DIY Spring Allergy Relief!

Oregon's stunning Spring season has arrived, marked by the vibrant flowers and blossoms lining our iconic tree-filled streets. It's the perfect opportunity to clear out the garage and garden and prepare our outdoor living areas for Summertime parties.

I truly love this time of year as it offers a rejuvenating transition into a more active, outdoor lifestyle.

Yet, many of us may experience the “darker” side of Spring. Perhaps you've noticed more sneezing, coughing, or redness in your eyes—common yet bothersome symptoms of the season.

The "sneeze pocket" has been a crucial move

This year, allergies have hit me harder than ever before, leading me to rely even more on herbal remedies and at-home tools. Out of necessity, I’ve developed a simple protocol that keeps me healthy while being simple enough to complete every day. And, I'm thrilled to share it with you in this newsletter.

So, if you also suffer from Springtime allergies, let this be your guide to help you tackle what appears to be an especially intense allergy season. I'll explain the steps listed in the chart and you'll learn how they will help minimize your allergy symptoms.

I suggest downloading and printing this chart and having it handy in your kitchen and bathroom.

I'll explain the steps listed in the chart and why they will help minimize your allergy symptoms this season!

Quercetin can be found in onions, apples, grapes, berries, broccoli, citrus fruits, cherries, and green tea.

Showers literally wash away pesky allergens! This is especially crucial in the morning because opportunistic microbes, dust mites, and pollen can float around and settle on us while we sleep. It's a bit of a disturbing image so just take a quick rinse to avoid overthinking this one! I take one first thing in the morning which also allows the steam to help clear my sinuses so that they are ready for XClear nasal spray. At night, I shower after taking my Quercetin and Imperial Tonic.

2 capsules a day keep my sniffles away.

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. In lab tests, quercetin has shown the ability to prevent immune cells from releasing histamines, the very chemicals responsible for triggering allergic reactions! This has led researchers to believe that quercetin could be a fantastic ally in alleviating allergy symptoms like runny noses, watery eyes, hives, and swelling of the face and lips. I take one capsule twice a day.

Yes, I take this for immunity but alas, also for vanity.

Imperial Tonic: One of the most effective, comprehensive and balanced herbal formulas in the Chinese materia medica. It strengthens your body so that you can stave off infections of any kind. Imperial Tonic can be used to treat chronic fatigue, anemia, post-surgical and postpartum recovery, and many other conditions characterized by general weakness. I've also noticed that it can treat post-Covid illnesses, espcially when brain fog and lethargy are present. I take 2 capsules every evening to strengthen my immunity and to keep my skin, nails, and hair strong.

This formula helps to significantly cut down my Kleenex usage.

Magnolia Clear Sinus is a specialized herbal formulation for treating allergic sinusitis or rhinitis, characterized by nasal congestion and clear nasal discharge due to allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Common symptoms include a stuffy nose, clear discharge, sneezing, loss of smell, and headaches from sinus pressure. Magnolia Clear Sinus uses natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties to alleviate these symptoms, enhancing the body's defense against allergens. I take 4 in the morning and 4 more in the afternoon if the pollen counts are especially high that day.

The hardest part is getting the angle of your head right. Tilt your forehead forward and gently pull your ear to the side of the nostril where the water will be exiting.

A neti pot is a small, teapot-shaped device used to flush the nasal passages with a saline solution. By pouring the solution through one nostril and letting it drain out the other, it rinses away allergens, mucus, and irritants. This can relieve nasal congestion, reduce inflammation, and ease seasonal allergies or sinus discomfort. When used with sterile or distilled water and salt, it supports clear breathing and sinus health naturally and drug-free.

This saved me from recurrent nose bleeds!

Xlear MAX Nasal Spray is a natural, drug-free solution for fast relief from severe sinus pressure, congestion, and allergies. It combines xylitol, capsicum, and aloe vera to ease nasal discomfort. Xylitol moisturizes and cleanses, reducing swelling and protecting tissues. Capsicum, from chili peppers, acts as a natural antihistamine, while aloe vera soothes and heals.

Simple to fill and clean because the reservoir is a removable bucket with a handle! Also connects to an app so you can easily change settings plus it has a "dark-mode" setting for undisturbed sleep.

A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can be especially beneficial for people dealing with allergies. Dry air can irritate the nasal passages, throat, and sinuses, making allergy symptoms worse. By keeping the air comfortably humid, a humidifier helps soothe irritated tissues, thin out mucus, and make it easier to breathe. It can also reduce the presence of airborne allergens like dust and pollen by helping them settle out of the air.

I truly hope that this post helps you find relief so that you can enjoy this gorgeous season. As always, thank you for doing this with me!

Bonus photos of the family...

She taught me the “sneeze-pocket,” tbh...looking for ducklings in our neighborhood

Rico’s 11th birthday party with his neighbor buddies. All such good boys!

San Clemente mini-vacay with my bestie from U of O Gamma Phi Beta days! It was super windy on the whale watching tour and you bet I started sneezing uncontrollably...but not enough to disturb the dolphins swimming by!