Herbs for Allergies – Treating the root cause of the allergies
Ancient records dating back to 3000 BC confirm the use of plant-based medicine to address various ailments, such as itchy skin, nasal congestion, running nose, asthma and other allergic symptoms.
Ancient Egypt (3000-2700), ancient Chinese medicine, and ancient Mesopotamia are known to use herbs and its extracts to treat various illnesses.
Ayurveda in India and traditional Chinese medicine still use botanical remedies to treat hypersensitivity of immune system, which is known as allergy today.
Efficacy of herbs for allergies
Herbs have long been used to balance the immune function due to their high concentrations of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral substances, all of which adjust the body’s natural defense mechanisms, so that the immune function will not be weak or too strong leading to infection or allergies.
History of herbal and botanical therapy/studies
Ancient and, in many cases, modern medicine has acknowledged and conceded to the therapeutic and curative powers/effects of herbs, which aid in immune cell function, inflammation reduction, stress management through their “adaptogenic” properties, energy flow promotion and gut health improvement, thus protecting against pathogens.
What allergy ailments have been successfully addressed using herbs and their concoctions?
Allergy-related ailments have increased dramatically in recent years due to high stress in modern society, environmental pollution and genetic modified foods, which are new to our body.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has developed highly effective herbal therapies for common allergies such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), atopic eczema, asthma, hives and certain other allergies caused by types of food.
Herbs have long been an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared to Western medical norms, TCM has a proven track record of successfully healing recurrent allergy disorders with strong, high-quality clinical evidence.
What allergies is TCM known to successfully manage and provide long-term relief?
Allergies, according to TCM, are directly related to a deficiency of Qi, blood, or blockade of energy flowing, which is often related to weakened lung, spleen, or kidney systems, which give rise to a variety of allergies based on which organ and channels have imbalance.
TCM has an excellent track record of delivering long-term and long-lasting relief for inflammatory illnesses such as 1) digestive ailments—nausea/motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), newborn colic, diarrhea, and indigestion 2) Cardiovascular issues: excessive cholesterol, high blood pressure, angina and AF. 3) Respiratory conditions: asthma, rhinitis and bronchitis. 4) Hives, eczema and psoriasis.
TCM’s herbal treatment is also recognized as efficacious for treating mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and panic attack.
How does TCM use herbs to treat patients with allergic reactions?
According to TCM, allergies result from an imbalance brought on by decreased defense energy (Wei-Qi), which permits outside elements like heat, moisture, and wind to unduly enter and impact our bodies.
The TCM allergy treatment strategy focuses on balancing the immune system, regulating and restoring digestive and circulatory functions using oral herbal concoction, acupuncture therapy, and supporting changes in lifestyle.
How does acupuncture alleviate “Wei-Qi” blockages, the primary source of allergy symptoms?
Acupuncture is found to be very effective for reducing various symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and asthma, which helps patients to avoid long term usage of prescription drugs such as antihistamines, which can cause dry eye, sinusitis and drowsiness.
TCM uses different stand-alone or herbal preparations, or a combination of both to address the allergies according to patient’s body constitution.
For instance, using herbs like Ju Hua, Fang Feng, and Huang Qi to treat asthma; other examples include well-known formulations such as “Yu Ping Feng San” (popularly known as Jade Windscreen) and FAHF-2 for allergies from food. These are also used for immune system modulation and to manage allergic reactions.
Furthermore, TCM focuses on strengthening Wei Qi, the defensive energy that circulates just below the skin, by administering herbs that nourish and energize the lungs and spleen, that boost overall Qi, and that balance the body’s immune system. A strong Wei Qi helps stave off external pathogens from invading the body, but if Wei Qi is blocked in certain part of the body, the allergy can occur.
How are these herbs administered to the patients?
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses a combined therapeutic protocol that employs acupuncture needles moxa, cupping, as well as the oral ingestion of herbal formula, which addresses the root causes of allergic afflictions.
Moxibustion (Herbal Heat Therapy): This technique is also used, depending on the need. The heat and the aromatic properties of the herbs penetrate through the acupoints, thus warming the meridians and stimulating the circulation.
Evidence of the efficacy of the use of herbs to treat allergy
Several medical journals and studies state that FAHF-2 (Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2) is a safe herbal preparation to be administered for food allergies such as peanut butter.
Nevertheless, there are studies that conclude that certain herbs, such as butterbur and stinging nettle can be safe and used for treating root cause of allergies.
To summarize, herbal remedies are considered effective in addressing the root causes of allergies and can serve as an effective preventative therapy when used before the onset of allergy season.
In addition, when acupuncturists combine 1) acupuncture, 2) herbs, and 3) relevant lifestyle changes, the holistic approaches can provide long-term relief from persistent allergies and improve overall wellness.
Reference Sites:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_herbalism
- 2 .Chan HHL, Ng T. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Allergic Diseases. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Sep 2;20(11):67. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-00959-9. PMID: 32875353.
- Koshak AE. Prevalence of herbal medicines in patients with chronic allergic disorders in Western Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 2019 Apr;40(4):391-396. doi: 10.15537/smj.2019.4.24006. PMID: 30957134; PMCID: PMC6506647.
- Wang Julie MD a, et. al Safety, clinical, and immunologic efficacy of a Chinese herbal medicine (Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2) for food allergy Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY