Allergies — Wokingham, Berkshire

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for year-round allergies at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. This page covers perennial allergies — dust mites, pet dander, mould spores and food sensitivities — that produce symptoms throughout the year rather than seasonally. For seasonal pollen allergies, see the dedicated hay fever page. Over 25 years of clinical experience treating allergies with a personalised TCM approach.

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. This page focuses on perennial allergies — year-round reactions to indoor allergens such as house dust mites, animal dander, mould spores and certain foods. (Seasonal pollen allergies are covered in detail on the hay fever page.) Perennial allergies are extremely common in the UK and have 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 perennial-allergy symptoms depend on the type of allergen involved. For year-round airborne allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and indoor mould, typical symptoms include:

1. Sneezing — frequent sneezing on exposure to dust, pet fur or mould-prone areas
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

Perennial allergies produce these symptoms to some degree throughout the year and can have a significant cumulative impact on energy, mood and overall wellbeing. They 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 and protects against external pathogenic factors. When Wei Qi is weakened, the body becomes vulnerable to environmental irritants, and the characteristic sneezing, congestion, itchy skin and runny eyes are seen as the body’s weakened defensive system failing to contain and expel external Wind and Damp.

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 body surface in TCM and is the primary organ responsible for Wei Qi. Lung Qi deficiency leaves the defensive surface weak and permeable, allowing environmental allergens to trigger reactions easily. Sneezing, clear nasal discharge and susceptibility to wind and cold are 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 perennial allergic rhinitis and other year-round allergies. Clinical research has demonstrated that acupuncture significantly reduces allergy symptoms, decreases reliance on antihistamine medication and improves quality of life. (For seasonal hay fever specifically, see the dedicated hay fever page — treatment timing differs because preventive treatment should begin 4–6 weeks before the pollen season.)

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 to sustain the benefit.

6. Chinese herbal medicine for allergies

Chinese herbal medicine works extremely well alongside acupuncture for perennial-allergy treatment — particularly valuable for ongoing daily support, year-round management, and for 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 is Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) — Huang Qi, Bai Zhu and Fang Feng — used for over 700 years to strengthen surface defences against external pathogenic attack. For perennial allergies with Damp-Phlegm features (sticky mucus, sinus heaviness), formulas that strengthen the Spleen and resolve Dampness are incorporated. Where Heat is prominent — red itching eyes and burning skin reactions — Heat-clearing herbs are added.

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 patient’s condition evolves.

7. Self-care for allergies

Reduce indoor allergen load

For dust mite allergy: wash bedding weekly at 60°C, use dust-mite-proof mattress and pillow covers, vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum, and keep bedroom humidity below 50% (mites thrive in humid environments). For pet-dander allergy: keep pets out of the bedroom, wash pet bedding weekly, and use a HEPA air purifier in living areas. For mould allergy: address damp areas, improve bathroom ventilation, and remove visible mould promptly.

Reduce dampness-generating foods

In TCM, dairy products, refined sugar, alcohol, cold and raw foods generate Dampness and Phlegm that accumulate in the respiratory tract and worsen allergy symptoms. Replacing these with warm, easily digestible cooked foods makes a meaningful difference to congestion and mucus production. See Chinese food therapy for detailed dietary guidance.

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 perennial allergies?

For year-round allergies, an initial course of six to eight weekly sessions is recommended, with ongoing monthly maintenance. Many patients find their symptoms become progressively less severe over successive years of treatment as the underlying constitutional weakness is gradually strengthened. (For seasonal hay fever, treatment timing differs — see the dedicated hay fever page.)

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.

What about dust mite or pet allergies?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs help with year-round dust mite, pet dander and indoor mould allergies by strengthening Wei Qi and rebalancing the immune response. Combined with practical allergen-reduction measures (HEPA filtration, regular hot-wash of bedding, dust-mite covers), most patients see a substantial reduction in symptoms within 6–8 weekly sessions.

How much does treatment cost?

Full pricing is on the treatment prices page. An initial acupuncture consultation is £70 at Wokingham; follow-up sessions are £60. 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/S1081-1206(10)60294-3.

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.tb01275.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.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.

Related Chinese herbal formulas

Classical Chinese herbal formulas that may be clinically relevant for perennial allergies, depending on TCM pattern differentiation:

• Bu Fei Tang
• Hua Gai San
• Jing Fang Bai Du San — with itchy rash
• Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang — with discharge
• Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
• San Ao Tang — with prominent cough
• She Gan Ma Huang Tang
• Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin — with Heat signs
• Yue Bi Tang — with facial swelling

A practitioner selects from these based on the individual TCM pattern identified in consultation. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.