Holistic Support for Spring Allergies

Spring is springin' here in the Southeastern United States. It's swoon of beautiful budding Magnolia, Prunus, and Dogwood flowers opening on branch tips and wee, happy, vibrant daffodils and violets emerging from their winter slumber. It's the most ostentatiously gorgeous time of year here in North Carolina IMHO. And for pollen allergy sufferers- despite the beauty, it's often a bit of a hellish few months to be in such an abundantly canopied city. 

I'm writing today to share my Top 6 Holistic Allergy Management Support tips to help manage allergies, no matter what time of year they come a-knockin'. 

1. Rinse/Shower More Often. Pollen and allergen antigens in general, attach to our skin and hair as well as the little hairs (cilia) that line our upper respiratory tract- nose, sinuses, throat. Keeping these surfaces rinsed/washed helps to reduce the amount of antigens that our immune system is reacting to throughout the day- effectively reducing the load of antigens in our exposure bucket. Hopping in the shower daily to wash off your hair, skin, eyebrows and lashes, along with incorporating use of a Neti Pot for nasal/sinus rinsing can reduce symptoms for allergy sufferers. The Neti pot is best used preventively- when the nasal and sinus passages are open- but doesn't tend to be as helpful once we're all stopped up, so get on it ahead of when your allergy symptoms typically start or do a rinse after use of decongestants. Bathe your furry friends more regularly also if you're blessed to live with them and especially if they sleep with you.

2. Wet Dust and Vacuum Regularly. Pollen and allergens will gather on surfaces within our home- especially surfaces with a greater surface area like carpets, blankets and upholstered furniture. Wet dust and vacuum more often- especially rugs, and furniture you regularly sit on. Ideally use a vacuum with a HEPA filter (keep the filter clean/changed) and for wet dusting use homemade surface sprays (3:1 water:white vinegar with your favorite essential oils added) or all-purpose surface cleaners that are free of known toxins and common allergens- like those that are EWG verified.

3. Change your Sheets, Blankets, Pillow Cases and Pillows More Often. Again, allergens gather on fabric surfaces, especially from bodies that have not been washed off and pets. If you're not doing this already, change sheets, blankets and pillow cases every week and use laundry detergent that is free of known toxins and common allergens. Again- EWG is a good source for this. Additionally, keep pillows, mattresses and box springs covered with non-toxic allergen covers, especially if you are a dust mite allergy sufferer- and regularly wash your covers.

4. Minimize Congestion and Histamine Enhancing foods. These dietary culprits can be different for everyone but common congestion causing foods are dairy products, cold and frozen foods, fried foods, conventionally grown wheat and refined sugar. High histamine foods can bother allergy sufferers also and include aged, cured and fermented foods- think aged & moldy cheeses, large amounts of yogurt/kefir, sour cream, soy sauce, vinegar, tempeh,  aged and cured meat, canned fish, fermented alcohol (wine, beer, cider), kombucha, and leftovers. 

5. Love Your Liver & Gallbladder. In Five Element Chinese Cosmology spring is the season of the Wood element, and the Liver and Gallbladder are the organ expressions of Wood. You can think of this time of year as the spotlight season or high activity season of these organs. If there are imbalances in how these organs are functioning, they are heavily burdened with tasks, or constitutionally these are leading organs for your body- meaning they tend to be the ones that orient to the world/field challenges first- this season may prove challenging. Lifestyle tips for reducing burdens on your Liver/Gallbladder and supporting their function include:

• Reduce intake of alcohol, toxin exposure, heavily greasy/fried foods, sugar, and highly processed/refined carbohydrates
• Eat simple, easy to digest, meals that include bitter foods (bitter leafy greens- think dandelion, kale, arugula, radicchio, endive, brussell sprouts, broccoli rabe), green tea, coffee, dark chocolate, tea and sour foods (think berries, citrus, pomegranate, hibiscus, sour plums and cherries and small servings of fermented foods)
• Set boundaries where needed. Say no when you need to. Avoid over-committing.
• Give your anger/frustration/irritation a healthy avenue of expression. Consider picking up boxing, high output exercise, going to a rage room, doing David Lee Roth style high kicks in your yard or on the hiking trail, throwing ice cubes against the trunk of your favorite tree, screaming into a pillow, belting out your favorite righteous anger song in the car (You Oughta Know, anyone?!). 

6. Recruit Plant Friends and Supplemental Nutrition. There are many immune balancing, allergy supportive, mast cell stabilizing herbs and nutrients available that can help ease the challenge of allergy season. My top plant allergy allies include: Nettle Leaf, Hibiscus, Rosehips, and alterative (blood cleansing) herbs. At Wild River Wellness we make a custom Allergy Relief Tea that includes Nettle leaf, Hibiscus calyx and Rose hips that we blend up for clients to be prepared as an overnight infusion, sun tea or hot tea and recommend adding a touch of local honey for added benefits. Dr. Mottola's go to supplemental support products include Quercetin, Vitamin C, and NAC. 

We hope this post helps buoy you through allergy season so you can enjoy the stunning beauty and boisterous energy awakening with greater comfort and ease. Happy, Healthy Spring to all! 

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