Allergic rhinitis is due to an antigen-antibody reaction in the nasal mucosa. If the antigens responsible are only pollen particles then it causes seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). If the antigens are dust, house-dust mites’ faecal matter, fungal spores and animal dander, it causes perennial allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis develops as a result of the interaction between the inhaled allergen and adjacent molecules of IgE antibodies. These adhere to the surface of the mast cells which line the nasal epithelium with the first exposure to the offending allergen. After the first exposure, the mast cells are “primed”, i.e. high levels of IgE antibodies adhere to their surface. With subsequent exposure to allergens, the IgE antibodies provoke an "explosion" in the mast cells with the massive release of histamine. Histamine itself causes an increase in permeability of the epithelium allowing allergens to reach IgE-primed mast cells. Sneezing results from overstimulation of the afferent nerve endings and starts within minutes of the allergens entering the nose. This is followed by a greatly increased nasal secretion and eventually nasal blockage about 15-20 minutes after contact with the allergen.
The Western treatment of allergic rhinitis relies mostly on the use of antihistamine agents. These work by preventing histamine from reaching its site of action, i.e. the H1 receptors and hence they are called H1-receptor blockers. Side-effects include sedation, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, and gastro-intestinal disturbances. Failure to respond to antihistamines is due to the fact that inflammatory chemicals other than histamine are released in allergic states.
All modern Chinese books equate allergic rhinitis to Bi Yuan but this disease corresponds more to sinusitis than to allergic rhinitis. There is, in fact, an ancient Chinese disease entity called Bi Qiu (鼻 鼽) which actually corresponds more closely to allergic rhinitis. Bi Qiu means “Stuffy Nose” and it is characterized by a profuse, thin, clear nasal discharge, stuffed nose and sneezing. Another Chinese disease category which may correspond to allergic rhinitis is called Qiu Ti (鼽 嚏) which may be translated as “Stuffy Nose and Sneezing”.
The only exception among modern Chinese doctors is the book “New General Outline of Chinese Medicine” by the Guangzhou Army Health Department which attributes the pathology of allergic rhinitis to a Kidney deficiency and a deficiency of the Du Mai (as I do). The book also says specifically: “The Kidneys control sneezing. The Du Mai flows to the upper lip. Sneezing, stuffed nose, runny nose with a watery, clear nasal discharge is due to a deficiency of the Kidneys and of the Du Mai. Itchy nose is due to Wind."
Bi Qiu (“Stuffy Nose”) is characterized by itchy nose, sneezing, profuse, white-watery nasal discharge, and stuffy nose. On examination, the nasal mucosa is swollen but not inflamed.
Allergic rhinitis vs sinusitis
Please note that it is important to understand the difference between these two conditions as they are frequently confused. The term “allergy” or “allergic” is frequently used to describe the symptoms of sinusitis by both patients and practitioners. Sinusitis is not an allergic disease: it is an inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses due to an infection. Normally, sinuses are filled with air, but when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) can grow and cause an infection. By contrast, in allergic rhinitis, there is inflammation but no infection.
In sinusitis, the nasal discharge is thick and yellow and there is no sneezing; in allergic rhinitis, it is profuse, white and watery and there is sneezing.
Pathology of allergic rhinitis
In my experience, allergic rhinitis is characterized by Wind in the same way as in an external invasion of Wind (common cold). The allergens could be seen as a form of “Wind”. Wind obstructs the nose and it impairs the diffusing and descending of Lung-Qi: this causes sneezing and a congested nasal mucosa. This is the Biao [Manifestation] of this condition.
The Ben [Root] is a deficiency of the Kidneys and of the Du Mai. It is the Kidney deficiency that, on the one hand, allows Wind to enter the nose and, on the other, it is the cause of the allergic constitution. In allergic rhinitis, the Kidneys are involved not only in the Root of the disease, but also in the Manifestation through the Du Mai.
The Du Mai emerges from between the Kidneys and flows up the spine to the top of the head and then down to the nose and lips. It is therefore the channel connection between the Kidneys and the nose. For this reason the Kidneys are responsible not only for breathing, due to their function of grasping Qi, but also sneezing. Sneezing itself is also directly linked to the Kidneys and not necessarily due only to Wind. Chapter 23 of the “Simple Questions” says: “The Kidneys control sneezing.” Chapter 64 of the “Simple Questions” discusses the consequences of inserting a needle into an organ and, for the kidneys, it says: “If we pierce the kidneys, this will cause sneezing and death will ensue within 6 days.”
Thus the hyper-reactivity of the immune response of allergic rhinitis is due to a deficiency of the Kidneys and of the Du Mai. With regard to the role of the Du Mai in allergic rhinitis, it is interesting that many of the herbs which Li Shi Zhen connected with this vessel are expelling-Wind herbs which act on the nose. These herbs are Fang Feng Radix Saposhnikoviae, Cang Er Zi Fructus Xanthii, Jing Jie Herba Schizonepetae, Qiang Huo Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii, Xi Xin Herba Asari and Gao Ben Rhizoma Ligustici.
The symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis are those of Wind-Cold as the nasal discharge is always white and watery. This indicates a deficiency of Wei Qi which is spread by the Lungs but has its root in the Kidneys. Thus, although some books do refer to a Kidney deficiency as the Root of allergic rhinitis, the Kidneys are responsible not only for the Root of this disease, but also for the Manifestation through their direct connection with the Wei Qi and sneezing and with the Du Mai (which flows through the nose).
There are two types of allergic rhinitis: perennial or seasonal. Perennial allergic rhinitis is due to allergy to house-dust mites, cats dogs, horses, etc and the patient suffers from it all year round. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”) is due to allergy to pollen and it occurs only during the pollen season. The timing of its occurrence varies as it depends on which particular grasses the patient is allergic to.
Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”)
The treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis depends on the season. During the allergic season (usually Spring), we must treat the Manifestation (Biao), i.e. expel Wind.
Acupuncture
With acupuncture, I would use these points: BL-12 Fengmen, BL-13 Feishu, LU-7 Lieque, L.I.-20 Yingxiang, Bitong, Du-23 Shangxing, G.B.-20 Fengchi, Yintang. Reducing or even method. Cupping is applicable on BL-12 and BL-13.
During the pollen season, the patient must be treated frequently, i.e. at least once a week or more frequently.
Herbal treatment
Prescriptions that can be used include:
Xiao Qing Long Tang Small Green Dragon Decoction
Cang Er Zi San Xanthium Powder
Ma Huang Tang Ephedra Decoction
1. Guangzhou Army Health Department 1974 A New General Outline of Chinese Medicine, (Xin Bian Zhong Yi Xue Gai Yao), People’s Health Publishing House, Beijing, p. 676.
2. 1979 The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine-Simple Questions (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen), People’s Health Publishing House, Beijing, p. 150. First published c. 100 BC.
3. Ibid., p. 355.
4. Wang Luo Zhen 1985 A Compilation of the Study of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai Kao Jiao Zhu), Shanghai Science Publishing House, Shanghai, p. 89. The Study of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels was written by Li Shi Zhen and first published in 1578.
5. Another interesting connection between the Kidneys and rhinitis could be observed in the use by some Chinese doctors of injection of cortisone in the point BL-12 Fengmen with far fewer side-effects than in a systemic administration of cortisone. If we view cortisone as a kind of "Kidney tonic", it would make sense to inject it in the point BL-12 which expels Wind and spreads Wei-Qi in the Exterior.