Allergy Season is Upon Us

The smell of flowers is in the air, which means it's spring allergy season! While the colors may be intoxicating, the inflammatory effects are not. Here are 5 easy ways to bring down the itchy, sneezy, irritated time of year and enjoy the floral fireworks.  

1. Allergies are contact-based, which means the body is releasing histamines because it's found an innocuous piece of pollen in your sinus or throat. With that in mind, minimize contact. Shed any layers that is in contact with outdoor irritants, regularly launder pillowcases and sheets, and keep that air purifier going throughout the night when you're sleeping. Rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution, either store-bought or made using distilled water, can also greatly reduce any stuck allergens.  

2. You can use herbal formulas or supplements to bring down the body's reactivity. Talk to your acupuncturist about which formula is best. As for supplements, there are many kinds that are naturally anti-allergy, but a common one is quercetin. It is a flavonoid found in many different types of foods. Cherry tomatoes, red or yellow onions, kale, broccoli, blueberries, and green tea are all good sources of quercetin. You can also take it as a supplement in doses of 500mg to 1000mg daily.  

3. If there's a simple way to help open up clogged sinuses, it's nasal humming. Studies have shown that humming with the mouth closed can activate the body's production of nitric oxide, a substance shown to improve immune function. One study showed that an hour of humming daily over 4 days completely resolved stubborn sinusitis. So if you have 3 to 5 minutes, think of your favorite song and hum along. It just might clear up those pesky sinuses.  

4. If you don't care for humming, you can also massage your brows and cheeks. The muscles around the eyes and nose can get tight, so loosen them up with some firm pressure and movement along those bony landmarks. Add a warm compress to relax the area and help to open up the sinuses.

5. And finally, come in for acupuncture!

Tanya Zhu, LAc - To Tanya, health is about the intersection of mind, body and spirit. She strives to provide the best Traditional Chinese Medicine to patients, incorporating acupuncture, herbs, Asian massage and qigong as a means to balance both the physical and emotional aspects of health. When not working, Tanya enjoys the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, whether it's bathing in the sounds of nature, sampling the gastronomic abundance of the city, or connecting with family and friends.