As the beauty of spring unfolds, so does the season of sniffles and sneezes for many. Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, bring a host of uncomfortable symptoms, from itchy eyes to relentless sneezing. While modern medicine offers remedies, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and holistic practices provide complementary approaches to alleviate these symptoms. Understanding allergies from a TCM perspective and integrating self-care strategies such as acupressure, dietary adjustments, and essential oils can offer relief and improve your quality of life during allergy season.
In TCM, seasonal allergies are often viewed as imbalances within the body. The concept of "Wei Qi" or defensive energy plays a central role. Wei Qi functions similarly to the immune system, protecting the body from external invaders. When Wei Qi is weak or when there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang within the body, it becomes susceptible to external factors like wind, cold, dampness, and heat, which in TCM are believed to carry pathogenic factors that cause disease.
Allergies, therefore, are seen as the result of the body's inability to adapt to changes in the environment, leading to an overreaction to harmless substances such as pollen. Acupuncture treatment focuses on strengthening the body's defensive energy, balancing the underlying disharmony, and expelling the pathogenic factors.
In a study, published in the Feb19 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists recruited 422 people with seasonal allergies and assigned them into three groups. One group received 12 acupuncture sessions over 8 weeks. Another was given sham acupuncture and the third group had no treatment at all. Each group also had access to an antihistamine.
After eight weeks, the acupuncture group had a greater improvement in their symptoms, compared to the other groups. It was also noted that the acupuncture group used the antihistamine less frequently.
Self-Care Strategies for Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies kick the immune system into overdrive, attacking allergens to keep you safe–and causing familiar allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, rashes on the skin, asthma and swelling. The following tips can help you survive the seasonal change by helping you to prevent or manage your allergies smartly. If acupuncture is not for you consider trying acupressure.
Acupressure
Acupressure is often used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional allergy treatments. It may not replace medications or other treatments but can be incorporated into a holistic approach to managing allergies.
Here’s how acupressure could assist with seasonal allergies:
Stimulation of Acupressure Points: Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on the body called acupoints. In the context of allergies, certain acupoints are targeted to relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Clearing Sinus Congestion: Applying pressure to points around the face and head may help relieve sinus congestion and improve breathing.
Boosting Immune Function: According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles, acupressure can help rebalance the body's energy (Qi) and strengthen the immune system. Points like Large intestine 4 (Hegu), located between the thumb and index finger, are believed to have immune-boosting effects.
Reducing Inflammation: Some acupoints are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation associated with allergic reactions.
I'll start with a popular acupoint called Yintang often used to relieve sinus congestion. It also has a very powerful action of calming the mind which makes it a popular point in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and agitation.
Because of it's location it can be an effective point to treat a frontal headache. Additionally, Yintang may help alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis, sinus congestion, and nasal congestion by promoting better circulation and reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. Yintang is located between the eyebrows in the centre of the forehead.
Apply pressure using your index and middle fingers while making small circular motions, gradually increasing or decreasing pressure based on your comfort level.
Large Intestine 4, commonly used by acupuncturists to treat many conditions such as headache, runny nose, constipation, sinusitis, rhinitis and toothache.
To locate this point feel around the fleshy area between the index finger and thumb. When you feel the tender area that's the point you want to apply pressure to. Feel for tenderness at the point on both hands, if one side feels more tender focus more on the tender side. Apply pressure for about 30 seconds and release, repeat a few times.
My final point to help in allergy season is Large Intestine 20.
I use this point in the clinic and find that once the needles are inserted patients can feel their sinuses draining.Â
You can work on this point without needles!
To locate the point feel for a slight indentation on either side of the nostrils and apply firm upward pressure directed towards the eyes. Apply pressure for about 30 seconds and release, repeat a few times.
Tip - a pencil with a rubber top can be a great tool for this point.
Combine these acupressure techniques with deep, mindful breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a moment, and exhale through your mouth. This enhances the relaxation response.
You can try these self-help acupressure treatments throughout the day. Although not the same as an acupuncture treatment these exercises will offer some temporary relief of symptoms
Food As Medicine
Ginger
Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for a number of health problems, such as nausea and joint pain. It also contains antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory phytochemical compounds. Experts are now exploring how these compounds may be useful for combating seasonal allergies.
Bee Pollen
Surprisingly Bee pollen can help prevent allergic reactions. This mixture of enzymes, nectar, honey, flower pollen, and wax is often sold as a curative for hay fever.
Research shows bee pollen has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial, properties in the body. In one animal study bee pollen inhibited the activation of mast cells, these VIP mast cells are key to preventing allergic reactions.
It is important that the honey is sourced locally, this will ensure the same local pollen your body is allergic to is contained in the bee pollen.
Citrus Fruits
Eating foods high in vitamin C has been shown to ease the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The irritation of the upper respiratory tract is caused by pollen from blooming plants.
Increase your consumption of high-vitamin C citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, sweet peppers, and berries.
Tumeric
Turmeric is well-known as the anti-inflammatory A-lister for a good reason. Its active ingredient, curcumin, has been linked to reduced symptoms of many inflammation-driven diseases and could help reduce the swelling and irritation caused by allergic rhinitis.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another excellent source of Vitamin C. One medium-size tomato contains about 26% of your recommended daily value of vitamin C.
Additionally, tomatoes contain lycopene, another antioxidant compound that helps quell systemic inflammation. Lycopene is more easily absorbed in the body when it’s cooked, so choose canned or cooked tomatoes.
Oily Fish
There’s some evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids from fish could assist your allergy resistance and even improve asthma.
A German study from 2005 found that more eicosapentaenoic (EPA) fatty acid in a person’s bloodstream, the less risk of allergic sensitivity or hay fever.
Omega-3s’ anti-inflammatory properties were confirmed in a more recent study that showed fatty acids help decrease the narrowing of airways that occurs in asthma and some cases of seasonal allergies.
Onions
Onions are an excellent natural source of a bioflavonoid called quercetin. Some research suggests that quercetin acts as a natural antihistamine, reducing the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Onions also contain a number of other anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, including them in your diet during allergy season to help relieve symptoms.
Raw red onions have the highest concentration of quercetin, followed by white onions and scallions. Avoid cooking as this reduces the quercetin content of onions, for optimal results, eat onions raw.Â
Botanicals
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is known to reduce inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties could make breathing easier by diffusing the oil in a diffuser or even applying it on your skin after it’s diluted with a carrier oil.
Frankincense
Frankincense reduces inflammatory activity in the body. One study reports that frankincense exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in bronchitis, which causes inflammation of the airways, and sinus infections. It may also be beneficial for people with asthma.
Lemon
In one study, it was found that a lemon-based nasal spray helped in the treatment of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Lemon essential oil can also inhibit bacterial activity.
Lavender
Lavender naturally reduces inflammation, inhibits anxiety, and promotes deep sleep, all of which benefit people with allergies.
Chamomile
In a review of the properties of chamomile oil, it was reported that chamomile is an effective anti-inflammatory that can treat skin conditions, inflammation of the mucous membranes, and symptoms of sinusitis.
Warning!
Essential oils are very potent. Always seek professional advice regarding the use and application of essential oils. It is not recommended to apply citrus-based essential oils to the skin before exposure to the sun. These oils can cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of harmful blistering or burning. Use caution when using oils around pregnant and breastfeeding women and children, especially young children.
Integrating these practices into your daily routine can help manage and alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms. Start with gentle acupressure sessions, gradually incorporating dietary changes and experimenting with essential oils to find what best supports your body. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or under medical supervision for allergies.
Seasonal allergies can significantly impact your well-being, but by adopting a holistic approach to self-care, you can reduce your reliance on medications and find natural relief. Embracing the wisdom of traditional practices like TCM, along with modern understandings of allergies, can lead to a balanced, healthier spring season free from the woes of allergies.
Roll on summer!
Best wishes
John
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