Seasonal Allergy Relief

While the newness of spring breathes life back into plants, trees, flowers, and wildlife that have been dormant all winter, this same rebirth awakens unpleasant seasonal allergies for many people. According to TCM, allergies, or bi yuan, meaning nose-pool, are caused by a blockage of wei Qi to the nose and sinuses. Acupuncture and herbal medicine manage symptoms by decreasing pain and inflammation, bolstering the immune system, and regulating the body’s histamine response to aggravates like pollen or dust, relieving symptoms before they start. The shift into spring is a great time to bolster your defenses and prepare your body for the allergies to come using essential oils, herbal formulas, and acupuncture. A western approach to allergy relief is a saline rinse via a neti pot. The saline, a sanitary salt solution, washes out irritating allergens like pollen, and calms inflamed tissues while easing congestion in the sinuses.

Aromatherapy for Symptom Relief

Essential oils have been used for centuries to aid the body in healing, and can even be used to treat allergy symptoms. Use the following essential oils as a shower steam, chest rub, in a diffuser, or directly inhale the oil to calm and relieve unpleasant symptoms like headaches, congestion, itching, and runny nose. Make sure to not apply oils directly to skin without diluting in a carrier oil, and research whether these oils are safe around kids or pets. If a reaction occurs, it could be an allergic reaction and should be washed off immediately.

Eucalyptus: Though a known cause for allergies in some people, eucalyptus is an anti-inflammatory oil that can help with congestion relief, reduce inflammation, open up the sinuses and lungs, improve circulation, and clear mucus.

Peppermint: Peppermint is a strong oil that opens clogged sinuses, is anti-inflammatory, relieves pain, opens airways, relieves a scratchy throat, has decongestant properties, and disperses wind-heat symptoms. Thi oil also enters the liver acupuncture meridian, unblocking qi stagnation and helping the body to release and relax.

Frankincense and Sandalwood: Studies have shown that the combination of frankincense and sandalwood with eucalyptus ravensara can ease symptoms related to hay fever caused by pollen. This anti-inflammatory combination helped unblock nasal passages, eased runny and itchy noses, lessened frequency of sneezing, aided in better sleep.

Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint Blend: Lemon, lavender, and peppermint are all anti-inflammatory oils that combined is a natural antihistamine that relieves mucus and cools down the inflammatory reaction to irritants like pollen or dust. Avoid direct sunlight on exposed skin when using lemon oil.

Herbal Formulas for Symptom Relief

Chinese herbal formulas that address spring allergies are often created with warm acrid herbs that release exterior wind-cold. These formulas are curated to best combat symptoms like mucus build up, congestion, itchy eyes and nose, and sore throat. Before taking herbal formulas, consult a specialist to determine the correct one for your symptoms and to ensure no negative side effects or reactions.

Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San): This formula is commonly prepared as a teapill, and combines warming acrid herbs that help dry mucus, and cooling herbs that clear phlegm. Magnolia flowers are used to unblock nasal passageways and remove excess thin mucus. This formula works best for relieving mucus symptoms, but does not address symptoms like itchy eyes and nose, and throat irritation that are commonly associated with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

Bi Yan Pian: This widely known formula is available in pill and tincture form, and is especially useful when sinus congestion is lingering and mucus becomes thick and yellow. Used to alleviate excess heat, it includes warming and transforming herbs, as well as herbs used for clearing heat like chrysanthemum, Japanese catnip, forsythia, and platycodon. Other herbs like licorice and schizandra balance the drying effects of these herbs.

Ju hua (Chrysanthemum): This cooling herb is used to clear heat and dispel wind, and clear the liver and the eyes. It enters the Lung channel, which opens up into the nose, head, and eyes. The wind element is associated with symptoms of pain or itchiness, and symptoms that appear quickly and change constantly. These symptoms include sneezing, headaches, and dry or itchy eyes. This formula is great to use when symptoms first hit and can offer fast relief. To use, make a compress from the tea and put over your eyes when they feel hot, dry, or itchy.

Other herbs that are used on their own: Butterbur has been shown to be as effective as prescription antihistamines, but without the drowsiness. Use with caution if you have a ragweed allergy, as they are in the same family. Quercetin is an herbal extract from foods like onions, grapes, or berries that is considered a natural antihistamine. Euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) and Scutellaria (Chinese skullcap) treat symptoms of hay fever like congestion and watery eyes.

Acupuncture for Symptom Relief

During an acupuncture session to relieve allergy symptoms, needles are placed on acu-points and meridians associated with body parts more affected by allergies, like the head, nose, and eyes.

Large Intestine 4 (LI-4): This point is located in the muscle between the thumb and index finger, and is used to treat all symptoms related to the head and face. It helps alleviate red and itchy eyes, fevers, heat in the face, sinus troubles, strengthens the immune system, regulates sweating, and moves Qi and blood stagnation to stop pain.

Stomach 36 (ST-36): This point below the kneecap is used to tonify Qi, warm the stomach and lungs, and strengthen defensive Qi. Defensive Qi, or Wei Qi, is connected to immunity, and is the body’s barrier against pathogens. Working mostly around the skin and muscles, Wei Qi induces symptoms like fever, chills, and shivering. The higher the response, the stronger one’s immune system. Good for eliminating stagnation, it can help your body move through allergy season more quickly.

Large Intestine 20 (LI-20): This point is perfect for short-term allergy relief, and is used to open your nasal passage to immediately relieve sinus pressure. This point can be found on the sides of your nasolabial folds, just to the outside of the nostril. Try pressing both points of the nose at once and breathe deeply through your nose as you go.

Gua Sha: Gua sha is a scraping technique where a spoon shaped tool is used to rub over acupressure points and fascia to improve blood flow to an area, release tension, and stimulate the immune system through lymphatic drainage. This helps alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Gua sha is often used to stimulate lymphatic drainage throughout the body and face, and when applied to the face, can relieve congestion in the sinuses. This also relieves sinus headaches and pressure in the upper respiratory system.

Allergies can take a toll on the energetic and new cycle of spring, but through the Chinese medicine practices of aromatherapy, neti pots, herbal remedies, gua sha, and acupuncture, those unpleasant symptoms can be relieved. Blend your own special mix of essential oils to ease congestion, try an herbal remedy to eliminate excess heat, increase Qi flow with acupuncture, or remove waste and fluids from the face and body with gua sha.

References

Goodman, Steve. “Chinese Herbs and Spring Allergies.” Retrieved from https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/09/01/chinese-herbs-and-spring-allergies.

Mrazek, Katie. “Press Pause On Spring Allergies With These 3 Acupressure Points”. Retrieved from https://evolvewellnessvancouver.ca/2021/06/23/press-pause-on-spring-allergies-with-these-3-acupressure-points/.

Orosz, Grace. “Essential Oils for Seasonal Allergies”. Retrieved from https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2018/06/26/essential-oils-for-seasonal-allergies#.ZC81rezMKRs.

Zappin, Benjamin. “Surviving Pollen Season with Chinese Medicine”. Retrieved from https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/surviving-pollen-season-with-chinese-medicine/.

“Allergy Relief with Essential Oils”. Retrieved from https://www.energymattersonline.com/blog/allergy-relief-with-essential-oils.

“A TCM Toolkit for Seasonal Allergies.” Retrieved from https://balancecharleston.com/blog/2020/4/27/a-chinese-medicine-toolkit-fornbspallergies.

“Essential Oils for Allergies”. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-allergies#blend-of-oils.

“How acupuncture can improve allergy symptoms”. Retrieved from https://www.mainlinehealth.org/blog/allergies-and-acupuncture.

“Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi”. Retrieved from https://mendacupuncture.com/your-first-line-of-defense-wei-qi/.

Routine Enhancers in the New Year

The tradition is to kickstart January 1st with the “new year, new me” attitude of self improvement. The start of a new year brings promises of a fresh start, strong intentions, and the hope of good things to come. While the common goals often set in this time of excited renewal are positive, they are often great, challenging, accessible, or unattainable due to lifestyle restrictions. Instead of starting the new year attempting to do a complete overhaul on yourself and life, there are small things you can add to your routine to boost your immune system, drain your lymphatic system, aid digestion, provide stress relief, increase focus, and overall support your body to help you along the way to achieving your larger goals.

Add mushroom powder to your coffee or oats

Medicinal, or functional and adaptogenic, mushrooms like reishi, turkey tail, chaga, lions mane, and cordyceps are highly nutritional and have numerous benefits like providing immune support, antioxidants, supporting a healthy immune response, helping to balance blood sugar levels, supporting brain health and cognition, supporting the nervous system, and increasing energy and stamina. By adding mushroom powder or extract to your morning coffee or oats, you will be supporting your body’s natural processes by bringing them closer to homeostasis. Each mushroom has their own unique benefits, so add a half teaspoon to your morning routine of whichever mushroom provides what you need most. Check out our blog on Medicinal Mushrooms to learn more!

Incorporate gua sha or dry brushing into your shower routine

The lymphatic system is a system of thin tubes and lymph nodes that run throughout the body, and is an important part of our immune system. This system’s primary function is fighting bacteria and infections. Illness can block the lymphatic system from draining, causing all sorts of issues like food sensitivities, brain fog, bloating, constipation, fatigue, depression, inflammation, swollen lymph nodes, to name a few. Adding gua sha or dry brushing to your shower routine can gently stimulate the lymphatic system to drain, removing toxins, bacteria, and swelling from your body. Here are some of our favorite gua sha tricks and tips!

Listen to a relaxing podcast or music while stuck in traffic

Getting stuck in traffic is rarely considered relaxing, especially when people are in a rush to get home after a long day. These extra moments stuck on the road are a chance for you to listen to a relaxing podcast or music to decompress, relax, and destress. Studies show that listening to music with drums and flutes, or sounds of nature like thunder and rain, have the ability to alter brainwaves and functions similarly to medication. Music has profound effects on emotions, stress, and relaxation. Music that is around 60 beats per minute has the ability to make the brain synchronize with the beat, causing alpha brain waves, which are present when we are relaxed and conscious. Giving yourself these few moments to relax can have a profound impact on your stress levels and emotions, and will benefit your overall health. We’ve got a collection of hand-picked playlists ready for you on our Spotify account.

Wear an essential oil diffuser necklace or bracelet

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Scent molecules travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, stimulating the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Each essential oil has unique benefits and properties that can be used to target areas of your life where you need support. Lavender, ylang ylang, yuzu, orange, lemon, neroli, lemongrass, and bergamot are best for relaxation, stress relief, and to aid sleep. Peppermint is good for boosting memory and focus, and relieving headaches. These oils can easily be added to diffuser necklaces or bracelets, or when used as directed, can be applied directly to the skin. Apply your desired oil when you need a little extra help in your day, and support your body and mind in the process.

Add lemon to your water in the morning or before each meal

Drinking a cup of warm organic lemon water can energize the body, boost metabolism, stimulate the digestive system, aid in weight loss, boost brain power in the morning, and detox the colon, aid in weight loss, boost the immune system, help heartburn, and reduce inflammation at night. Lemons have the same anatomic structure as stomach acid, which tricks the liver into producing bile, stimulating the digestive system to break down food so it moves smoothly through your intestinal tract. Lemons also encourage white cell production, contain vitamin c which stimulates blood cell production and supports the immune system, contains antioxidants that fight free radicals, and helps the body produce collagen. When our body is stressed, our liver becomes stagnant, and lemon goes straight to the liver to encourage detoxing. While hydrating, treat yourself to warm lemon water twice a day and boost your immune system, promote liver detox, encourage cell production, and reduce inflammation. Make sure the water is warm or hot to best support the digestive system and prepare it for food.

Stretching in bed or while watching tv

While enjoying your favorite show or turning in for the night, practice simple stretches to increase blood flow, unblock areas of stagnant energy, and reduce pain. According to TCM, stretching also increases flexibility, loosens tight fascia, and improves mental wellness. Dampness settles in the body, causing excess weight, and makes people feel sluggish, foggy headed, or depressed. Vigorous exercise can deplete Qi, whereas gentle exercises can replenish Qi. Simple stretches, even while sitting, can be beneficial to energy flow and decreasing dampness in the body.

Adding enhancements to your routine instead of completely changing your routine can benefit your body in many ways by increasing relaxation, reduced stress, supporting your immune system, encouraging blood flow, or draining your lymphatic system. As you make greater changes in your life, help your body and mind keep up by supporting all facets of your health.

Resources

Snell, Melanie. “Lemon Water and TCM, is it worth drinking?” Retrieved from https://www.soulluxglow.com/post/lemon-water-and-tcm-is-it-worth-drinking.

Wong, Cathy. “Essential Oils for Stress Relief”. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/essential-oils-to-help-ease-stress-89636.

“Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work?” Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work#:~:text=What%20Is%20Aromatherapy%3F,emotional%20center%20of%20the%20brain.

“Ganoderma Coffee: 2 Healthy Drinks to Make at Home”. Retrieved from https://www.realmushrooms.com/ganoderma-coffee/.

“How Does Exercise & Movement Benefit Health from a TCM Perspective”. Retrieved from https://www.northshoreacupunctureandnaturalmedicine.com/north-shore-acupuncture-blog/tcm-exercise.

“Medicinal Mushrooms: 7 Kinds and Their Unique Health Benefits”. Retrieved from https://www.realmushrooms.com/7-medicinal-mushroom-benefits-for-health/.

“Releasing stress through the power of music”. Retrieved from https://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music.

“What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms?” Retrieved from https://ommushrooms.com/blogs/blog/what-are-adaptogenic-mushrooms-m2.