Pollen

In spite of the snowy days we've experienced recently, it really is spring and allergies really have started to affect us. For some it's the nasal congestion and runny nose, for others it's the itchy eyes and headaches, but for all that suffer from seasonal allergies, it's unpleasant.As with all clinical presentations in Chinese medicine, we look for the root cause and atthe branch symptoms. What do we mean by the root cause of allergies?  It's the pollen isn't it? Well, sort of. Sure, the pollen is the trigger and part of the root cause, but the other part is how your immune system is responding to the pollen. When your immune system senses the pollen, it floods your system with antibodies to attack the allergen. These antibodies trigger a cascade of events that cause the symptoms you experience with seasonal allergies such as runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, chest tightness which are the branch symptoms. Sure, you can take over the counter medications to help alleviate symptoms, but what can you do to address the root...the immune response. In chinese medicine we use acupuncture and herbal medicine to regulate the immune system response.But how? Well, when acupuncture needles are…

Winter gives way to spring, and the earth warms up. Spring is a season of rejuvenation and also a period of climate transition. With pollen and willow fluff dancing in the air, coupled with exposure to ultraviolet rays, many people are prone to skin problems at this time.Children have delicate skin and are more prone to itching.Spring sees children more likely to experience symptoms such as itchy skin. Besides seasonal factors, this is closely related to the special characteristics of children's skin.Compared to adults, children's skin is finer and more tender, with less developed keratin layers, fewer skin lipids, poorer resistance to dryness, and a higher likelihood of further damage from scratching. Children also produce less melanin, making their pigment layer thinner and more susceptible to UV damage. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, spring is characterized by wind, and children's bodies are delicate, making their skin more vulnerable to invasion by wind pathogens. Therefore, the incidence of itchy skin is higher in children than in adults.Therefore, in spring, children's delicate skin can easily become uncomfortable, with the most typical symptom being itching.If this situation is not actively managed, it may lead to secondary skin infections. Due to incomplete development…