What you need in your Springtime self-care toolbox

It’s that time of year… the birds wake earlier, the sun sets later, flowers are in bloom, and you’re in line at the pharmacy loading up on tissues, eye drops and allergy medications. Spring is here! With a hope and a prayer, you’ll get through this season. Except there’s another way!

If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can decrease pain and inflammation, boost the immune system and regulate the body's histamine response to its various offenders. Long story short, you’ll regain time and energy lost from depleting physical symptoms.

The shift into spring is an excellent time to begin your holistic allergy regimen. One of the many strengths of Chinese Medicine is its use as preventative medicine to stop allergies before they even start. However, should you be a little late to that game, it’s also very effective in treating symptoms as they come up.

Get in touch with me or schedule a virtual herbal consult to learn which TCM treatments and modalities are best for you, and how you can use them to get the relief you need.

In addition to getting regular acupuncture treatments, you may find relief with these healing remedies you can add to your at-home self-care tool box.

Acupressure

Acupressure is the practice of applying pressure to specific points on the body. Like acupuncture, acupressure works with the same points that connect to energy channels (meridians) throughout the body. An at-home self-acupressure practice may be the key to relief when you can’t get to an acupuncture appointment.

Applying gentle, sustained pressure to acupressure points can:

Relieve Pain: Acupressure can help reduce pain and discomfort associated with seasonal allergies, such as sinus headaches, congestion and muscle tension. By employing the body's natural pain-relieving mechanisms, acupressure offers a drug-free alternative for managing chronic discomfort and pain.
Boost Immunity: Regular acupressure sessions may help strengthen the immune system by enhancing the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Improving Circulation: Acupressure can enhance blood circulation, which is vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues. Improved circulation can help promote healing, reduce inflammation, and boost overall health.

**Acupressure Point: LI-4**

This point is used to treat all symptoms of the head and face. A popular acupressure point for headaches, this point is used to help alleviate red, itchy eyes, fevers, heat in the face, sinus troubles, toothache, and jaw pain. In combination with other points, LI-4 boosts the body's defensive Qi and strengthens the immune system, regulates sweating, and moves qi and blood stagnation to stop pain.
LI-4 is located in the meaty muscle between the thumb and index finger, apply deep pressure with your opposite thumb and index finger and massage the point in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Repeat as necessary.

**Acupressure point: LI-20**

This point is used to treat nose problems of any kind, especially nasal pressure and congestion.
LI-20 is located on both sides of the naso-labial groove. Using both index fingers, apply deep pressure and massage the point in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Repeat as necessary - moving up the along sides of the nose can also be beneficial.

TCM Herbal Formulas: Yu Ping Feng San (“Jade Windscreen”)

Yu Ping Feng San is a classical herbal formula that tonifies the Lung and Spleen Qi and resolves dampness. It also protects the exterior from "wind invasions", meaning things that we can “catch,” like colds, flus, and viruses. This three-herb formula includes the adaptogen astragalus (huang qi), and is taken preventatively to boost the immune system.

TCM Single Herb: Ju Hua (chrysanthemum)

This beautiful yellow herbs is cooling, and is used to clear heat, disperse “wind,” and clear the liver and eyes. It enters the Lung meridian, which opens into the nose, and the Liver channel, which goes to the head and opens into the eyes.

“Windy” symptoms are ones that can appear quickly and are constantly changing. Allergies can come and go suddenly and present with sneezing, headaches and dry, itchy eyes. Ju hua tea can be consumed any time allergy symptoms hit, or made into a compress and placed over the eyes when they feel hot, itchy and dry.

Essential Oils

One of my favorite essential oils of all time. It is a powerful oil to “open” and clear congestion from the head and face. Peppermint enters the Liver meridian to unblock stagnant qi and help ease tension.

Peppermint is a strong oil, and should be used properly diluted in a carrier oil for topical application on the chest (a non-toxic version of Vick’s Vapor Rub, if you will). It is not appropriate for young children, and keep away from eyes!

A few drops in a hot shower or on a hot towel held to the face also feels amazing.

There you have it, a complete self-care toolbox for Spring allergies. May the relief from seasonal stressors you gain this season open you up to new possibilities.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is holistic and highly personalized. While I provide helpful tips here that are beneficial for all bodies, they may not be the best match for your individual constitution. Contact me to receive personalized care, I’m here to help.

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