I can tell you from personal experience that acupuncture and herbs can have an amazing effect on allergies. I used to have horrible allergies for most of my life, but now I only get a sniffle from time to time. But before I get into my story, let me give an overview of how traditional Chinese medicine views allergies.
Two Main types of allergies
Allergies can be broken down into two main types: seasonal and food induced. At their core, each type is caused by the same imbalance as an inability to harmonize with the environment and an energy deficiency. For seasonal allergies it is the external environment and for food allergies it is the internal environment.
Seasonal Allergies
Most people have suffered or seen someone suffer from seasonal allergies. Symptoms can include itchy, watery eyes, stuffy nose, post nasal drip, sneezing, sinus headaches, fatigue and feeling downright miserable. What makes it worse is that pollen counts have rose due to the effects of global warming. This is great news for pharmaceutical companies, but not for all who suffer. In addition, over the counter drugs have unpleasant side effects for most people and they don’t treat the root cause, which means - get ready to take them for the rest of your life.
The good news is that acupuncture and herbs do treat the root cause! Most people feel better after just three treatments. The best time to get treated is right before allergy season starts for you.
Food allergies
Food allergies are much more severe than seasonal allergies. This is because the cause of the disharmony is a severe energy deficiency. This doesn't mean they can’t be treated, it just means it takes more time to fix. Children typically have faster results than adults. Both require the patient to follow specific guidelines at home (aka homework). But the good news is that people can completely get rid of their allergies, even patients with deathly shellfish allergies, with traditional Chinese medicine.
My own story
I used to suffer from horrible seasonal allergies. I was allergic to anything that bloomed; basically if it was green, I didn’t like it. When spring came around I was miserable, just a sneezing, itchy, watery congested mess. Not only did the plants torture me when they came but they exacted their revenge in the fall as well. I could barely function for 5-6 months of the year. I tried every western medication, but a majority didn’t work and most turned me into a zombie. That “may cause drowsiness” warning label meant I’d be in a coma within 30 minutes of taking it. Even the medications that didn’t have drowsiness as a warning made me feel sleepy. So every spring this was my ritual: I’d hold out as long as I could but eventually I’d break down and take the medication - embrace my peaceful coma and pray for summer. The other side effect I suffered from after taking the medication was ending every allergy season with a sinus infection, followed by bronchitis for the beginning of summer. If I could hold out without taking medication I could prevent the sinus infection and bronchitis, but most years I caved in and took the medication thinking I’d be fine. And sure enough, I’d get hit with a sinus infection and bronchitis.
After I started getting acupuncture treatments I started noticing my allergy symptoms were less severe, even though that wasn’t the main reason why I was seeing my acupuncturist. I mentioned this and he told me that the lessening of symptoms was a normal side effect of the acupuncture treatments. After my primary reason for treatment went away, I began to focus on my allergies and my first symptom free spring and fall soon followed - it was wonderful.
Don’t let yourself suffer the way I did. Get your allergies treated with herbs and acupuncture - you’ll be glad you did. I know I am.