Wake up with your eyes all crusty and itchy and your nose stuffy lately? Kapha seasonal effects often include stagnant mucous. The body makes mucous to protect you from allergens; if it gets too thick, it can gum up and block your nose and sinuses. You end up feeling stuffed and unable to think. Itchiness is your eyes reacting to the foreign material in the air, pollen; your eyes might water as well.
Kapha season is about growth and renewal. Pollen counts where I live are quite high, and I feel the effects in my sinuses, ears, and eyes. Mucous accumulates and stagnates, creating pressure and pain.
Balance the qualities of Kapha to help address the stuffy nose and itchy eyes that may be a spring right of passage. Fortunately, Ayurveda gives us tools to both balance Kapha and the effects of the spring season. If Kapha is out of balance, these effects get worse, and it becomes a struggle to enjoy getting outdoors in the spring. Keep your spring allergy toolbox ready and get out into the sunshine.
I have a lot of Kapha in my nature and tend to go out of balance in the spring. Spring memories used involve snot, headaches, and earaches from February until June. By summer, I would be tired and depleted. Now I take action all season long to balance Kapha and keep things warm and flowing.
Five Actions To Balance Kapha Seasonal Effects
Nasal Wash (Jala Neti)
A lot of people call upper wash or nasal irrigation using a Neti pot, Nasya. But it is a different technique. Upper wash rinses out your nostrils and frontal sinuses with warm saltwater. It is a form of shodhana that removes the irritants by rinsing out pollen and minimizing you, making snot to respond to it.
People commonly rinse their noses in the morning as part of dinacharya, but in the spring, it may make sense to do it after you spend time outdoors in pollen-laden air or do it twice morning and evening. Check the pollen counts in your area before you head out and wash afterward as necessary.
Nasya
Nasaya is one of the options of panchakarma but can be done on its own. Ayurveda teaches, get ama, toxins pollen out by the quickest route. Nasaya soothes the nasal passages and encourages the movement of stagnant mucous. Here is an example of how to add oil to lubricate your nostrils.
Nasya is not recommended after eating. You can fit it into your morning or bedtime routine to support easy breathing during spring—different companies who compound Nasya oil use different herbs. Check the label to be sure there you like the smell and are not allergic any ingredients in the brand you try. Start easy with 1 to 3 drops, and work your way up to 5 drops per nostril.
Hot Water
Hot water in the morning feels satisfying. One of my favorite teachers, Cate Stillman, says drinking warm water in the morning helps you move and gives you an inner clean. Like when you floss your teeth once you start drinking hot water, you don’t want to stop.
Drink a mug of tea temperature water upon rising, do your morning routine then kick off your day. Some people drink warm water all day to promote moving toxins out of the body. I often drink warm water after doing early spring cleanup in the yard to take the chill off and dissolve snot build up from being outside. Afterward, I get back to the rest of my day clear-headed.
Head Massage
Head massage with warm oil releases tension in the upper sinus cavities on the face and head. Your hair will like the improved circulation to your scalp too. Massage your face and head as often as feels right.
Make your head massage simple enough, so you will do it at least once a week or more often if you feel congested. Remember, a little warm oil goes a long way. Click this link for a head massage demo video, including key marma points.
Oil Nostrils and Ears
Oil provides a protective barrier when you go out against pollen and dust. Keep a small dropper bottle of organic sesame oil in your bag. Add a couple of drops to a pinky finger to oil a nostril, then repeat on the other side. Run the pinky up into and around the outside and inside of each nostril. Go all in and oil your ears too.
Do this before plane rides, outdoor work for protection. I keep a small bottle of organic sesame or castor oil by my bedside. I often oil my nostrils before bed. When I do, I notice that I wake up with less congestion.
Are you congested? Try one or more of these tools to help balance kapha seasonal effects.
Ayurselfcare’s purpose is to educate on the benefits of Ayurveda. This article is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment, or advice. All the material here is for learning purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.