Modern research now confirms what many of us in Chinese medicine have long observed: there’s a real connection between inflammation in the body and changes in emotional well-being. In fact, inflammatory conditions like asthma and eczema are also linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety. From a biomedical view, the immune response triggered by allergens can affect brain chemistry, influencing how we feel emotionally.
In TCM, emotional and physical health are deeply intertwined. Allergies are not just a respiratory issue—they are caused by underlying imbalances in the body which have both physical and mental aspects.
In this post, we’ll explore how inflammation impacts both mood and immunity, how TCM interprets this mind-body link, and how acupuncture and herbal medicine can bring relief—not just for your sinuses, but also for your mind and spirit.
Table of Contents
The Mood and Allergy Connection: What the Science Says
While it’s easy to chalk up a low mood during allergy season to general discomfort, emerging research shows there’s more to it than itchy eyes and sinus pressure. Allergic reactions are driven by inflammation—specifically, the release of immune signaling molecules like histamines and cytokines. These inflammatory messengers don’t just affect your nose—they can also influence your brain.
Multiple studies have shown a strong link between inflammation and mood disorders. A major meta-analysis published in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals with major depressive disorder consistently exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (1).
Further supporting this, a longitudinal study published in JAMA Psychiatry followed children from age 9 to 18 and found that higher IL-6 levels in childhood were associated with nearly twice the risk of developing depression in young adulthood (2). This suggests that systemic inflammation—even early in life—can contribute to the development of mood disorders.
Additionally, researchers have identified a subtype of depression characterized by low mood, fatigue, and poor motivation that is particularly associated with elevated inflammatory markers (3). These findings reinforce what many clinicians—and acupuncturists—have long observed: when the immune system is inflamed, mood often suffers.
So, if you notice yourself feeling more anxious, unmotivated, or emotionally “off” during allergy season, it’s not all in your head. It may be part of your body’s larger inflammatory response—and that connection is both real and treatable.
The TCM Perspective: Why Allergies Affect Emotions
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the mind and body are seen as one interconnected whole. Physical symptoms—like sneezing, congestion, or itchy skin—don’t exist in isolation. They are understood as signs of deeper imbalances within the body.
The Lung governs respiration and the skin and is closely tied to the immune system. It is also associated with the emotion of grief. When the Lung Qi is weak or invaded by external Wind (such as pollen or airborne allergens), symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and fatigue arise. Emotionally, this may manifest as sadness, low motivation, or a feeling of disconnection.
The Spleen is responsible for transforming food into Qi and Blood, supporting both physical strength and mental clarity. When the Spleen is weakened from poor diet or long term anxiety, it can lead to the development of dampness. Signs of dampness include foggy thinking and sluggishness as well as mucus production.
The Liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body and is connected with anger, frustration, and emotional stagnation. During seasonal transitions or times of stress, Liver Qi may become stagnant. This stagnation can trap emotional energy, leading to mood swings, irritability, or feeling emotionally stuck. It also disrupts the flow of Qi to the Lung, worsening allergy symptoms.
In other words, when your body’s Qi is disrupted by seasonal allergens, it doesn’t just affect your sinuses—it can also disturb your emotional equilibrium. This is why, in TCM, we don’t just treat the symptoms of allergies. We look at the whole pattern: how your body, mind, and emotions are responding to the environment, and what internal imbalances may be contributing.
How Acupuncture Supports Both Allergy Relief and Emotional Balance
Acupuncture is well known for helping to relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, and sinus pressure as well as relieving stress and supporting emotional well-being making it an amazing approach for the whole person.
Acupuncture treatment is never just about the symptoms. It’s about restoring balance to the whole person.
When treating seasonal allergies, acupuncture helps in two key ways:
- Regulating the Immune System and Reducing Inflammation
From a biomedical standpoint, acupuncture has been shown to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals like histamines and cytokines—the same compounds involved in allergic responses (4).
In my clinic, I often use points such as:
LI-20 (Yingxiang) to open nasal passages
Bitong for sinus pressure
LI-4 (Hegu) and LU-7 (Lieque) to support Lung function and clear external Wind
ST-36 (Zusanli) and SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) to strengthen immunity and harmonize the Spleen
Together, these points not only address the physical symptoms of allergies but help support the body’s core systems to prevent recurrence.
- Calming the Shen and Supporting Mood
In TCM, the Shen refers to the spirit or mind. When Qi is flowing freely and the organs are balanced, the Shen is calm and clear. But when allergies tax the system—especially the Lungs and Liver—the Shen can become agitated, leading to mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, or sadness.
Points like Yintang, HT-7 (Shenmen), and LV-3 (Taichong) are often incorporated to calm the mind and restore emotional balance alongside allergy-focused points.
A Whole-Body Reset
Many of my patients are surprised to find that their mood improves along with their allergy symptoms. After a few sessions, they report not only less sneezing, but also better sleep, reduced anxiety, and a more grounded feeling overall. That’s the beauty of acupuncture: it treats the root, not just the branch.
Feel Calmer, Get Acupuncture
If allergy season leaves you feeling foggy, moody, or emotionally drained, you’re not alone—and it’s not just the pollen. Both modern research and Traditional Chinese Medicine recognize the deep connection between inflammation, immune balance, and emotional health. The sinus congestion and irritability? The itchy eyes and restless nights? They may be coming from the same root imbalance.
In my acupuncture practice, I approach seasonal allergies by treating the whole person—supporting not just the Lungs and sinuses, but also the nervous system, the digestive system, and the emotional center. When your Qi flows freely and your internal systems are in harmony, allergy symptoms lessen—and you feel calmer, clearer, and more resilient in the face of seasonal changes.
References
- Dowlati Y, Herrmann N, Swardfager W, et al. A meta-analysis of cytokines in major depression. Biol Psychiatry. 2010;67(5):446-457. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.09.033
- Khandaker GM, Pearson RM, Zammit S, Lewis G, Jones PB. Association of serum interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein in childhood with depression and psychosis in young adult life: a population-based longitudinal study. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014;71(10):1121-1128. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1332
- Milaneschi Y, Kappelmann N, Ye Z, et al. Association of inflammation with depression and anxiety: evidence for symptom-specificity and potential causality from UK Biobank and NESDA cohorts. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(2):161-170. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3436
- Pfab F, Hammes M, Bäcker M, et al. Preventive effect of acupuncture on histamine-induced itch: a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;116(6):1386-1388. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2005.08.055
