Hayfever Self Help

It’s a horrible time for hayfever sufferers, especially in Melbourne! Here’s 4 things you can do to help reduce your hayfever.

1. Eat less sugar and dairy. These foods cause your body to produce a lot of phlegm and exacerbate your allergic response to allergens like pollen and dust. Eating less/or no sugar or dairy can help significantly. You just have to ask yourself the question: “is the 5 minutes joy of icecream each day worth feeling miserable from hayfever all day?”.
2. Reduce or better manage your stress. Stress affects your liver function, which in turn makes your hayfever worse. In Chinese medicine your liver function affects your hayfever.
3. Clean up. Most allergic responses are to dust, pollen and pet dander. Dust regularly and thoroughly (especially in your bedroom). Keep your windows shut in spring to prevent the high pollen count from entering your house. Regularly groom your cat/dog and try to stop them sleeping on your bed (although I know this is impossible at times!).
4. Regularly self-massage two acupressure points. There are two easily accessed acupressure points which can help a lot with hayfever and sinus issues. Use your fingers or thumbs to massage these points for 60 seconds. They will probably be quite tender.

Acupressure point #1: BL2

Located on the underside of the eyebrow close in towards the bridge of the nose.

Acupressure point #2: LI4

Located in the fleshy part of the back of your hand between your forefinger and thumb.

These four strategies should help you manage your hayfever.