Treating Seasonal Allergies with Oriental Medicine
By Jaimie Champagne, Lic.Ac., MAOM, Dipl. Ac.
Spring energy represents change, growth, and new beginnings. It is the time of year when seeds germinate, flowers bloom, and tree, grass, and weed pollen are released. Unfortunately, for those living with allergies, springtime can represent living with symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy throat, runny nose, red, watery, itchy eyes, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes coughing and wheezing. Allergy symptoms are a result of a mistaken immune system reaction to airborne particles which do not cause the body any trouble. Particles such as pollen, animal dander, mold spores, and dust are reacted to by the body as if they were a pathogen, and, as a result, antibodies release chemicals including histamine which produce allergic symptoms.
Western medicine treats allergies by a combination of anti-histamines and decongestants. While Western medicine is effective at controlling allergy symptoms many people experience side-effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, nervousness, dryness, immune system suppression, and over-reliance of medications. Oriental medicine provides an alternative to Western drugs when it comes to the treatment of allergies. In a comparative study on treatment of allergies, acupuncture and desensitization therapies were performed in 143 cases (J. Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1993 Dec.;13(4):243-8). The curative effect of the patients receiving acupuncture was higher than in the desensitization group in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic hives. Results of a study published in Pediatrics showed that acupuncture given to children to treat allergies was significantly more effective in reducing symptom scores and increasing symptom-free days compared to the control group (Pediatrics 2004 Nov;114(5):1242-7). And another similar study also showed the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating allergies (American Journal Chinese Medicine 2002;30(1):1-11).
Oriental Medicine seeks to restore balance to the body. During an initial appointment, a practitioner of Oriental Medicine begins by doing a medical diagnosis to determine an individual’s pattern of imbalance. Based upon the diagnosis, a practitioner will create a personalized treatment plan that may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary and lifestyle suggestions.
Treatment is divided into two stages: during an acute allergy attack treatment is focused upon alleviating discomfort; in between attacks treatment is aimed to balance the body and reduce one’s susceptibility of experiencing allergy symptoms. Preventative care is emphasized within Oriental Medicine, and it is recommended to receive treatment at least two weeks prior to allergy season to balance the body and thereby reduce and/or eliminate the occurrence of allergy symptoms.
Dietary therapy typically plays a large part in the treatment of allergies with Oriental Medicine. In general, people with allergies are recommended to stay away from, or eat sparingly, sugars and sweets, fruit juices, dairy products (with the exception of yogurt with active cultures), and chilled, uncooked foods. Spicy dishes can thin mucus secretions and clear nasal passages so adding cayenne pepper and ginger to foods can alleviate sinus congestion. Ginger, or sheng jiang as it is known in Chinese herbal medicine, is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the formation of histamines that cause inflammation of air passages. Some good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseed oil, walnuts, and cold water oily fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel. A healthy colon can reduce the impact of seasonal allergies. The active cultures in yogurt help restore balance between good and bad bacteria within the digestive tract. By eating 18 to 24 ounces of yogurt with active cultures a day, participants in a study conducted at the University of California experienced a decline in their allergic symptoms by 90 percent (Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:1492S-1495S.)
If you or anyone you know would like more information regarding Oriental Medicine or to schedule an appointment please feel free to call Jaimie at 603-432-7777 ext. 83 or at 617-733-4492.