I’d like to talk about allergies — are they bothering you? Allergies are a real drain on your body’s energy resources, and I don’t think that gets talked about enough. Your body pouring energy into an allergic response is energy it’s not putting toward other things — whether that’s fertility, focus at work, or just feeling like yourself.

How Acupuncture Helps With Allergies

Acupuncture can be genuinely effective for managing nasal and seasonal allergies. In my experience, it often starts working while you’re still on the table — there’s something wonderful about walking out breathing easy, especially after days (or longer) of not being able to.

A randomized, controlled study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that acupuncture reduced allergen-specific IgE — the antibody responsible for allergic reactions — in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis, alongside real improvement in nasal and eye itching, sneezing, and runny nose. In other words, there’s real research behind what I see in my own patients: acupuncture doesn’t just mask allergy symptoms, it appears to help calm the underlying immune response driving them.

A Few At-Home Strategies I Recommend Too

Acupuncture isn’t the only tool I point patients toward. Here are three at-home strategies worth trying alongside treatment:

1. Local Honey
I actually wrote about this in the San Francisco Examiner — local honey with the pollen intact has been shown to help with nasal allergy symptoms. It works, but it has to be truly local honey. Commercial honey has the pollen strained out, so it won’t have the same effect.

2. Nasal Rinse
A nasal rinse — whether a neti pot, a lavage, or just a saline rinse bottle — can genuinely help by physically flushing allergens out of the nasal passages. Fair warning: there’s no getting around the odd sensation of water running through your sinuses, but it’s worth it.

3. Himalayan Salt Lamp
Some patients find real relief with a Himalayan salt lamp. It needs to run for many hours a day, and it should be sized appropriately for the room you’re treating. I use one myself and find it helpful — just be sure to keep doors and windows closed while it’s running.

Ready to Breathe Easier?

If you’re dealing with seasonal or nasal allergies and want to try a natural, drug-free approach, I’d be glad to help. You can schedule an appointment anytime through my online scheduler: book here.

As always, check with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your allergy management routine.