Seasonal Relief and Long Term Prevention or Control of Allergies

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine offers another way of interpreting and treating seasonal allergies as part of an overall health program. Dietary changes can help.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, most often caused by plant pollens or molds and fungi, affect millions of people each year. Classical allergy symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and red, itchy eyes. And the knock-on effects for allergy sufferers can be significant. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) seasonal allergies or hayfever are considered a manifestation of Wind invading the body. In addition to developing an herbal formula for clients, Chinese herbalists will often give dietary advice to control or relieve seasonal allergy symptoms.

TCM and Allergies

According to TCM theory, Wind enters through the upper body. Wind can bring Damp-that runny nose and congestion and Heat- those red itchy eyes. Wind gets into the body because the Wei (or Protective) Qi is weak. This is rather different than the western medical interpretation that often people with seasonal allergies have strong immune systems, which hyper-react to perceived dangers (the allergens).

If a person seeks help from Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine at the height of his/her allergy season, the herbalist will design a formula to ease the symptoms, concentrating on making the client feel better as quickly as possible. Depending on the severity of those allergy symptoms the Chinese herbalist may also begin to address the reason the person is suffering from allergies by building up the body’s defensive Qi. But largely the formula will be based on dispelling the Wind, draining Damp (if there is congestion and a runny nose) and relieving Heat (if there are signs of Heat such as red, itchy eyes).

Using Foods to Heal

Dietary suggestions to help with seasonal allergies will be based on the energetics of foods. To the Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner each food has properties that can enhance or worsen health. For example, radishes are cooling and moistening. That makes them great for those dry, itchy allergy eyes. Plus they transform Phlegm meaning they will help clear the sinuses, drain mucous and ease sore throats. The Chinese herbalist will recommend other foods based on all aspects of each individual’s health.

Also helpful for those red, sore eyes is Chrysanthemum tea, which can be made from dried flowers.

In the longer term

Once the worst of the allergy symptoms are under control, the Chinese formula will change to one that concentrates on building the body’s Wei Qi and addressing any other imbalances present. Then, a few months before the start of allergy season, the Chinese herbalist may recommend a formula to build up the Wei Qi again, helping to prevent or minimize allergy symptoms.

And, best of all Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used in conjunction with other therapies, whether western or alternative, as long as the practitioner is aware of what else the client is doing for their allergies.

(This article was first published on Suite101.com)
The copyright of the article Chinese Medicine for Allergies in Chinese Medicine is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Chinese Medicine for Allergies must be granted by the author in writing.

Last updated: July 3, 2008