Do Spring Flowers Make You Glower? Manage Seasonal Allergies More Effectively!

Written By Sara L. Allen

From the Sojourns Archives
By Greg Burkland, N.D.

The warming air and melting snow bring anticipation of green grass, warm days, and daffodils.  For many people, those joys are accompanied by sneezes, watery eyes, sinus congestion, headache and/or fatigue; all common symptoms of seasonal allergies. If you have resigned yourself to living with allergies, be confident that this spring can be different.

Allergies are often an outer manifestation of internal imbalances.  Your immune system does recognize and reject specific allergens, but with better overall health your response to those allergens will be more appropriate and less hyperactive.  Additionally, if you can reduce the total load of stressors (toxins, chronic illness, dietary indiscretions, emotional turmoil) that your body has to process, your body will be more able to deal with the things that are difficult to avoid (dust, pollen, pet dander).

It is nearly impossible to avoid the onslaught of pollen that greets you when you step out of your door, but you can lighten the load on your immune system by taking the following steps to reduce exposure in your home: 

*Vacuum frequently with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.

*Purchase and use a high quality HEPA air filter for your bedroom (at least 1/3 of your day is spent in that room).

*Evaluate and eliminate dampness in the house.

*Frequently wash all of your bedding. Keep pets off of your bed.

The foods that you eat during your allergy season can affect the severity of your allergy symptoms.  Eating an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables provides your body with vitamin C and flavonoids, which act as natural antihisthamines.  Some foods, on the other hand, can make your symptoms worse by causing your membranes to produce more and thicker mucus, which contributes to congestion, sinus infections, and other symptoms. Dairy products (especially milk and cheese), sweets, and orange juice are the biggest mucus producers in the kitchen.  Avoiding or minimizing these will go a long way toward easing your symptoms.

Many herbs, supplements, and therapies have proven safe and effective in taking allergy reduction a step further.  Herbs, such as goldenrod, elder flower, and eyebright have been used for centuries to reduce sinus congestion and mucus production.  Bromelain is an enzyme from pineapple that can help to break up sinus congestion.  Nettles can act as a short-term natural anti-histamine. Craniosacral therapy or chiropractic can help to improve sinus drainage.  NAET is a Chinese medicine-based therapy that can retrain your body to stop reacting to specific allergens.  Countless therapies exist; finding the one that is right for you is part of our role in your care.

At Sojourns we have a great deal of experience working with many people in addressing their allergies. We offer a variety of options that we can customize to fit individual needs and preferences.

Visit our online store to see what products might help you out this spring!

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