Juicing for Allergies

Whether it's the long awaited transition of summer to fall, or the quiet fading of winter to spring, the change of seasons means more than a shift of wardrobe, but for many it signifies a time of severe allergies. For the past few days I have been forced out of the game and confined to the couch with a box of tissues, a neti pot, and a vaporizer. Achoo - sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, with itchy, watery, red eyes are only a few of the symptoms we face each year as the pollen from trees, grass, flowers, and plants find their way into the air.

In honor of the season I thought I would provide some allergy juicing tips. All types of asthmatic allergy symptoms are caused by common inflammation and certain foods can reduce this inflammation greatly. Healing foods for allergies include apples, blueberries, grapes, mangoes, oranges, raspberries, strawberries, asparagus, beets, carrots, onions, red and green bell peppers, spinach and watercress. The flavonoids and antioxidants in these foods promote a proper immune response to the environment and can greatly alleviate allergy symptoms.

Introducing Sutra’s new “Allergy Elixir” raw juice!

Beets + Spinach + Apples + Strawberries

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food" - Hippocrates

Home Remedies: Yoga for Allergies

Dry, windy and dusty; an everyday factor commonly accepted by the residents of Phoenix. However, a widespread side effect for our desert climate is the irritating onset of allergies. Sneezing, puffy eyes, runny nose, all familiar symptoms on a windy Sonoran day, and all manageable with the power of yoga.

Two yoga poses that can be the most beneficial for combating the body’s build up of unwanted histamines are Warrior Pose I and Half Moon Pose. Both poses will open your lung and chest cavity to assist in draining the buildup of mucus; relieving much of the stuffiness and congestion responsible for your allergy outbreak.

Warrior Pose I: Stand straight, placing your feet firmly together and arms close to your body. Breathe in and place your feet hip-width apart. Now, raise your both your arms over your head and make sure your palms are facing each other. Breathe out by turning your left leg out 90 degrees to the right and your right leg in approximately around 55 degrees to the left. Exhale by twisting your torso and hip to face your left leg. Exhale and form a right angle with your shin and thigh by bending your left knee. Hold this position for 2 minutes and repeat on the right side.

Half Moon Pose: Stand straight, placing your feet firmly together and arms close to your body. Breathe in and place your feet hip-width apart. Breathe out by turning your left leg out by 90 degrees to the left. Breathe in and extend your arm out to your shoulder-height. Breathe out and reach your left arm as much as you can to your left. Now, hold your left hand down to the floor and form a Triangle Pose. Hold yourself in this position for 2 to 4 breaths.

Breath easy, Phoenix!