Zhang Jian, the Director of the Otorhinolaryngology Department at Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Chairman of the Otorhinolaryngology Branch of the Zhejiang Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explains that seasonal allergic rhinitis belongs to the category of allergic rhinitis, which is a chronic reactive inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by pollen allergies is also known as “pollinosis.” When it occurs, there are distinct seasonal characteristics; patients experience symptoms such as nasal itching, paroxysmal sneezing, profuse watery nasal discharge, and nasal congestion during the season when pollen is disseminated.

Zhang Jian points out that in the treatment and prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the key lies in adjusting the patient's allergy-prone constitution, eliminating latent pathogenic factors, balancing the functions of the five zang and six fu organs, and tackling the root cause to achieve both symptomatic and curative effects. According to TCM theory, “to treat a disease, one must seek its root cause.” As the saying goes, “When vital energy is preserved within, pathogens cannot harm.” Patients with allergic rhinitis can use a series of TCM-specific therapies to strengthen their constitution and improve their immune function, thereby reducing the frequency or severity of disease onset. Zhang Jian introduces several methods to cope with seasonal allergic rhinitis from the perspectives of internal and external TCM treatments as well as daily adjustments, which you might consider trying.

TCM has many clever strategies:

TCM treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis includes not only internal administration of herbal medicines but also moxibustion, acupoint application, acupuncture, auricular acupressure, acupoint embedding (needling), acupoint massage, herbal atomization, and nasal drops, among other unique therapies. Patients can choose appropriate treatments based on their individual circumstances under the guidance of a doctor. Below are some commonly used methods in clinical practice.

Internal Administration of Herbal Medicines:

According to TCM, the internal cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis is insufficient vital energy and deficiency of the zang and fu organs, commonly seen in cases of lung qi deficiency, spleen deficiency, or kidney deficiency. Therefore, internal administration of herbal medicines often employs methods such as expelling wind and evil, clearing and promoting lung qi, strengthening the spleen, and warming the kidneys. However, the selection of herbs, determination of dosage, and duration of treatment require the doctor to make decisions based on the patient's symptoms, tongue, and pulse. Do not self-medicate blindly without professional guidance.

Moxibustion:

Moxibustion can have the effects of warming and supplementing lung qi or warming and unblocking meridians. For home moxibustion, patients can select acupoints such as Yingxiang (located on the face, beside the midpoint of the lateral margin of the nostril, in the nasolabial groove), Shangyingxiang (on the face, where the cartilage of the ala nasi meets the nasal turbinate, near the upper end of the nasolabial groove), Baihui (on the head, 5 cun directly above the front hairline), and Dazhui (on the posterior cervical region, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, on the posterior midline).

If the nasal congestion is severe, moxibustion can be performed simultaneously on Yingxiang and Shangyingxiang. If cold intolerance is significant, Baihui and Dazhui can be moxibusted, and the intensity of moxibustion can be increased. Additionally, when performing moxibustion, patients should protect the local skin, using aluminum foil on the surface of the skin to prevent burns from sparks falling from the moxa stick. If there are symptoms such as yellow nasal discharge and sore throat after a cold, moxibustion should not be performed.

Acupoint Application:

Acupoint application involves using drugs with a slightly warm nature, applied to specific acupoints, to achieve the effects of tonifying the zang and fu organs, nourishing yang qi, and unblocking meridians. Allergic rhinitis is a chronic and recurrent disease that requires long-term treatment. This simple and practical method has high acceptance, and patients can use it over a long period.

Patients with allergic rhinitis can also take preventive measures when asymptomatic, such as performing acupoint application during the dog days of summer to adjust their constitution and enhance immunity, achieving the effect of treating winter diseases in summer and preventing illness before it occurs. It should be emphasized that for recurrent and frequent episodes of allergic rhinitis, the amount of treatment provided by acupoint application only during the dog days of summer and the coldest days of winter is far from enough. Patients should persist in long-term treatment under the guidance of a doctor to adjust their constitution.

Daily Precautions:

Zhang Jian reminds us that although the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis may spontaneously alleviate or resolve without treatment due to changes in seasons and environments, the harm they bring cannot be ignored. To reduce the suffering caused by this condition, prevention is key. In daily life, it is recommended to do the following:

Avoid Allergens:

Allergen testing is an important tool for diagnosing, treating, and preventing allergic rhinitis. Patients with allergic rhinitis can undergo allergen testing in hospitals. Based on the test results, they should stay away from sensitizing substances and undergo desensitization therapy if necessary.

Improve Diet:

In daily life, one should avoid cold, raw, cold, spicy, greasy foods that damage or obstruct the spleen, maintaining a light and balanced diet with adequate nutrition.

Suitable Indoor Environment:

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the home environment, adjusting indoor humidity and dryness. Pillows and bedding should be frequently washed and sun-dried, and ventilation should be maintained. Try not to keep cats, dogs, and other pets to reduce exposure to allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, and dander.

Persistent Exercise:

Patients with allergic rhinitis can improve or enhance their constitution through long-term adherence to their favorite forms of exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, or Baduanjin. Each session should last at least 20 minutes, until a light sweat is produced.