Traditional Chinese Medicine for Allergies

It is estimated that more than 20 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every single year. Seasonal allergies are often the result of pollen in the air that causes an allergic reaction in the body. The immune system proceeds to attack those foreign bodies by releasing histamines which creates those allergy symptoms we despise, including congestion, headaches, sinus pressure, and watery eyes.

In Western medicine, typical treatment for seasonal allergies is over-the-counter antihistamines that relieve symptoms but do little to get to the root of the problem. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been effectively treating allergies naturally for centuries with herbal and acupuncture modalities. Below we walk through the basics acupuncture and herbal supplements, and how these two TCM modalities can treat seasonal allergies.

Acupuncture for Allergies

Acupuncture is a form of TCM that has been practiced for thousands of years. Acupuncture is based on maintaining a healthy flow of vital energy—known as qi—through the meridians of the body. With allergies, the flow of qi is blocked by an obstruction in the meridians or flows in the wrong direction. This causes too much qi in some areas and not enough qi in other areas, causing the body to be out of balance.

Acupuncture can be very effective in opening the nasal passages and reducing pain, discomfort, and inflammation. Some patients find relief after their first acupuncture session. For more information on acupuncture for allergy relief, click here.

Herbal Supplements for Allergies

Allergies can be caused by external or internal factors, as well as by diet and stress. In TCM, external factors can be linked to the environment–a cold and windy winter, for example–or external pathogens. Internal factors linked to allergies include qi deficiencies and blockages along certain meridians and in certain organs.

The herbal supplement or blend prescribed by a TCM practitioner depends on the symptoms being exhibited and cause of the infection. For example, patients exhibiting symptoms consistent with a wind-heat pattern—including fever, soar throat and yellow mucous—may be prescribed “cooling” herbs like honeysuckle flower, mulberry leaf, xanthium powder and chrysanthemum flower.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Centennial, CO

If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about TCM, the professionals at Arapahoe Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center are here to help. We provide both acupuncture and herbal supplements for allergies as well as massage and chiropractic care. Call us or contact us online today!