Acupuncture for Allergy Relief
I took advantage of a break in the late-season rain this past weekend to go for a run in Redwood Regional Park with a few friends. The sky was blue, the ground was a little muddy–and the clouds of pollen were visible as they gusted directly in our faces.
It’s true, our 2023 wildflower season is one for the books—and our noses are paying the price. So many of us are dealing with off-the-charts allergies, in the form of itchy eyes, sneezing, runny noses, and stuffy heads. Fortunately, Chinese medicine offers a number of tools to help us survive allergy season.
Acupuncture for Allergies and Sinus Pain
Acupuncture treatments for allergic rhinitis often include two or three tiny needles inserted on pressure points for allergies near the nose, which can have the magical effect of instantly draining clogged sinuses. In addition, treatments will frequently include points on the wrists and hands like Lung 7 and Large Intestine 4, which have a strong effect on the head and face. And of course, because Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach, we also work on reducing systemic inflammation in the body, using powerful body points like Stomach 36.
Allergy Relief from Facial Cupping
Facial cupping is also great for clearing out clogged sinuses. This is not the kind of cupping that can leave salami-sized purple marks on your back (think Michael Phelps and Gwyneth Paltrow, known for publicly flaunting their cupping marks). For the face, we use special, smaller cups that are used to slide along the skin with a gently suction that also improves lymph flow and overall skin condition. In cases of chronic sinus congestion and inflammation from allergies, small polyps can form in the nasal cavity and sinuses, and cupping can actually loosen and free these, allowing us to breathe freely and smoothly again.
Herbal Support for Seasonal Allergies
Chinese herbal formulas can dry running sinuses, clear sinus infections, and help bolster the body’s qi to reduce allergic inflammation. In Chinese medicine, we prescribe herbs in combination to create a formula that is tailored to the individual's specific needs. I’m sending lots of patients home with this Allerfree herbal tincture from Griffo, which I absolutely love.
Some of the herbs commonly used for seasonal allergies include:
Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower): Treats stuffy and runny nose and relieves sinus headache;
Ju Hua (Chyrsanthemum Flower): Clears red, painful, teary, and dry eyes;
Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit): Opens the nasal passages and releases pathogens;
Bo He (Field Mint): Disperses heat from the head in cases of red eyes and sore throat.
Patients will often start noticing some significant improvements in their allergy symptoms after 3-4 weekly acupuncture treatments; depending on the patient, herbs will often hasten and improve results. Your treatment plan can be supportive on its own or in conjunction with your Western treatment. Be sure to let your acupuncturist know if you’re using any over the counter or prescription allergy medications.
Kitchen Medicine pro tip:
Chrysanthemum and goji berries are two herbs that are traditionally combined to support the eyes, especially the dry itchy eyes that can be associated with allergy season. These can be gently simmered for 5 - 10 minutes to make a tasty herbal tea. Save the chrysanthemums after simmering—once they’ve cooled, you can place them over your eyes for cooling direct relief.
Need help finding dried chrysanthemum flowers? I’ll send you home with an organically grown care package!
(Read more about acupuncture for immune support and general wellness.)
Dr. Lisa Franzetta is a licensed acupuncturist in Oakland, California specializing in pain management, internal medicine, integrative cancer support, and stress management and emotional wellness.