Herbal
Tonics for Allergies
An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a
foreign substance, called an allergen.
This could be anything from something you inhale to something you touch
to something you eat. An allergic
reaction may cause sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, a running nose, a sore
throat and rashes. In severe cases, allergic reactions can induce something
known as anaphylactic shock, which can actually be deadly.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America,
nearly 50 million Americans are affected by nasal allergies. These numbers are
increasing too. To date, allergies are the sixth-leading cause of chronic
illness in the United States. Anaphylactic reactions are typically triggered by
medications, food and insect stings, with pharmaceuticals causing the most
allergy-related deaths. The cost of allergies exceeds $18 billion per year!
There are ways to deal with allergies though. Obviously with
life-threatening allergies, a person needs to know what they are allergic to
and be very adamant about avoiding those substances. For others who deal with seasonal allergies,
things aren’t as dire and the inconvenience of allergies can be navigated using
many natural remedies, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM is a medical system that has been around for thousands
of years. The general theory behind TCM is to treat the patient holistically,
taking into account all aspects of the patient’s illness. TCM utilizes many
modalities to treat the patient, including acupuncture, acupressure, herbs,
formulas, cupping and nutrition. For treating allergies, there are some
wonderful herbs and formulas that can be implemented. Here’s a short list of
items that can be used to treat non-life-threatening allergies.
1. Reishi or
Medicinal Mushrooms: Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to help
with everything from balancing blood sugar to decreasing inflammation. But they
are also well-known for their immune-boosting properties. Reishi mushrooms are
adaptogenic and they help regulate stress in the body. This is great for
allergy sufferers because allergies can be exacerbated by stress.
2. Scutellaria
or Huang Qin: This herb is frequently used to treat acute respiratory
infections and bronchitis. Two key components of Huang Qin are particularly
good at relieving allergic asthma attacks.
3. Saposhnikovia
or Fang Feng: Fang Feng is used frequently by TCM practitioners to expel and
prevent wind pathogen invasions. So for allergies that prompt headaches and
nasal symptoms, this is a great herb to have on hand.
4. Magnolia
Flower or Xin Yi Hua: Flowers are used a lot in TCM due to their aromatic
nature. Xin Yi Hua is another great herb to have on hand when seasonal
allergies flare up. This herb is great at relieving nasal congestion, sinus
headaches and the runny nose that frequently accompanies allergies.
5. Cang Er Zi
San: This is an herbal formula frequently prescribed for people who are
suffering from allergy attacks. Cang Er Zi San works to open up the nasal
passageways, helps expel congested mucus, decreases sneezing and helps to
alleviate red itchy eyes. It is a go-to herbal formula for TCM practitioners
during allergy season.
Herbs can be very beneficial and help keep the body free
from illness. The herbs and formulas mentioned above are just a few examples
that would be good to have around if you suffer from allergies. Ask us to find
out more about these herbs, we can help you navigate the world of medicinal
herbs and find the exact combination right for you.
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