitioner will use acupuncture needles to continue to support the root imbalance enabling the condition, as well as treating the symptoms that present for the individual. Cupping or gua sha (a ‘scraping’ technique) may also be used on the upper back, along with massage to stimulate specific acu-points and clear sinuses.

Use Food and Herbs

I always try to tailor my nutrition to counter any health niggle I might have – it’s a positive action you can take for yourself at every meal! Try including some foods that both support your Lungs and Kidneys, as well as relieving the symptoms of hay-fever.

To regulate and support the immune system you could try medicinal mushrooms such as reishi or shiitake, ginger, garlic, turmeric, berries, and the enzyme bromelain in pineapples has been shown to help with allergy symptoms. Radishes and onions can do wonders for relieving congestion, and don’t forget good old fashioned squeezed lemon juice.

Gut health is also closely linked with immune function, so including foods high in probiotics and prebiotics can be hugely beneficial – kefir, kombucha, miso, sauerkraut, yoghurt etc are good sources of probiotics (supplements are also readily available), and prebiotics (which feed the probiotics) are found primarily in high fibre foods, so if you’re eating plenty of fruit, veg and whole grains you should be consuming ample prebiotics.

You might find some foods such as dairy products or sugar make your symptoms worse, so it goes without saying to do your best to avoid things that don’t work for you.

Talk to a medical herbalist to get a specific herbal prescription for your needs – herbs have been shown to be very effective for helping with allergies.

At Home Extras

As well as doing your best to avoid the allergens that really get to you, here are a few things you can do at home to help alleviate your symptoms.

-Reduce stress

-Use an air filter/purifier

-Steam inhalations with essential oils such as peppermint or eucalyptus

-Herbal nasal sprays are available, as well as other ways to flush sinuses with saline such as a neti pot.

-Breathing techniques

Good luck relieving your allergies this season! Remember, I’m not a doctor so please do your own due diligence when trying new medical products, and if in doubt talk to your primary healthcare provider. See you in clinic soon!