Seasonal Allergies and Chinese Herbs

So many people suffer from seasonal allergies (“hay fever”) and allergies to common household irritants such as cat hair, dust and mold. This article is specifically about the type of allergic reaction that affects the nasal passages. I’ll refer to this as “allergic rhinitis.” A funny thing happened a few years ago when I prescribed herbs for a patient suffering with a stuffed nose, runny nose and nasal congestion. She was really miserable. For some reason I don’t know, I had packed the herbs in a paper bag instead of plastic, and instructed the patient to decoct and then drink […]

Summer Drinks

My favorite herbal drinks in the summer always involve Bo He (Menthae Herba, mint leaves), and to your question about BBQ, I would combine Bo He with Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus, hawthorn fruits). Not only is the combination a good balance between the cool Bo He and the warm Shan Zha, but it is a blending of pungent and fresh minty flavor with the sweet and sour taste of Shan Zha. Furthermore, Shan Zha, which is a digestive herb with powerful actions to break down fat and protein, helps to counter the rich and heavy foods that might be in […]