How to Manage Allergies Using Traditional Chinese Medicine

Allergies happen when the body's immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as a threat. Common allergens include foods, pollen, pet dander, mold, insect venom, medications, and dust mites. The immune response triggers inflammation to expel the substance, leading to various symptoms. A traditional Chinese treatment for pollen allergies, also known as hay fever, follows this approach.

Reasons Behind Allergies

Various Chinese patterns of disharmony can contribute to allergic reactions. However, wind is always a key factor in the diagnosis, often combined with other pathogenic influences such as wind dampness, wind cold, or wind heat. Allergy symptoms commonly appear suddenly, which is characteristic of wind-related patterns. For seasonal allergies like hay fever, the diagnosis typically points to wind and dampness, causing a rapid onset of symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and throat, and a heavy sensation in the head with excessive mucus.

Herbal Treatment

The treatment approach involves using herbs with dispersing properties to repel wind, such as Japanese catnip (Schizonepeta tenuifolia, jing jie) and Siler divaricata (fang feng). Herbs that eliminate dampness are also used to clear the sinuses and nasal passages, including Angelica dahurica (bai zhi), magnolia flower buds (xin yi hua), and Xanthium sibiricum (cang er zi). This herbal combination is known as Xanthium Decoction, and an effective patent medicine for this treatment is Bi Yan Pian.

An underlying weakness, often a deficiency in lung and spleen qi, makes individuals more vulnerable to allergic reactions. Lung qi governs the function of the entire respiratory system, including the nasal passages. Spleen qi regulates fluid transport, and when it's weakened, digestive functions suffer, leading to excess mucus production that can accumulate in the lungs. This qi deficiency is treated with tonifying herbs like Codonopsis (dang shen), Atractylodes (bai zhu), Poria (fu ling), and prepared licorice (zhi gan cao).

A suitable patent medicine for this type of deficiency is Six Gentlemen Teapills, which also contains Pinellia (ban xia) and aged citrus peel (chen pi), enhancing the formula's ability to clear mucus and dry dampness. A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner may adjust the formula to meet a patient's specific needs. For example, adding Chrysanthemum flowers (jua hua) and Cassia seeds (jue ming zi) can help alleviate itchy eyes, and jujube dates (da zao) can enhance the overall anti-allergic effect.

Dietary Treatment

Diet plays a crucial role in managing seasonal allergies. Foods such as sweets, dairy, and cold items tend to increase mucus production, making foods like ice cream and yogurt top offenders during allergy season. Excess mucus exacerbates allergic reactions when allergens are present. In contrast, easily digestible foods like soups, warm salads, vegetables, and boiled grains help improve digestion, reducing the likelihood of mucus buildup.

Acupuncture Treatment

Allergy treatment plans vary widely, and their outcomes can range from temporary relief to complete resolution of symptoms. Acupuncture often provides immediate relief, especially when targeting points around the nose, such as Yintang, Bitong, and Large Intestine 20. These points are frequently effective at alleviating nasal congestion and sneezing upon needle insertion.

A more advanced version of allergy-elimination acupuncture has been developed recently, where the acupuncture is performed while the individual is exposed to the allergen. Dr. Devi Nambudripad developed this technique, known as Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET). In this method, the patient undergoes allergy testing to identify the specific allergen, and then acupressure and acupuncture are applied while the patient is exposed to the allergen. This process reprograms the body to accept the allergen without triggering an allergic response. The effects are long-lasting, and the allergy is nearly eliminated.

For additional information on traditional Chinese medicine, its treatments, remedies, philosophies, and other fascinating subjects, explore the following:

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bill Schoenbart has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since 1991, after earning his Master's degree in TCM. He currently teaches TCM medical theory and herbalism at a California acupuncture school while also maintaining an active clinical practice.

Ellen Shefi is a licensed massage therapist, acupuncturist, and registered dietitian. She is a member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the American Herb Association, and the Oregon Acupuncture Association.