Spring is here, and along with rain and warmer weather, we can depend on an abundance of grasses, flowering plants, and trees. While we are enchanted by their beauty, they may cause allergic responses in many of us. Health Concerns offers an east-west approach to anticipating and treating seasonal allergic rhinitis (the inflammation of the lining of the nose) and other respiratory allergies.
In traditional Chinese medicine, respiratory allergies are classified as wind syndromes. Wind relieving herbs, such as xanthium (cang er zi) and cinnamon twig (gui zhi) elevate serum IgG to neutralize allergies and increase the T cell ratio. Spleen and lung deficiencies precede allergy symptoms, and these weaknesses must be treated early to prevent the irritated nasal passages, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes that one might experience during allergy season. With spleen and lung insufficiency or disharmony, exposure to pollen may cause discomfort, but symptoms may also result from too much time indoors (especially if there is mold in the house), pets, dust, strong odors (such as perfume or cleaning chemicals), or cigarette smoke – these disrupt lung qi. The weakened spleen and lung may also result from too much sugar, refined carbohydrates, too much wheat, and dairy products, which contribute to internal dampness. Improving the diet relieves spleen deficiency and taking a daily walk outdoors is a good start to improve the qi of the lungs.
