Colds & Breathing
Hay Fever & Allergies
Sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes in spring/summer.
⚡ Quick & easy version · 3 min
Salt Water Nose Rinse
Only a few things you probably already have at home.
You need
- ◆Salt
- ◆Boiled, cooled water
Steps
- Dissolve ¼ tsp salt in a cup of boiled, cooled water.
- Sniff or rinse each nostril gently, then blow out.
Astragalus Prevention Tea
You need
- ◆10 g astragalus
- ◆3 red dates
- ◆500 ml water
How to make it
- 1
Simmer 30 min.
- 2
Drink daily from 4 weeks before pollen season, stop during a cold/fever.
Chrysanthemum & Mint Eye Tea
You need
- ◆5 g chrysanthemum flowers
- ◆Few fresh mint leaves
- ◆300 ml hot water
How to make it
- 1
Steep 5 min.
- 2
Drink, and lay the cooled flowers on closed eyes for 5 min.
Helpful herbs
The TCM view
Weak Lung Wei Qi (protective energy) letting Wind in. Prevention: Yu Ping Feng San (astragalus, atractylodes, saposhnikovia). In attacks: Xin Yi San with magnolia flower.
Food tips
Eat / do
- Warm cooked food
- Ginger and scallion in cooking
- Local honey (traditional)
Avoid
- Ice-cold drinks
- Too much dairy and sugar
- Drying laundry outside in pollen season
Sources
- Bensky et al. – Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Eastland Press)
- Scheid, Bensky et al. – Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies (Eastland Press)
- NCCIH – Herbs at a Glance (US National Institutes of Health)
- NCCIH – Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know
- Memorial Sloan Kettering – About Herbs database (interactions & safety)
- Thuisarts.nl – Dutch GP advice (when to see a doctor)
⚠ Safety
- Asthma symptoms (wheezing, short of breath) need a doctor.
- Don't take astragalus during an acute infection or with immune-suppressing medicine.
- Not a replacement for medical care. Ask a doctor before use if pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.