Spring allergies - when pollen becomes a nuisance
Ask the Yellow Emperor
Qí Bó | The Yellow Emperor Huangdi | Dr. Weber
The invisible enemy
The Yellow Emperor: „Qi Bo, a mystery gives me no peace: outside, nature is blooming in all its glory. But instead of rejoicing, my subjects are suffering. Their eyes are watering, their noses are running, they can barely breathe. What kind of curse is this?“
Qi Bo: „Majesty, what you describe is not a curse - it is a misunderstanding. The body confuses friend with foe. The pollen from the flowers is harmless. But the Wei-Qi - the protective shield - recognizes them as intruders and sounds the alarm.“
Dr. Weber: „In modern medicine, we call this an allergic reaction. The immune system misidentifies harmless substances - pollen, grass, pollen - as a threat. It then releases histamine, which triggers all these symptoms: Itching, swelling, runny nose, watery eyes.“
The Yellow Emperor: „So the body is fighting an enemy that isn't an enemy at all?“
Qi Bo: „That's exactly how it is. An overzealous guard that sounds the alarm at every breath of wind.“
The wind and the open gates
The Yellow Emperor: „How does TCM explain this phenomenon?“
Qi Bo: „Your Majesty, in our tradition we do not speak of ‚allergy‘. We see wind - one of the six pathogenic factors. Wind is fleeting, it comes suddenly, it wanders. Just like the symptoms: Sometimes it itches here, sometimes there. Sometimes the eyes, sometimes the nose.“
The Yellow Emperor: „But there is always wind. Why don't all people suffer?“
Qi Bo: „Because wind can only enter when the gates are open. These gates are the Wei-Qi - the protective energy that circulates under your skin. In some people, this Wei-Qi is as strong as a fortress wall. The wind bounces off it. For others, it's full of holes like an old fishing net.“
Dr. Weber: „This actually correlates with what we know about the immune system! People with allergies often have a disturbed mucosal barrier - the ‚wall‘ is more permeable. And the immune regulation is out of balance - the system overreacts.“
Why now?
The Yellow Emperor: „Why do these complaints occur in spring of all times?“
Qi Bo: „Spring belongs to the wood element and the liver. The liver qi rises - upwards and outwards. In people with liver qi stagnation or liver heat, this upward movement increases excessively. The heat rises to the head - to the eyes, to the nose, to the throat.“
Dr. Weber: „Fascinating! Science shows: Our immune regulation actually changes in spring. After the winter with little light and vitamin D, the immune system is often oversensitized. At the same time, the concentration of pollen in the air increases - the perfect storm.“
The histamine chaos
The Yellow Emperor: „Dr. Weber, explain to me this ‚histamine‘ you were talking about.“
Dr. Weber: „Histamine is a messenger substance that our body produces itself. Normally it is useful - it regulates stomach acid, keeps us awake, dilates blood vessels in the event of injury. But in an allergic reaction, too much of it is released.“
The Yellow Emperor: „And what happens then?“
Dr. Weber: „It binds to receptors all over the body and triggers chaos:“
- In the nose: swelling, mucus production, sneezing
- In the eyes: itching, redness, lacrimation
- In the skin: hives, itching
- In the brain: tiredness, drowsiness - the typical ‚allergy fog‘
Why some react and others don't
The Yellow Emperor: „That confuses me: two people breathe the same air. One suffers, the other doesn't notice anything. Why?“
Qi Bo: „Your Majesty, it's down to your constitution. People with weak lung qi and wei qi are more susceptible. Likewise those with spleen weakness - because the spleen produces qi and transforms moisture.“
Dr. Weber: „Genetics play a major role - allergies are hereditary. But environmental factors also play a role: children who grow up on farms are less likely to have allergies - their immune system learns early on what is harmless. We call this the ‚hygiene hypothesis‘.“
🌱 The 3-way method against allergies
🌅 TOMORROW PROTOCOL (build up protection)
- TCM: Start the day with a tea made from chrysanthemum blossoms and goji berries.
- Science: Chrysanthemum contains luteolin and apigenin - flavonoids that inhibit the release of histamine.
- Practical: Pour hot water over 5-6 chrysanthemum blossoms + 1 tbsp goji. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes.
🆘 ACUTE STRATEGY (alleviating symptoms)
- TCM: Acupressure point Tue 20 (next to the nostrils) immediately opens the nose.
- Science: Studies show: Acupressure for LI 04 and LI 20 significantly improves nasal breathing.
- Practical: If the nose is blocked, massage both points for 60-90 seconds.
🌙 EVENING RITUAL (regeneration)
- TCM: Cool chrysanthemum compress on the eyes - draws out the heat.
- Science: Cold constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling. The flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Practical: Allow the chrysanthemum infusion to cool, soak cotton pads and place on the eyes for 10-15 minutes.
The three keys to freedom from allergies
The Yellow Emperor: „You have shown me how to calm the guardian acutely. But what about the root? Why is the guardian so hypersensitive with some people?“
Qi Bo: „Majesty, the answer lies in three organ systems. The liver, the lungs and the spleen - when these three harmonize, the wind bounces off like rain on an oiled umbrella.“
Dr. Weber: „That is remarkably precise! The liver is significantly involved in the breakdown of histamine. An overloaded liver means: more histamine in the system, stronger reactions. The lungs control the mucous membranes - our first line of defense. And the intestine, which TCM assigns to the spleen, is home to 70 to 80 percent of our immune system.“
Qi Bo: „And every person has a different imbalance. One person's eyes burn and they are irritable - that's liver heat. Another person has a runny nose and is cold - that's lung weakness. In the third, the head is heavy and the nose is blocked - that's spleen dampness.“
The Yellow Emperor: „So there isn't THE one allergy treatment?“
Dr. Weber: „Exactly. That's also the reason why antihistamines work well for some and hardly at all for others. The symptoms are similar, but the cause is individual.“
Qi Bo: „He who knows his root will find his way. The connections are too complex for a single conversation, Your Majesty. We have therefore written them down in detail. With a self-test for your personal allergy pattern, the five pillars of treatment and the most effective acupressure points.“
Dr. Weber: „You can find the full article on our website - including nutrition tips, histamine traps and an acute ritual with four acupressure points that works in five minutes.“
👉 Read the complete allergy guide
The Yellow Emperor: „Liver, lungs, spleen - three organ systems that need to be in balance. But what can you do specifically when the pollen season is already upon us?“
Qi Bo: „Majesty, nature has the answer. For thousands of years, we have been using medicinal mushrooms and herbs to strengthen Wei-Qi and dispel the wind. And this requires two strategies - one for the root and one for the storm.“
Dr. Weber: „What convinces me is that there is now scientific evidence for many of these herbs. Reishi, for example, has been shown to modulate the immune response and astragalus strengthens the mucosal barrier. Ancient wisdom, confirmed in modern times.“
🌿 Educate the guardian - and drive away the wind
Qí Bó & Wolfgang recommend:
Strategy 1 - Strengthen your foundation: You react anew every year. Your immune system is hypersensitive, your mucous membranes are irritated. The body doesn't need a quick fix - it needs a stable foundation.
1st product of the month:
Allergit - The power of four vital mushrooms
Qi Bo: „If the guardian overreacts, you don't have to suppress it - you have to educate it. These four mushrooms regulate the Wei-Qi from the ground up.“
The intelligent 4-mushroom synergy:
- Ling Zhi (Reishi) 50% - The „longevity mushroom“, strengthens all yin organs and regulates the immune system
- Hou Tou Jun (Hericium) 20% - The „nerve fungus“, calms excessive reactions and strengthens the mucous membranes
- Ping Gu (oyster side dish) 20% - The „anabolic fungus“, nourishes the spleen qi and drains wetness
- Agaricus 10% - The „sun mushroom“ regulates complex immune processes and supplies the body with valuable minerals and B vitamins
Who is it ideal for?
✓ Anyone who suffers from pollen allergies, house dust allergies or animal hair allergies every year
✓ If you want to regulate - not just suppress - your immune system in the long term
✓ Those who want to start before the season to mitigate the overreaction
✓ Anyone looking for a chronic basic blend for everyday life
⏱ It is best to start 4-6 weeks before the start of pollen and take it for 8-12 weeks at a time.
Strategy 2 - Acutely dispel the wind: Your nose is running, your eyes are burning, the roof of your mouth is itching. Now your body needs quick help - the wind needs to get out, the surface needs to be cleared.
Product of the month 2: The flying crane - for an allergy-free time
Qi Bo: „If the wind has already penetrated, a slow build-up won't help. Then we need herbs that dispel the wind, open the nose and support the Wei-Qi on the surface.“
The powerful 15-herb recipe:
- Huang Qi (Astragalus) 20% - The „Qi Master“ strengthens the Wei-Qi and closes the open gates
- Fang Feng 12.5% - The „wind breaker“, THE classic herb against external wind
- Chai Hu 12.5% - The „Qi mover“, releases liver stagnation and harmonizes the surface
- Bai Zhi 12.5% - The „nose opener“, clears the sinuses and dispels wind
- Bo He (field mint) 7.5% - The „cooler“, clears the head and relieves itching
- Plus 10 other herbs, clear the nose and eyes, eliminate moisture and strengthen the center
Who is it ideal for?
✓ Anyone with acute symptoms: runny nose, burning eyes, sneezing attacks
✓ Anyone who needs a quick „boost“ when the pollen load is high
✓ If you already know when your allergy season starts - and want to take preventative measures
✓ Anyone who suffers from the typical „allergy fog“: tired, dizzy, unfocused
⏱ As soon as the symptoms start: take for 7-21 days, then take a break again.
💡 The professional tip from Qí Bó & Wolfgang - The double strategy:
„If you really want to get your allergy under control, you need to combine both approaches:
- Allergit as a daily basis for weeks - this educates the guardian.
- And the flying crane as an acute aid for flare-ups - it dispels the wind. Basic daily, acute only when needed. It's as simple as that.“
Wisdom to take away
The Yellow Emperor: „So an allergy is not fate, but an imbalance?“
Qi Bo: „That's right, Your Majesty. The body has forgotten how to distinguish friend from foe. Our task is not to fight the ‚enemy‘ - pollen will always fly. Our job is to train the guardian.“
Dr. Weber: „And the great thing is that the immune system is malleable. With the right measures, we can mitigate the overreaction. Not overnight, but sustainably.“
The Yellow Emperor: „Then may the wind blow gently and the Wei-Qi be strong. Spring is too beautiful to miss!“
Preview April
The Yellow Emperor: „In April, we will focus on spring cleansing - how the body detoxifies after winter.“
Qi Bo: „We will talk about the liver - the great cleansing organ of TCM.“
Dr. Weber: „I explain the detox phases and why ‚detox‘ is more than just a trend.“
About our „3 Wise Men“ story
Who are the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo?
The Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, 黄帝) is said to have lived around 2600 BC and is regarded as the mythical founder of Chinese culture and medicine. Qi Bo was his most important advisor and personal physician. Their discussions about health, illness and human nature were recorded in the most important fundamental work of TCM.
The book: Huangdi Neijing
The „Huangdi Neijing“ (黄帝内经), also known as „The Yellow Emperor - The Fundamental Work of Traditional Chinese Medicine“, was probably written between 200 BC and 200 AD. It is the oldest surviving work of Chinese medicine and consists of dialogues between the Yellow Emperor and his advisors - mainly Qi Bo.
This work is to TCM what the Bible is to Christianity: the absolute foundation. All the important concepts - yin and yang, the 5 elements, qi, meridians and acupuncture points - are systematically described here for the first time.
Our modern approach: The 3 wise men
In our series „The 3 Sages“, we bring the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo together with the fictional modern doctor and microbiologist Dr. Weber.
Important note: All three characters and their conversations are purely fictitious and invented by us.
We use this narrative form, similar to the dialog form in the book Huangdi Neijing, to convey the often complex relationships of TCM in an understandable and entertaining way. When the 4000-year-old emperor is confronted with modern science, enlightening „aha moments“ arise which show that ancient wisdom and new research often speak the same language: Ancient wisdom and new research often speak the same language - just in different words.
This makes TCM lively, understandable and practically applicable for your everyday life.
The dialogs are creative interpretations - not historical documents. For medical questions, please consult a qualified TCM therapist or doctor.
„The wise doctor treats before the disease breaks out.“
- Huang Di Nei Jing
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