If you are suffering with hay fever, congestion, sneezing, watery and/or burning eyes, or a runny nose during allergy season, then Acupuncture and Asian Formulas may be for you! Spring is Wind time and the Wind disrupts or blows away your Protective shield thereby reducing your body's ability to protect itself from colds, flu, and allergens. Think about it - how many people like Wind? Not many do. That may be because our bodies sense that it can do something unpleasant to us.

 

Allergies occur when the body's immune system misidentifies a normally harmless substance as a threat to the body. Common allergies are foods, pollen, animal dander, mold, drugs, and dust. An inflammatory reaction takes place in an attempt to eject this substance from the system, resulting in a variety of symptoms.

 

Most of the time people are just treating the symptoms with over the counter medicine. That is okay, because it is no fun having annoying symptoms form allergies. But there is a better way! You can rid yourself of allergies while enjoying the added bonus of building your bodies defense system at the same time!  

 

Treatment with Herbs

The treatment strategy is to repel the affects of the wind with herbs that are dispersing. Herbs that drain dampness are also employed in order to clear the nasal passages and sinuses. Typically, an underlying weakness is often a deficiency of lung and spleen qi which causes people with allergies to be susceptible to allergic reactions. Lung qi is responsible for the proper function of the entire respiratory tract, including the nasal passages. Spleen qi controls the transport of fluids; when spleen qi is impaired, weakening digestive function, it can lead to an overproduction of mucus, which tends to collect in the lungs. This weakness of qi is treated with tonifying herbs that bolster lung and spleen function.

 

Treatment with Diet

Diet plays an important part in controlling seasonal allergies. Sweets, dairy products, and cold foods all tend to increase mucus buildup, putting ice cream and yogurt at the top of the list of foods to avoid during allergy season is an important first step. When excessive mucus accumulates in the system, allergens stimulate a much stronger allergic reaction. Soups, vegetables, and boiled grains are all easy for the body to digest. When digestion is efficient, there is less of a tendency for mucus to build up.

 

Treatment with Acupuncture

Treatment plans for allergies vary greatly, and the possible results range from temporary relief to complete remission. Acupuncture frequently relieves allergy symptoms immediately. Manipulation of points around the nose, usually relieves the nasal congestion and sneezing as soon as the needles are inserted.

 

Top 3 Tips to Help Allergies Naturally

Getting regular acupuncture “tune-ups” is one great, natural way to help relieve allergies. Here are some other ideas you can put into practice to help rid your home and work environment of potential allergens.

1. Air Filter – a good-quality HEPA filter will re

2. move particles of pollen, dust, and pet dander from the ambient air. This works best if you also make sure to keep the windows and doors closed when you suspect pollen is heavy in the air outside.

3. Probiotics – studies show that taking probiotics can help reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Probiotics help balance gut flora, which we now know is vital to proper immune functioning and prevention of inflammation.

4. Nasal cleansing – using a nettie pot with purified water and a saline mix at night or when you come in from a windy day helps to manage allergies.

Take time to enjoy the beauty of spring and I hope to see you soon for a spring tune up!