Chinese medicine for hay fever
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
On this page
- Overview
- Symptoms of hay fever
- A Chinese medicine view
- Acupuncture for hay fever
- Chinese herbal medicine
- Supplements with evidence
- Diet
- Self-help measures
- When to start treatment
- Frequently asked questions
1. Overview
Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) affects approximately 20% of the UK population and is one of the conditions most frequently brought to my clinic during spring and early summer. Conventional treatment — antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants — manages symptoms but does nothing to address the underlying immune dysregulation that causes the allergy. Traditional Chinese medicine approaches hay fever by strengthening the body’s own defensive capacity and reducing the hypersensitive immune response, producing improvements that extend well beyond the season of treatment.
2. Symptoms of hay fever
- Sneezing — often in clusters
- Itchy, runny nose with clear watery discharge
- Nasal congestion and post-nasal drip
- Itchy, watery, red eyes
- Itchy throat or roof of the mouth
- Reduced sense of smell
- Fatigue, brain fog
- Worsening of asthma in those with both conditions
- Headache, sinus pressure
Symptoms typically follow the pollen calendar: tree pollen in spring (March–May), grass pollen late spring to early summer (May–July) — the most common trigger in the UK — and weed pollen in late summer and autumn.
3. A Chinese medicine view
In TCM, hay fever is understood as an invasion of Wind and Cold or Wind and Heat into the Lung and nasal passages in a person with underlying Lung qi deficiency and wei qi (defensive energy) deficiency — insufficient defensive energy to repel the external pathogen (in this case, pollen). The Lung governs the skin and the opening of the nose — when Lung qi is weak, the body’s surface is porous and easily penetrated.
Repeated annual exposure to pollen progressively sensitises the immune system, deepening the underlying deficiency over time. Underlying patterns commonly seen alongside Lung qi deficiency are:
- Spleen qi deficiency with dampness — produces the persistent mucus and post-nasal drip
- Kidney qi deficiency — in long-standing or constitutional cases
- Liver qi stagnation — stress and tension worsen seasonal allergies
4. Acupuncture for hay fever
Research strongly supports acupuncture for allergic rhinitis. The large German ACUSAR randomised controlled trial demonstrated that acupuncture significantly improved quality of life and reduced antihistamine use compared to sham acupuncture and rescue medication alone. A 2023 systematic review confirmed significant reductions in symptoms and medication use.
Treatment works best when started 4–6 weeks before the season begins — ideally in February or March for grass pollen allergy. I use a combination of:
- Local points to relieve acute symptoms — LI 20, LI 4, LU 7, Yintang, Bitong
- Constitutional points to strengthen Lung and wei qi — ST 36, SP 6, BL 13
Self-acupressure on these points provides useful interim relief. See the existing post on acupressure for sinus relief.
5. Chinese herbal medicine
Two classical formulas are most commonly used:
Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder)
Containing Huang Qi (astragalus), Bai Zhu and Fang Feng — the foundational formula for strengthening Lung qi and wei qi. Best prescribed as a preventative in the weeks before the season begins.
Xin Yi San
Addresses acute nasal symptoms and sinus congestion. Often combined with Yu Ping Feng San in season.
Bi Yan Pian
Widely used patent formula for acute allergic rhinitis with congestion and sneezing.
For patients with significant dampness, phlegm-resolving herbs are added. I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, individually tailored.
6. Supplements with evidence
- Quercetin (500–1,000 mg/day) — natural antihistamine and mast cell stabiliser; good evidence for allergic conditions
- Vitamin C (1,000–2,000 mg/day) — enhances quercetin’s antihistamine effect; reduces histamine release
- Bromelain (500 mg/day) — reduces nasal inflammation and combines well with quercetin
- Vitamin D — deficiency worsens allergic disease; supplement to a level of 75–125 nmol/L
- Omega-3 (1,000+ mg combined EPA/DHA) — reduces inflammatory mediators
- Probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. paracasei) — specific strains have evidence for reducing allergic rhinitis symptoms
- Stinging nettle leaf — traditional herbal antihistamine
- Butterbur (Petadolex) — standardised extract has comparable evidence to cetirizine
7. Diet
- Reduce dairy in the weeks before and during the pollen season — reduces mucus and dampness
- Reduce wheat — particularly if there is associated bloating or post-nasal drip
- Reduce sugar and ultra-processed food — both increase inflammation
- Quercetin-rich foods — onions, capers, apple skins, red grapes, dark berries, kale
- Anti-inflammatory diet — oily fish, leafy greens, olive oil, nuts
- Local honey — the evidence is limited but the risk is low
- Adequate hydration to thin mucus
- Warming, easily-digested foods to support the Spleen and Lung in TCM terms
8. Self-help measures
- Saline nasal rinse (neti pot or commercial spray) 1–2 times a day — one of the most effective single self-help measures
- Petroleum jelly around the nostrils — physical pollen barrier
- Wraparound sunglasses outdoors
- Shower and change clothes after coming indoors on high-pollen days
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days, especially in early morning and late afternoon
- HEPA air purifier in the bedroom
- Wash bedding weekly at 60°C
- Check the daily pollen forecast and plan outdoor activity accordingly
9. When to start treatment
Treatment is most effective when started 4–6 weeks before the relevant pollen season:
- Tree pollen allergy — start treatment in mid-January
- Grass pollen allergy (the most common in the UK) — start treatment in mid-March
- Weed pollen allergy — start treatment in late June
Year-round treatment is appropriate for those with perennial allergic rhinitis (dust mite, animal dander, moulds).
10. Frequently asked questions
Does acupuncture help hay fever?
Yes. The German ACUSAR randomised controlled trial demonstrated that acupuncture significantly improved quality of life and reduced antihistamine use compared to sham acupuncture. Most patients see meaningful improvement in the first season treated, with continued improvement year on year.
How early should I start hay fever treatment?
Start 4–6 weeks before the relevant pollen season — mid-January for tree pollen, mid-March for grass pollen, late June for weed pollen. This gives time to strengthen Lung and wei qi before exposure begins.
What is the best Chinese herbal formula for hay fever?
Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) is the foundational preventative formula for strengthening Lung qi and wei qi. Xin Yi San addresses acute nasal symptoms. Both are commonly combined in season.
Can hay fever be cured with Chinese medicine?
Hay fever is rarely cured outright, but most patients see substantial improvement in symptoms and reduced reliance on antihistamines after a season or two of treatment. The improvement is cumulative year on year as the underlying immune dysregulation is addressed.
What supplements help hay fever?
Quercetin, vitamin C, bromelain (often combined as a single supplement), vitamin D, omega-3 and specific probiotic strains all have evidence. Standardised butterbur extract has comparable evidence to cetirizine.
Does cutting out dairy help hay fever?
For some patients, yes. In TCM, dairy is mucus-producing and weakens Spleen function, worsening the underlying pattern. Try a 4–6 week trial of reducing dairy in the weeks before and during the season.
To discuss hay fever treatment — ideally before the season starts — contact me or book a consultation at my Wokingham, Berkshire clinic.
