Posts Tagged ‘immune system’
Seasonal Allergies (Allergic Rhinitis)
Mar 16, 2012
Everyone knows that seasonal allergies are painful and uncomfortable causing runny nose, sneezing, sinus pain, fatigue, watery eyes, and other debilitating symptoms. Allergies also effect your productivity at work and school and may be linked to depression, insomnia, and anxiety.(1)
Acupuncture offers an effective drug free treatment so you can smell the flowers.
Acupuncture for Allergies
Acupuncture is different than taking a pill. Acupuncture helps to reduce pain and inflammation. But rather than adding a medication that will temporarily block a receptor, histamine in the case of allergies, acupuncture works to regulate the body’s functioning. The goals is for long term improvement from the acupuncture treatment.
The idea is that acupuncture helps to reset the body and remind it how to be healthy. As balance is achieved, your body is able to maintain the healthy state without medications. So instead of simply suppressing the body’s reaction, it works to correct the root cause of the problem.
Acupuncture’s Understanding of Allergies
Acupuncture has its own view of the body and health. Acupuncturists look for an imbalance that is causing of allergies.
Qi (pronounced chee) is the body’s vital energy, it gives you the power to work, study, exercise, and fight illness. In acupuncture, the cause of allergies is often a qi imbalance. There are two major qi imbalances. The most common one for allergies is when there is too little qi, we call this a qi vacuity. When your qi is vacuous, you feel tired, can get colds easily, may have poor digestion, coughing, wheezing, and possibly asthma. The acupuncture and herbs work to boost up your qi, giving you more energy and protecting you from allergies.
The second imbalance is called qi stagnation. This is when your qi does not circulate well. This is often caused by stress, and can cause pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, and in some cases, bring on asthma attacks.
Inflammation is a cause of allergies and chronic sinus pain. In acupuncture, this is often related to an imbalance called heat. Heat can cause dryness, irritation, and pain. This is often common in chronic sinusitis.
The Acupuncture Treatment
An effective acupuncture treatment is based upon a specific and accurate diagnosis of the imbalance. Chinese herbs can also be helpful in reducing inflammation and sinus pain. By targeting the exact root of the condition leads to the most successful treatment.
I combine acupressure, Chinese medicine massage, with the acupuncture to create greater results and a stronger sense of relaxation. Usually people will feel some relief after only a few weekly visits.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and increase circulation. Acupuncture also helps to regulate the brain to reduce pain, so it is also possible that is another way it works to help regulate the immune response to allergies (2).
References:
1. Marcus MB. Seasonal allergies could spark depression, fatigue. USA Today. 3/18/2008.
2. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.
written by: Joseph Alban, L.Ac.
Late Edited: 2/22/2012
Psoriasis
Nov 3, 2011
“The Heartbreak of Psoriasis” is a phase the author John Updike, a sufferer of psoriasis himself, used to describe his experience with the condition. While psoriasis is a skin condition, it impacts people’s daily lives in social situations and has a significant emotional impact. In addition, psoriasis may cause itching, physical discomfort, and is often associated with arthritic joint pain. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine has been extensively used to treat psoriasis.
What Causes Psoriasis?
In both acupuncture theory and western medicine, psoriasis is more than skin deep. Psoriasis is caused by dysfunction and dysregulation of the immune system, leading to an auto immune reaction. In acupuncture, this dysfunction is described as imbalances which disrupt the body and keep it from healing. Once the imbalances are corrected, your body can work to heal itself and stay healthy.
Psoriasis causes auto-immune reactions which make skin cells overgrow, leading to the development of plaques and scales. The environment also influences the development of the condition including drugs, trauma, infection, and stress.
What are Psoriasis symptoms?

Psoriasis Plaque
Psoriasis causes the formation of round and oval raised lesions. Often there is silvery white scale over these lesions. If removed it may bleed easily, which is called an Auspitz’s sign. Itching is common, and can be severe in certain cases, but it is very variable. In those with psoriasis, the lesion may appear at a site of physical trauma, which is called a Koebner phenomenon. Many people with psoriasis also suffer from chronic joint pain and arthritis.
Psoriasis tends to affect the outside of the arms and legs more than the inside. Common areas that are most effected from psoriasis are the back, elbows, scalp, groin area, fingernails, and toenails. Some medications and drugs may exacerbate the development of this condition.
There are many types of psoriasis, the most common type being chronic plaque psoriasis. This chronic form is the most common and the lesions may last for months, even years when they develop. This form reacts well to acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment.
There are some acute inflammatory forms of psoriasis, which must be treated immediately by a physician or in the emergency department.
Psoriasis in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, psoriasis is caused by imbalances in the body. For autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, the concept of imbalances really makes sense. The immune system is overactive and the body attacks itself.
The diagnosis of the specific imbalance is based upon your symptoms, such as itch, pain, or irritation, the appearance of the skin lesions. The most common imbalances, which cause psoriasis, are blood heat, dryness, and blood stagnation. Damp heat can also be a factor, particularly in pustular psoriasis.
Chinese medicine and acupuncture doctors have long said that removing these imbalances is like hitting the reset switch. In this case, resetting the immune system.
The Most Common Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Imbalances
Blood Heat- Blood heat is characterized by the acute onset of psoriasis with possible severe itching. The lesions are often bright red irregular patterns of plaque. The size and extent of the lesions suggest the amount of heat. The greater number and larger the lesions, the greater amount of heat. The bleeding upon scratching is easy to elicit (1).
Blood Dryness- Blood dryness occurs with chronic cases of psoriasis. Itching may or may not be present. The lesions can appear pale red or dull red in color. The scales may appear to be dryer with blood dryness.
Blood Stagnation- Blood stagnation also occurs when there is long term chronic psoriasis. It often is characterized by remission and relapses. The plaques are irregular, hard, and thick and may be purplish and dry in color. Bleeding may be difficult to elicit but itching is still present.
Damp heat occurs in pustular psoriasis. This is when there is a large amount of inflammation, swelling, fissures, and exudate. The lesions may be moist and swollen and there may be pus.
Psoriasis Treatment with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Chinese herbal therapy works by correcting the specific imbalance causing underlying psoraisis. The prescription is tailored to your symptoms and imbalance specifically.
The treatment usually combines both acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. Acupuncture can help to reduce itch and, if there is pain associated with the condition, help to kill the pain. Acupuncture points such as LI 11 and LI 4 help to clear heat. GB 34 and GB 31 can help relieve the itching. Ear acupuncture and ear magnet therapy I find helps to relieve itching very quickly.

Ku Shen and Huang qin
In addition to acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy is necessary for having substantial results with psoriasis. Chinese herbs are given in formulas, which may contain 10-15 herbs. They are most often cooked and drank as teas. The ingredients are chosen specifically for your condition. For example, if there is blood stagnation and blood dryness, the formula would focus on moving the blood stagnation and nourishing the dryness.
The Immunologic Effects of Herbs for Psoriasis
A review of herbs used for psoriasis explored the immunologic effects of commonly used herbs for psoriasis (2). Chinese herbs are complex natural products. Rather than being a single chemical, like most medications, they are combinations of naturally occurring substances. Formulas are even more complex because they can have 10 or more herbs.

sheng di huang and dan shen
Three of the most powerful and commonly used herbs for psoriasis are Sheng di huang (Rehmania glutinosa), Dan shen (Salvia miltiorriza), and Zi cao (lithospermum erythrohizon).
Sheng di huang is used to cool the blood and clear heat. It is effective for many types of psoriasis, including psoriasis from blood heat and blood dryness. In the laboratory, sheng di has shown to inhibit histamine release from mast cells and regulate the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1 in astrocytes.
Dan shen is good for blood stagnation and heat type psoriasis. Dan shen was shown to reduce edema, inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-12, and inhibited the degranulation of mast cells.
Zi cao very strongly cools the blood and is often used with psoriasis. This in combination with other herbs showed a complete suppression of IL-α and TNF-α, which are factors in psoriasis. These anti-inflammatory effects may have a beneficial effect for psoriasis.
Chinese Herbal Formulas
Some of the herbs may not directly correct the immune system, but rather work synergistically with other herbs in the formula to enhance their action, or in some cases, protect from side effects. You can see how complicated the situation is and why it is important to be well trained in Chinese herbal medicine.
Licorice root, or gan cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), is widely used in Chinese medicine for psoriasis by boosting qi and harmonizing the effects of other herbs. It has long been know for immunoregulatory abilities. Studies are now showing that it can also reduce possible toxicity and helped to repair damaged liver cells. This is the harmonizing effect Chinese medicine doctors have been talking about for centuries.
How long does acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment take?
Overall, a treatment course for psoriasis is about 3-6 months. This time period can vary depending on the severity and symptoms you are experiencing.
I want to see psoriasis symptoms such as itching and pain to improve within the first month to 6 weeks of treatment. By the end of the second month, I would like to see a reduction in the amount of redness and size of the plaque, which will continue throughout the treatment course.
One of the phenomenal aspects of acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment is that it can lead to long term reduction in psoriasis. We describe this as correcting the imbalances in the body rather than masking the psoriasis symptoms.
References:
1. Treatment of psoriasis with traditional Chinese medicine. Lin Li. Hai Feng Publishing, 1990.
2. Tse, T. W. Use of common Chinese herbs in the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 28: 5. 469-475. 2003
Photos: The Wednesday Island of English Wikipedia
Atopic Eczema
Oct 20, 2011
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are effective treatments for atopic eczema. This guide will explain how acupuncture and Chinese herbs work to treat atopic eczema.
Atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is the most common type of chronic eczema (1). Those with atopic eczema often have a family history eczema, hay fever, and asthma.
Symptoms of Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema nearly always begins in childhood. For most people, it clears before becoming an adult. However, for some it will cycle between flare ups and remittance. Flare up can be caused by infection, stress, chemical irritants, or sometimes changes in the weather.
Eczema causes terrible itching. Particularly in atopic patients, the scratching of an itch in many cases is what leads to the development of dry, irritated, and inflamed skin associated with eczema. The itch is very intense it is often difficult to control during sleep.
Eczema can occur on the face, or patches in the body. Commonly, eczema occurs on the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. Chronic, long term eczema, may lead to thickening of the skin called lichenification.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine approach to Atopic Eczema
Traditionally, Chinese medicine called eczema the “wind of four crooks” referring to the eczema rashes on the inside of the elbows and knees (2).
Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to diagnosing eczema, considering physical, emotional, and environmental factors. The primary diagnosis is made by looking at the skin. This is combined with information from taking the pulse, observing the tongue and the skin, and asking in depth questions.
In Chinese medicine, too much “heat” is a common cause of eczema, which leads to the itch, redness, and irritation. Other imbalances called “dampness” can result in swelling and in some cases vesicles. Another possible imbalance is too little energy, or what we call “qi deficiency.” The acupuncture and herbs help to clear the heat from the body or to boost the body’s energy.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment of Atopic Eczema
The treatment will often combine acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and topical herbal creams. Acupuncture is very effective to control the itching in eczema. I find that auricular and body acupuncture combination to be the most effective. After the acupuncture, I often will use magnet stickers in ear acupuncture points that correspond to the specific area of the body the itch is found. It is possible that the same physiological mechanisms which acupuncture uses to reduce pain are effective for stopping itch in eczema (3).
Chinese medicine focuses on correcting the imbalance. If heat is the cause of the eczema, we will use herbs that traditionally are used to “clear heat” from the body, such as sheng di huang (rehmannia) and jin yin hua (honey suckle) may be used to clear heat. Many of the heat reducing herbs are also potent anti-inflammatory and perhaps have immunoregulatory properties. Dampness is also a possible cause of eczema. For this, ku shen (sophroa) is effective. There are also herbs specifically for the symptoms. For example, di fu zi (broom cypress) is very effective in reducing itch.
External herbal creams are very effective at decreasing inflammation and stopping itching. For some people, reduction in inflammation and itching happens after the first visit. Generally, I want to see some reduction in itching and inflammation within the first 2-4 weeks. The treatment course is about 3-4 months.
For many patients, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine leads to long term reduction of symptoms.
References:
1. PubMed Health. Atoptic Eczema. Accessed 10/21/2011.
2. Mazin Al-Khafaji. Atopic Eczema “Wind of the four crooks.” Journal of Chinese Medicine. Number 77: p5-8. February 2005.
3. Pfab F, Huss-Marp J, Gatti A., et al. Influence of acupuncture on type I hypersensitivity itch and the wheal and flare response in adults with atopic eczema – a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.Allergy. 2010 Jul;65(7):903-10. Epub 2009 Dec 11.
written by Joseph Alban
edited 5/14/2012
Natural Remedies for the Common Cold
Oct 11, 2011
This herb is best for preventing colds. Now, the change of seasons, is the perfect time to begin taking Ling Zhi. When the seasons change it is easy to get cold. Ling Zhi helps to prevent getting the cold be giving an immune boost. I take only a small dosage and still feel the improvement in my health.
It actually grows all over the United States. A few weeks ago, I went on an foraging tour with Wildman Steve Brill. We actually found Ling zhi on our trip in Westchester. If you are picking wild ling zhi, it is very important to go with a guide as many mushrooms can be dangerous.
Five Ways Acupuncture Helps You Prepare for IVF
Aug 22, 2011
This is the second in a series about acupuncture and IVF written by Jessica Yunker, my associates. Jessica is an expert in infertility, women’s health, and acupuncture for IVF.
Acupuncture can help you prepare for the IVF procedure.
Five Ways Acupuncture Helps to Prepare for IVF
1. Improve ovarian function: Part of the IVF process involves stimulating the ovaries to produce more follicles and higher quality eggs, since healthy eggs are the basis for a successful pregnancy. Acupuncture can help increase the number of eggs and the quality of those eggs in the months leading up to the IVF procedures.
2. Lower FSH levels: A high FSH (follicular stimulating hormone) level suggests that the ovaries are not functioning as well as they should be. Acupuncture helps to regulate hormone levels and improve ovarian function, which in turn lowers FSH levels. This is important because many IVF clinics will use the FSH level to help decide whether or not to go ahead with IVF procedures
3. Reduce stress: Some people (both men and women) find that going through IVF is stressful. Acupuncture is a good way to calm the body, reduce discomfort, and alleviate stress while preparing for IVF.
4. Improve the immune system: A healthy person may get pregnant more easily, so it’s helpful to have your body in top form before you start IVF. Acupuncture can help keep you healthy and make sure that your body is functioning well.
5. Improve the quantity and quality of semen: Fertility treatment often seems to focus much more on the women, but their only half the equation. Acupuncture can be very helpful to men as well, especially in cases where a male partner has low sperm count, low motility (movement) of sperm, or sperm that are not formed correctly (poor morphology). Even just a couple of months of acupuncture can help create better sperm before IVF even starts.
The next posts describe the IVF procedure more in depth and discusses ways that acupuncture can help you once you have already started IVF.
If you would like to find out more about acupuncture and IVF, please e-mail or call Jessica at 917.596.6385. Mention this article for a 10% discount on the initial consultation.
Allergies: Why April is the Cruelest Month
Apr 5, 2011
In my last post I discussed T.S. Eliot’s famous line, “April is the cruelest month” as interpreted by Chinese medicine scholars.
Those with allergies know that April can be cruel. Allergies cause significant discomfort and disruption to your life. But being cruel, these symptoms are not enough. There is also an increase in anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping during allergy seasons.
Acupuncture helps to relieve seasonal allergies by correcting the imbalance causing the allergies and regulating the immune system.
Here are a few of my articles on allergies and acupuncture.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can reduce your seasonal allergies, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
TCM Treatment for Dyshidrotic Eczema
Mar 29, 2011
Dyshidrotic eczema is a specific type of eczema on the hands and feet that causes vesicles, itching, and often fissures. These symptoms tend to flare up cyclically. It is called dyshidrotic eczema because people with this condition often experience excess sweating from the palms of the hands.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help relieve the itching, swelling, vesicle, and inflammation in dyshidrotic eczema. The goal is to correct the underlying imbalance causing the dyshidrotic eczema, which can lead to long term improvement.
Chinese herbs are thought to regulate the immune system to treat dyshidrotic eczema.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Imbalances for Dyshidrotic Eczema
The goal of acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment is to correct the underlying imbalance in the body that is causing your condition. To determine what the specific imbalance is, we examine the skin, take the pulse, look at the tongue, and inquire about your overall health. Each of these factors is considered when determining the imbalance.
The most common acupuncture imbalances in dyshidrotic eczema is damp heat. Imbalances in Chinese medicine describe characteristics of the eczema. For example, redness in the skin and inflammation are sign of heat. Swelling and vesicles is often a reflection of damp heat. The itch is a sign of dampness.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Treatment for Dyshidrotic Eczema
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work to decrease the inflammation causing the eczema. For dyshidrotic eczema, Chinese herbs are taken in the form of a tea as well as topical herbal soaks for the skin. Acupuncture is helpful to reduce the itch and regulate the immune system.
Generally I want to see some improvement in the symptoms within 4-6 weeks. The entire treatment course generally lasts 3-4 months.
Because in acupuncture and Chinese medicine we teat the root cause of the condition, we can see significant reduction in the symptoms long after the treatment has finished.
Please call us at 917-887-4946 or e-mail us if you would like to discuss personalized treatment for eczema.
Correcting Imbalances with Chinese herbs: A Natural Treatment for Psoriasis
Jan 28, 2011
If you read my blog regularly, you will know that imbalances are the cause of disease in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. For autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, the concept of imbalances really makes sense. The immune system is overactive and the body attacks itself. In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, the three most common imbalances that cause the psoriasis are blood heat, blood dryness, and blood stagnation.
Chinese medicine and acupuncture doctors have long said that by removing these imbalances, the acupuncture and Chinese medicine is a natural treatment that acts like hitting the reset switch, in this case, resetting the immune system. I think this is very accurate description for immunologic diseases.
My training during 2009-2010 at Mount Sinai was in immunology. We were looking at herbs and their immunoregulatory properties on inflammatory diseases, but also how the herbs regulated inflammatory processes throughout the whole body. One of the most powerful aspects of the research was to show that Chinese herbs to have strong long lasting immunoregulatory properties which act like a reset key.
The Immunologic Effects of Herbs for Psoriasis
In a review of herbs used for psoriasis explored the immunologic effects of commonly used herbs for psoriasis. Chinese herbs are complex natural products. Rather than being a single chemical, like most medications, they are combinations of naturally occurring substances. Formulas are even more complex because they can have 10 or more herbs.

sheng di huang and dan shen
Three of the most powerful and commonly used herbs for psoriasis are Sheng di huang (Rehmania glutinosa), Dan shen (Salvia miltiorriza), and Zi cao (lithospermum erythrohizon).
Sheng di huang is used to cool the blood and clear heat. It is effective for many types of psoriasis, including psoriasis from blood heat and blood dryness. In the laboratory, sheng di has shown to inhibit histamine release from mast cells and regulate the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1 in astrocytes.
Dan shen is good for blood stagnation and heat type psoriasis. Dan shen was shown to reduce edema, inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-12, and inhibited the degranulation of mast cells.
Zi cao very strongly cools the blood and is often used with psoriasis. This in combination with other herbs showed a complete suppression of IL-α and TNF-α, which are factors in psoriasis. These anti-inflammatory effects may have a beneficial effect for psoriasis.
Chinese Herbal Formulas
Some of the herbs may not directly correct the immune system, but rather work synergistically with other herbs in the formula to enhance their action, or in some cases, protect from side effects. You can see how complicated the situation is and why it is important to be well trained in Chinese herbal medicine.
Licorice root, or gan cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), is a Chinese herb close to my heart. Much of my research at Mt Sinai focused on gan cao. It is widely used in Chinese medicine for psoriasis by boosting qi and harmonizing the effects of other herbs. It has long been know for immunoregulatory abilities. Studies are now showing that it can also reduce possible toxicity and helped to repair damaged liver cells. This is the harmonizing effect Chinese medicine doctors have been talking about for centuries.
Tse, T. W. Use of common Chinese herbs in the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 28: 5. 469-475. 2003
Remedies to Prevent and Treat Common Cold and Flu
Jan 7, 2011
Recipes for the Common Cold
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Can Help Eczema
Apr 26, 2010
Eczema is a chronic skin disorder which causes intense itching. Eczema is often said to be “the itch that rashes” because the itch precedes the rash and inflammation. Scratching the itch then leads to inflammation.
Eczema is best understood as a group of skin conditions that have similar types of inflammation. Eczema rashes are often dry and the skin may thicken from scratching. Eczema is also prone to becoming infected.
For thousands of years, Chinese medicine physicians have used acupuncture and herbs to help different types of eczema. The therapy is targeted to stop the itching and regulate the inflammation.
Types of eczema
There are many types of eczema which acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help. Here is a list of the most common.
- Atopic eczema, or atoptic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema.
- Pompholyx eczema
- Stasis eczema
- Nummular eczema
- Lichen Simplex
Chinese Medicine Approach
Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to diagnosing eczema, considering physical, emotional, and environmental factors. By taking the pulse, asking in depth questions, and observing the tongue and the skin, the acupuncturist will diagnose the what particular imbalance is causing the symptoms.
Too much “heat” is a common cause of eczema, which leads to the itch, redness, irritation, swelling, and vesicles. The acupuncture and herbs help to clear the heat from the body.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Treatment
The treatment goal is to correct the root cause of the condition, which can lead to long term benefits, even long after the treatment has stopped. The treatment and diagnosis are tailored to each person’s symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both. Some conditions will clear rapidly, but others may take longer. In general, a treatment course is three to six month
Every person is individually diagnosed to for their specific imbalance which is causing their symptoms. Most often, focusing on clearing heat, boosting the energy, and promoting circulation will help clear the lesions and stop the itching. This can help to treat the root of the disease as well as help resolve the symptoms. Clearing heat usually will include the acupuncture points of Large intestine 11, 5, and 4. Because the lungs are so often related to eczema, lung 5 and lung 6, on the front of the elbow are often added. Spleen 6 and Spleen 10 are effective at moving the blood.
Chinese herbs focused on clearing heat are effective such as sheng di huang (rehmannia) and jin yin hua (honey suckle) may be used to clear heat. If damp heat is present, often long dan cao is effective. Ku shen (sophora) is helpful for itching. The goal of the treatment is to clear heat, dispel the wind and dampness, and move the blood to stop itch and promote healing. External herbal creams are very effective at decreasing inflammation and stopping itching.
Clinical Research
A number of studies in England have shown that a Chinese herbal formula is effective in treating eczema. One double blind randomized crossover study treated 40 adults with chronic eczema with an herbal formula (in later studies, this formula is entitled Zemaphyte). This study concluded that the herbal formula was effective for reducing skin lesions, redness, itching, and helped the patients sleep better. This same formula later showed to have immune system regulatory effects.
Read more about acupuncture and Chinese medicine and the Immune System
- Reset Your Immune System: Long Lasting Effects of Chinese Herbs
- Acupuncture and Chinese herbs for Winter Eczema
- Resetting the Immune System: Allergies, Asthma, and Acupuncture

