The winds are up and the weather is changing from hot to cold to rainy, all in one day. The pollen is flying like crazy. ‘Tis the season to be sneezy!
Midwives and birth workers are especially prone to burnout and fatigue from working shifts, late nights and long hours. Low immunity can leave allergy sufferers vulnerable during spring in particular. So it may not be just the time of year that has you hanky in hand and leaking from your eyeballs – it may in fact be partly your demanding profession.
You want some relief, but you prefer natural hayfever remedies to pharmaceuticals wherever possible. So what can you do about managing your allergies to get through your day and sleep at night?
1. Neti pot for relief of hayfever symptoms
Have you heard of the neti pot? It’s the ultimate natural hayfever remedy. The neti pot is an ancient Indian tradition that will help you clear out your sinuses – literally. All the mucus and the bugs come flushing out in an easy process that takes a few minutes to do.
I’ve been recommending the neti pot to clients for years. Many of them can’t believe the results they get: their nose clears, their eyes stop being itchy and red, they don’t feel so fatigued anymore and sneezing dramatically reduces.
If you’re interested in how to do it, check out this clip: (the only difference I would say is use all boiling water and wait for it to cool).
We have neti pots for sale in our online store and we highly recommend the model we sell. It’s the one we use at home.
2. Your diet has a huge impact on alleviating hayfever symptoms
The next natural hayfever remedy is about prevention and symptom reduction. It’s your diet. Is that a surprise? I hope not!
What you eat has a huge impact on your immune reactions. During a hayfever flair-up, you need to reduce the amount of mucus-producing foods you’re eating. Avoid them as much as possible when you’re suffering an allergy attack and for a little while after your symptoms subside.
So what are mucus-producing foods? They’re classified as damp foods in Chinese medicine. Here’s a basic list:
- Sugar
- Fresh and dried fruit
- Dairy
- Nuts (especially peanuts)
- Butter
- Pizza
- Deep-fried food
- Cream
- Ice-cream
3. Natural hayfever treatments are available
Sometimes, neti pots and dietary adjustments just aren’t enough. You may begin to lose faith in natural hayfever remedies and you’re tempted to head to the chemist for a quick-fix pill.
If you do have a strong preference for natural hayfever and allergy treatments, consider Chinese herbal medicine. It has been around for thousands of years and there are incredibly effective herbal formulas to help you through the windy season.
One good formula is Magnolia Flower Powder. It helps to unblock the nasal passages, clear all that itch from your body and kill the bugs. You can find it at a good Chinese herbalist, or order some online and have it ready for your next allergy attack.
We can also help treat allergies at our Red Tent Health Centre. Contact us to find out more about relieving hayfever, or book an appointment with us today.
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