Here in North Carolina, we like to say our seasons are Summer, Autumn, Winter and The Pollen.

Right now, the entire landscape is blanketed in yellow. Pine pollen molecules are so large that a fine yellow mist is visible in the air, like smoke. Other pollens are out there this time of year too, many of which can create more allergy reactions, but pine pollen bears the brunt of the bad reputation for being so visible.

Regardless of WHO the culprit is, the challenge is real. Spring allergies wreak havoc for so many. Here I share my two favorite strategies for weathering The Pollen.

Strategy #1: Put a little oil in the nose. Any organic cooking oil you have handy is great – ghee is particularly fabulous. This helps amplify the natural defenses of our mucus and nasal passages, catching and holding out any airborne allergens we might inhale.

If you want to kick it up a notch, use an herbal nasya oil. The herbs infused in the oil help support our nasal health and make breathing easier. My favorite is Super Nasya formulated by my teacher Dr. Vasant Lad. In the video above I show you how to apply it.

Stragey #2: Rinse the nasal passages with a saline solution, using a neti pot. Fill your net pot with some warm water (either distilled or boiled and cooled water), add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and stir to dissolve the salt. Rinse one nostril over a sink, and then refill your net pot and do the other side. Again, in the video I show you my alignment strategy so you don’t end up with water everywhere.

To get the water out of your sinuses after using a neti, first blow your nose gently into the sink to remove any liquefied mucus. Then stand with feet wide apart, and bring your right hand to your left knee and look up over your left shoulder, and repeat on the other side. This turns your head in different directions to get all the water out.

Good luck with your defense!