Urticaria: Natural Treatment + Prevention

Natural Treatment for Hives

The itchy red welts known as urticaria, or hives, are a common bodily reaction to either allergen stimuli or chronic underlying health issues. They can affect anyone, and can have a negative impact on daily life. TCM tries to identify the underlying health conditions that cause hives, and offers natural treatments like diet changes, herbs, and lifestyle practices to help ease the unpleasant symptoms. In Western medicine, hives are most commonly treated with an antihistamine, sometimes accompanied by a corticosteroid if the antihistamine causes symptoms like fatigue, headache, or drowsiness. If that doesn’t work, then immunosuppressants may be prescribed. This treatment plan treats all hives as an allergy, whereas TCM attempts to dig deeper and understand the root cause of the hives by looking at the patient’s overall health. The strength and health of the patient’s Wei Qi, or protective defenses, like the lungs and skin, are observed to see which external pathogenic factors have taken root in the body. Wind and heat are two common types of factors that cause acute and chronic hives, and treating the symptoms associated with these factors can eliminate the body’s stress response that produces hives.

Types of Hives

Acute Urticaria:
Acute hives are an immediate reaction to allergens introduced to the body through ingestion or skin contact. Immune cells in the skin called mast cells react by releasing histamine, creating welt-like hives. They manifest as raised welts that can suddenly appear anywhere on your body. The welts are typically red, but white in the center if pressed, are persistently itchy, and are often accompanied by painful swelling around the eyes, lips, and throat. It is not uncommon for the cause of these hives to be unidentifiable, making them difficult to manage and treat.

Triggers: Foods like nuts, shellfish, and some fruits, medications like antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or pain relievers, environmental factors like sun exposure, heat, cold, pollen, animal dander, or latex, and physical factors like stress, infections, or tight clothing.

Chronic Urticaria:
Chronic hives can last longer than six weeks and are not triggered by discernable allergen factors, making identifying the cause more difficult. While chronic hives share many similarities with acute hives, like itchiness and raised red welts, they differ in persistence and impact. These hives reappear frequently over months or years, they can change size and shape, they move around to different parts of the body, and can flare up due to heat, stress, or physical activity, complicating daily life. Acute hives are a result of external environmental factors, whereas chronic hives tend to be the result of internal health imbalances.

Triggers:
An autoimmune response that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue believing it to be harmful, chronic infections like bacterial or viral can underlie persistent hives, underlying health conditions like thyroid disease or lupus, or idiopathic causes which are spontaneous hives with no identifiable cause.

Pathogenic Factors
The concept of Wei Qi refers to the body’s protective defenses, which stem mainly from the lungs and skin. When Wei Qi is weakened, pathogenic factors enter the body, causing illness. Wind and Heat are common factors that contribute to the presence of hives. Hives are recognized as the body’s way of releasing built up wind or heat stagnation through the skin, seeking to restore balance. While uncomfortable, the presence of hives can actually indicate deeper inner healing is occurring.

Wind Heat/Wind Cold:
Wind heat hives are acute, meaning they come and go, as if blown by the wind. They are often itchy, and correspond to a triggered immune response to stress, allergens, or temperature changes. They may be accompanied by a fever or sore throat. Wind cold hives are pale pink welts that get worse with exposure to cold, accompanied by chills. Treatment focuses on expelling wind, clearing heat in wind heat cases, or warming in wind cold cases, and restoring balance between Wei Qi and the skin.

Blood Heat/Stagnation:
Blood heat hives are red, warm, and inflamed, reflecting internal stress and stagnation. If there is too much inflammation in the body, any exposure to allergens or triggers overwhelms the body, resulting in a breakout. Liver stagnation can build up when the body is under prolonged stress, preventing the body from processing minor irritants. When overtaxed, the liver and kidneys struggle to filter toxins out of the body, so the body will try to expel excess heat through the skin, resulting in hives. Treatment focuses on nourishing the blood, expelling wind, draining dampness, and bringing the internal organs into balance. Clearing stagnation, circulating blood, and restoring Qi helps reduce flare-ups because the body does not have to work so hard to properly process internal and external irritants.

Remedies

Diet:
To calm an overactive immune response, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system, eat foods that are cooling and detoxifying. Add in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those with a high water content, like watermelon and cucumber. Try to avoid spicy or greasy foods that may heat your body and exacerbate symptoms. Herbal teas like chamomile and peppermint soothe the system. Drink plenty of water to eliminate dryness within the body. Eat plenty of anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, omega-3 rich fish

• Wind-Heat: cucumber, watermelon, chrysanthemum tea
  

• Damp-Heat: adzuki beans, job's tears (yi yi ren), pumpkin
  

• Blood Heat: celery, mung beans, white fungus
  

Acupuncture:
The practice of acupuncture is a gentle but powerful therapy that restores balance to the body by circulating Qi and clearing stagnation. This practice increases blood circulation, releases muscle tension, calms the nervous system, relieves pain and inflammation, promotes better sleep, aids digestion, improves mood, and boosts overall vitality. The clearing of stagnation allows the body to better process any irritants or allergens that may stress the body, preventing the formation of hives. To treat hives, the specific points that are stimulated clear heat and cool the blood, and expel external wind and heat to boost the Wei Qi by supporting the immune system. Cupping is also helpful in treating hives because it exfoliates the skin, draws out toxins, and cools down an outbreak. Acupuncture and cupping are often paired with herbs to strengthen the lungs and the liver, which strengthen the Wei Qi.

Practices to relieve and prevent hives:
It is important to recognize your personal triggers and minimize exposure. This may look like changing your diet, reducing stress, practicing yoga and mindfulness, and paying attention to the weather and how it could affect your skin. Choose clothing that does not irritate your skin, avoid food allergens, and use organic, fragrance free skin care products that are gentle on your skin. Adapt to the seasons; in winter, the body is meant to experience cold, but instead people keep their heat on all season, creating a consistently warm environment. This leads to dry air, causing people without any allergies to feel itchy and dry.

Another common practice in the winter is to take long, hot showers that can actually destroy the skin’s protective layers, causing it to be raw and easily irritated. To avoid this, take shorter showers that are warm instead of hot, and allow some exposure to the cold without catching a chill. Walking keeps your blood circulating while also reducing stress, and quality sleep is essential to rebuild Wei Qi.

Hives are uncomfortable, but preventable if you understand the root cause and treat them accordingly. Learn your triggers, whether they are environmental like cold or hot weather, or internal, like blood or liver stagnation. Their longevity is a sign of their cause, and the first step in creating a customized treatment plan. Try acupuncture to clear wind and heat, and support your body with proper diet, rest, and relaxation. Hives are a sign of an overtaxed system, so relief comes from bolstering Wei Qi and restoring harmony.

Resources

● https://enokclinic.com/blog/tcm-hives-understanding-and-managing-hives-with-traditional-chinese-medicine/

● https://sieam.edu/research-blog/2020/1/20/urticaria

● https://eraneven.com/2011/06/30/two-cases-of-wind-rash-urticaria/

● https://www.petersheng.com/hives/

● https://tangsclinical.com/blog/understanding-two-different-types-of-hives-from-a-tcm-perspective-acute-vs-chronic/

● https://myartofwellness.com/how-to-treat-hives-with-acupuncture-and-tcm/

● https://olakinohealthcenter.com/blog/---calming-overactive-immune-responses--traditional-chinese-medicine-insights-on-rashes-and-hivese

● https://www.entandallergy.com/blog/2026/march/cold-and-heat-urticaria-what-triggers-

Activating the Ear: Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is the practice of stimulating specific points along the outer ear, and is viewed as a full body approach to healing. Commonly used to treat insomnia, anxiety, stress, or addiction, regulate the nervous system, and support bodily functions, it is a non-invasive and gentle treatment that offers numerous benefits. Each point is believed to be connected by nerves and reflex pathways to different parts of the body, like the head, heart, spine, liver, stomach, and practitioners will use fine needles, tiny metal balls, ear seeds, or gentle electrostimulation as techniques to treat a patient’s specific needs. This acupuncture technique is gaining popularity in both Eastern and Western health traditions by combining the knowledge of traditional ear mapping with modern neural connections.

Source: TCMstudent.com

How it Works
Cranial nerves like the vagus nerve, trigeminal nerve, and facial nerve all have branches that reach the outer ear, and when they are stimulated, parts of the brain that regulate mood, stress, pain perception, and bodily regulation are stimulated. Stimulating points on the ear sends neurological signals through the nervous system, switching into a parasympathetic state, which promotes rest and relaxation. Endorphins are released that reduce pain and discomfort, and enhance feelings of well being. Released neurotransmitters and hormones regulate mood, sleep, and appetite, and stimulation of the vagus nerve balances heart rate, digestion, and inflammation.

Physical and Mental Ailments
Auricular acupuncture is beneficial for individuals seeking a natural treatment with minimal side effects, those healing from trauma, grief, or addiction, those experiencing chronic tension or burnout from a high stress lifestyle, or those with hormonal imbalances.

● Stimulating the musculoskeletal points relieves inflammation that causes back pain, sciatica, or joint discomfort

● Treats migraines and tension headaches

● Eases symptoms like bloating, gas, or sluggish digestion

● By shifting and balancing hormones, symptoms of menstruation and menopause are lessened

● Stimulating facial nerve points releases jaw clenching and treats TMJ

● Certain ear points reduce the fight-or-flight response, easing feelings of anxiety and panic attacks, and encourages relaxation

● Feelings of depression and low mood can be eased by balancing serotonin levels

● Physical aid for processing and regulating emotions

Benefits

● Relief from chronic and acute back, joint, or muscular pain

● Reduced anxiety and stress

● Improved, more restorative sleep

● Enhanced focus and mental clarity, reduced brain fog

● Support through addiction or withdrawal by easing cravings during recovery

● Regulates digestion and metabolism, aiding in weight loss and management

● Increased blood flow and circulation

Home Practice
Stimulation of auricular points can be self administered at home through the use of ear seeds and an ear acupressure point chart. Ear seeds are tiny balls made of either a plant called vaccaria or metal, and are adhered to ear acupressure points with tape. They are then gently pressed throughout the day to stimulate the points, and are often used after an acupuncture session to prolong the healing effects. More accessible points to reach include the Ear Shen Men, which calms the mind, eases anxiety, aids in better sleep, and lessens stress, and Point Zero, which balances the body’s energies.

Whether applied with needles or ear seeds, stimulation of points along the outer ear can provide immense relief from physical, mental, and emotional ailments. TCM teaches that pressure points connect the body through nerve pathways, and activation of certain points can bring your body back to balance. With a detailed chart or with a practitioner’s help, this practice is accessible to anyone and can be self administered.

References

● https://burlingtonacupuncture.com/health-well-news/auricular-acupuncture-what-it-is-and-why-is-everyone-talking-about-it/

● https://acaacupuncture.com/auricular-ear-acupuncture-what-it-treats-how-it-works-and-who-its-for/

● https://www.emmaquine.com/auricular-acupuncture

● https://www.alldeepmassage.com/ow-give-yourself-ear-acupressure/

Seasonal Cooking

Seasonal cooking in Eastern medicines is not only about what foods you eat, but how you prepare them too. Each season has different dietary specifications intended to balance yin and yang, support each associated organ, and ease digestion. Preparing these foods properly by steaming, boiling, roasting, stewing, braising, or simmering not only maintains nutritional and flavor value, but also warms them to make them easier to digest. Proper digestion is key to overall well being and balance, as TCM teaches that food is the best medicine.

Winter Foods
In TCM, winter is associated with the kidneys, which store vitality, making it important to eat warm and nourishing foods for optimal digestion and kidney health. Steaming, roasting, stewing, braising, boiling, or simmering are the best ways to prepare food in winter since cooked and warm foods are easier to digest than raw or cold foods. Focus on healthy fat and bitter foods, and lower salt content. Warm and wet foods like soups and stews counteract the dryness of the season. Incorporating seasonal foods like root vegetables, hearty animal proteins, and warming spices provides the proper nutrients for kidney health and digestion.

Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, yams, daikon radish, ginger, fennel, onion, leek, scallion, root vegetables, garlic, potato, radish, cooked cabbage, mushroom, asparagus

Fruits: Pomegranates, citrus like oranges and tangerines, stewed or baked apples with cinnamon, grapes, apple, mulberry, spinach, kale, and chard boiled or in stews

Proteins: Beef, venison, lamb, bone broth, black soy bean, black beans, lentils, red beans, soybeans, kidney beans.

Grains: Congee, brown rice, oats, barley, millet, whole grains, black rice, purple rice, rye bread, whole wheat

Nuts and Seeds: Walnuts, chestnuts, black sesame seeds, sunflower seeds

Herbs and Spices: Ginger, cinnamon, garlic, black pepper, star anise, chive.

Teas: Ginger, chrysanthemum, ginseng, cinnamon, turmeric.

Spring Foods
Spring is a transitional season and a time for lighter meals and cooking methods like light steaming, sautéing, and quick hot stir frying (maintaining an al dente quality to vegetables). These cooking techniques maintain nutrients and flavors, and make them easier to digest. This season is associated with the liver, meaning it is important to include foods that support detoxification and the smooth flow of Qi. Limit fried foods and processed ingredients that can cause stagnation.

Vegetables: Lightly cooked leafy greens and sprouts. Asparagus, kale, spinach, swiss chard, collards, and dandelion greens, cabbage, carrots, celery, potato, pumpkin, radish leaf, shiitake mushrooms, string beans, sweet potato, lettuce, onions, beetroot, young beets, chard, cucumber, aubergines, squash.

Fruits: Grapefruit, lemon, dates, berries, apricots, figs, grapes, pineapples, plums, apples, cherries, dates and bananas, and kiwi

Proteins: Chicken, shrimp, rabbit, white fish, eggs

Grains: Millet, quinoa, barley, buckwheat, sprouted grains like mung bean.

Nuts and Seeds: Sesame seeds and oil including black sesame seed which tones up the liver, sunflower seeds and oil, almonds, chestnuts, coconuts, and walnuts.

Herbs and Spices: Ginger, chives, green onions, cilantro, mint, basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, turmeric, coriander, dill, and bay leaf.

Fermented: Sauerkraut, kimchi, apple cider vinegar, wine vinegars

Sprouted Seeds: Mung beans, pea shoots, and sunflower sprouts.

Teas: Lavender, lime tree flowers, milk thistle, dandelion, ginger with honey, green

Summer Foods
Summer foods are intended to keep the body cool and hydrated in this season of hot, humid or dry weather. The heart and small intestine are associated with summer, and they require foods that are cooling in nature vs temperature, and that are easy to digest without overburdening the digestive system and depleting energy. Cold or raw foods can weaken the digestive tract by causing contraction, which causes holding in sweat and heat, contract the stomach, and stop digestion. Cold foods include raw foods, drinks with ice, and excessive dairy like yogurt and milk. Avoid spicy and greasy foods, which can cause internal heat and overstimulate the digestive system, causing irritability, acne, insomnia, and diarrhea or constipation. Grilling is common and should not be over used. When grilling meats, use sour fermented foods, fresh greens and cooked summer vegetables to balance the grease and dense heat from the grill. Generally, opt for light, steamed meals, stir fried veggies, and herbal teas instead of caffeine or alcohol. When eating cold or raw foods, compliment the meal with ginger or warm water with lemon.

Vegetables: Watercress, lettuce, bitter melon, cucumber, bok choy, enoki mushrooms, lotus root, asparagus, radishes, celery, corn, water chestnuts, peppers, eggplant, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and summer squash.

Proteins: Plant-based proteins, lean pork, aduki bean, coix seed, pistachio, mungbean, soy milk

Grains: Millet, oat, barley, rice, wheat

Herbs and Spices: Honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, mint, black plum, longan, sour date kernel, aged tangerine peel, basil, ginger, paprika, coriander, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, matcha

Fruits: Melons like watermelon and canteloupe, stone fruits like plum, peaches, nectarines, and cherries, strawberries, pears, mulberries, apple, tomato, berries, lemon, pineapple quince, elderberry, cranberry, fig, banana, coconut

Teas: Lotus leaf, Tulsi, mint and licorice root, ginger and lime, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, Hawthorne berry, peppermint, green tea

Fall Foods
Fall is the transition time between summer and winter where slowing down and turning inward becomes the focus. The lungs and large intestines are the associated organs with fall, and they represent the body’s first line of immunity defense and elimination. It is important to keep warm by consuming warming foods that replenish fluids and eliminate dryness. Roasting, boiling, and stewing foods during fall adds warmth and preserves moisture.

Vegetables: Broccoli sprout, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, watercress, leek, onion, parsnips, fennel, Chinese yam, lotus root, sweet potato, pumpkin, snow fungus

Fruits: Apple, pear, peach, tangerine, golden kiwi, guava, persimmon, pomelo, fig

Proteins: Duck egg, duck, river fish, crab, black bean, adzuki bean, mung beans, white beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu.

Grains: Rice, red rice, oat

Other: Honey, cane sugar, spices, tahini, rice wine, extra virgin oil, almonds

Herbs and Spices: Ginger, cinnamon, lotus seeds, American ginseng, lily bulb, osmanthus

Teas: Chrysanthemum, oolong

Nature works in amazing ways by providing the most nourishing foods to support our changing health needs through the seasons, but how we prepare them is the final step in ensuring those nutrients are properly absorbed and processed. It is instinctual to want warm and comforting foods in the cold winter months, like soups, stews, and roasted veggies, as they provide physical warmth and nourishment as we slow down and wait for spring. The summer months bring the desire to cool off and hydrate, calling for foods with high water content that are lightly cooked. Adjusting how we eat to best support our bodies through the seasons will lead to better health overall.

Resources

● https://www.acu4u.com/blog/eating-according-to-the-seasons-dietary-principles-of-traditional-chinese-medicine

● https://donnabunte.com/seasonal-eating-with-chinese-medicine/

● https://meaganrosewilson.substack.com/p/cooking-for-the-season-a-tcm-approach

● https://aprpc.com/embracing-winter-with-traditional-chinese-medicine/

● https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/winter-nourishment-warming-foods-to-banish-the-chill/

● https://www.northernmedical.org/2025/02/12/warmer-days-lighter-meals-a-tcm-approach-to-spring-nutrition/

● https://gwcim.com/spring-frolicking-eating-with-the-seasons-in-chinese-medicine/

● https://www.avicenna.co.uk/fileadmin/uploads/Documents/TCM_Spring.pdf

● https://www.eacuwell.com/blog/seasonal-spring-superfoods-to-consider

● https://yina.co/blogs/wellness-guide/summer-wellness-tips?srsltid=AfmBOoqEdnQnAG6-vYCo7SdL0jK99R25bPvGaOMGbY72uRD2fF20i_2r

● https://riverpointacu.com/eating-according-to-tcm-five-foods-for-summer/

● https://www.rcwacupuncture.com/summer-nutritional-tips-according-to-chinese-medicine/

● https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/autumn-recipes-to-nourish-your-yin/

● https://calandraacupuncture.com/2012/06/tcm-and-summer/

● https://raleighacupunctureinc.com/fall-health-nutrition/

● https://riverpointacu.com/best-fall-foods-for-health-and-longevity-a-tcm-perspective/

● https://harmonizingcare.com/promoting-health-in-autumn-with-traditional-chinese-medicine/