Hay fever (Allergic Rhinitis) in Acupuncture
The main symptom of hay fever are nasal congestion, a watery nasal discharge and constant sneezing.In some cases the eyes become very red and itchy. The main cause of hay fever is due to an antibody and antigen reaction in the nasal cavity.
Western medicine offers only antihistaminic medicine, which are used internally and locally. These work by preventing histamine from reaching its site of action. The side effect of these medicines include dizziness, fatigue, insomnia and constipation.
The pathology of hay fever in Acupuncture is charactrised by Wind in the same way as in an external invasion of Wind (common cold). The allergens could be seen as a form of Wind. Wind obstructs the nose and it impairs the diffusing and descending of Lung Qi(energy), which causes sneezing and congestion in the nose. This is the Biao (Manifestation) of hay fever. The Ben (Root) cause is a deficiency of the Kidneys and of the Du Mai. The Du Mai is a channel which emerges from between the Kidneys and flows up the spine to the top of the head and then down to the nose and lips. It is therefore the channel connection between the Kidneys and the nose. The Kidney deficiency is the one cause which allows Wind to enter the nose. Another cause is the allergic constitution of individuals. In hay fever, the Kidneys are involved not only in the Root of the disease, but also in the Manifestation through the Du Mai chennel. For this reason, the Kidneys are responsible not only for breathing, due to their function of grasping Qi, but also sneezing. Sneezing itself is also directly linked to the Kidneys and not necessarily due only to Wind. So the root cause of hay fever is related to kidney deficiency.
The Acupuncture treatment of seasonal hay fever depends on the season. During the allergic season (usually Spring), we treat the Manifestation (Biao),which helps to expel Wind.
With Acupuncture, we use these points: LI20 Yingxiang,LI 4 Hergu, BL-12 Fengmen, BL-13 Feishu, LU-7 Lieque, Bitong, Du-23 Shangxing, G.B.-20 Fengchi, Yintang with Cupping therapy on BL-12 and BL-13. During the pollen season, we advise the patient must be treated periodically at least once or twice a week for three months.
Hay Fever in Ayurvedic Medicine
Hay fever (Allergic rhinitis ) is the most commonest condition in mankind. Everyday, people are exposed to pollen, and large numbers of chemical and biological agents present in the environment. Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the moist lining (mucous membranes) of the nose, caused by a reaction to an irritant, which results in attacks of sneezing, nasal discharge or a blocked nose. Hay fever may be perennial or seasonal. Though there is no appropriate description in Ayurveda to correlate with the term Allergy, some Ayurvedic literature has come across some references which could explain the concept of Allergy through the concept of Ama. Ama means uncooked, unripe, undigested and immature material, which suggests that Ama mostly acts as visha (toxin). Hence Ama of any type produced at any stage and in any dhatu stimulates intrinsic factor which are responsible for hay fever and allergic disorder . When digestive fire (Jathar agni) is impaired, it leads to the formation of Ama Dosha, which is supposed to be a very important factor in the Pathogenesis (Samprapti) of hay fever & allergic disorders. Maharashi Charaka is explained as Concept of Satmya. Satmya means wholesome adaptation through gradual changes, and is defined as an agent whose regular use is beneficial and tolerable. Asatmya is defined as and agent whose regular use is not beneficial and tolerable for individuals. A substance can be Asatmya to an individual in the form of Aahara (food) and Vihara (lifestyle) which when consumed may be an altered response in in the body of that individual. These manifestations in the form of altered responses of the body towards that particular Asatmya substance are what cause hay fever and allery. Acharya Charak has also clearly mentioned that a person having an allergic, diathesis body nourished by incompatible diet possesses weak immunity (Alpha Satva), and leads to hay fever and allery. He also explained the concept of Viruddhahara (incompatible food) very clearly, suggesting that certain food material having antagonistic properties should not be consumed at one time, as they may create adverse reactions in the body including hay fever and allergy. Examples of such incompitable dietary factors are the use of fish and milk, and the use of ghee and honey in equal proportions . Aetiological factor of hay fever or Allergic Rhinitis include certain plants & pollens. certain food (Aahar) like fishes eggs, milk, citrus food etc, incompatible dietary factors (Viruddhaharer), and certain drugs drugs like Aspirin Sulpha, lodine, Antibiotics etc.
Clinical manifestation of Hay fever and Allergic Rhinitis.
Symptoms are:
- Sneezing (Vataja pratishaya)
- Nasal conjection (Nasavarodha Vataja pratishaya)
- Nasal discharge ( Nasa srava Kaphaja pratishaya Vataja pratishaya)
- Itching in Nasalregion and oral cavity (Nasa kandu Talu kandu Kaphaja pratishaya Raktaja pratishaya )
- Breatheeness (Shawasa kashta Kaphaja pratishaya)
- Heaviness in head ( Shirogourava Vataja pratishaya Kaphaja pratishaya)
As per Ayurvedic literature, there is a safe line of treatment for hayfever and allergy which will help improve natural immunity. The line of treatment would be as follows as
- External oliation: Specially to fore head with oil.
- Fomentation: Gentle sudation with hands or upahada swedan.
- Panchkarma therapy for removal of vitiated Kapha dosha.
- Nasya – Nasya has duel action i.e. pacificatory and purificatory & it promotes the strength of sense organ(indirya). Anu tail Nasya is specially recommended by charaka charya as preventive measures. Some of the suggested Ayurvedic herbal tonic preparations(Rasayanas) to be used for prevention and treatment of Allergic Rhinitis are: Chayavanprash Rasayana, Chitraka Haritaki Rasayana, Agastya Haritaki Rasayana, and Vasa Awaleha.
There are many choices of treatment for hay fever is available at AcuAyur Holistic Health Centre, which can be tailored towards your particular needs. For more information, please call 9803 8718, or email info@acuayur.com.au and we will be more than happy to help you out.
