Allergies, seasonal or year round, are an ongoing problem for many individuals. Seasonal allergies typically affect people during a particular season or time of year. They are also referred to as outdoor allergies and are generally triggered by tree, grass and weed pollens or outdoor mold spores. Year round allergies also known as indoor allergies are typically brought on by animal dander, dust mites, mold spores or insect allergens. There are also food allergies, which occur as a result of eating a culprit food, and can also create physical and/or emotional symptoms such as body hives, swelling, itching or redness of the skin, depression and/or moodiness.

No matter what kind of allergy you suffer from, environmental or food related, acupuncture can provide needed relief. While medications (over-the-counter or prescribed) often come with unwanted side-effects, acupuncture does not. This makes acupuncture an appealing option for people looking for a new way to combat allergies.

According to Chinese medical theory, the symptoms and signs that indicate a Western diagnosis of allergies relate to imbalances in the meridian and Organ Systems of the body. These imbalances may stem from a variety of causes, including stress, poor diet, foods that don’t agree with your body, constitutional weakness, pollutants and environmental toxins.

Over time, if imbalances remain within the body, they will affect the functions of the Organ Systems. Some of these Organ Systems are involved in the production of Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”).

According to the theories of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, it is important to have the correct quality and quantity of Wei Qi circulating around the body in order to stay healthy.

What is Wei Qi? The Chinese concept of Wei Qi is similar to the Western concept of the immune system. Wei Qi functions to protect and defend the body against foreign substances, that if not caught can lead to allergies. When Wei Qi is strong and abundant, we remain healthy. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes deficient, health is compromised and we become vulnerable to foreign invaders such as dust, mold, animal dander, bacteria, viruses and pollen. People who have a Wei Qi deficiency are prone to allergies and frequent colds.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine support and strengthen the systems of the body that are involved in the production of Wei Qi. By building up the supply of Wei Qi, and facilitating the smooth and free flow of it through the body, symptoms and signs related to allergies could be greatly reduced or eliminated.

What will an acupuncturist do? An acupuncturist will conduct a thorough exam, taking a complete health history. He/She will then

develop a unique treatment plan that will address your specific concerns. The goals of the treatment plan will be to eliminate visible symptoms and signs, while addressing the root cause(s) and underlying imbalances affecting the quality and quantity of Wei Qi.

Acupuncture treatments may be combined with herbs, dietary changes, massage (tuina), or exercise. These therapies accelerate the healing process in order to balance, build, and support the health and functioning of your body’s systems.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are a drug-free, safe, natural and effective way to eliminate hay fever, allergies or the common cold.

SEASONAL ALLERGY TIPS:

• Flush your nose with a Neti
• Add spicy foods and omega-3’s to your
• Keep your windows closed during allergy season to prevent dust and pollen from entering.
• Put on a dust mask when you are doing yard or house
• Do not hang your clothes out to dry in the sun, as they will gather dust, mold and pollen.
• Come in for an acupuncture tune-

IF YOU SUFFER FROM FOOD ALLERGIES:

• See an allergist and get tested for a proper diagnosis of a food allergy.
• Avoid the foods that cause your
• Peanuts, the proteins in cow’s milk, shellfish, tree nuts, fish, eggs, gluten, wheat and soy are the most common food allergens.
• It is possible to outgrow some food
• Ask about ingredients at restaurants or when eating food prepared by another person.
• Read food labels

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) proposes a holistic approach to health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of harmony and balance in every aspect of our lives. This extends to our dietary choices, with a particular emphasis on aligning our diets with the changing seasons.

In TCM, seasonal eating is not merely a nutritional philosophy but a way to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Each season offers a unique bounty of foods that not only taste best at their peak but also provide specific nutritional benefits that cater to the body’s seasonal needs.

In this article, we will explore the concept of seasonal eating according to TCM, provide a list of foods for each season along with a short recipe, and discuss how Chinese dietary therapy can aid in managing several common conditions.

Foods and Recipes for Each Season

Spring

Foods: Leafy greens, sprouts, berries, lemons, asparagus, green beans, peas, and strawberries.

Recipe: Spring Green Salad

Toss together a handful of fresh leafy greens, sprouted seeds, sliced strawberries, and peas. Dress it lightly with a lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing spring salad.

Summer

Foods: Watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, apricots, and peaches.

Recipe: Chilled Cucumber Soup

Blend peeled and chopped cucumbers with plain yogurt, fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Chill before serving for a cooling summer soup.

Autumn

Foods: Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, beetroot, and figs.

Recipe: Baked Apples

Core apples and fill with a mixture of oats, cinnamon, and honey. Bake until tender for a warming autumn dessert.

Winter

Foods: Root vegetables, hearty soups, stews, nuts, meats, and spices like ginger and cinnamon.

Recipe: Hearty Winter Stew

Sauté root vegetables with your choice of meat, add in warming spices, and let simmer until everything is tender and flavors meld together.

Chinese Dietary Therapy for Common Conditions

Chinese dietary therapy can aid in managing and preventing various common conditions, often complementing other TCM treatments. Here are a few examples:

• Digestive Issues: Bloating, indigestion, and constipation can be managed by avoiding cold and raw foods, especially in the winter. Warming foods that aid digestion, such as ginger and cinnamon, are recommended.
• Colds and Flu: Warming foods like garlic, onion, and leek can help fend off colds. If a cold has already set in, cool and light foods like mint tea or pear soup can alleviate symptoms.
• Inflammation: Cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, and mint can help alleviate inflammatory conditions, while warming foods like ginger can stimulate blood circulation and promote healing.
• Mood Disorders: Certain foods can help balance the body’s Qi, leading to improved mental health. For example, the sweet taste, associated with the Earth element, can provide comfort and aid in stress management when consumed in moderation.
• Insomnia: TCM recommends a balanced diet to ensure a good night’s sleep. For instance, sour foods can help restrain the mind, aiding those who have trouble sleeping due to excessive thinking.
• Seasonal eating according to TCM offers a holistic, balanced approach to nutrition, placing emphasis on harmony with nature’s rhythms. By understanding the thermal qualities of foods, eating according to the seasons, and leveraging the therapeutic power of dietary therapy, we can promote overall health

First things first, among adults over 65 years old Alzheimer’s is the disease that is found to cause most cases of dementia. Whereas Dementia is the actual loss of cognitive

function so severe it interferes with daily life. Dementia ranges in severity from the

loss of memory, ability to think, reason, plan and can even interfere with basic problem solving.

Officially, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. However, recent estimates show the disease ranks closer to third as a cause of death among older adults, just behind cancer and heart disease. While Alzheimer’s disease and related Dementias are more common among aging adults, it is not a normal part of the aging process.

Alzheimers is a progressive and irreversible disease that slowly destroys not only long term memory, but can disturb basic cognitive function as well. Often those suffering

from Alzheimers eventually lose the inability to carry out everyday tasks, and therefore are rendered completely dependent on the help of others. Studies are showing acupuncture can

help improve the lives of those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s in a variety of ways.

CUHK Research Indicates Acupuncture can Improve Cognitive Functions of Elderly

The Chinese University of Hong Kong provides us with research on the beneficial effects of acupuncture in adults over 65. Acupuncture can help improve the cognitive functions of adults 65-79 who suffer from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

And while not threatening in and of itself, MCI has been known to lead to early onset Dementia. While the pilot study was done using a small subject base the findings were conclusive enough to lead to further testing with a much larger test group. One of the lead researchers on the experiment, Professor Albert Leung, said “We are delighted to see that

acupuncture treatments help improve the cognitive functions of the elderly. We shall further ascertain its efficacy through our pilot clinical research project.”

Acupuncture Has Long Been Used to Fight Anxiety and Depression

With the loss of cognitive function, so too comes the loss of independence. Displaced feelings of overall fear, loss, and helplessness are not uncommon. These emotions can become so burdensome they may manifest into depression and/or anxiety. One study in particular from Wellesley College evaluated participants who were receiving acupuncture treatments 2-3 times per week for three months. This study was able to conclude that regular acupuncture treatments alone can improve mood and energy among this demographic.

For thousands of years Acupuncture has been an effective treatment for symptoms of mental illness and stress. However until relatively recently there was insufficient scientific evidence to make these claims concretely.

But a 2013 study performed by Chinese researchers uncovered preliminary evidence to suggest the scientific reasons acupuncture acts like a natural antidepressant. Since the initial experiments on rats with induced depressive activity further research has come out to substantiate these claims.

With Alzheimer’s and related Dementias becoming an increasingly serious problem for today’s elders it’s certainly worth investigating the options for its prevention. And with more research

being done after promising early results, acupuncture should definitely be taken into consideration to offset these diseases. Acupuncture is safe, natural and side-effect free.