Allergy season is in full swing and with it come requests for help and suggestions for relieving the most common symptoms. For reflexology self-help, use finger pressure to work the sinus points along the sides of the fingers of the opposite hand. Best done lying down if possible, this may help unblock a stuffy nose – use pressure anywhere there is a sensitive or sore spot. For eye irritation, press along the base of the 2nd and 3rd fingers with the opposite thumb.
Using the a neti pot daily can also be extremely helpful, not only does it unblock the sinuses, it washes away pollen trapped in the nostrils. The pot can be a tricky thing to get used to, but practice a few times and you will be surprised at how easy it becomes to use – make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Doctors are increasingly advocating their helpfulness and all major pharmacies stock them for around $12.
Another potential, if somewhat controversial, idea is to take a teaspoonful of local, raw honey everyday. Why? The theory is that as the bees use pollen to make honey, it will act as a kind of natural vaccine against the allergens causing the problem. The medical communtity is divided about the effectiveness, but at the least it will not hurt to try – and since you need to use honey containing local pollen, you will be supporting bee keepers in your community. Check out the nearest farmers’ market and you may find lots of other interesting vendors along the way!
