5 Tips for Clearing Spring Allergies

A woman in a pink blazer sneezes into her elbow while sitting at a table with a laptop and tea, likely experiencing spring allergies in a café setting.

Spring is a double-edged sword where I live in Chicago. While we celebrate warmer days and the earth blooming around us, many experience spring allergies. In Ayurveda, allergies are understood as an excess of Kapha, the energy of earth and water that dominates late winter to spring. This appears in the body as congestion, puffiness, and fatigue. 

So if you’re feeling heavy, stuffy, or allergic, your body may need help clearing excess Kapha from your system. 


#1 - Clear out your nasal passages.

Clearing out your nasal passages is one of the easiest, most effective ways to ease spring allergies. In Ayurveda, this is a core part of dinacharya, or daily routine, especially during Kapha season.

What to do:

  1. Use a neti pot, a gentle, saline-based nasal rinse that helps flush out dust, pollen, and excess mucus. It’s a bit like giving your sinuses a fresh start each morning—clearing out anything that might trigger sneezing, congestion, or irritation.

    • Tip: If you find the neti pot intimidating, try using NeilMed’s Sinus Rinse Kit instead. Many of my clients find this more accessible.

  2. Then, apply a few drops of oil to the insides of your nostrils and gently inhale. Use a clean cotton swab to apply. This nourishes and protects your nasal passage from drying out. It can also trap allergens before they go deeper into your respiratory tract. 


#2 - Scrape your tongue daily.

Tongue scraping is less common in the West, but it’s a staple of dinacharya, or daily routine, in Ayurveda. Each night as you sleep, your body is busy clearing out toxins. Those toxins, called ama, rise to the surface and need to be removed. 

What to do:

  1. Use a tongue scraper to remove the white coating that builds up overnight. Find a U-shaped copper or stainless steel scraper and glide it gently from back to front 7-10 times. 

This simple act stimulates digestion, reduces excess Kapha, improves the smell of your breath, and increases oral hygiene.


#3 - Dry brush for better circulation.

Garshana, the Ayurvedic practice of dry brushing, is a simple yet powerful way to stimulate circulation, exfoliate the skin, and move lymphatic fluid that may be stagnant after a long winter. This daily practice reduces sluggishness and puffiness. 

What to do:

  1. Use raw silk gloves to gently brush your skin in long strokes toward the heart before showering. Focus on dry areas or places where you feel puffiness or stagnation, like thighs, arms, or underarms.

    • Tip: Find your own pair by searching for “garshana gloves.”

  2. Follow your dry brushing routine with Abhyanga, or self-oil massage. Warm body oil in your palms, then gently massage it into your body, starting from the head and going down to your feet. 

    • Short on time? Abhayanga is an optional step in this routine, so it’s okay to skip it.

  3. Finish with a warm shower to wash away loosened toxins and dead skin.


#4 - Move first thing in the morning.

Your body craves movement this time of year, even if your mind resists it. A little movement can go a long way to clear congestion and boost your energy. Ayurveda recommends exercise in the morning, ideally between 6 am - 10 am. 

What to do:

  1. Pick an invigorating exercise for your morning. This could be a brisk walk, bike ride, or dynamic yoga practice that shakes off stagnation. 

    Some Kapha-balancing yoga poses include: 

    • Sun salutations (Surya Namaskar)

    • Warrior poses

    • Backbends like bridge or camel pose

    • Cat-Cow for gentle spine awakening


#5 - Lighten your plate for spring.

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of seasonal eating. During spring, it’s time to move away from the heavy and comforting foods of winter to favor lighter and brighter foods available in spring. 

What to do:

  1. Avoid excess dairy, fried foods, and cold drinks which can increase mucus production and lead to feeling sluggish and tired. 

  2. Favor bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes to balance Kapha in spring. Leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, ginger, and turmeric help clear congestion. As always, follow the Principle of Ayurvedic Eating, which means making lunch your biggest meal of the day to support your digestive fire. 

    • Tip: Drink my Spring Clearing Tea to clear out those sinuses. With just four ingredients–cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and ginger–it’s an easy way to feel better. 

Try one of these practices this week to reduce spring allergies. See how you feel and layer more practices when you’ve integrated the first one. And remember, you should always consult your physician if you’re experiencing allergies. 

Be well,

 

Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD


More Seasonal Remedies

Previous
Previous

Relieve Stress Naturally: 5 Ways to Calm Your Mind

Next
Next

Easy & Refreshing Quinoa Salad for Spring