Surviving the Allergy Season

Spring is finally here … well, sort of. We had some cold days last week. Anyway, I've been hearing a lot of patient complaints lately about allergies acting up. Checking on www.pollen.com, I see that we are well into the the “medium-high” range this week. So, what to do about the running nose, coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes?

Usually people resort to taking antihistamines. Histamines are substances made in the body as a natural response to something foreign. The sneezing, coughing, and mucus is your immune system working hard to protect you,  sending out its defense soldiers to surround and expel the invading nuisance. Antihistamines deactivate these natural soldiers, essentially rendering them ineffective, and can cause side effects  ranging from annoying to downright detrimental to your overall health.

A few lifestyle changes can help to actually correct the problem. Instead of dumbing down the defenses, natural medicine helps to build the immune system into a strong, protective force field.

• Avoid foods that contain dyes or preservatives, those that naturally contain molds, like melons or mushrooms, and those that produce phlegm, like dairy and citrus.
• Chinese medicine attributes a strong immune system to strong Lung energy, which protects the surface of the body from would-be invaders. People who don't suffer from allergies have strong Lung energy. White-colored foods, such as cauliflower, radishes, water chestnuts, and pears, nourish Lung energy.
• Keep the Lung's partner, the Large Intestine, strong, clear, and healthy, as well. This is the interior fortress of immunity. “Meal in, meal out” is ancient wisdom, but once a day is a good start. Antibiotics totally deplete the good bacteria we need in our colons for proper digestion and immunity. Stress (and we are all stressed!) depletes it as well. 
• A good probiotic should be taken regularly to replenish this good bacteria. Some clues to finding a good one – it should require refrigeration after opening, contain billions of bacteria cells of several different strains, be dairy- and yeast-free, and is usually a bit expensive. The best ones are from health food stores or health care practitioners. The one I use has 14 types of bacteria, 20 billion little soldiers! 
• Stinging nettle, a “weed” covered with tiny thorns, is a wonderful healing herb available as a tea, capsule, or extract. Chocked full of vitamin C, iron, and minerals, it can help keep the body strong against allergens and reduce the histamine reaction. For kids, make a tea of nettle, lemon balm, a touch of honey, then freeze it into popsicles. Click here to read about more of nettle's benefits, or possible medication interactions. 
• In Chinese medicine, we strengthen the immune system with herbal formulas and specific acupuncture points, mostly on the forearms and lower legs. The best time for treatment is during the season prior to the allergy season, but treating someone during an allergic episode is also very effective.

Plenty of sleep, light exercise, and eating warm, well-cooked foods will also go a long way to keep the body's defenses strong.