Allergies can be triggered by a variety of relatively harmless substances such as pollen, dust, mold, or animal dander. A runny nose or itchy eyes that typically occurs at the same time each year when certain plants are in bloom, is called an airborne allergy. Chinese herbs taken over-the-counter, can usually relieve a sneezy, runny nose or annoyingly itchy eyes in about an hour. This is blessed relief, but it isn't a cure.
Some practitioners believe that allergies can be cured.
Curing allergies using Chinese medicine requires having a lot of information, including understanding the underlying patterns of disharmony which are causing the allergic sensitivity. Though most allergy sufferers experience similar symptoms, the underlying patterns of disharmony can differ greatly from person to person.
Whatever patterns are diagnosed, 'Wind' is almost always part of the diagnosis. Common patterns are Wind Dampness, Wind Cold, or Wind Heat.
Typically, wind patterns occur suddenly and without warning, like the wind. In seasonal allergies the most common diagnosis is wind and dampness. This combination produces a sudden onset of symptoms: sneezing, itching eyes and throat, and a heavy sensation in the head, often with a lot of mucus.
Acupuncture and herbal remedies have been used for millennia to ease symptoms of airborne allergies. See your acupuncturist if you suffer these symptoms; though it may be possible to treat yourself with Chinese herbs.
Treatment with Herbs
The treatment strategy is to repel the wind using herbs that are dispersing such as XIN YE HUA magnolia buds , JING JIE Japanese catnip, GE GEN kudzu root, or FANG FENG siler . Herbs that drain dampness are added to clear the nasal passages and sinuses. These herbs include BAI ZHI angelica dahurica and CANG ER ZI xanthium sibiricum . The combination of these herbs is known as Xanthium Decoction.
Other over-the counter remedies that we carry include Dr. Shen's Allergy Pills, Dr. Shen's Sinus Pills, BI YAN PIAN, and Nasal Tabs (made by Health Concerns).
Underlying many allergies is a deficiency of lung and spleen qi. Lung qi is responsible for the proper function of the entire respiratory tract, including the sinuses and nasal passages. Spleen qi controls the transport of fluids; impaired Spleen Qi can lead to an overproduction of mucus, which tends to collect in the lungs. This weakness makes a person susceptible to allergic reactions. Weakened Spleen qi is treated with herbs that bolster lung and spleen function, such as DANG SHEN Codonopsis root, BAI ZHU Atractylodes, FU LING Poria, and ZHI GAN CAO baked licorice.
A commonly used patent medicine is LIU JUN ZI pills Six Gentlemen Teapills. This formula contains BAN XIA Pinellia rhizome and aged CHEN PI aged citrus peel, which clear mucus and dry dampness. A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner may customize the formula to meet a patient's individual needs. For example, JU HUA Chrysanthemum flowers, and JUE MING ZI Cassia seeds can be added to soothe itchy eyes, and DA ZAO jujube dates can be included to enhance the overall antiallergic action of the formula..
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