Thinking about hay fever in Autumn is important because acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help strengthen your body and immune system heading into Winter. When we rise out of our cold-wet Winter, we are more resilient, which can reduce those annoying symptoms when Spring arrives. 

Hay fever is known as allergic rhinitis and is an allergic reaction to an allergen and can occur seasonally (usually in Spring) or all year round (perennial).

---

---

Symptoms

• Runny nose
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Itchy ears
• Itchy throat

In severe cases, it may:

• affect your sleep.
• reduce your energy.
• foggy head.
• generally feeling of being unwell.

---

Causes

Biomedical view

Our nose is a filter; inside are fine hairs and mucus that traps allergens and tiny particles, including pollens, grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites, moulds, and animal dander. If we are allergic to these allergens, our immune system misunderstands these harmless substances and only sees a danger. Our body over-reacts and attacks the particles. Our nasal passages become inflamed, and our noses produce excess mucus. This is when we experience symptoms. 

Chinese medical view

Chinese medicine examins a root cause for the reactions and treats the underlying cause and symptoms with various strategies. Often there is a deficiency in your body’s ability to defend itself (Defensive Qi) and a pathogen of ‘Wind’ in the nasal passages.  

---

Treatments

Medical Treatment

Some options include:

• Antihistamines
• Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays
• Decongestant nasal sprays
• Allergen immunotherapy

Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture

A benefit of Chinese medicine is its holistic approach, addressing the root cause and the symptoms.

Chinese medical treatment focuses on boosting and supporting your Defensive Qi before Winter when our immune system is weakest. Treatment can also occur during Spring when symptoms appear. This assists your body to expel the pathogen (Wind). 

Research

Acupuncture may help build your defensive Qi, and reduce the likelihood or severity of allergic rhinitis, as demonstrated in the 2018 randomised control trial. It may also have an ani-inflammatory effect and reduce the body’s immune response to the allergen, which in turn reduces hay fever symptons.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupuncture was effective and safe. The most benefit was produced when acupuncture and conventional medicine were combined. The study concluded that if you find conventional medicines ineffective or you are unable to tolerate the side effects, acupuncture may be a good option for you.  

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine like Sinus A-C Formula (Bi Yuan Tong Qiao Fang) capsules, Xin Yi San pills (Magnolia Flower Formula), and Bi Min Gan Wan (Magnolia & Scute formula) can be included to help reduce your symptoms. Chronic Sinus Formula (Guo Min Bi Yan Fang) capsules can be taken for more chronic and year-long conditions. Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Screen formula) pills may also help reduce the symptoms and boost your Defensive Qi. Consult your Chinese medical doctor to discuss the most appropriate formula and to consider any interactions with other medications you may be taking.

---

Home remedies

How can you help yourself?

Chinse Facial Massage

https://youtu.be/OoQHGB8u5rw

Nasal flush

---

Hay fever can be annoying and inconvenient, but in worse cases, it can be debilitating and exhausting. There are many treatment options for you to consider. The benefit of Chinese medicine is its preventative approach; strengthening your body to avoid common symptoms of itchy, watery nose and eyes and excessive sneezing.