Chinese medicine is effective in treating both acute and chronic allergies. The Chinese medicine therapies are formulated using a natural and holistic approach, and delivered by way of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion. The benefits of using Chinese medicine for treatment of allergies are outlined in Controlling Allergies Naturally Using Chinese Medicine.
The fundamental Chinese medicine treatment principle for both acute and chronic allergies is to target the imbalance in the physiological processes contributing to an allergic body type. The root cause of an allergic reaction is the malfunctioning immune response. When a person with an atopy (genetic predisposition to developing allergies) comes into contact with harmless substances commonly existing in the environment and general household, the immune system initiates an antibody response, with the mast cells releasing biochemical leading to swelling and inflammation of local body tissues. A person without the genetic predisposition is not affected by the same exposure, and do not develop an allergic reaction.
Chinese medicine treats the root cause of allergies to effectively reduce the susceptibility to allergy attacks. For those with an allergic body type, the misguided immune response to harmless environmental substances is caused by a deficiency in zheng qi (or upright qi), a type of vital energy responsible for initiating an immune response in the events of an attack by harsh environmental substances and pathogens. Sufficient levels of zheng qi ensures that adequate wei qi (or protective qi) is distributed to the exterior level of the body, acting as barriers to prevent ‘wind’ or pathogenic factors from entering the interior of the body causing disease. From a Chinese medicine perspective, harmless environmental substances become pathogenic influences at the point when these substances managed to breach the defense layer regulated by wei qi.
Strengthen the immune system to treat the root cause of allergies
The primary strategy of Chinese medicine treatments for allergies is to strengthen the body constitution and boost the normal functioning of the immune system. Hence in Chinese medicine treatment of both acute and chronic allergies, the fundamental treatment principle is to supplement the vital substances (qi, blood and essence) of the Kidney, Spleen and Lung organs. In Chinese medicine theory, these organs form an integral part of the immune system. The vital energies derived from the strengthened physiological functioning of these organs will then boost the zheng qi and balance the flow of energies within the meridian system. Subsequently the wei qi is well supported and the body’s resistance to future allergy attacks will increase over time.
In essence, Chinese medicine treatments for allergies are formulated as immune therapies. Compared to Western allergen immunotherapies, the Chinese medicine therapies act faster and achieve sustainable treatment outcomes within a shorter period of time.
Dispel pathogenic factors to relieve allergy symptoms
The secondary Chinese medicine treatment focus is to relieve allergy symptoms during an acute flare-up. Allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, teary eyes, itchiness, reddened skin, hives, scratchy throat and shortness of breath are manifestations of external ‘wind’ blocking the movement of qi and flow of blood within the channels. However, every patient who gets allergies may develop slightly different symptom patterns and severity when being exposed to the same allergen. This is because after having penetrated the external barrier, wind combines with existing internal pathogenic factors pre-existing within the body constitution of that particular patient. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapies dispel external wind and clear internal pathogenic factors such as heat, fire, cold, damp and phlegm to deliver rapid and long-lasting symptom relief to allergy patients.
When a patient presents at the clinic with acute allergy symptoms, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treat the imbalance within the person and modulate its interaction with the environmental influences. In essence, the Chinese medicine therapies treat the person rather than suppressing the allergy symptoms. Unlike over-the-counter or prescription pharmaceutical drugs, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine do not carry harsh side effect or cause additional discomfort to the patients.
Chinese medicine treatment program for allergies
The Chinese medicine treatment programs for allergies are individualized and depending on the types of allergies and the chronicity of the condition.
