Clean Your House. Clean Your Body. Clean Your Mind.
         
Spring cleaning is just around the corner! And I’ve already begun: I recently went around my house collecting never-used items to return to the store, and received nearly $500 in refunds. Given the current economic climate, these items were welcome finds. Plus, clearing out unneeded goods made me feel so refreshed. Fewer things to collect dust that could strain my breathing and trigger sinus irritation. After all, spring is the season for hay fever and other sinus- related ailments.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, cleaning your digestive system can also help alleviate sinus ailments, including eye irritation and those nagging “sniffles.” Based on my experience with patients, many Americans are prone to consuming excess sweets, dairy, and alcohol, which often cause tissue inflammation. In response to the inflammation, your body secretes increased mucus, triggering sinus-related ailments.

So de-clutter internally! Limit your intake of foods that cause sinus congestion and trigger hay fever symptoms, such as:

Sugar. Sugar doesn’t mean only white sugar: anything larger than an 8oz. glass of juice, or a pastry, dessert, fruit or cookie that is larger than your fist, is too much for your system to handle at one time.

Dairy. Limit your intake of yogurt, ice cream, milk, and cheese. Butter, while high in fat, will not trigger sinus symptoms.

Alcohol. Limit alcohol consumption as well. Wine is the worst offender because it contains FDA-mandated sulfites, which are hard on the liver and trigger eye irritation. Plus, alcohol contains high amounts of sugar that can lead to inflammation and cause the body to feel and look puffy.

To maximize your internal spring cleaning, I recommend you avoid your intake of sugar, dairy, and alcohol for at least 2 weeks. Your brain will feel sharper, your body will become lighter and your mornings will be brighter. Most of all, you will be able to breathe easier, thus promoting the flow of oxygen and positive energy (qi) throughout your body.

Once you de-clutter your body, you will notice you have more room and space in which to move and grow – just like after a good house cleaning! Make this spring the most cheerful, healthiest season yet.

If you have ongoing sinus problems that aren’t helped by these techniques, a variety of acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal treatments are available through my office. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 415-544-9104. Or, send me an e-mail at drwonson@drwonson.com.