Chinese Herbs for Seasonal Allergies: Treating the Season Before It Starts

Written and reviewed by Dr. Michael Koh, Chinese herbal medicine practitioner at The Oriental Herb, Cliffside Park, NJ

Bergen County has two allergy seasons – tree pollen in spring and ragweed from August until the first frost – and a lot of people who spend both of them on antihistamines. Chinese medicine takes a different view of hay fever: the pollen is only the trigger; the reason one person reacts and another does not is the strength of the body’s surface defences, what the classics call Wei Qi. So Chinese herbs for allergies work in two phases – strengthen the defences in the quiet months, then clear the nose and eyes when the season arrives. This post belongs under our guide to Chinese herbs for the immune system.

Phase 1: before the season (the part most people skip)

The formula is Yu Ping Feng San, “Jade Windscreen”, three herbs that have been used for exactly this purpose for 700 years: Huang Qi (Astragalus) to strengthen the surface, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) to support digestion (in TCM a weak digestion means weak defences), and Fang Feng (Siler) to expel wind. Taken daily for six to eight weeks before your season, it reduces the severity of symptoms for many people. People who catch every cold going round usually benefit as well. Read more about Astragalus.

Phase 2: during the season

• Cang Er Zi (Xanthium) and Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia flower) – the classic pair for a blocked, runny nose. Formula: Cang Er Zi San. See our post on sinus congestion.
• Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica) – for the frontal headache and pressure behind the eyes.
• Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) and Sang Ye (Mulberry leaf) – for itchy, red, watering eyes; both are pleasant as a tea.
• Chan Tui (Cicada moulting) and Fang Feng – for itching of the throat, ears and skin.
• Wu Mei (Mume) – traditionally used to settle allergic reactivity; appears in many modern allergy formulas.

These are combined according to whether your version is cold (clear, watery discharge, sneezing fits in the morning) or hot (thick yellow discharge, red eyes, a sore throat).

Everyday measures that make the herbs work better

Rinse the nose with saline each evening during the season; shower and change clothes after time outdoors; keep windows closed in the early morning when pollen counts peak; eat warm, cooked food and reduce dairy and sugar, which increase mucus in the TCM view; and sleep – allergic symptoms are reliably worse after a short night.

Allergies, asthma and the lungs

Hay fever that moves to the chest – wheeze, tightness, a cough at night – is asthma until proven otherwise and needs an inhaler and a doctor. Herbs can support lung health alongside that treatment; see our page on Chinese herbs for lungs. Never stop prescribed asthma medication.

FAQ

Can I take Chinese herbs for allergies with antihistamines?

Yes. Many clients keep an antihistamine for bad days and find they need it far less. There is no significant interaction with the common herbs above.

Do they make you drowsy?

No. None of the herbs here are sedating.

When should I start?

For spring, start Yu Ping Feng San in January or February. For ragweed, start in June. If the season has already begun, start Phase 2 now and add Phase 1 next year.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Chinese herbs are not a replacement for diagnosis or treatment from your physician. Always tell your doctor and your herbalist about every medication and supplement you take.