Surviving the Seasons - The Pollening
Spring is Here! Oh NO! 🌸🤧
This week, I woke up to that familiar green-yellow dust covering my car. It’s happening… The Pollening. Pollen in the Roanoke Valley peaks in April and May, but you can already feel it—along with those dreaded allergy symptoms.
Our immune systems are about to spend the next few months treating pollen like an infection, making us feel miserable just when the weather is getting beautiful. But don’t worry! Here are some survival tips to help you through.
🌊 Rinse It Out
Use a neti pot or sinus rinse—it’s not as bad as it sounds! A simple saline rinse helps flush pollen, dust, and mucus out of your sinuses, relieving congestion. I use this regularly, especially after working in the yard. You can find neti pots and saline packets at any drugstore, or grab a bottle version at the clinic.
Hot Tip: If you’re super congested, wait until after a shower when everything is loosened up. And always use distilled or filtered & boiled water!
🌿 Nettles
Nettles are like acupuncture—pokey, but powerful! This weed/herb helps regulate the immune system, calming the reaction to pollen, and ease allergy symptoms.You can find nettle tea in most grocery stores, or if your allergies are more intense, Sinuplex (available at the clinic) contains a powerful blend of herbs, including nettles.
😴 Rest Up
Your immune system is working overtime (bless its heart 💕), even though it’s fighting the wrong thing. Make sure you get enough rest to help your body recover. Even just a little extra sleep or downtime can make a big difference in how you feel.
🚫 Reduce Exposure
⏰ Timing: Pollen counts are highest midday and into the afternoon. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, go early in the morning or later in the evening. (Bonus: It’s also better for avoiding the heat and most intense UV rays)
😷 Filtration: Wear a mask when doing yard work, and use HEPA filters in your HVAC system, vacuum, and air purifiers to help keep pollen out of your space.
Spring is gorgeous, but allergies don’t have to ruin it. With a few simple steps, you can still enjoy the season! 🌷✨
And if you need extra support, the team at AIH is here to help:
See Beth for an Immune Boost IV or shot.
Work with Zac for a Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT), a specialized ear-acupuncture treatment for allergies and histamine production.
Try acupuncture with Alex for some points that will help re-calibrate the immune response and reduce symptoms.
