Seasonal allergies Relief with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine?
After a long period of cold weather, even with a surprise of a bit of snow in early May, finally spring has arrived!! The trees start to change its baby light green leaves to dark green color and beautiful flowers start to bloom in every corner at a garden of each house. How lovely scene we can all enjoy!! We are so excited to welcome this refreshing and lovely spring weather, then suddenly there is one problem arising: Seasonal Allergy.
Even though spring can be an exciting, joyful and new start for many people, some of us might feel uncomfortable due to these allergy symptoms of constant headaches, stuffy noses, unstoppable sneezing, or water eyes! Once allergy symptoms kick in, we cannot help but running to the pharmacy and start taking over the counter medicines, hoping that it would go away. Temporarily it does go away, (of course, with synthetic chemical drugs causing reactions in your body), after popping pills for several days, we all have been left with feeling drowsy, confused, or dizzy and wondering if there are any other ways to treat naturally without these side effect from medications.
Usually allergy responses are caused by the hyperactivity of immune responses to common allergen such as pollen from plants, trees, grasses, weeds and flowers, etc. The body immune system identifies these harmless substances as dangerous to the body, therefore, in order to protect the body, it releases histamines and other chemicals into the bloodstream.
In East Asian Medicine, a general treatment strategy includes, but not limited to, clear sinusitis, relieve water eyes, stop sneezing, by combining several acupuncture points and herbal medicines. Among the most effective acupuncture points, prominent points are called “allergy” and “autonomic” located in the ear, as known as auricular acupuncture. One of the common Herbal medicines prescribed for allergy is Bi Yan Pian*, which translates to Nasal Inflammation Tablet. This prominent herbal medicine consists of Chinese herbs such as Japanese catnip, forsythia fruit, and siler and more combined together to relieve the allergic symptoms.
Do you normally struggle with seasonal allergies? Here at Grace Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, you will get acupuncture treatments on a whole body as well as auricular system (ear) then the customized herbal medicine will be provided to you, which you can take home until you come in for the next treatment. Sometimes ear seeds (acupressure pallets) would be left on to prolong acupuncture treatment before you leave the office. Allergy symptoms should be treated based on each patient’s different condition, so it is important to consult the acupuncture practitioner prior to take any herbal medicine or to put on acupressure seeds by yourself.
After several specific treatments with combinations of acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments, you will be able to fully enjoy the spring season without stuffy nose or water eyes, and also without worrying about any side effects from taking too much over-the-counter medications. Happy Spring!!!
*Bi Yan Pian is an East Asian herbal formula which relieves the nasal symptoms caused by allergic reactions.
Usually Board-certified herbalist customizes the herbal formula based on each patient’s needs, but currently some of patients might be concerned to visit the medical office due to Covid-19 pandemic. If allergic symptoms continues, please contact the office for virtual herbal consultation.