You don’t have to suffer all season. There are ways to manage the symptoms and improve your immune system, so that you can still take time to smell the roses.
While allergies are provoked by harmless outside elements, such as pollen, mold, and pet dander, the inflammatory response we experience indicates that our immune system is not functioning well and that our flow of qi, or energy, is deficient or blocked. According to Chinese medicine, allergies can point to an imbalance in our lung energy. Lung energy is not the same as the lung organ from a Western medicine perspective. From an eastern perspective, the lung energy is responsible for our “defensive” qi so that potential allergens do not affect us. It is also responsible for our overall health and energy levels.
A stuffy nose, sinus congestion and postnasal drip also demonstrate that our qi is not transforming fluids appropriately so that phlegm accumulates. This can be caused by too much cold, raw, or congesting foods such as dairy and sugar, and/or from overwork, overthinking and stress, which depletes our energy in general. A constitutional weakness, gut imbalance, repeated antibiotic use or history of respiratory illness can make some people more susceptible to allergies than others.
Fortunately, Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, herbs and energy exercises work to improve the immune function and build up our qi so we are less vulnerable to allergies and better able to recover from illness more quickly.
Supplements can help
Ideally, you want to improve your immune function and modulate the inflammatory allergy response. Here are some herbs and supplements that can help:
- Butterbur – Shown to be as effective as Zyrtec in some studies. It helps reduce inflammatory allergy response. Look for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) free brands.
- Quercetin—a powerful antioxidant, very effective at preventing the release of histamine.
- Local raw honey –Sometimes patients with flower allergies benefit from adding local raw honey into their diets.
- Astragalus is a classical Chinese herb used to tonify qi and prevent prevent illness from getting in by promoting overall health.
- Sabadil homeopathic remedy is another natural way to relieve symptoms.
Other supplements and foods to consider are bone broth, green tea, or the green tea extract EGCG, vitamin c, omega 3 oils and deep sea fatty fishes, and good probiotics.
More tips for managing allergies
- Rinse with filtered water and salt using a neti pot or nasal irrigation practice to remove allergens and unblock nasal passages.
- Use Air filters with Hepa filters when indoors. Close windows when sleeping.
- Change clothes and shower after being outside.
- Practice dry skin brushing to boost your immune system. (add video )
- Prioritize sleep, exercise and stress management all year long to strengthen your immune system and health before allergy season hits.
- Avoid being outdoors during high pollen counts times (early morning, late evening, windy days, and dry/hot days)
Chrysanthemum tea for itchy eyes
If itchy eyes are an issue, a few chrysanthemum flower buds (unless you’re allergic) and a few goji berries steeped in green tea is a classic Chinese remedy. You can drink the tea and place the chrysanthemum buds over your eyes. Mint is another herb that helps cool the allergic response of itchy, red eyes and mild headache.
Brush up for health
A great way to boost your immune system and your mood is dry skin brushing. It can also minimize the appearance of cellulite.
A natural bristle long handled brush or even a dry cotton wash cloth/towel is all you need. Easiest way to incorporate dry brushing into your routine is to do it before you shower.
Dry skin brushing supports the lymph systems detoxification.
Using firm and vigorous, though not forceful motions brush up your body from your feet.
Use circular motions including around joints. On arms and legs, stroke upwards towards your heart.
Brush in circles around the buttocks and abdomen. Don’ t forget the back of your legs, especially your knees.
Brush towards your heart along your sides and your waist.
There are hundreds of lymph nodes under our arms and around the sides of our chest. You can brush there and around your breasts. Again, towards the heart.
Brush gently down your neck towards your heart. And don’t forget your back.
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