By Dr. James Yansick D.OM
It’s that time of year again for sneezing, itchy watery eyes and nasal congestion. Flowers, budding trees, green grass, and all of life’s reawakening is beautiful but can also lead to troublesome seasonal allergies.
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to harmless substances.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs have shown high efficacy in not only managing seasonal allergies, but very often correcting them. The science behind this eastern treatment is based upon proper blood flow along the meridians associated with Chinese Medicine.
An excess or deficiency may cause an imbalance within the body. Acupuncture and herbs open the pathways allowing a free flow of energy which then stimulates the immune system to function properly.
Eastern practitioners use acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies to treat allergies. Treatments focus on strengthening the body to heal itself, bringing balance and preventing the systemic reactions to allergens. Many of the herbs are used to treat the imbalances which cause the immune system to malfunction. Unlike the western model which provides pills or injections that treat the reaction of the body allergen-antigen response.
To treat allergies, practitioners first identify the root cause of the symptoms and reactions to identify and treat the underlying responses created by the allergens. Chinese medicine will seek the root of the imbalance and thus restore free flow in the
Meridians which yield a stronger immunity response, neutralizing allergens. Traditional Chinese Medicine is effective regardless of how long the patient has suffered with allergies. After an assessment is made, herbs will be prescribed along with a treatment
schedule for acupuncture sessions.
In order for practitioners to prescribe and/or dispense herbs in New Jersey, they must hold a license in herbal medicine from the New Jersey Board of Consumer Safety.
Nutritional therapy may also be discussed and suggested as well. Examples of nutritional therapy can be simple, such as avoiding dairy. Dairy is not recommended for any person with seasonal allergies as it creates inflammation and mucus.
There are also beneficial items for allergy sufferers that can be obtained at a local grocery store or farm market. Fresh ginger has been used for many years in Chinese herbs as it has proven to minimize the production of pro-inflammatory proteins. I would advise you to only use fresh and not dried ginger. Local bee pollen and honey can also be used to counter allergies. Bee pollen is made of nectar, enzymes, flower pollen, wax and of course honey. Bee pollen has shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antifungal properties.
Turmeric from the ginger family is more than just a bright-colored spice. Turmeric is also an anti-inflammatory supplement which has shown to decrease allergies when used on a regular basis. Turmeric contains curcumin and has properties that benefit inflammatory factors.
Chinese Medicine holds that allergies are caused by disharmony in the meridians of the body. We suffer from allergies when the circulation and flow in these meridians are blocked or stagnated. Chinese medicine seeks to promote the flow of this energy and restore your body to its natural state.
To learn more and schedule an herbal consultation with Dr. Yansick, Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Please contact BEAM Healthcare & Sports Rehabilitation at 732.901.3001.
