Hayfever / Allergic Rhinitis – a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective.
Hayfever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, can occur in individuals seasonally or all year round. This inflammatory condition is a hypersensitive reaction of the body to naturally occurring external stimuli. In seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is common in spring and summer, the body reacts to airborne pollens which are released in large amounts by plants and trees, as allergens. Pollens are not a harmful stimuli and not everyone reacts to them. Individuals whose immune systems perceive pollen as an allergen, trigger an immune response within the body, which leads to inflammation of the nasal mucosa and causes symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy nose and blocked sinuses. The severity of symptoms can vary between individuals and for some it can significantly impact their daily lives and wellbeing. 
In TCM, this immune response is seen as the body’s reaction to an invasion of an external pathogen, which is a similar view to Western Science. It is believed that the body’s Protective Qi (Life force Energy) is weakened prior, which allows this ‘invasion’ to occur and symptoms to develop in the upper respiratory system.
Factors that can weaken the Protective Qi are genetics, chronic stress, lack of sleep, improper dietary habits and overwork. Changes in lifestyle habits are often necessary to avoid symptoms and strengthen one’s overall health and hence Protective Qi, in the long term.
Here are some lifestyle recommendations to support general health in cases of hayfever symptoms:
- Seek qualified health practitioner’s advice for support and relief of symptoms
- Regular exercise
- Adequate rest and sleep
- Stress management techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises
- Avoid triggers that flare hayfever symptoms in the interim.
In TCM we focus the treatment on expelling the external pathogen within the body and strengthening the Protective Qi through acupuncture treatment. Treatment is ideally started when symptoms of hayfever are experienced or 1-2 months prior to the onset of hayfever symptoms, to try and prevent and/or reduce the severity of symptoms during the hayfever seasons. 
Please always seek tailored health advice from your qualified health practitioners, if you have any health concerns.
Dr Elisabeth Sever-Topping is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner / Acupuncturist at Inner West Health Clinic.
