Wild About Spring and being prepared for a strong immunity & hayfever

I have always looked forward to the changing of the seasons and for so many people this is the best time of the year.  I am bias as I absolutely love nature and the gifts she continually gives us.  I absolutely love seeing leaves change colour, when daffodils come through and say hello and even when the sun is so bright that we have amazing fruits and veggies to uplift our soul.

Just as nature renews itself it is a good time to consider an internal cleanse a few times a year to keep our vitality up and energy high… our immunity is now needing to be nurtured more than ever before… especially for those who experience Hay fever or Sinus imbalance as soon as the seasons change.

The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen. Trees, grasses, and weeds release these tiny grains into the air to fertilize other plants. When they get into the nose of someone who's allergic, they send the body's defences haywire.

Always remember that an allergy occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance, known as an allergen. When a person has an allergy, the body produces antibodies that travel to the cells that release histamine and other chemicals.

Histamine causes swelling in the nose and eyes in an attempt to stop allergens entering the body. Histamine also causes sneezing to remove allergens from the nose. By reducing The main cause of a spring allergy is the pollen that grows and reproduces during the season.

Signs you are suffering from allergies:

• red and watery eyes
• sneezing
• runny nose
• itchy eyes, nose, ears, and mouth
• stuffy nose due to congestion
• puffy eyes
• post-nasal drip, where there is a sensation of mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• hives (rare)
• coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing

1 or more of these symptoms can make it an unbearable season for some.  The important thing is to ensure that you are eating foods rich in Vit C to ensure a boosted immunity which will also support a boosted liver, digestive system and bowel.  How good is it to know that foods such as:

• Oranges
• Blueberries
• Passionfruit
• Pineapple
• Kiwi fruit
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Green & Red Peppers
• Spinach
• Cabbage…

A strong immunity will allow you to enjoy the Springtime and all the allergens won’t affect you in the same way as someone with a poor immunity. 

Did you know that the body is not able to make its own Vitamin C.  It is therefore important to include plenty of Vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet.  I have noticed since 2020 more people are also adding a Vitamin C supplement to their daily regime to enjoy a boosted immunity. 

Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine and antioxidant by reducing the amount of histamine your body produces in response to an allergen.  It may also assist with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes due to allergic rhinitis.  Quercetin, a plant flavonoid found in abundance in yellow peppers and capers, has also been shown to reduce allergy reactivity. 

I love my cleansing soup that I start eating as soon as I feel Spring is in the air…I make this recipe up for the first weeks in Spring…delicious, nutritious and uplifting by providing a cleanse.

2 -  Zucchinis

1 – head of broccoli

3 – stalks of celery

½ clove of garlic

1 – 2 cubes vegetable stock diluted in 20mls hot water. 

Dice up the garlic and add to a pan with oil and after 1 minute add the diced vegetables listed above and then add the stock.  Cook for 40 minutes and then puree.

Alkaline soup for a few days.  Replace 1-2 meals with this soup and enjoy the cleanse it provides your body.

By Susan Gianevsky

Naturopath | Homeopath | International Speaker