Acupuncture for Hay Fever
Allergic rhinitis: treating the branch and the root
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Hay fever is treated in Chinese medicine on two timelines. During a flare the work is on the branch (标 biāo) — releasing the exterior and opening the nasal orifices. Between seasons the work is on the root (本 běn) — consolidating the Wèi Qi and tonifying Lung, Spleen and Kidney so the next season lands more softly. Treating only the flare is the most common clinical mistake.
TCM Pattern Insight
Acute patterns are Wind-Cold (风寒) and Wind-Heat (风热); the root patterns are Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency (肺脾气虚) and Kidney Yang Deficiency (肾阳虚). LI 20 Yíng Xiāng, Bí Tōng, GV 23 Shàng Xīng and LI 4 Hé Gǔ open the nose; BL 13 and ST 36 build the root.
Common TCM Patterns
Wind-Cold Invasion
风寒犯肺- •Profuse clear watery discharge, violent sneezing
- •Itchy nose, aversion to cold and wind
- •Thin white coat, floating tight pulse
Wind-Heat Invasion
风热犯肺- •Thick yellow discharge, blocked burning nose
- •Itchy red eyes, sore throat, thirst
- •Thin yellow coat, floating rapid pulse
Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency
肺脾气虚- •Chronic recurrent symptoms, easily catches colds
- •Fatigue, spontaneous sweating, loose stools
- •Pale tongue with teeth marks, weak pulse
Kidney Yang Deficiency
肾阳虚- •Severe morning sneezing, symptoms worse in cold
- •Cold limbs, weak lower back, nocturia
- •Pale swollen tongue, deep weak pulse
Key Acupuncture Points
| Point | Action |
|---|---|
| LI 20 Welcome Fragrance (Yíng Xiāng) | Principal local point — opens the nasal passages, expels Wind |
| Bí Tōng Nose Opening (Bí Tōng (EX-HN 8)) | Empirical point for nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis |
| GV 23 Upper Star (Shàng Xīng) | Benefits the nose, clears the head, treats chronic nasal obstruction |
| LI 4 Joining Valley (Hé Gǔ) | Releases the exterior, expels Wind, regulates the face and nose |
| BL 13 Lung Shu (Fèi Shū) | Tonifies Lung Qi and consolidates the Wèi Qi — root treatment between seasons |
Classical Herbal Formulas
苍耳子散
Cāng Ěr Zǐ SǎnNasal obstruction and discharge from Wind attacking the nose
玉屏风散
Yù Píng Fēng SǎnWèi Qi deficiency with spontaneous sweating and recurrent seasonal attacks
辛夷清肺饮
Xīn Yí Qīng Fèi YǐnLung Heat with thick yellow discharge and a hot, blocked nose
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should hay fever treatment start?+
Chinese medicine treats the root before the season rather than only during it. Constitutional tonification of Lung, Spleen and Kidney is usually begun four to eight weeks ahead of the patient's known trigger season, with symptomatic treatment layered on during the flare.
Which acupuncture points are used for hay fever?+
LI 20 Yíng Xiāng, Bí Tōng (EX-HN 8) and GV 23 Shàng Xīng open the nose locally, with LI 4 Hé Gǔ distally. Between seasons BL 13 Fèi Shū, BL 20 Pí Shū and ST 36 Zú Sān Lǐ are used to consolidate the Wèi Qi.
What separates Wind-Cold from Wind-Heat hay fever?+
The discharge decides it. Profuse clear watery discharge with violent sneezing and aversion to cold is Wind-Cold. Thick yellow discharge with a burning blocked nose, red itchy eyes and thirst is Wind-Heat. The point selection and formula differ accordingly.
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Evidence & sources
A neutral summary of where mainstream guideline bodies currently position acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is background reading only — not a claim of effectiveness for any individual.
- Several international and national bodies recognise acupuncture as a treatment that may be considered alongside conventional care for selected conditions. The strength of evidence varies by condition and is still evolving.
- Systematic reviews (e.g. Cochrane) reach different conclusions for different presentations. Some show benefit over usual care or sham; others find evidence inconclusive or insufficient.
- Information on this page is intended as an educational reference for registered practitioners and informed patients. It is not a diagnosis and not a substitute for individual medical advice.
Guideline-level references
What the strength-of-evidence tags mean
- Guideline-endorsedNamed in a current clinical guideline as an option that may be considered alongside standard care.
- Guideline-listed (optional)Listed in a guideline as one of several optional approaches; recommendation is conditional or weak.
- Mixed evidenceSystematic reviews reach differing conclusions depending on population, protocol, and comparator.
- Limited evidenceFew or small studies; findings are preliminary and should not be read as confirmation of benefit.
- Insufficient evidenceCurrent research does not allow a reliable conclusion either way about clinical effect.
- Traditional useSupported by classical TCM literature and customary practice; not assessed in modern guideline reviews.
Tags describe how mainstream guideline bodies or reviewers currently position a modality. They are not predictions of individual outcome and do not imply effectiveness for any specific person.
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