Many people suffer from the torment of allergic rhinitis. Frequent sneezing, endless nasal discharge, and blocked nasal passages not only affect daily life but also cause physical and mental exhaustion. Western medicine treats the symptoms but not the root cause. Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have any effective herbal formulas to cure it?
What causes allergic rhinitis?
Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert, a TCM expert at Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM Department, points out that the high incidence of allergic rhinitis in Singapore is by no means accidental; it is the inevitable result of multiple intertwined environmental and constitutional factors:
A "Dust Mite Paradise" Climate: Year-round high temperature and humidity (average humidity >80%) provide an ideal breeding ground for dust mites. Studies show that up to 80% of rhinitis patients in Singapore are allergic to dust mites, whose body fragments and excrement are the main allergens.
Ubiquitous Air Irritants: Urban smog (e.g., haze from slash-and-burn farming in neighboring countries), chlorinated pool and tap water, household cleaners, perfumes, and other chemicals continuously irritate and damage the nasal mucosal barrier.
"One Airway" Chain Reaction: TCM theory states that "the nose is the orifice of the lungs." Modern medicine also confirms a close relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma (approximately 38% of patients have concurrent asthma). Singapore's highly sensitizing environment easily triggers "rhinitis-asthma syndrome".
Genetic Susceptibility: A family history of allergies is a significant risk factor. If one parent has an allergy history, the child's incidence rate is about 30%; if both parents have it, the rate rises to 50%.
Impact of Modern Lifestyle:
"Air Conditioning & Cold Drinks" Damage Yang Qi: Long-term exposure to low-temperature air-conditioned environments and indulging in cold drinks and ice cream easily damages spleen and lung yang qi, leading to weakened defensive qi (Wei Qi) and reduced ability to resist external pathogens (like cold air, dust mites).
Long Indoor Activity Time: Increases exposure time to indoor allergens like dust mites and mold.
Stress and Staying Up Late: Affect immune balance and worsen allergic reactions.
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Frequent Sneezing: Especially upon waking or with environmental changes, occurring in paroxysms, often a dozen or more in a row.
"Dam-Bursting" Clear Discharge: Copious amounts of clear, watery nasal discharge, seemingly endless.
Intense Itching: Itching in the nasal cavity, soft palate, throat, and even deep in the eyes and ears.
Nasal Congestion: Intermittent or persistent, can be unilateral or bilateral, severe cases require mouth breathing, affecting sleep.
Reduced Sense of Smell: Food loses its taste, unable to smell the aroma of meals.
Itchy, Watery Eyes: Allergic conjunctivitis often accompanies it.
Dark Circles Under Eyes: "Allergic shiners".
Throat Discomfort: Throat clearing, coughing (caused by post-nasal drip irritation).
Fatigue, Difficulty Concentrating: Long-term nasal congestion affects sleep quality and oxygen supply to the brain.
How does TCM treat allergic rhinitis?
Facing the challenge of recurrent, lingering allergic rhinitis, Physician Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert highly recommends and extensively applies in clinical practice a classic empirical formula created by the renowned contemporary TCM master Zhu Chenyu – the Allergy-Relieving Decoction (Guo Min Jian). This formula is exquisitely composed, with mild medicinal properties. It focuses on harmonizing Ying and Wei, dispelling wind and desensitizing, and astringing the lung and strengthening the exterior. It effectively relieves acute symptoms and can serve as a base formula for flexible adaptation to different constitutions.
Core Components of Allergy-Relieving Decoction:
Fang Feng (Siler Root / Radix Saposhnikoviae): Acrid, warm; releases the exterior, dispels wind and expels pathogens. Known as the "moistening agent among wind-dispelling herbs," it is a key anti-allergy herb.
Yin Chai Hu (Starwort Root / Radix Stellariae): Cool nature; clears heat and cools blood, skilled at reducing deficient heat, harmonizes immunity.
Wu Mei (Smoked Plum / Fructus Mume): Sour, astringent; astringes and constrains, generates fluids and quenches thirst. Can "astringe lung qi," inhibiting mast cells from excessively releasing histamine and other allergic mediators. It is a critical anti-allergy component.
Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry / Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis): Sour, warm; astringes and secures, boosts qi and generates fluids, tonifies kidneys and calms the spirit. Assists Wu Mei in astringing the lung and strengthening the exterior.
Gan Cao (Licorice Root / Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae): Sweet, neutral; fortifies the spleen and boosts qi, clears heat and resolves toxicity, harmonizes the various herbs, relaxes urgency and harmonizes the middle.
Subtle Modifications and Applications:
Acute Attack Phase (Severe sneezing, clear discharge, nasal itching): Use the base formula directly, or add Cang Er Zi (Cocklebur Fruit / Fructus Xanthii) 6g (wrapped during decoction) and Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower / Flos Magnoliae) 9g (wrapped during decoction) to enhance the power of unblocking the nasal orifice.
Accompanied by Chills, Susceptibility to Colds (Lung qi deficiency with cold): Add Huang Qi (Astragalus Root / Radix Astragali) 15g and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome / Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 10g (incorporating the concept of Yu Ping Feng San / Jade Windscreen Powder) to boost qi and strengthen the exterior.
Discharge Turns Sticky or Slightly Yellow (Slight heat transformation): Add Huang Qin (Baical Skullcap Root / Radix Scutellariae) 10g and Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit / Fructus Forsythiae) 10g to clear lung heat.
Severe Nasal Congestion: Add Bai Zhi (Angelica Root / Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) 9g and Xi Xin (Asarum Herb / Herba Asari) 3g (added later during decoction or decocted together) to acridly warm and unblock the orifice.
Significant Eye Itching and Tearing: Add Mu Zei Cao (Scouring Rush Herb / Herba Equiseti Hiemalis) 10g and Mi Meng Hua (Pale Butterflybush Flower / Flos Buddlejae) 10g to dispel wind and brighten the eyes.
Pediatric Patients: Dosage can be appropriately reduced, or used under physician guidance.
Medical Case
Patient: Ms. Lin, 28 years old.
History: Allergic rhinitis for over 5 years. Major attacks inevitably occur every year during the air-conditioning season (especially in the office). Continuous sneezing (10-20 times) upon waking, constant clear nasal discharge, nasal congestion requiring mouth breathing, intense eye itching. Severe cases accompanied by headache and lethargy. Reliant on Western nasal sprays and antihistamines, but symptoms recur upon stopping medication, accompanied by dry mouth and drowsiness. Usually feels cold, catches colds easily, enjoys cold drinks.
Initial Consultation: Tongue pale-red, thin white coating; pulse superficial and slightly slow.
Pattern Differentiation: Lung-defense qi deficiency, wind-cold invasion (Lung qi deficiency with cold pattern).
Treatment Principle: Boost qi and strengthen the exterior, dispel wind and dissipate cold, desensitize and stop sneezing.
Prescription: Modified Allergy-Relieving Decoction combined with Jade Windscreen Powder.
Formula: Fang Feng (Siler Root) 10g, Yin Chai Hu (Starwort Root) 10g, Wu Mei (Smoked Plum) 10g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) 6g, Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice) 6g, Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) 15g, Chao Bai Zhu (Stir-fried White Atractylodes) 12g, Cang Er Zi (Cocklebur Fruit) 6g (wrapped during decoction), Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower) 9g (wrapped during decoction), Bai Zhi (Angelica Root) 9g. 7 doses. Decoct in water, take 1 dose daily.
Medical Advice: Reduce cold drinks, raise air conditioning temperature by 1-2 degrees, keep neck and back warm, avoid sudden transitions between environments with large temperature differences.
Second Consultation: Sneezing reduced by over 70%, clear discharge significantly decreased, nasal congestion alleviated, eyes basically no longer itchy! Mental state markedly improved, feelings of dry mouth and drowsiness disappeared. Formula remained unchanged due to effectiveness. Continued taking 14 doses for consolidation.
Result: All symptoms resolved, nasal passages clear and unobstructed. Regained the feeling of free and easy breathing.
