Tis the season for sniffles. Have they snuck up on you? This is the time for the perennial runny nose, red eyes, sneezing and sniffles. Pollens abound and so do seasonal allergies right now.

In some folks, their bodies interpret pollen as a threat, and so they develop antibodies against the pollen in the nose. The pollen is just trying to make baby trees, it’s really not trying to hurt you. Seasonal allergies occur when the the body works to fight off airborne invaders by putting up defenses in the respiratory tract, specifically the nose.

Unfortunately, what happens is the histamine that is  released (in response to the pollens) causes swelling of the tissue in the nose as well as an increase in mucous production. Histamine also makes you itch incessantly!  Thus making you sniffly, sneezy and down right uncomfortable.

Some folks have gotten past the worst of it this season, but if you are still suffering this “pollen season”, here are a few tips to help you ease the annoying symptoms and get the upper hand.

Simple Lifestyle Strategies

1. Leave your shoes at the door: This lessens the amount of pollen you track into the house.
2. Clean the Floor:  Vacuum or mop every 2 days to eliminate pollens on the floor that HAVE been tracked in or blown in!
3. Wash Up:  Take a quick shower before bed. This helps to remove pollen that collected on your hair during the day so it won’t rub off on your pillow where you would breathing it all night.
4. Close it Up:  Close windows and outside doors, especially on high-pollen days and when it is breezy.
5. Filter It:  A high grade Hepa Filter is great for reducing pollen count in your home.  I like BlueAir or Austin Air Filters.  Also, remember to change your filter in your furnace and AC with a Hepa Grade filter as well.
6.  Recirculate It:  Keep the "Recirculation Button" on in your car and keep your windows up.  This prevent helps prevent pollens from getting into your car.

Simple Home Remedy Strategies

1. Sip on Nettles Tea – Helps prevent histamine which is making you stiffly and sneezy.
2. Drink Lemon Water – Lemons are high in Limonen which gently helps to detoxifiy histamines
3. Add Citrus Fruits and Onions Daily– Contains Quercetin which helps to block histamines
4. Increase Leafy Greens and Green Juices – Helps to oxygenate your blood and minimize muncous buildup.
5. Avoid Dairy – just makes the mucious issue worse!

Allergy Zapping Smoothie Recipe

This Green Smoothie is great for:

1. Oxygenating the blood.  Chlorophyl in leafy greens is a similar chemical structure to hemoglobin and helps to oxygenate your blood.
2. Helping to prevent histamine production
3. Nourishing the adrenals (which get totally tapped with seasonal allergies)
4. Decreasing mucous production and inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz filtered water
• 1 handful kale
• 1 handful spinach
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 onion
• 1 lemon
• 1 inch ginger
• 1/2 orange
• 1 tsp curry

Directions:

• Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.
• For a thinner juice add water until desired thickness.
• For a thicker juice add a little avocado.
• Enjoy!

These are just super simple strategies but they sure can be game changers in the season of sniffling and sneezing!

Be well and thrive,