Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic

It's that time of year here in Houston ... clouds of yellow pollen blanket everything outside.  

If you're one of those that suffer from allerigies during this time, consider using acupuncture and TCM for relief. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help ...  all without side effects that some pharmaceuticals can cause.  

According to TCM theory, allergies are due to a deficiency of "wei qi".  Wei qi is thought of as an "armor" that protects the body against various "pathogens", like wind, heat, cold, etc.   If our wei qi is deficient, then we are more susceptible to allergic symptoms, as well as frequent colds, flu, slow healing, slow recovery from exercise, etc.    With regular use, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help prevent allergic symptoms and lessen the chances of catching a cold or flu in the future (prevention!).  

Some of the more widely used Chinese and Western herbs used for treatment of allergies are : 

Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Fang Feng (Ledebouriella Root), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower), Can Er Zi (Xanthium), Bo He (Mint),  Quercetin, Bromelain, Butterburr and Nettle.

Other helpful suggestions are using a neti pot or sinus rinse with sterile saline, eat an anti-inflammatory diet of primarily fruits and vegetables and adding spices to your dishes when you cook, lean organic grass fed meats and cutting down on dairy and processed foods.  Also, severely limit sugar and hydrogenated and tran fats and all processed oils.  If you have questions, please contact your local Acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist or Registered Herbalist (RHG) for guidelines on which herbs to use for your specific symptoms and constitution.   

 #allergieschinesemedicine #acupunctureallergies