| If you suffer from allergies, you understand that you | | | | system. Some of the function of the Liver includes |
| are not truly free. The degree of limitation caused by | | | | cleansing the Blood. The phlegm that is generated by |
| an allergy can vary from mild to severe. Some people | | | | the immune system is sticky stuff and must be dealt |
| might not be able to indulge in a favorite dessert; | | | | with by the Liver. |
| others might have to limit a social visit to a beloved | | | | The stuffy nose and sneezing, this speaks of the |
| due to the presence of an offensive animal, such as | | | | phlegm accumulating in the Lungs. Chinese Medicine |
| a cat (or dog); some may not be able to fully | | | | states that the Lungs dominate the defensive Qi. |
| appreciate a spring day for the pollen; and still others | | | | When the defensive energies are weak, the body |
| may be living with an underlying fear of anaphylactic | | | | may over react to perceived pathogens with the big |
| shock should a peanut come anywhere near them. | | | | guns, thus creating an allergic reaction. |
| Though different in degree, the underlying | | | | Additionally, Chinese Medicine recognizes the meridians |
| fundamental is the same: the body is over reacting to | | | | of the body as pathways of energy flow pertaining |
| some substance in the environment. | | | | to various organs. Where there is a problem, says |
| Think of allergies as a culmination of a crisis. The | | | | something about that meridian. The sinus congestion |
| stage has been set, and the body's defenses are on | | | | relates to the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. |
| hair trigger, (or dander trigger, or pollen trigger, or | | | | So issues of allergies may have a contributing factor |
| mold trigger, well, you get the point) | | | | from the Stomach and Large Intestine functions as |
| Let's first look at rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, or hay | | | | well. |
| fever. Symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, | | | | So, to sum up: seasonal allergies, hay fever, sinusitis is |
| sneezing, stuffy nose and sinus congestion. Phlegm | | | | a situation of phlegm obstruction. This phlegm is a |
| obstructs the nasal cavity; pressure begins to build in | | | | product of a sub-optimal Spleen system. There is an |
| the sinuses; (the sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull | | | | obstruction in the nasal cavities, the portal of the |
| that keep the head lighter and are also involved in | | | | Lungs. There is related obstruction in the flow of the |
| sensing ambient pressure of the environment); | | | | Liver causing itchy watery eyes, and blockage and |
| Lymph nodes may begin to swell and a person may | | | | accumulation of toxins in the colon, manifesting as |
| be prone to recurrent colds and flus. Though | | | | pressure build up in the sinus. |
| manifesting in the eyes, face and nose, the phlegm is | | | | Thus the goal of treating allergies is strengthening the |
| actually a product of a sub-optimal digestive capacity. | | | | function of these systems. Starting with |
| In Chinese Medicine terms we talk about the Spleen | | | | symptomatic relief, acupuncture can be very |
| function. | | | | effective in opening up the nasal passages, draining |
| In Chinese Medicine, this process: the transformation | | | | the sinus congestion, restoring proper breathing, |
| of the food we eat into a substance our body uses | | | | clearing up the muzziness in the head. |
| to make energy, is one function of the Spleen | | | | Long term relief and prevention and overcoming |
| system. The Spleen also governs the transportation | | | | allergies involve changing the internal environment. |
| function in the body. If the Spleen function is impaired | | | | The Spleen and Lung functions must be fortified. The |
| the body will not transform the food more easily | | | | Spleen does not like foods that create dampness, |
| create "dampness". When the dampness does not | | | | such as greasy food, fried food, rich food, sweet |
| resolve, when it accumulates and combines with heat | | | | food, and refined flour. Additionally, the Spleen |
| it turns to phlegm, (think of making pudding.) This | | | | function is hampered by overconsumption of cold |
| phlegm starts to coat the linings of the body, | | | | food, (think iced-beverages) the Spleen benefits |
| including the lungs and throat and nose. This phlegm | | | | from whole grains, and vegetables that have been |
| can also coat the linings and tissues of the internal | | | | quickly cooked, but not overcooked. |
| organs as well. Phlegm can even lodge in the muscle | | | | The Lungs and Large Intestines benefit from |
| tissues. One the thing about phlegm is that it inhibits | | | | aromatic pungent foods, like onions, garlic, scallions, |
| the electrical conductivity through the body. It | | | | ginger, and spices. The Liver benefits from foods |
| prevents the free flow of qi and blood. | | | | that have a strong tart or sour taste, like lemons, |
| Chinese Medicine speaks about connections: | | | | berries. |
| The nose is the portal to the Lungs. | | | | Additionally, Chinese herbal medicine that addresses |
| The eyes are the portals to the Liver. | | | | correction of these organs is absolutely essential in |
| The mouth is the portal to the Spleen. | | | | getting out of a state of being allergic. |
| The tongue is the portal to the Heart. | | | | A course of treatment with acupuncture is 10 |
| And the ears are the portals to the Kidney. | | | | sessions. It is best to have acupuncture more |
| When there is an issue with a particular sense organ, | | | | frequently in the early stages of treatment and then |
| there is a connection with an internal organ system. | | | | decrease frequency with time. Often times |
| For example, continuing with our example of seasonal | | | | symptoms of allergies will resolve within that time, |
| allergies: the eyes being a portal to Liver, the itchy | | | | continuing with herbs and regular maintenance |
| watery eyes speak of congestion within the Liver | | | | acupuncture treatments. |