Free Web NovelChapter 454: Chapter 454: Allergy
On a street near Li’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, a sanitation worker named Aunt Li was bent over, methodically sweeping the road with a broom worn smooth from use.
However, the area she had just swept was quickly covered again by a thin layer of Yang Xiu. frёewebηovel.cѳm
The Yang Xiu danced through the air, filling the sky like a silent snowfall—only this "snow" brought with it the dry heat and irritation of early spring.
"Sigh... there’s just no end to this."
Aunt Li sighed and began to sweep the area all over again.
A stronger gust of wind swept by, swirling up the Yang Xiu on the ground and instantly plastering it across her face.
She instinctively closed her eyes, then roughly wiped her face with the back of her hand, brushing away the fluff stuck to her eyelashes and cheeks.
While she was engrossed in her work, she inhaled just as a small clump of Yang Xiu shot straight into her nostril.
"ACHOO!"
Aunt Li’s loud sneeze sent a shudder through her body and made her eyes tear up.
She rubbed her nose, not thinking much of it. She figured it was just dust or grit from the wind.
She remained hunched over, sweeping methodically until the street she was responsible for was passably clean. Only then did she wearily head home.
When she got home, Aunt Li decided to take advantage of the good weather. She planned to take apart and wash her thick winter quilt from last year, then store it away until next winter.
She spread the quilt on the living room floor and skillfully removed the duvet cover.
However, as she worked, she found herself sneezing uncontrollably, and her nose began to itch.
She figured it was just dust from the quilt, which hadn’t been used in a while, and didn’t give it a second thought.
Her face felt itchy too, so she scratched it a few times.
By evening, Aunt Li had developed a runny nose with clear mucus, a stuffy nose, and was feeling a little dizzy.
’Did I catch a chill while I was sweating and sweeping today? It feels like I’m coming down with a cold.’
She took out a thermometer to check her temperature. It was normal.
But she just didn’t feel well. The discomfort left her feeling unsettled.
She dug out a box of cold medicine, took two pills as directed, and went to bed early, hoping she would feel better in the morning.
...
When Aunt Li woke up the next morning, her symptoms hadn’t improved at all. In fact, they had gotten worse.
Her nose was running more, the mucus as clear as water. She was even more congested, and her voice had a thick, nasal quality.
She realized this was not an ordinary cold.
Without hesitation, she decided to see a doctor.
Li Xu’s reputation had already spread.
Among the neighbors, anyone with a headache or fever was usually cured with just one prescription from him.
After a hasty breakfast, Aunt Li arrived at Li’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic.
"Xiao Xu, could you take a look at me? I’ve been feeling unwell since yesterday, and my nose won’t stop running..."
Aunt Li said, her voice thick and nasal, and also a little hoarse.
Li Xu gestured for her to sit. "Aunt Li, please have a seat."
Once seated, Aunt Li described her symptoms in detail: the sneezing that had started yesterday, the clear runny nose, the dizziness and discomfort, and the fact that her temperature was normal yet she wasn’t getting any better.
Li Xu listened intently. He then reached out, placed his fingers on Aunt Li’s wrist, and carefully took her pulse.
After a moment, Li Xu withdrew his hand. Looking at her, he said, "Aunt Li, this is a flare-up of allergic rhinitis. Have you been exposed to any common allergens recently? Like Yang Xiu, for instance?"
Aunt Li slapped her thigh. "Oh, Xiao Xu, you’ve hit the nail on the head! I was outside all day yesterday sweeping up that Yang Xiu. It got all over my face and up my nose. I even had a massive sneeze."
Li Xu nodded. "That’s it, the Yang Xiu is the cause. From now on, when you go out sweeping, you must wear a mask. One designed for pollen would be best, as it will effectively block the Yang Xiu from entering your airways." freewёbnoνel.com
After hearing this, Aunt Li asked worriedly, "Allergic rhinitis... So... how do you treat that?"
Li Xu explained, "There are many treatments for allergic rhinitis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s known as ’nasal catarrh,’ and we have numerous internal and external methods to relieve the symptoms. You could choose acupuncture, or you could take an herbal formula. Which would you prefer?"
There are many TCM methods for treating allergic rhinitis.
For example, acupuncture therapy is very widely used in otolaryngology.
This includes various techniques like scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture, the "three nasal points" method, and needling specific facial acupoints near the nose.
There is also a unique point, sometimes called the sphenopalatine ganglion acupoint.
The technique for this point differs from standard acupuncture. The needle is inserted at a facial point and must penetrate deep into the skull to stimulate the sphenopalatine ganglion. The results are often remarkable.
Moxibustion is another option. This therapy applies heat to meridians and acupoints. It serves to warm the channels and dispel cold, improve circulation, promote the flow of qi and blood, restore and boost Yang Qi, and disperse stagnation, all with the aim of preventing and treating disease.
In addition, there is acupoint application therapy.
This involves grinding herbs into a fine powder to make a paste, or preparing them as an ointment, pill, or medicinal cake. Alternatively, a decoction can be thickened into a plaster, or the powder can be sprinkled onto an adhesive patch. These are then applied directly to acupoints or painful areas (what are known as "tender points") to treat disease.
In addition to these, there are many other methods like acupoint injection, herbal steam therapy, herbal nebulization, and transdermal patches, all of which can help alleviate a patient’s symptoms.
Li Xu gave a brief introduction.
Aunt Li was starting to feel overwhelmed, especially when she heard the word "acupuncture." She waved her hands dismissively. "Oh, Xiao Xu, I’m terribly afraid of needles. The very sight of one gives me the creeps. Let’s just... let’s just stick with some herbal medicine. I can handle drinking that."
Li Xu nodded in understanding. "Alright, we’ll use herbal medicine to regulate your system. You currently have a clear, runny nose. From a TCM perspective, this is typically caused by Wind-Cold constraining the body’s exterior and the Lung Qi failing to diffuse properly. When pathogenic Wind-Cold invades the nasal passages, they lose their natural warmth. As a result, bodily fluids aren’t properly transformed and flow out as clear mucus. At the same time, the Lungs govern the skin and control respiration. When Wind-Cold attacks the Lungs and obstructs the diffusion of Lung Qi, symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and a clear runny nose appear."
He pondered for a moment, then took up a pen and wrote out a prescription. "I’ll prescribe you Knotweed and Ginseng Soup."
The prescription listed: Knotweed, Yuan Shen, almond, Dried Tangerine Peel, Purified Pinellia, Poria Cocos, licorice, and ginger.
Li Xu instructed, "Aunt Li, decoct these herbs in five bowls of water until only two bowls remain. Drink one bowl in the morning and one at night. Take it warm, after meals."
In this formula,
Knotweed opens the Lungs and soothes the throat. It diffuses Lung Qi, expels Wind-Cold, and is highly effective at relieving congestion and a runny nose.
Yuan Shen nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, clears heat, and detoxifies. It can soothe the throat discomfort and dryness caused by allergies.
Almond diffuses and redirects Lung Qi downward, stopping coughs and calming wheezing. It aids the proper diffusion and descent of Lung Qi.
Dried Tangerine Peel regulates Qi and strengthens the Spleen, dries Dampness, and resolves phlegm. It aids the digestive functions of the Spleen and Stomach, reducing the formation of Dampness.
Purified Pinellia dries Dampness, resolves phlegm, redirects rebellious Qi downward, and stops nausea.
Poria Cocos strengthens the Spleen, drains Dampness, and reduces swelling by promoting urination.
Licorice harmonizes the properties of the other herbs while also clearing heat, detoxifying, stopping coughs, and resolving phlegm.
Finally, ginger warms the body’s core and dispels Cold, helping the other herbs take effect. Together, they work to diffuse Lung Qi, open the nasal passages, and expel Wind-Cold.
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