Springtime often brings our attention to hay fever and allergy problems. Because of the dramatic increase in allergens that we are exposed to due to pollen levels being high and people engaging in more outdoor activities; sneezing, itching and breathing problems are on the rise.

However, allergies are a year round problem and are often brought about by things that we are exposed to all year long. This includes allergies in our environment (airborne) such as pollen, mold and dust; foods, especially wheat, dairy products, and sea foods; pets from animal hair and dander, cosmetics which contain lanolin or other allergens, plants and medications such as penicillin and aspirin; household products including paints, products containing nickel or formaldehyde.

The common responses are nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, itching, hives and other skin rashes, headache, and fatigue. Western medicine tells us that an allergy is an inappropriate response by the body’s immune system to a substance. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that allergies are caused by internal or external factors or both, and are a symptom of an imbalance in the body. Some people suffer from allergic reactions every day, which indicates that their immune system is very low and very unbalanced. Some people have allergic reactions only in allergy seasons indicating that their immune system is only slightly out of balance.

Susan T. was a sectary in a company. She had two children and a very stressful life. She was diagnosed with a milk allergy in middle age. She said she loved milk and had drunk milk all of her life. Her doctor had suggested that she stop drinking milk due to her allergic reaction. She shared with one of her co-workers that she was frustrated and sad about having to give up milk. Her co-worker referred her to my office for acupuncture. I found that her liver energy was low. Her adrenal glands were weak. There was wetness in her spleen system. These were causing the imbalance that gave her the symptoms when she drank milk.

The main acupoints were selected from the meridians of the liver, the spleen, the large intestine and the kidney. The acupoints along large intestine disperse internal heat and the acupoints along the kidney enforce the energy and melt the internal heat. After eight acupuncture treatments, Susan felt healthier all around. Her treatment was continued till she could drink milk without any problem. She told me that she could drink her milk again which were very meaningful to her because she loved milk very much.

Tim T was an accountant and had seasonal allergy for years. During tax season he worked overtime and so did his sinuses. He tired easily. He was moody and had headaches every day. It was hard for him to breath through his nose. He throat was dry and rough. His appetite was low and he felt bloated.

I found his kidney energy low. There was heat in his blood. His liver Yin and lung Yin were low.

The acupoints along the meridians of the stomach, the kidney, and the large intestine were selected. After three acupuncture treatments, he regained much of his energy. After several more acupuncture treatment, his allergies were gone. Once tax season/allergy season was over, he came back in for more acupuncture to balance his whole body. He has no allergy problem since. He told me that his insomnia was gone and he slept like a stone.

Contact Li Hua L.Ac. TCMD at Atlanta Acupuncture Center or 404-250-9903 or e-mail lihua@aac2000.com or surf her web site at www.aac2000.com