{"id":6503,"date":"2022-03-05T11:57:23","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T11:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=condition&#038;p=6503"},"modified":"2025-07-22T18:26:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:26:57","slug":"allergies-traditional-chinese-medicine-perspective","status":"publish","type":"condition","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/condition\/allergies-traditional-chinese-medicine-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Allergies: A traditional Chinese medicine perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-2-column is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns has-2-column-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><em>In TCM, there is no overarching disease category for allergies as we understand them in the west. Rather, the clinical manifestations relating to allergies are essentially seen as an imbalance in the body\u2019s energies (qi). <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" src=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255.jpg\" alt=\"Allergies: A traditional Chinese Medicine perspective\" class=\"wp-image-6506\" style=\"width:487px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-1300x865.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-9d20464 ugb-4bd421b ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-accordion--open ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><style>.ugb-4bd421b .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Understanding allergies<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<p>Allergies involve an excessive immune response to normally harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, pet hair, mould and certain food and drugs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/condition\/hayfever\/\">Hayfever<\/a> (allergic rhinitis) is perhaps the best known of these conditions, with around 49% of people in the UK reporting symptoms in a 2020 study. Other allergies include skin allergies, asthma and food allergies. As a disease category, they are the most common chronic disease in Europe and, globally, appear to be on the rise (1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of treating allergic conditions and seeks to both provide symptomatic relief and correct underlying causative factors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-a2bc58e ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-a2bc58e .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">How do allergies work in TCM?<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/27134646\/Why-there-is-such-an-increase-in-allergies-and-what-herbalism-can-do-about-it.jpg\" alt=\"Why there is such an increase in allergies and what herbalism can do about it\" class=\"wp-image-11583\" style=\"width:582px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/27134646\/Why-there-is-such-an-increase-in-allergies-and-what-herbalism-can-do-about-it.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/27134646\/Why-there-is-such-an-increase-in-allergies-and-what-herbalism-can-do-about-it-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/27134646\/Why-there-is-such-an-increase-in-allergies-and-what-herbalism-can-do-about-it-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1911, Austrian scientist, Clemens von Pirquet, named this heightened immune response \u2018allergy\u2019; <em>allos<\/em> being Greek for \u2018altered\u2019 and <em>ergeai <\/em>meaning\u2018energy\u2019 (2). As it happens, this is an apt description of the TCM perspective of allergies. In TCM, there is no overarching disease category for allergies as we understand them in the west. Rather, the clinical manifestations relating to allergies are essentially seen as an imbalance in the body\u2019s energies (<em>qi<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most prominent TCM allergy pattern is that of deficient <em>defensive qi<\/em> (<em>wei qi)<\/em>. Circulating beneath the skin, our <em>defensive qi<\/em> forms our immunity to the external environment. It originates from a combination of Kidney <em>qi<\/em> (constitutional energy), Lung <em>qi<\/em> (energy from respiration) and Spleen <em>qi<\/em> (digestive energy). If any of these pivotal energies are weak, our <em>wei qi<\/em> is compromised and fails to provide the exterior defence needed to repel external pathogens (allergens) (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Allergens typically fall in to the category of external <em>wind<\/em>; the external pathogen which enters the body most readily (often combined with another factor eg. <em>wind cold)<\/em>, is at its most prevalent in Spring and, like the wind itself, is moving and changeable in nature, often appearing with speed. Acute hives (urticaria) &#8211; an allergic skin reaction &#8211; illustrate this concept pointedly both in their nature \u2013 the sudden eruption of raised, itchy welts &#8211; and TCM name; \u2018<em>feng zhen<\/em>\u2019 (\u2018wind rash\u2019) (4). &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the most superficial level, <em>wei qi<\/em> deficiency can result in such skin allergies. Here, weakened <em>wei qi <\/em>allows penetration of the skin by \u2018toxins\u2019 and the resultant battle between our <em>qi<\/em> and the pathogenic factor generates <em>heat<\/em> and <em>dampness<\/em> which accumulates in the skin in the form of lesions (4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Going a little deeper, allergic rhinitis results when external pathogens penetrate the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and lodge, causing irritation and inflammation and disrupting the proper flow of lung <em>qi<\/em> in the nose causing sneezing (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further still, weak <em>wei qi <\/em>allows <em>wind<\/em> to enter the lungs causing inflammation, the constriction of airways and disruption of the descending function of the lungs resulting in cough and wheeze, i.e. allergic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/condition\/asthma\/\">asthma<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food allergies arise from a weakness in our digestive energy, governed in TCM primarily by our Spleen and Stomach functions and fired by our Kidney <em>qi<\/em>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to deficiencies, allergies often occur against a backdrop of pre-existing excess in the body, making these conditions both more likely and severe. These \u2018internal excesses\u2019 are what TCM describes as <em>pathogenic factors<\/em>. <em>Wind, heat, dampness, phlegm<\/em> and <em>dryness<\/em> often feature in allergic conditions. These can be external or internal in origin, determine the symptom expression of the allergy, stem from a variety of sources to create an intolerant constitution and hypersensitivities which are then triggered by ordinarily harmless substances. Retained <em>heat<\/em> in the body, for example, may be likened to chronic low-grade inflammation stemming from the Th2-dominant immune milieu common to atopic individuals. (5)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-fb87bdd ugb-58e400e ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-58e400e .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Understanding the root<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Constitution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is often a family history of allergies in individual allergy sufferers. This fits with the TCM view that our inherited constitution (ie. Kidney <em>qi<\/em>) greatly impacts the likelihood of experiencing allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Lung <em>qi<\/em> deficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be due to many factors including aninherited constitutional weakness of the Lungs, previous respiratory illness, a sedentary lifestyle, over-exercising, poor posture leading to shallow breathing, smoking, air pollution, stress and unresolved grief. <strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Spleen <em>qi <\/em>deficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Spleen <em>qi<\/em> is weakened in particular by stress, over-thinking, poor eating habits (ie. eating on the run\/ at the desk) and by a <em>damp<\/em> diet; one that features excessive dairy, cold, raw, greasy, sweetened foods, alcohol, antibiotics and (for some) wheat. Children have underdeveloped digestive energy and are, therefore, especially sensitive to <em>damp<\/em> diets and prone to the development of <em>dampness<\/em> and allergies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-727094a ugb-ce6acf9 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-ce6acf9 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Signs and symptoms<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Allergic rhinitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis \u2013 blocked nose, nasal discharge, sneezing \u2013 will be accompanied by the following patterns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wind:<\/strong> Acute rhinitis with <em>cold<\/em> (nasal discharge will be thin and clear) or <em>heat<\/em> (thick, yellow\/green discharge, red itchy eyes, thirst). Responds well to treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kidney <em>qi<\/em> deficiency<\/strong>: Chronic rhinitis. As it is often a constitutional deficiency, is typically present from childhood. Symptoms worse following sex and when overworked as these deplete Kidney <em>qi<\/em>. Accompanying symptoms may include typical Kidney deficiency symptoms such as weak and sore knees and lower back, low libido and premature aging and\/ or signs of Kidney <em>yin<\/em> deficiency (eg. nightsweats, dry mouth at night, red tongue) or <em>yang<\/em> deficiency (eg. cold lower back, profuse, clear urination, pale tongue). Treatment of this pattern will require time and dedication as Kidney <em>qi<\/em> is our core energy and not easily replenished.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lung <em>qi<\/em> deficiency: <\/strong>Recurrent episodes of hayfever, frequent colds, shortness of breath, possible accompanying asthma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lung and Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency with Phlegm:<\/strong> Recurrent hayfever with copious mucus, foggy head, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools, swollen tongue with teeth marks (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Skin allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Allergic skin reactions such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), contact dermatitis and urticaria (hives) can cause itching, burning, redness, bumps and swelling. Generally speaking, in TCM the level of <em>heat <\/em>present relates to the level of inflammation and redness, <em>dampness<\/em> to swelling and oozing, <em>wind<\/em> to itching and <em>dryness<\/em> to dryness and scaling (4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Food allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The characteristic symptoms of food allergy flare-ups &#8211; itchy mouth, hives,&nbsp;swollen face, mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing, wheezing or shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain or&nbsp;diarrhoea, hay fever-like symptoms and possible anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction and medical emergency) \u2013 may be accompanied by the following pre-existing patterns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency: <\/strong>Frequent loose stools,poor appetite, fatigue. This pattern is particularly common in children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spleen <em>yang<\/em> deficiency: <\/strong>As per Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency with <em>cold<\/em> signs, eg. cold intolerance, lower abdomen that is cold to the touch, abdominal pain alleviated by warmth, nausea or vomiting better for warm foods, undigested food in stools. (6)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-eeddbb9 ugb-db99bd3 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-db99bd3 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Herbal solutions<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<p>TCM formulae used in the treatment of allergies are many and varied, depending on the condition, presenting symptoms and underlying imbalance. However, some commonly used herbs and formulas include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21123603\/astragalus-seed-pods-inside.jpeg\" alt=\"Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)\" class=\"wp-image-8203\" style=\"width:614px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21123603\/astragalus-seed-pods-inside.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21123603\/astragalus-seed-pods-inside.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21123603\/astragalus-seed-pods-inside.jpeg 1300w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21123603\/astragalus-seed-pods-inside-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21123603\/astragalus-seed-pods-inside-600x400.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Astragalus (<em>Astragalus membranaceus<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Allergic rhinitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em><a href=\"\/herb\/astragalus\">huang qi<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (<em>Astragalus membranaceus<\/em>, Astragalus root): adaptogen, diuretic, anhydrotic (stops sweating), antiviral, antioxidant. Animportant immune-booster and Lung tonic, <em>huang qi<\/em> fortifies <em>qi<\/em> and<em> defensive qi<\/em> and enhances digestion, thereby addressing the primary underlying causes of allergic rhinitis. Along with <em>xin yin hua<\/em> and <em>cang er zi<\/em>, these are the three most common herbs found in TCM formulae for hayfever (7,8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>xin yi hua<\/em> <\/strong>(<em>Magnolia liliflora<\/em>, Magnolia flower): diaphoretic, decongestant, expectorant, aromatic stimulant. A primary herb for unblocking the nasal passages in all varieties of patterns, <em>xin yi hua<\/em> also \u2018releases the exterior\u2019 making it appropriate for externally-contracted <em>wind<\/em> conditions (7,9). May also be used as a nasal rinse (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>cang er zi <\/em><\/strong>(<em>Xanthium sibiricum<\/em>, Xanthium fruit): analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, stimulant. Slightly toxic and drying, <em>cang er zi<\/em> shares the functions of <em>xin yi hua<\/em> but also dries dampness and, therefore, nasal discharge and alleviates sinus headache (7,9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Yu Ping Feng San <\/em><\/strong>(Jade Windscreen Powder): <em>huang qi<\/em> (<em>Astragalus membranaceus<\/em>, Astragalus root)<em>, bai zhu<\/em> (<em>Atractylodes macrocephala<\/em>, white Atractylodes)<em>, fang feng <\/em>(<em>Ledebouriella divaricata<\/em>, Siler). Creating a \u2018screen\u2019 against the <em>wind<\/em>, as the title suggests, this is a popular formula to tonify <em>defensive qi<\/em>. <em>Bai zhu<\/em> strengthens digestion, thus, <em>defensive<\/em> <em>qi<\/em> and <em>fang feng<\/em> (\u2018guard against wind\u2019), releases the exterior. It is ideally used as a preventative formula against allergic rhinitis to build up the Lungs and immunity. In the case of perennial rhinitis, it may be used in between episodes and for seasonal allergic rhinitis, it is best taken over a period of several months in the lead up to allergy season. When taken for symptomatic relief, it is often combined with <strong><em>Cang Er Zi San<\/em><\/strong> (Xanthium Powder)(<em>cang er zi, xin yi hua, bai zhi<\/em> (<em>Apiaceae dahurica<\/em>, Angelica root), <em>bo he<\/em> (Mentha haplocalyx, Mint)). (7,10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Skin allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Common TCM treatment strategies for skin allergies involve clearing <em>damp<\/em>, <em>heat<\/em> and <em>wind<\/em> with herbs such as <em>jin yin hua (Lonicera japonica<\/em>, Honeysuckle), <em>fang feng <\/em>(<em>Ledebouriella divaricata<\/em>, Siler) and <em>ku shen (Sophora flavescens<\/em>, Sophora root). Chronic conditions may also require the nourishing of Blood and <em>dryness<\/em> with herbs such as <em>dang gui<\/em> (<em>Angelica sinensis<\/em>, Chinese angelica root)<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>External application of herbs is also an important component of TCM dermatology. <strong><em>San Huang Xi Ji<\/em><\/strong> (Three Yellow Wash) \u2013 a wash applied twice daily until symptoms subside \u2013 is a popular formula for contact dermatitis, containing the three <em>huangs; da huang <\/em>(Rheum palmatum<em>, <\/em>Rhubarb),<em> huang bai<\/em> (<em>Phellodendron amurense, <\/em>Phellodendron) and <em>huang qin <\/em>(<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/baical-skullcap\/\">Scutellaria baicalensis<\/a><\/em>, Scutellaria root).&nbsp;(4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Food allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Wu Mei Wan<\/em> <\/strong>(Mume Pill), a TCM formula traditionally used to treat intestinal parasites, chronic diarrhea and dysenteric disorders, is the basis of FAHF-2<strong> <\/strong>(Food Allergy Herbal Formula \u2013 2), a novel TCM formula involved in a number of promising clinical trials, some of which approved by the US FDA. FAHF-2 utilises the internal-warming properties of <em>Wu Mei Wan<\/em> (minus two of the toxic herbs) and combines this with the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties of addition, <em>ling zhi <\/em>(<em>Ganoderma Lucidum, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/reishi\/\">Reishi mushroom<\/a>) (11). It \u201chas been shown to be highly effective in providing long-term protection against peanut-induced anaphylaxis, with a high safety margin\u201d (12).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-956b204 ugb-98be77d ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-98be77d .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Holistic solutions<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Acupuncture:<\/strong> Acupuncture is an important adjunctive treatment to TCM for the treatment of allergies for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (13,14).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthen the Lungs:<\/strong> For tips on optimising lung health see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/condition\/respiratory-health-traditional-chinese-medicine-perspective\/\">Respiratory health: A Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/condition\/respiratory-health-traditional-ayurvedic-perspective\/\">Respiratory health: An Ayurvedic perspective<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herbalism\/western-herbal-medicine\/keeping-your-lungs-healthy\/\">Keeping your lungs healthy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthen the Spleen:<\/strong> Adopt healthy eating habits including relaxing while eating and eating slowly and adopting a diet low in <em>damp<\/em>-forming foods.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Incorporate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/health-lifestyle\/mobility-fitness\/relaxation\/\">relaxation<\/a> techniques<\/strong> in to your everyday life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skin allergies: <\/strong>During an outbreak avoid damp or \u2018heating\u2019 foods (eg. spicy foods, lamb, shellfish, duck, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine) (4).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hayfever:<\/strong> Daily nasal flushing with warm salty water clears and strengthens the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses. Powdered <em>gan jiang<\/em> (dried ginger) mixed with honey and applied to the nasal cavity may also be beneficial in cases from Lung <em>qi<\/em> deficiency (3).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-5d9c0c9 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-5d9c0c9 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">References<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allergy UK <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allergyuk.org\/about-allergy\/statistics-and-figures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.allergyuk.org\/about-allergy\/statistics-and-figures\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dwyer J. <em>The Body At War: How Our Immune System Works<\/em>. 2<sup>nd<\/sup> ed. London: J M Dent; 1993.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maclean W, Lyttleton J. <em>Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine: The Treatment of Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/em>. Vol 1. Sydney: University of Western Sydney; 1998.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>De-Hui S et al. <em>Manual of Dermatology in Chinese Medicine. <\/em>Seattle: Eastland Press; 1995.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Powell M. <em>Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. <\/em>Eastbourne: Mycology Press; 2010.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maclean W, Lyttleton J. <em>Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine: The Treatment of Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine. <\/em>Vol 2. Sydney: University of Western Sydney; 2002.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tierra L. <em>Healing with the Herbs of Life<\/em>. New York: Crossing Press; 2003.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Li D et al. \u2018Mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis using a network biology approach\u2019. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences. January 2021; 8(1). doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jtcms.2016.11.007.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bensky D, Gamble A. <em>Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. <\/em>2nd ed. Washington: Eastland Press; 1993.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barolet R, Bensky D. <em>Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies. <\/em>Washington: Eastland Press Inc.; 1990.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tasaka K et al. \u2018Anti-allergic constituents in the culture medium of <em>Ganoderma lucidum<\/em>\u2019. Agents Actions<em>. <\/em>April 1988<em>;<\/em> 23(3-4):153-6. doi: 10.1007\/BF02142526.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wang J, Li X-M. \u2018Chinese Herbal Therapy for the Treatment of Food Allergy\u2019. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. August 2012; 12(4): 332\u2013338. doi:&nbsp;10.1007\/s11882-012-0265-4.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pesheva E. \u2018Quieting the Storm\u2019. The Harvard Gazette. August 2020. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/gazette\/story\/2020\/08\/study-reveals-acupuncture-affects-disease-course\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/gazette\/story\/2020\/08\/study-reveals-acupuncture-affects-disease-course\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>British Acupuncture Council. \u2018Allergic Rhinitis\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6506,"parent":0,"menu_order":-250,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_integration_method":"","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"7ef19a54-17f7-4fc1-aa43-d701de40173e","beyondwords_preview_token":"ccd82210-2e65-41f8-ab80-04c90cf876c5","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[207,393,159,373,208,376,281],"conditions":[701],"writer":[],"class_list":["post-6503","condition","type-condition","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-allergic","tag-allergies","tag-allergy","tag-chinese-medicine","tag-immunity","tag-tcm","tag-traditional","conditions-immune-system"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255.jpg",2000,1331,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-1000x666.jpg",1000,666,true],"large":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-1300x865.jpg",580,386,true],"banner_image":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255-1600x800.jpg",1600,800,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255.jpg",300,200,false],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255.jpg",400,266,false],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/21124245\/allergy-herb-shrub-allergens-boy-scaled-e1711546659255.jpg",600,399,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>In TCM, there is no overarching disease category for allergies as we understand them in the west. Rather, the clinical manifestations relating to allergies are essentially seen as an imbalance in the body\u2019s energies (qi). Understanding allergies Allergies involve an excessive immune response to normally harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, pet hair, mould and certain food and drugs. Hayfever (allergic rhinitis) is perhaps the best known of these conditions, with around 49% of people in the UK reporting symptoms in a 2020 study. Other allergies include skin allergies, asthma and food allergies. As a disease category, they are&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"Jessika Thiele","url":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/author\/jessikat\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/condition\/6503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/condition"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/condition"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/condition\/6503\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6503"},{"taxonomy":"conditions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conditions?post=6503"},{"taxonomy":"writer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/writer?post=6503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}