NY Yes Acupuncture P.C

Combining Constitution-Based Regulation, Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle Adjustments, and TCM Therapies

I. Understanding Pollen Allergy (Allergic Rhinitis) in TCM

In TCM, pollen allergy is known as “鼻鼽” (bí qiú) and is primarily linked to imbalances in the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys. Common constitution types include:

1. Lung Qi Deficiency with Cold (Most Common Type)

   • Symptoms: Itchy nose, frequent sneezing, clear nasal discharge, aversion to wind, susceptibility to colds.

   • Treatment Approach: Warm the Lungs, dispel cold, and strengthen the body’s defenses.

2. Spleen-Lung Qi Deficiency

   • Symptoms: Nasal congestion, heavy head, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools.

   • Treatment Approach: Strengthen the Spleen, boost Qi, and clear nasal passages.

3. Kidney Yang Deficiency

   • Symptoms: Chronic nasal allergies, cold intolerance, sore lower back and knees, frequent nighttime urination.

   • Treatment Approach: Warm and tonify Kidney Yang, strengthen the body’s foundation.

4. Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat (Less Common but Increasingly Prevalent)

   • Symptoms: Nasal congestion with headaches, red and itchy eyes, irritability, dry mouth.

   • Treatment Approach: Soothe the Liver, clear heat, and relieve nasal symptoms.

💡 First Step: Consultation with a TCM practitioner to diagnose your constitution and receive personalized treatment.

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II. Dietary Adjustments

1. General Dietary Guidelines

• Foods to Avoid (May Worsen Allergies):

  • Cold foods (ice drinks, sashimi), dairy (causes phlegm), fried/spicy foods, alcohol.

  • Triggering foods: mango, bamboo shoots, shrimp/crabs (avoid during allergy season).

• Recommended Anti-Allergy Foods:

  • For warming the Lungs and dispelling cold: Ginger, scallion, perilla, red dates, longan.

  • For strengthening the Spleen and removing dampness: Chinese yam, poria, coix seed, lotus seed.

  • For reducing allergic reactions: Black fungus, apples (quercetin-rich), onions (natural antihistamine).

2. Constitution-Specific Dietary Therapy

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III. Herbal Medicine & Medicinal Teas (Consult a TCM practitioner for guidance)

• Lung Qi Deficiency with Cold: Yu Ping Feng San (Astragalus, Atractylodes, Siler) + Xin Yi San (Magnolia Flower formula).

• Spleen-Lung Qi Deficiency: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang + Cang Er Zi San (Cocklebur formula).

• Kidney Yang Deficiency: Shen Qi Wan + Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang (Modified for cold deficiency).

• Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat: Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang + Morus Root Bark, Scutellaria.

💡 Universal Allergy-Relief Tea: Magnolia & Cocklebur Tea

• Ingredients: Magnolia flower (5g) + Cocklebur (3g, wrapped in cloth) + Siler (5g)

• Instructions: Boil for 10 minutes and drink as tea.

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IV. Exercise & Meridian Therapy

1. Exercise Guidelines

• Avoid intense workouts that deplete Qi and worsen cold deficiency. Instead, try:

  • Brisk walking, Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocade Qigong), Tai Chi (3 times per week, 30 minutes each).

  • Focus: Expanding the chest to strengthen the Lung meridian and enhance protective Qi.

2. Acupressure & Moxibustion Therapy

• Yingxiang (LI-20) (Beside nostrils): Massage 100 times to clear nasal passages.

• Hegu (LI-4) (Between thumb and index finger): Press for 3 minutes to relieve nasal congestion.

• Feishu (BL-13) (Beside T3 vertebra): Moxibustion for 10 minutes (best for cold-deficiency types).

• Zusanli (ST-36) (Below knee): Moxibustion or massage to boost Qi and combat allergies.

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V. Lifestyle Adjustments

• Avoiding Allergens:

  • Close windows during high pollen periods (morning, sunny days).

  • Wear a mask and glasses outdoors.

  • Nasal rinse with saline water (warm water + salt) after coming home.

• Sleep & Lung Nourishment:

  • Sleep before 11 PM to protect Lung Yin and maintain immune balance.

• Home Environment:

  • Maintain humidity below 50% to reduce dust mites.

  • Use air-purifying plants (e.g., snake plant, ivy).

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VI. Acupuncture & Other TCM Therapies

1. Acupuncture Plan (2 sessions per week, 6 sessions per treatment cycle)

• Primary Acupoints: Yingxiang (LI-20), Yintang (EX-HN3), Hegu (LI-4), Zusanli (ST-36).

• Additional Acupoints by Constitution:

  • Lung Qi Deficiency with Cold: Feishu (BL-13), Fengmen (BL-12) (moxibustion recommended).

  • Spleen-Lung Qi Deficiency: Pishu (BL-20), Zhongwan (RN-12).

  • Kidney Yang Deficiency: Shenshu (BL-23), Guanyuan (RN-4) (strong moxibustion).

  • Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat: Taichong (LR-3), Xingjian (LR-2) (draining technique).

2. Additional TCM Therapies

• Sanfu/Sanjiu Herbal Patches: Applied to Feishu (BL-13) and Dazhui (DU-14) in summer (Sanfu) and winter (Sanjiu) to improve constitution.

• Cupping Therapy: Sliding cups along the Bladder Meridian (Feishu to Shenshu) to dispel wind and cold.