Oriental medicine has been used to treat
allergies for hundreds of years. Several studies have confirmed that
acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful for allergic conditions
such as asthma, eczema, and food allergies.
Some foods contain
the flavanoid, quersetin that can cross-react with tree pollen. Quercetin can
reduce allergic reactions by having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases
inflammation. Quercetin is found in
certain foods, such as apples (with the skin), berries, red grapes, red onions,
capers, and black tea.
In a study
published in Allergy, 52 people with
allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned acupuncture treatments and Chinese
herbal tea or sham acupuncture and herbs for six weeks. Nearly 85 percent or
the people receiving the real acupuncture and herbs had 100 percent or
significant improvement of their symptoms, versus 40 percent of those getting
the placebo treatment.
Spice up your
menu! Remember to use plenty of spicy additions to raise your body temperature,
which ultimately draws heat OUT to the surface where it’s released as perspiration,
eliminating toxins and impurities. Try
adding spices that range from mild to hot (fresh ginger to cayenne pepper) and
use in menus as well as summertime beverages.
Spicy dishes can thin mucus secretions and clear nasal passages. Ginger is a natural antihistamine and
decongestant. It may provide some relief from allergy symptoms by dilating
constricted bronchial tubes.
Food intolerances
also seem to be connected with seasonal allergies. A healthy colon can decrease
food sensitivity, which can, in turn, lighten the burden on your immune system.
To support your colon health, increase fiber and add active probiotics that can
restore the balance between good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal (GI)
tract.
If you suffer from allergies and are interested in using acupuncture
and/or are curious to learn about eating the right nutrition to best support
your individual health, contact the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond at
804.288.3927.
Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of
the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading
authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and
root causes of illness. For additional
resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.
