Combat Spring Allergies! (Berkeley-Acupuncture)

All the blossoming and blooming brings with it allergies! Classic symptoms we all know of include itching and watery eyes, nasal congestion, scratchy throat and what seems like the possible onset of a cold.  These symptoms are caused by a histamine release- our bodies attempt to combat allergens that irritate our system.

So how can you combat these factors day to day? Below are natural ways to decrease your reactivity and lower your secretion of histamine.

• Food allergy testing can be a good starting point. Identifying reactive foods will decrease histamine release and inflammation to your mucosal membranes. Our gut houses a very robust immunity and defense system.  Minimizing allergic foods and its reactivity will improve your gut immunity, and decrease tissue inflammation.
•  Start taking a probiotic! This is a really easy way to balance the mucosal microflora.  Your mouth, nose and gut have relatively stable species that keep bad flora in check. Good oral   hygiene, combined with the daily use of probiotics, is essential for maintaining balance.
• Enlist the help of nutrients. QUERCITIN is a flavonoid that is great with helping to reduce the effects of histamine release and activity. NETTLES are probably the most effective natural anti-histamine.  What most people don’t realize is that nettles tea is much more powerful than oral capsules. Drink daily and often.

ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE HERBS- in conjunction these two can be highly effective in reducing your histamine response and preventing the onset of allergenic attacks. Be preemptive- if you notice that Spring is when you are most symptomatic, best to come in BEFORE you are having symptoms and start a regime to prevent.  We recommend coming in around the tail end of winter to boost your immunity so that you are armed and ready come Spring!

• Reduce or eliminate intake of dairy products-  Best Acupuncture is mucus production.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help drainage.
• Chinese dietetics emphasize eating: ginger, green onions, magnolia flower, bananas, garlic, black mushrooms, chrysanthemum flowers, mulberry leaves and apricot kernels, mustard greens and seeds, grapefruit peel, cilantro, parsnips, scallions, cinnamon, basil.
• REST is essential.
• ADEQUATE sleep- at least 8 hours/night.
• AVOID- extreme exposure to weather elements, coffee, smoking, stress, polluted air and smog.