Six spring tips for hayfever sufferers

It looks like spring is almost on the horizon. This is great news for most, but hay fever suffers might be preparing for a dreaded few months. We have lots of people visit the clinic every spring seeking advice for the relief of the symptoms of hay fever and sinusitis so we asked one of the Content practitioners, Laura Jones BSc MBAcC for her tips on taking the sting out of spring.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views hay fever as an invasion of wind, the climatic factor associated with spring, into the nose and lungs. Wind in TCM disrupts the normal processes of the body leading to inflammation, sneezing, watering eyes and sinusitis. This can be a sign of a weakened immune system often as a result of poor diet, overwork, stress, and lack of sleep or exercise. All of these factors in TCM lead to increased levels of inflammation in the body, primarily affecting the digestion, which in turn may inhibit the body's ability to repair and protect itself against disease.

It is a good idea to start preparing your body early. Now is the time to implement the tips below to help strengthen your body before hay fever season really kicks in.

1. Get enough sleep. 8-10 hours per night during the winter months as this is when the body repairs and recuperates ready for spring.

2. Take up Tai Chi or Qi Gong. Static and moving meditations that are very revered in China for their ability to regulate the immune system.

3. Diet is very important in TCM. Include foods that strengthen the immune and digestive systems for example, chestnuts, walnuts, sunflower and sesame seeds, nettle tea, and artichoke leaf. Astragalus, licorice, and ginseng help to reduce the release of histamine and decrease inflammation; garlic is a great decongestant and anti-histamine and ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds (gingerols) which inhibit the formation of inflammatory cytokines. With the new regulations for herbal medicine coming in for April your may need to see a qualified herbalist or naturopath to have these herbs prescribed. Increasing your food intake of those readily available is very useful.

4. Reduce consumption of inflammation and mucus producing foods. In TCM this includes, anything excessively sweet, processed, greasy or fatty, chilled or frozen, excessive consumption of raw vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, salt, vinegar, dairy products, and alcohol.

5. Practice good breathing techniques. This will strengthen the energy of your lungs and help prevent infection.

6. Acupuncture has been shown to strengthen immunity and reduce inflammation in the body. It can be used during an acute attack to alleviate symptoms, as well as prior to the hay fever season to address the underlying cause.

Imelda Burke is the founder of Content, which specialises in emerging results-driven organic beauty brands. Content incorporates a wellbeing and beauty clinic and is regarded as London's leading organic and natural apothecary.

Laura Jones BSc MBAcC practices Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, at Content. www.beingcontent.com 020 3075 1006

11th March 2011