Seasonal Allergies | Chinese Herbal Formulas

Alleviating Seasonal Allergies and

Hay Fever Naturally

By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, DiplAc

Most people think that seasonal hay fever and allergies are caused by pollen; this assumption is fully incorrect according to Chinese medicine. If pollen were the sole culprit of this type of allergy, everyone would suffer from hay fever.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies According to TCM:

Chinese herbs and Chinese medicine is very effective at treating seasonal allergies and hay fever because there is a core understanding of the underlying root cause for this bodily imbalance. In Chinese medicine, hay fever has much more to do with the terrain of your body than external forces; in other words, you must have an underlying imbalance or weakness to be susceptible to the effects of pollen.

Seasonal Allergies:

Here are a few of the many reasons that your body becomes out of balance and is susceptible to seasonal allergies:

1.) Genetic weaknesses and predisposition to allergies is generally thought of as a Kidney Deficiency and can be addressed with immune enhancing herb formulas. These immune supporting herbs would be taken for 3-6 months to prevent hay fever rather than treat it.

2.) Poor lifestyle habits such as eating fried foods, sugars, processed foods, and raw foods can damage the Spleen and lead to dampness and a weakened immune system. Obviously, improving lifestyle habits and utilizing a Spleen tonic to repair damage done is ideal.

3.) Chronic stress, ongoing exposure to the natural elements, and lack of rest can create an over taxation on the body and lead to fatigue and weakened resistance to external invasions of pathogens such as pollen. Adaptogenic herb formulas can strengthen the body and provide herbs that allow you to adapt to stressors.

Acute Hay Fever:

As seen above, the ideal way to address seasonal allergies is to strengthen the body and to prevent hay fever from ever occurring. The question is, if you have not taken preemptive actions to optimize your health, how do you treat the allergies you are experiencing right now and alleviate the symptoms?

Acute Seasonal Allergy :

For acute and general hay fever with stuffiness, sneezing, scratchy eyes and throat use herbs that ‘Expel Exterior Wind Heat Pathogens’, such as Yin Chao or Evil Airborne Warrior. This formula will provide speedy relief safely without side effects. Echinacea can be used in a pinch, but is not as effective as the blend.

Chronic Sinus Congestion:

For chronic stuffy sinuses utilize astringing herbs such as elder flower, mullein, and eyebright herbs as tea, capsule, or tablets. Additionally, essential oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus oils can be used to drain sinuses; simply apply essential oils to a wash cloth placed in your shower and allow the hot water to create a steam. These oils must be diluted to apply over the sinuses to 5% and 95% carrier oil or they will burn the skin.

For coughs due to Phlegm from allergies, use mullein tea, thyme, sage or elecampane tea.

Sinus Infection:

When the dampness associated with seasonal allergies and hay fever is not addressed quickly, many times sinus infections can develop. Treating sinus infections requires strong anti-biotic herbs such as goldenseal, coptis, or Oregon grape root. These herbs are bitter and difficult to take as a decoction or tea and are better administered as a tablet or capsule. Additionally, the herbs are designed to remove ‘Heat Toxins’ and are very cold herbs that can only be taken for a couple of weeks before they start negatively impacting the digestive system (this is also true with pharmaceutical antibiotics). When treating infections with herbs you must address the issue quickly, consistently dose at therapeutic rates, and continue treatments for several days after symptoms have abated.

Asthma Due to Seasonal Allergies:

Many asthma sufferers remain symptom free during the majority of the year, but their asthma flairs up seasonally with the blooming of the trees, flowers, and weeds. There are a number of herbs that support lung function in cases of asthma such as mullein and thyme. Other herbs act as tonics to strengthen the lung function such as elecampane and lily bulb. Additionally, there are many herbs such as grindelia and wild lettuce that calm the spasms of the bronchi.

Using the correct approach, you can effectively treat seasonal allergies and hay fever with great effectiveness. Ideally, you will be encouraged to think ahead of the fall allergy season and begin utilizing tonic herbs to improve your overall health and well being while practicing preventative health.

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