All Stuffed Up? Try Chinese Medicine For Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, you understand that you are not truly free. The degree of limitation caused by an allergy can vary from mild to severe. Some people might not be able to indulge in a favorite dessert; others might have to limit a social visit to a beloved due to the presence of an offensive animal, such as a cat (or dog); some may not be able to fully appreciate a spring day for the pollen; and still others may be living with an underlying fear of anaphylactic shock should a peanut come anywhere near them. Though different in degree, the underlying fundamental is the same: the body is over reacting to some substance in the environment.

Think of allergies as a culmination of a crisis. The stage has been set, and the body's defenses are on hair trigger, (or dander trigger, or pollen trigger, or mold trigger, well, you get the point)

Let's first look at rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, or hay fever. Symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose and sinus congestion. Phlegm obstructs the nasal cavity; pressure begins to build in the sinuses; (the sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull that keep the head lighter and are also involved in sensing ambient pressure of the environment); Lymph nodes may begin to swell and a person may be prone to recurrent colds and flus. Though manifesting in the eyes, face and nose, the phlegm is actually a product of a sub-optimal digestive capacity. In Chinese Medicine terms we talk about the Spleen function.

In Chinese Medicine, this process: the transformation of the food we eat into a substance our body uses to make energy, is one function of the Spleen system. The Spleen also governs the transportation function in the body. If the Spleen function is impaired the body will not transform the food more easily create "dampness". When the dampness does not resolve, when it accumulates and combines with heat it turns to phlegm, (think of making pudding.) This phlegm starts to coat the linings of the body, including the lungs and throat and nose. This phlegm can also coat the linings and tissues of the internal organs as well. Phlegm can even lodge in the muscle tissues. One the thing about phlegm is that it inhibits the electrical conductivity through the body. It prevents the free flow of qi and blood.

Chinese Medicine speaks about connections:
The nose is the portal to the Lungs.
The eyes are the portals to the Liver.
The mouth is the portal to the Spleen.
The tongue is the portal to the Heart.
And the ears are the portals to the Kidney.

When there is an issue with a particular sense organ, there is a connection with an internal organ system. For example, continuing with our example of seasonal allergies: the eyes being a portal to Liver, the itchy watery eyes speak of congestion within the Liver system. Some of the function of the Liver includes cleansing the Blood. The phlegm that is generated by the immune system is sticky stuff and must be dealt with by the Liver.
The stuffy nose and sneezing, this speaks of the phlegm accumulating in the Lungs. Chinese Medicine states that the Lungs dominate the defensive Qi. When the defensive energies are weak, the body may over react to perceived pathogens with the big guns, thus creating an allergic reaction.

Additionally, Chinese Medicine recognizes the meridians of the body as pathways of energy flow pertaining to various organs. Where there is a problem, says something about that meridian. The sinus congestion relates to the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. So issues of allergies may have a contributing factor from the Stomach and Large Intestine functions as well.

So, to sum up: seasonal allergies, hay fever, sinusitis is a situation of phlegm obstruction. This phlegm is a product of a sub-optimal Spleen system. There is an obstruction in the nasal cavities, the portal of the Lungs. There is related obstruction in the flow of the Liver causing itchy watery eyes, and blockage and accumulation of toxins in the colon, manifesting as pressure build up in the sinus.

Thus the goal of treating allergies is strengthening the function of these systems. Starting with symptomatic relief, acupuncture can be very effective in opening up the nasal passages, draining the sinus congestion, restoring proper breathing, clearing up the muzziness in the head.

Long term relief and prevention and overcoming allergies involve changing the internal environment. The Spleen and Lung functions must be fortified. The Spleen does not like foods that create dampness, such as greasy food, fried food, rich food, sweet food, and refined flour. Additionally, the Spleen function is hampered by overconsumption of cold food, (think iced-beverages) the Spleen benefits from whole grains, and vegetables that have been quickly cooked, but not overcooked.

The Lungs and Large Intestines benefit from aromatic pungent foods, like onions, garlic, scallions, ginger, and spices. The Liver benefits from foods that have a strong tart or sour taste, like lemons, berries.

Additionally, Chinese herbal medicine that addresses correction of these organs is absolutely essential in getting out of a state of being allergic.

A course of treatment with acupuncture is 10 sessions. It is best to have acupuncture more frequently in the early stages of treatment and then decrease frequency with time. Often times symptoms of allergies will resolve within that time, continuing with herbs and regular maintenance acupuncture treatments.