Treating Allergies with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

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Treating Allergies with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Why people develop allergies remains a mystery in the medical

community. Until we know more about allergies, the best line of defense

is to eliminate the offending agents. Sneezing, runny nose, watery

eyes, sinus congestion, hives, swelling are all symptoms of allergies.

Allergies can affect almost any area of the body. Substances that

irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other

chemicals are all culprits. Also, grass, cow products, house dust,

pets, wheat, colorants, additives and preservatives are all

possibilities.

Dust Mites. The dust mite is an almost-microscopic relative of ticks

and spiders. But the living mite is not the problem. It's the fecal

material they expel in their wanderings about our carpets and

furniture—their primary residences—and the bodies of dead mites that

cause reactions.

Mold. Mold grows wherever it's dark and humid—under your carpet, in the

basement. It just doesn't matter which one you encounter. Inhale any

one of them, and if you are allergic, you'll start sneezing.

Hay fever is an allergic condition triggered by inhalant substances

(frequently pollens), which leads to sneezing and inflammation of the

nose and conjunctiva of the eyes.

Any skin inflammation may be considered Dermatitis. Redness, scaling,

and thickening of the skin may occur with dermatitis. Pinpointing the

cause of the problem is the first step toward alleviating the symptoms.

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is allergy related. It appears as

dry, cracking, crusting and red patches on the skin. Often there are

swelling, weeping blisters. The skin can become inflamed and itchy.

Many factors can contribute to eczema. Stress is a major factor.

Exposure to cleaning compounds, perfumes, detergents, household

chemicals, soaps, food allergies, as well as, nutrient deficiencies.

Hives are lumps or weals that are very itchy. They can appear all of a

sudden. They can be related to a particular food or as another

complication from allergies; stress.

Anaphylactic shock. This is the most serious of allergic reactions. It

can kill by suffocation, the result of swelling of the larynx and

obstruction of the airway. Anaphylactic shock can occur in response to

insect stings, ingestion of allergenic foods in sensitive individuals,

and injected or swallowed doses of medication. It is a medical

emergency, but it can be treated effectively. An injection of adrenalin

(administered under medical supervision) will usually end the reaction

promptly.

It is known that white blood cells (also known as lymphocytes) are a

fundamental component of the immune system that protects our bodies

from invaders. When they make a mistake, an allergic response can

occur. When a lymphocyte encounters a particle or cell and identifies

it as a foreign invader, it produces antibodies specifically engineered

to fight that particular threat. There are five basic types of

antibodies, called immunoglobulins, or Igs. Each is classified by type

with a letter suffix: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. The Ig known to be

responsible for most allergic reactions to food is IgE, although IgG is

also commonly mentioned.

IgE allergies occur when the immune system, in an effort to reject a

certain food or other substance, creates an antibody to that food,

immunoglobulin E. In other words, the blood cells of an allergic person

are " misinformed' at the genetic level and cause the production of

large quantities of IgE antibodies. The antibody becomes attached on

one side to the food/substance molecule and on the other side to a mast

cell (mast cells are a type of cell containing histamine and other

allergy mediators instrumental in the allergic response). When this

happens, histamines and other chemicals are released from the mast

cells, causing such immediate responses as runny nose, itchy eyes, skin

rashes and indigestion. IgE can cause anaphylaxis, an extreme,

sometimes even life-threatening response in which the airways swell,

sometimes to the point where the person cannot breathe.

The most common tests for food allergies are IgE skin tests, where the

skin is scratched or pricked and allergens such as wheat, eggs and milk

are applied. Within 15 to 30 minutes, local reaction may occur. Other

types of tests include blood tests and patch skin tests. However, there

are reports that blood testing for food allergies provides more

reliable results than skin testing. The latter are problematic because

of their tendency to yield false positives. This means that people may

show a positive result but are still able to eat a certain food. To

summarize this difficult and confusing field, it appears that the

efficacy of all allergy testing is under suspicion.

Managing Your Allergies

Tree and Plant Pollen are one of the biggest culprits. When you come in

from the outdoors, take off your clothes and through them in the

washer. Take a shower, wash your hair and change your clothes. We trek

pollen into the house from the outdoors and this is one of the biggest,

yet unseen problems with people who suffer from allergies.

Antihistamines interfere with brain activity, causing drowsiness and

depression. Never use antihistamines if you have a tendency to

depression or mental dullness. Even when these drugs do not depress

mental activity, they merely suppress allergy rather than cure it. As a

result the pattern of immune over responsiveness is strengthened rather

than weakened, meaning that more treatment will be required in the

future.

This is even more so with steroid drugs (cortisone and related

compounds). Never use cortisone, prednisone, or other steroid drugs to

treat allergic reactions unless they are very severe or

life-threatening. If you must take these powerful hormones, limit your

use of them to two weeks. Steroids perpetuate allergy through their

suppressive action. They also lower immunity.

Air-conditioning your house is probably the single most important thing

you can do to alleviate pollen problems, and it can help with two other

chief inhalants—molds and dust mites.

Vitamin C has antihistamine activity. Vitamin C supplementation has

been reported to help people with hay fever in preliminary research.

Consider 3,000 - 6,000 mg of Vitamin C in divided doses, per day.

Bioflavonoids such as Quercetin, might act synergistically with Vitamin

C as both have antihistaminic activity. Although some doctors of

natural medicine advise people with hay fever to take 400 mg of

Quercetin two to three times per day, only limited preliminary clinical

research has yet suggested that Quercetin benefits people with this

condition.

Proteins in food can cross-react with pollen we bring in from the

outdoors. Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them, and don't

forget to wash yourself if you just came in from the outside when

picking these fruits and vegetables.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest, continually

practiced, and professionally administered health care system in the

world. It is a documented medical system spanning over 2,500 years

based on comprehensive philosophies, rational theories, clinically

tested and empirically verified by over 100 generations of highly

educated practitioners. Chinese Medicine is a total system of internal

medicine which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on signs,

symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine,

exercise, diet and meditation. It's foundation is based on the

principles of balance; the interdependent relationship of Yin and Yang.

Through this balance, health is achieved and maintained.

Traditional Chinese medicine often views allergic rhinitis as related

to Wind, noting that symptoms come and go rapidly, cause congestion,

and make the person want to avoid windy situations. This Wind often

coexists with a deficiency of the Protective or Wei Qi. The nearest we

associate with Wei Qi in the West is resistance to colds and other

respiratory infections. People with Wei Qi deficiency catch colds

easily, and allergy symptoms may be particularly bad in the spring or

fall seasons which are generally windy.

The acupuncturist also looks for constitutional or more deeply-rooted

signs in each person who presents with allergic symptoms. The principle

here is treating the whole person. Often people with chronic allergies

show signs of Spleen or Kidney Deficiency as well as Lung signs

according to TCM.

Herbal Remedies

Herbs that are beneficial for allergies (if you are not allergic to

them) are Burdock Root, Dandelion, and Echinacea. These herbs help to

purify the blood, boost the immune system and improves organ function.

Bee Pollen can strengthen the immune system. Start with a few drops at

a time and work up to a dropper 2-3 times a day. Coenzyme Q10 improves

oxygenation and immunity. 30 mgs, twice daily. In traditional medicine,

some herbs whose pollen can cause symptoms of hay fever have been used

as a way to reduce symptoms of hay fever, which is the homeopathic

theory of " like cures like " . The most important of these are Goldenrod

and Ragweed (Ambrosia ambrosioides). Eyebright and Elder also have a

reputation for use as hay fever remedies. However, an individual

allergic to one of these plants should avoid them unless under the care

of a doctor of natural medicine.

Bee Pollen - has been used to build up the immune system to to fight

colds and to counteract depression. Bee pollen has also been used

internally to increase antiallergenic properties to enhance the immune

system against allergies to pollen.

Burdock Root - Burdock root contains high amounts of inulin and

mucilage. This may explain its soothing effects on the gastrointestinal

tract. Bitter constituents in the root may also explain the traditional

use of burdock to improve digestion. It also contains polyacetylenes

that have been shown to have antimicrobial activity.

Dandelion - Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine

production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the

kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring

mild diuretic treatment such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and

high blood pressure.

Echinacea - Echinacea is another herb useful for the relief of allergy

symptoms. With a rich history of use in Native American traditions,

echinacea possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea

also helps relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections

and is useful for sore throats and even acne.

Green drinks - green drinks are filled with antioxidants and other

nutrients, which help to detox the body. Detoxification can calm

allergy symptoms by helping to flush out toxic build up in the system.

Made from spirulina, wheat and barley grasses, these drinks are one of

the best allergy medicines.

Nettle Leaf - Nettle leaf can help in the reduction in symptoms of hay

fever, including sneezing and itchy eyes. For help with hay fever

symptoms, consider taking 450 mg of Nettle Leaf capsules or tablets two

to three times per day, or a 2–4 ml tincture, three times per day. Do

not take this herb if you have high blood pressure.

Horseradish - The " heating " qualities of horseradish are a clue to its

most popular therapeutic use: clearing up nasal and chest congestion.

As well as helping to clear the respiratory passages and eliminate

excess mucus, this herb is effective for the relief of cough symptoms

and sinusitis.

Garlic - One of the oldest recorded culinary spices, garlic (Allium

sativum) is mentioned as a food in the Bible, and is known to have been

part of the diet of Egyptian workers as long ago as 2600 BC. It is the

dominant flavour in much of Mediterranean cuisine, but is also a more

subtle addition to many Asian dishes. But alongside its popularity in

food, garlic has a long history of medicinal use – a traditional

history that has gained increasing recognition from science. Garlic

preparations have long been used to relieve the congestion of colds and

hayfever.

Reishi Mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum, (Ling Zhi) is documented to have

great medicinal value. The reishi extract has been shown to be

effective in clearing up a large variety of skin allergic conditions

either due to food or airborne allergens. Ganoderma extract has been

found to be useful in detoxifying the kidneys and improving its overall

function.

Visit Your TCM practitioner for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

http://www.peacefulmind.com/allergies.htm

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