Natural Treatment of Spring Allergies

After a rainy start, we are starting to get some sunny days and with
those days lots of pollen! Here’s some natural solutions to seasonal
allergies. First try a nasal wash, start with a quarter teaspoon of
organic or kosher sea salt and a cup of warm (not hot) pure(not
tap) water, stir it up and either use a neti pot or a clean eye dropper
to irrigate each nostril separately. Let the water run down thru the nostril down the throat. Use organic wild honey, it aids immunity to
allergies. Go very sparingly on dairy products as they can be
mucous forming. Probiotics are helpful, so are vitamin C and
Zinc. Yes, an Acupuncture Treatment can boost your bodies
immune function and Chinese Herbs can work wonders.
A common formula is Bi Yan Pain which contains Magnolia Flower
which is drying and goes to the nose. It can be very useful when
we have symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.We also have formulas

that build up the immune system (Jade Wind Screen) while helping with

allergy symptoms. Here at East-West Acupuncture we take the time to

figure out which herbal remedy is right for you.

It’s hard to believe but Spring is almost here! In Chinese Medicine Spring is associated with the Yang or active energy of life. Plants are sending shoots

out thru the ground.  Spring is associated with the Liver in Chinese Medicine.
Spring is when things turn green & the color
associated with the Liver is green. The Liver is also
associated with Anger and Frustration. Some Lifestyle tips would be to get out in Nature (Green) or do some gardening.  Diet wise, one should eat

lighter and eat less. Sweet & Pungent foods are expansive and are recommended this time of year. Chinese Medicine tends to frown on

Raw Foods but Spring is the best time of year to eat them, however use

moderation with these as they are cooling. The Liver can easily get stagnated

either physically (it’s a detox organ) or mentally (stagnant thoughts). So

it’s especially  good to avoid poor quality fats this time of year. It’s also

important to do some energy exercises like Qi Gong or Tai Chi.  Bitter

foods can be important for stuck people.  Bupleurum is a very important

herb for moving Qi and the formula Free & Easy Wander is a great formula

this time of year, however it’s always good to be seen by a practioner to

make sure it’s right for you. Here at East-West Acupuncture Clinic in Portland we are board certified in

Chinese Herbal Medicine and have a complete pharmacy available.

Healthy Eating involves reading labels and if you
are dinning out, asking where something came
from.
Interestingly, Ice Cream from a standpoint of
Chinese Medicine is cold and phlegm producing.
Generally, I tell patients to eat warm slightly cooked foods, especially in the winter and to avoid iced drinks as the digestive system needs warmth.
Here is the article:

http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/top-ten-foods-avoid/

We all know that complementing your Acupuncture treatments with a good Diet is important. Here is an article from Men’s Journal from Steve Nash (Pro-Basketball Player) on the benefits of  giving up sugar

http://www.mensjournal.com/living-sugar-free

Lots of folks ask me how often or how long do I have to come in? Well,

Treatment Plan is a crucial part of getting better. Normally, Acupuncture

works in multiple sessions, building on each other till we get well. However,

now & then we can knock out something in 1 or 2 sessions. The longer you

have had something, the more severe it is and how strong your body is will

help determine the length of treatment plan. Generally pain problems

are better treated by treatments bunched closer together and things like

digestive problems or gynecological issues are treated weekly or even

every other week as we generally have the patient take herbs in between.

As a person gets better they will come in less frequently.  A general rule

is that if you have had something for 1 year, you should have 1 month of

treatment. I generally tell people with anything chronic to give acupuncture

6-8 treatments & if the patient feels better, we know we’re on the right

track.