Allergies - Wokingham, Berkshire

On this page

1. What are allergies?
2. Symptoms of allergies
3. Causes of allergies
4. Allergies in traditional Chinese medicine
5. Acupuncture for allergies
6. Chinese herbal medicine for allergies
7. Self-care for allergies
8. Commonly asked questions
9. References

1. What are allergies?

Allergies occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to a substance that is normally harmless, such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mould spores or certain foods. In the UK, allergies are extremely common — hay fever alone affects around one in four people, and the number of allergy sufferers has been rising steadily for decades. They range from mildly inconvenient to severely debilitating, affecting daily life, work, sleep and quality of life. Many people rely on antihistamines and other medications year after year, managing symptoms without ever addressing the underlying immune imbalance driving them.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer an effective natural approach that goes beyond symptom suppression — strengthening the body's defensive energy, regulating the immune response and reducing the underlying susceptibility that makes the immune system overreact in the first place. Many patients find that a course of treatment significantly reduces both the severity of their symptoms and their need for medication, with benefits that carry forward into subsequent seasons.

I treat allergies at my clinics in Wokingham, Berkshire and offer online herbal consultations for patients who cannot attend in person.

2. Symptoms of allergies

The most common allergy symptoms depend on the type of allergen involved. For hay fever and airborne allergens, typical symptoms include:

1. Sneezing — frequent, often violent sneezing, particularly on exposure to high pollen counts or dusty environments
2. Runny or blocked nose — a clear, watery nasal discharge or persistent nasal congestion that impairs breathing and sleep
3. Itchy, watering eyes — inflammation of the conjunctiva causing redness, irritation and excessive tearing
4. Itchy throat, palate and ears — a scratchy, irritated sensation in the back of the throat and ear canals
5. Facial pressure and sinus pain — congestion in the sinuses causing a feeling of heaviness or pressure across the cheeks and forehead
6. Fatigue and brain fog — the inflammatory response of an allergic reaction, combined with disrupted sleep from nasal congestion, produces significant tiredness and reduced concentration
7. Skin reactions — hives (urticaria), eczema flares or general skin itching in response to allergen exposure
8. Worsening of respiratory conditions — allergic rhinitis and asthma frequently coexist, and uncontrolled allergies can trigger or worsen asthmatic episodes

For people with year-round (perennial) allergies to indoor allergens such as dust mites or pet hair, these symptoms are present to some degree throughout the year rather than seasonally, and can have a significant cumulative impact on energy, mood and overall wellbeing. Allergies also commonly worsen other conditions including insomnia, stress and anxiety.

3. Causes of allergies

From a Western medical perspective, allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system. On first exposure to an allergen, the body produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). On subsequent exposures, IgE triggers mast cells to release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, causing the characteristic allergic symptoms. Why some people's immune systems respond this way and others' do not is influenced by genetic predisposition, gut microbiome health, early childhood exposure to allergens and infections, and environmental and dietary factors.

The dramatic rise in allergy prevalence in recent decades is thought to relate in part to the hygiene hypothesis — the idea that reduced early childhood exposure to microbes, parasites and diverse environments has left immune systems in westernised countries prone to misdirecting their inflammatory responses towards harmless environmental substances. Stress, poor diet, antibiotic use and reduced diversity of the gut microbiome are all contributing factors.

4. Allergies in traditional Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), allergies are primarily understood as a deficiency of Wei Qi — the body's defensive energy, which circulates on the surface of the body and protects against external pathogenic factors including wind, cold and damp. When Wei Qi is weakened, the body becomes vulnerable to external irritants, and the characteristic sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes of hay fever are seen as the body's weakened defensive system failing to contain and expel external wind and cold.

The underlying deficiency driving the weak Wei Qi most commonly involves the Lung, Spleen or Kidney organ systems:

1. Lung Qi deficiency — the Lung governs the skin and the body's surface in TCM and is the primary organ responsible for Wei Qi. Lung Qi deficiency leaves the body's defensive surface weak and permeable, allowing external pathogens to trigger allergic responses easily. This pattern is very common in hay fever, with sneezing, runny nose and susceptibility to wind and cold being prominent features.
2. Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness — the Spleen governs the production of Qi and blood from food and drink. When the Spleen is weak, it produces insufficient Qi and generates dampness — a pathological accumulation of fluid that tends to collect in the respiratory tract, producing nasal congestion, phlegm production and a heavy, congested quality to the allergic symptoms.
3. Kidney Yang deficiency — in long-standing allergy sufferers, the underlying constitutional energy of the Kidney becomes depleted, reducing the body's capacity to warm and energise the Lung and body surface. This pattern is seen in people with chronic, year-round allergies who also feel cold easily, have low energy and a general constitutional weakness.

During an acute allergic flare, wind-cold or wind-heat may be the predominant pattern — the allergic reaction itself being an expression of external pathogenic factors overwhelming the weakened Wei Qi. The skill in TCM allergy treatment lies in both clearing the immediate external factors during a flare and, crucially, strengthening the underlying deficiency to reduce the frequency and severity of future reactions.

5. Acupuncture for allergies

Acupuncture is highly effective for both seasonal hay fever and perennial allergic rhinitis. Clinical research has demonstrated that acupuncture can significantly reduce allergy symptoms, decrease reliance on antihistamine medication and improve quality of life. For hay fever, it is advisable to begin treatment four to six weeks before the pollen season starts in spring — building up the body's Wei Qi and immune resilience in advance so that the season is met from a position of strength rather than reactivity.

The mechanisms by which acupuncture helps allergies include:

1. Regulating immune system activity — modulating the Th1/Th2 immune balance that drives allergic responses, reducing the tendency towards IgE-mediated hypersensitivity
2. Decreasing histamine release — reducing the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells that cause allergic symptoms
3. Improving nasal airflow and reducing congestion — specific points around the nose and sinuses have a direct decongestant effect, improving airflow and reducing facial pressure
4. Strengthening Wei Qi — tonifying the Lung, Spleen and Kidney to build the body's defensive energy and reduce underlying susceptibility
5. Reducing inflammation — modulating the body's systemic inflammatory response and reducing the mucosal inflammation driving nasal and ocular symptoms
6. Reducing medication use — multiple studies have shown that patients receiving acupuncture for allergic rhinitis use significantly less antihistamine medication than control groups

Treatment is tailored to the individual patient's TCM pattern identified at the initial consultation. Most patients notice a meaningful reduction in symptoms over a course of six to eight weekly sessions. Many continue with monthly maintenance treatments during the pollen season to sustain the benefit.

6. Chinese herbal medicine for allergies

Chinese herbal medicine works extremely well alongside acupuncture for allergy treatment — and is particularly valuable for patients who need support between sessions, for those with year-round perennial allergies requiring ongoing management, and for children or patients who prefer not to have needles.

Herbal formulas are prescribed according to the individual's TCM pattern. The most important classical formula for building Wei Qi and preventing allergic reactions is Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) — a three-herb formula comprising Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) and Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) that has been used for over 700 years to strengthen the body's surface defences against external pathogenic attack. Research has confirmed its immunomodulatory effects, including the regulation of IgE levels and Th1/Th2 balance. For acute hay fever symptoms with pronounced wind-cold, Xin Yi San (Magnolia Flower Powder) is used to open the nasal passages and expel wind-cold. For allergies with a strong dampness and phlegm component, formulas that strengthen the Spleen and resolve dampness are incorporated. Where heat is prominent — with red, itching eyes and a burning sensation — heat-clearing herbs are added to the base formula.

The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Prescriptions are reviewed at each follow-up consultation and adjusted as the season and the patient's condition evolve.

7. Self-care for allergies

Start treatment before the pollen season

For hay fever, beginning acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine four to six weeks before the typical onset of your symptoms gives the treatment time to build Wei Qi and regulate the immune response before the allergenic challenge begins. Reactive treatment during a full flare is still effective, but preventive treatment produces significantly better outcomes.

Reduce dampness-generating foods

In TCM, dairy products, refined sugar, alcohol, cold and raw foods generate dampness and phlegm in the body, which accumulates in the respiratory tract and worsens allergy symptoms. Reducing these foods during the allergy season — and replacing them with warm, easily digestible, cooked foods — can make a meaningful difference to congestion and mucus production. For detailed dietary guidance, see Chinese food therapy.

Practical environmental measures

Keeping windows closed during high pollen periods, changing clothes after being outdoors, using a HEPA air purifier at home and showering before bed to remove pollen from hair and skin all reduce the allergen load the immune system has to deal with. For dust mite allergy, washing bedding regularly at 60°C and using dust mite-proof mattress and pillow covers significantly reduces exposure.

Support gut health

The gut microbiome plays a central role in immune regulation, and emerging research consistently links microbiome diversity with allergy susceptibility. A diet rich in prebiotic fibres (vegetables, legumes, wholegrains), fermented foods (kefir, sauerkraut, live yoghurt) and a high-quality probiotic supplement supports the microbiome environment that helps train the immune system towards tolerance rather than reactivity.

8. Commonly asked questions about acupuncture for allergies

How many sessions of acupuncture do I need for hay fever?

For seasonal hay fever, a preventive course of four to six weekly sessions in the weeks before the pollen season, followed by monthly maintenance treatments during the season, typically produces the best results. For perennial (year-round) allergies, an initial course of six to eight sessions is recommended, with ongoing monthly maintenance. Many patients find that their symptoms become progressively less severe over successive years of treatment as the underlying constitutional weakness is gradually strengthened.

Can Chinese herbs help with hay fever?

Yes — particularly Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder), which has a strong evidence base for strengthening Wei Qi and reducing allergic susceptibility. Taken in the weeks before and during the pollen season, it significantly reduces symptom severity. Combined with acupuncture and tailored to the individual patient's pattern, Chinese herbal medicine can substantially reduce the need for antihistamines and nasal steroids.

Can acupuncture help with food allergies?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can support the immune regulation underlying food sensitivities, and many patients find their reactivity reduces over time with treatment. However, true IgE-mediated food allergies (those that carry a risk of anaphylaxis) should always be managed under the care of an NHS allergist, and acupuncture should be used as a complementary approach alongside conventional medical management rather than as a replacement for it.

How much does treatment cost?

Full pricing is on the treatment prices page. An initial acupuncture consultation is £80 at my Twickenham clinic or £70 at Wokingham; follow-up sessions are £70 and £60 respectively. Chinese herbal medicine consultations start from £50, with bespoke herbal prescriptions at £35 per week. Online herbal consultations are also available.

References

Brinkhaus B, et al. Acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis: a pragmatic randomized trial. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2013;111(4):269–275. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.06.009.

Feng S, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. 2015;29(1):57–62. doi: 10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4116.

Xue CC, et al. Acupuncture for persistent allergic rhinitis: a randomised, sham-controlled trial. Medical Journal of Australia. 2007;187(6):337–341. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01276.x.

Choi SM, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis: a randomised controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:737583. doi: 10.1155/2013/737583.