Many of us, including myself, suffer from seasonal allergies. Spring can be a glorious time, the snow has melted, the temperatures are rising, the birds are singing and the flowers are trees are starting to bloom! Everyone around you is frolicking in bliss, and enjoying the feeling of the freedom of the outdoors. Yes, this should be an exciting time after a long, cold Winter…but for allergy sufferers, this can be a time of anxiety, stress and frustration.
Luckily, acupuncture, herbs and nutrition can be extremely helpful in relieving the misery of seasonal allergies! As an acupuncturist, I have treated an array of allergy symptoms with great results. By building up the immune system, and nurturing the body so that it can rescue itself from the abysmal symptoms that come with the season change… we can actually enjoy this wonderful time of the year!
Eating a diet packed with antioxidants, probiotics, and Omega-3s can help lessen inflammation, improve lung function, strengthen the immune system, and minimize complications of hay fever. Kefir or yogurt with active cultures helps build good bacteria in the gut. In Chinese medicine, healthy lung function starts with a healthy gut environment. Salmon is known to be high in Omega 3’s which are potent anti-inflammatories. Miso soup or other hot broths and green tea can help loosen mucus, with the added benefit of having antioxidants. Berries, red grapes, cherries, nuts, dark green veggies, sweet potatoes, and whole grains are other examples of powerful antioxidants, which help boost the immune system. Green onions and garlic are rich in quercetin and have antihistamine properties.
Blueberry Coconut Cake Bites
Yields 15 servings
½ cup walnuts½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut½ cup coconut flour (or another½ cup shredded coconut)½ cup pitted dates½ cup organic blueberries 1 Tbsp raw local honey¼ tsp sea salt½ tsp ground cinnamon
Place the walnuts and dates in a food processor and grind to the texture of coarse sand. Add the remaining ingredients and process again until ingredients come together in a dough-like consistency. The dough should stick together without being too wet (add more coconut flour, if needed) or too dry (add a splash of water in this case). Remove in spoonfuls and roll into small ball shapes. Place in cupcake cases (optional) in a sealable container and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Keep cakes refrigerated for up to a week.
For further reading, I have included a link to an article published last year from the Annals of Internal Medicine detailing a case study where acupuncture was used to treat the effects of seasonal allergies. http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1583578
For more information about how acupuncture can help you, please call my office to schedule a complimentary phone consultation, or to schedule an appointment.