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As pollen and germs fill the air, TCM can help prevent allergies
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FOR most of us, spring is a time to enjoy the awakening of nature, but for some, the season heralds rashes and itchiness.
As an old Chinese saying goes, spring is the time for hundreds of grasses to sprout, and the time for hundreds of ailments to occur. Allergic dermatitis is often on the top of the list.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that a deficit of “natural endowment” is the main internal cause of dermatitis, said Dr Li Bin, chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Yueyang Hospital attached to Shanghai University of TCM. Pathogenic allergens like germs, ultraviolet rays and pollen are often carried by wind, which can trigger the reaction.
Those of us born with an over-sensitive immune system are more prone to allergies, as the body’s own immune system will mistake trifle things like pollen, dirt or proteins as pathogenic invaders and start to fight them. This can damage ordinary cells, tissue or organs and cause allergic reactions.
Patients are especially vulnerable during spring as triggers like pollen, catkin, dust mite and molds fill the air, and ultraviolet rays sharply increases. Pre-existing diseases and health conditions as well as bad nutrition and fatigue pave the way for allergens to invade the body.
Staying away from these allergens is often the only option. Traditional Chinese medicine experts advise to keep rooms clean, exposing clothes and quilts to direct sun and to stay indoors when the air quality is poor
Eating fresh vegetables rich with Vitamin C and E like tomatoes, green peppers, cabbage and sesame helps boost your immune system.
Food that traditional Chinese medicine believes to dispel toxins like lily’s root, pearl barley, white fungus and red-bean are also recommended, while eating photosensitive vegetables like amaranth, shepherd’s purse, figs and lettuce should be avoided.
Stimulating foods like seafood, spicy food, garlic and fried foods should also be avoided.
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