Seasonal allergies

Medicinal mushrooms can even help with such a troublesome problem as hay fever.

Seasonal allergies from a Chinese medicine point of view

According to conventional medicine, allergies are an inappropriate reaction of our body to an external stimulus - an allergen. According to traditional Chinese medicine, allergies are caused by the entry of an external wind (allergen) into our body, which is weakened and unable to resist this attack. Although Chinese herbs can also help with an acute attack of hay fever, their predominant ingredient lies in strengthening the body already before the pollen season begins.

And it is in this "preventive" action that medicinal mushrooms can be of great help. Their main medicinal use lies in the scope of our immune system, which can not only strengthen but also regulate if its response is inadequate (allergic reaction).

The most commonly used mushroom for allergies is Reishi(Ganoderma lucidum). It can stimulate our defensive Qi (immunity) and at the same time complement and harmonize the individual systems of our body. If our body is strong and in balance, allergic reactions will not occur. Also significant is its ability to harmonize our psyche, which is certainly useful for everyone these days. Reishi is often used together with another mushroom, which is Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis). Cordyceps is a well-known tonic that strengthens the kidney and lung systems, two organs that are responsible for our immunity. It is also used for fatigue and libido problems.

The combination of the above mentioned medicinal mushrooms and Chinese herbs, which was set up by our well-known expert MUDr. Jozef Lucký, is very popular.

Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine recommend using this mushroom 2-3 months before the pollination season starts. This way the individual systems will be strengthened and will face the allergens until the meadows bloom.

In addition to the kidneys and lungs, according to Chinese medicine, the spleen system is also responsible for our body's immunity, for which we can use the synonym digestive tract. If we want to overcome allergies, it is also very important what and how we eat. It is definitely necessary to limit dairy products and sweets, which weaken the spleen and multiply dampness in our body. It is very important to eat according to the cycles of nature - in winter rather warming foods, in summer rather cold salads...

Finally, it is important to recall that medicinal mushrooms are best used in the form of extracts, i.e. extracts that are therapeutically much more effective.

Author: Milan Schirlo - practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine