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As beautiful as spring may be once the flowers have bloomed, it’s also a season for allergies and lingering colds. We talked to alternative and integrative medicine doctors in the area about ways you can stay healthy this spring.
Clarence Lam, physician in preventive medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
1) With the weather warming, take a walk outside during your lunch hour. A brisk walk will help you get exercise and clear your mind to be sharper in the afternoon.
2) If you have allergies, try to avoid outdoor activities in the morning because pollen tends to be present at higher levels in the morning than during other parts of the day.
Ileana Gonzalez, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Apurva Wellness
3) First thing in the morning, drink 1 glass of warm water with lemon juice, use a tongue scraper, use a neti pot or nasya karma oil (available atwww.banyanbotanicals.com). These habits will help with allergies, improving digestion, and clearing out toxins that accumulated during this long, cold winter!
JoseLo Gutierrez, M.Ac, Acupuncturist, City Circle Acupuncture
4) To prevent the overproduction of mucus and phlegm in your sinus and lungs, avoid the consumption of dairy, gluten and refine sugar. Keep in mind that refined sugar weakens our immune system.
5) It’s spring time, eat tons of greens.
William Reddy, M.Ac, Acupuncturist, Pinecrest Wellness
6) To prepare for spring pollen allergies, take one teaspoon of organic raw (unpasteurized) local honey per day as immunotherapy. Late winter is the best time to begin this regimen.
7) CoQ10 (50mg per day), Glutamine (3,000mg, two times per day) and a quality probiotic taken on an empty stomach before bedtime can improve symptoms and contribute to overall health.
8) Supplementing with zinc (15 mg) and vitamin C (1,000 mg 3 times per day) can support your immune system when you have a lingering cold or bronchitis to shorten the duration and reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
9) The patent traditional Chinese herbal medicine Yingchaio is also effective for colds and bronchitis.
10) Sleep at least 8 hours a day, avoid sugar intake and drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water per day.
