Treating Allergies with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

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Treating Allergies with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

 

Why people develop allergies remains a mystery in the medical community. Until

we know more about allergies, the best line of defense is to eliminate the

offending agents. Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, sinus congestion, hives,

swelling are all symptoms of allergies.

 

Allergies can affect almost any area of the body. Substances that irritate the

skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other chemicals are all

culprits. Also, grass, cow products, house dust, pets, wheat, colorants,

additives and preservatives are all possibilities.

 

Dust Mites. The dust mite is an almost-microscopic relative of ticks and

spiders. But the living mite is not the problem. It's the fecal material they

expel in their wanderings about our carpets and furniture—their primary

residences—and the bodies of dead mites that cause reactions.

 

Mold. Mold grows wherever it's dark and humid—under your carpet, in the

basement. It just doesn't matter which one you encounter. Inhale any one of

them, and if you are allergic, you'll start sneezing.

 

Hay fever is an allergic condition triggered by inhalant substances (frequently

pollens), which leads to sneezing and inflammation of the nose and conjunctiva

of the eyes.

 

Any skin inflammation may be considered Dermatitis. Redness, scaling, and

thickening of the skin may occur with dermatitis. Pinpointing the cause of the

problem is the first step toward alleviating the symptoms.

 

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is allergy related. It appears as dry,

cracking, crusting and red patches on the skin. Often there are swelling,

weeping blisters. The skin can become inflamed and itchy. Many factors can

contribute to eczema. Stress is a major factor. Exposure to cleaning compounds,

perfumes, detergents, household chemicals, soaps, food allergies, as well as,

nutrient deficiencies.

 

Hives are lumps or weals that are very itchy. They can appear all of a sudden.

They can be related to a particular food or as another complication from

allergies; stress.

 

Anaphylactic shock. This is the most serious of allergic reactions. It can kill

by suffocation, the result of swelling of the larynx and obstruction of the

airway. Anaphylactic shock can occur in response to insect stings, ingestion of

allergenic foods in sensitive individuals, and injected or swallowed doses of

medication. It is a medical emergency, but it can be treated effectively. An

injection of adrenalin (administered under medical supervision) will usually end

the reaction promptly.

 

It is known that white blood cells (also known as lymphocytes) are a fundamental

component of the immune system that protects our bodies from invaders. When they

make a mistake, an allergic response can occur. When a lymphocyte encounters a

particle or cell and identifies it as a foreign invader, it produces antibodies

specifically engineered to fight that particular threat. There are five basic

types of antibodies, called immunoglobulins, or Igs. Each is classified by type

with a letter suffix: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. The Ig known to be responsible

for most allergic reactions to food is IgE, although IgG is also commonly

mentioned.

 

IgE allergies occur when the immune system, in an effort to reject a certain

food or other substance, creates an antibody to that food, immunoglobulin E. In

other words, the blood cells of an allergic person are " misinformed' at the

genetic level and cause the production of large quantities of IgE antibodies.

The antibody becomes attached on one side to the food/substance molecule and on

the other side to a mast cell (mast cells are a type of cell containing

histamine and other allergy mediators instrumental in the allergic response).

When this happens, histamines and other chemicals are released from the mast

cells, causing such immediate responses as runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes

and indigestion. IgE can cause anaphylaxis, an extreme, sometimes even

life-threatening response in which the airways swell, sometimes to the point

where the person cannot breathe.

 

The most common tests for food allergies are IgE skin tests, where the skin is

scratched or pricked and allergens such as wheat, eggs and milk are applied.

Within 15 to 30 minutes, local reaction may occur. Other types of tests include

blood tests and patch skin tests. However, there are reports that blood testing

for food allergies provides more reliable results than skin testing. The latter

are problematic because of their tendency to yield false positives. This means

that people may show a positive result but are still able to eat a certain food.

To summarize this difficult and confusing field, it appears that the efficacy of

all allergy testing is under suspicion.

 

 

Managing Your Allergies

 

Tree and Plant Pollen are one of the biggest culprits. When you come in from the

outdoors, take off your clothes and through them in the washer. Take a shower,

wash your hair and change your clothes. We trek pollen into the house from the

outdoors and this is one of the biggest, yet unseen problems with people who

suffer from allergies.

 

Antihistamines interfere with brain activity, causing drowsiness and depression.

Never use antihistamines if you have a tendency to depression or mental

dullness. Even when these drugs do not depress mental activity, they merely

suppress allergy rather than cure it. As a result the pattern of immune over

responsiveness is strengthened rather than weakened, meaning that more treatment

will be required in the future.

 

This is even more so with steroid drugs (cortisone and related compounds). Never

use cortisone, prednisone, or other steroid drugs to treat allergic reactions

unless they are very severe or life-threatening. If you must take these powerful

hormones, limit your use of them to two weeks. Steroids perpetuate allergy

through their suppressive action. They also lower immunity.

 

Air-conditioning your house is probably the single most important thing you can

do to alleviate pollen problems, and it can help with two other chief

inhalants—molds and dust mites.

 

Vitamin C has antihistamine activity. Vitamin C supplementation has been

reported to help people with hay fever in preliminary research. Consider 3,000 -

6,000 mg of Vitamin C in divided doses, per day.

 

Bioflavonoids such as Quercetin, might act synergistically with Vitamin C as

both have antihistaminic activity. Although some doctors of natural medicine

advise people with hay fever to take 400 mg of Quercetin two to three times per

day, only limited preliminary clinical research has yet suggested that Quercetin

benefits people with this condition.

 

Proteins in food can cross-react with pollen we bring in from the outdoors. Wash

all fruits and vegetables before eating them, and don't forget to wash yourself

if you just came in from the outside when picking these fruits and vegetables.

 

 

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

 

Traditional (TCM) is the oldest, continually practiced, and

professionally administered health care system in the world. It is a documented

medical system spanning over 2,500 years based on comprehensive philosophies,

rational theories, clinically tested and empirically verified by over 100

generations of highly educated practitioners. is a total system

of internal medicine which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on

signs, symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine,

exercise, diet and meditation. It's foundation is based on the principles of

balance; the interdependent relationship of Yin and Yang. Through this balance,

health is achieved and maintained.

 

Traditional Chinese medicine often views allergic rhinitis as related to Wind,

noting that symptoms come and go rapidly, cause congestion, and make the person

want to avoid windy situations. This Wind often coexists with a deficiency of

the Protective or Wei Qi. The nearest we associate with Wei Qi in the West is

resistance to colds and other respiratory infections. People with Wei Qi

deficiency catch colds easily, and allergy symptoms may be particularly bad in

the spring or fall seasons which are generally windy.

 

The acupuncturist also looks for constitutional or more deeply-rooted signs in

each person who presents with allergic symptoms. The principle here is treating

the whole person. Often people with chronic allergies show signs of Spleen or

Kidney Deficiency as well as Lung signs according to TCM.

 

 

Herbal Remedies

 

Herbs that are beneficial for allergies (if you are not allergic to them) are

Burdock Root, Dandelion, and Echinacea. These herbs help to purify the blood,

boost the immune system and improves organ function. Bee Pollen can strengthen

the immune system. Start with a few drops at a time and work up to a dropper 2-3

times a day. Coenzyme Q10 improves oxygenation and immunity. 30 mgs, twice

daily. In traditional medicine, some herbs whose pollen can cause symptoms of

hay fever have been used as a way to reduce symptoms of hay fever, which is the

homeopathic theory of " like cures like " . The most important of these are

Goldenrod and Ragweed (Ambrosia ambrosioides). Eyebright and Elder also have a

reputation for use as hay fever remedies. However, an individual allergic to one

of these plants should avoid them unless under the care of a doctor of natural

medicine.

 

Bee Pollen - has been used to build up the immune system to to fight colds and

to counteract depression. Bee pollen has also been used internally to increase

antiallergenic properties to enhance the immune system against allergies to

pollen.

 

 

Burdock Root - Burdock root contains high amounts of inulin and mucilage. This

may explain its soothing effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Bitter

constituents in the root may also explain the traditional use of burdock to

improve digestion. It also contains polyacetylenes that have been shown to have

antimicrobial activity.

 

Dandelion - Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by

promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. Dandelion may be

used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment such as

poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure.

 

Echinacea - Echinacea is another herb useful for the relief of allergy symptoms.

With a rich history of use in Native American traditions, echinacea possesses

natural anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea also helps relieve the symptoms

of upper respiratory tract infections and is useful for sore throats and even

acne.

 

Green drinks - green drinks are filled with antioxidants and other nutrients,

which help to detox the body. Detoxification can calm allergy symptoms by

helping to flush out toxic build up in the system. Made from spirulina, wheat

and barley grasses, these drinks are one of the best allergy medicines.

 

Nettle Leaf - Nettle leaf can help in the reduction in symptoms of hay fever,

including sneezing and itchy eyes. For help with hay fever symptoms, consider

taking 450 mg of Nettle Leaf capsules or tablets two to three times per day, or

a 2–4 ml tincture, three times per day. Do not take this herb if you have high

blood pressure.

 

Horseradish - The " heating " qualities of horseradish are a clue to its most

popular therapeutic use: clearing up nasal and chest congestion. As well as

helping to clear the respiratory passages and eliminate excess mucus, this herb

is effective for the relief of cough symptoms and sinusitis.

 

Garlic - One of the oldest recorded culinary spices, garlic (Allium sativum) is

mentioned as a food in the Bible, and is known to have been part of the diet of

Egyptian workers as long ago as 2600 BC. It is the dominant flavour in much of

Mediterranean cuisine, but is also a more subtle addition to many Asian dishes.

But alongside its popularity in food, garlic has a long history of medicinal use

– a traditional history that has gained increasing recognition from science.

Garlic preparations have long been used to relieve the congestion of colds and

hayfever.

 

Reishi Mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum, (Ling Zhi) is documented to have great

medicinal value. The reishi extract has been shown to be effective in clearing

up a large variety of skin allergic conditions either due to food or airborne

allergens. Ganoderma extract has been found to be useful in detoxifying the

kidneys and improving its overall function.

 

 

Visit Your TCM practitioner for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

http://www.peacefulmind.com/allergies.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit