Food Allergies
Chinese medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that has been used for thousands of years to treat various health conditions. One of the critical aspects of Chinese medicine is the concept of disharmony, which manifests as different patterns. In this article, we will explore four patterns of disharmony, their associated symptoms, treatment principles, treatment formulas, and food remedies, specifically related to allergies and food sensitivities.
Liver Offending the Spleen
Symptoms:
Abdominal enlargement (2)
Abdominal pain (2)
Abdominal rumbling (1)
Chronic diarrhea (2)
Diarrhea with watery stools often triggered by foods (5)
Digestive breakdown often intensified by emotional upset (5)
Fatigued spirits (1)
Hungry with no appetite (1)
Thirst with no desire for drink (1)
Total Points: 0
Treatment Principle: To inhibit the liver and support the spleen, and to regulate energy and dry up dampness.
Treatment Formula: Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang with Ping-Wei-San
Food Remedies: Brown sugar, kumquat, mandarin orange, apple cucumber, bog bean, gold carp, carrot, chestnut, corn-cob, horse bean, hyacinth bean, Job's-tears, Irish potato, royal jelly, string bean, whitefish, and yam.
Spleen-Stomach Deficiency
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain (1)
Allergic to cold foods and greasy foods in particular (4)
History of chronic enteritis, chronic gastritis, or chronic hepatitis (4)
Diarrhea (1)
Dysentery alternating with very soft stools (4)
Edema
Falling of stomach (gastroptosis)
Hiccups
Plenty of saliva
Rickets
Stomachache
Total Points: 0
Treatment Principle: To strengthen the spleen and the stomach.
Treatment Formula: Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San
Food Remedies: Star anise, cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, chicken, clove, black and white pepper, apple cucumber, chestnut, ham, horse bean, Irish potato, rice, royal jelly, beef, red and black date, garlic, pistachio nut, barley, and rock sugar.
Cold-Dampness Large Intestine
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain (2)
Abdominal pain with abdominal rumbling (2)
Abdominal rumbling (2)
Clear and long streams of urine (1)
Cold hands and feet (1)
Congested chest (1)
Discharge of pure-white substances (4)
Discharge of sticky, muddy stools not unlike goose dung (1)
Heavy sensations in the body (4)
Poor appetite (2)
Total Points: 0
Treatment Principle: To warm and transform cold and dampness.
Treatment Formula: Wei-Ling-Tang
Food Remedies: Capers, cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, prickly ash, star anise, white or yellow mustard seed, white or yellow mustard wine, chicken, clove, herring, nutmeg, and black and white pepper.
Energy Congestion
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain (2)
Belching (1)
Chest and ribs discomfort (1)
Chest pain (2)
Constipation with a desire to empty the bowel (2)
Discharge of stools like sheep dung (2)
Pain in the inner part of the stomach with prickling sensation and swelling (1)
Pain in the upper abdomen (2)
Retention of urine (1)
Ringing in ears and deafness (1)
Stomachache (2)
Subjective sensation of lump in the throat (1)
Swallowing difficulty (1)
Swelling and congestion after eating (1)
Total Points: 0
Treatment Principle: To promote energy circulation and disperse energy congestion.
Treatment Formula: Liu-Mo-Yin or Wu-Mo-Yin-Zi or Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan-San
Food Remedies: Banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job's-tears, laver, leaf beet, mung bean, peppermint, purslane, salt, cattail, agar, radish, crown daisy, date, fresh ginger, leaf or brown mustard, black and white pepper, white or yellow mustard seed, asparagus, and pear.
Conclusion
The four patterns of disharmony in Chinese medicine provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating allergies and food sensitivities. By identifying the specific pattern of disharmony in each individual, practitioners can tailor treatment principles, formulas, and food remedies to restore balance and promote overall health. Always consult with a qualified practitioner before embarking on any treatment or making changes to your diet.