Allergies are one of the most common seasonal struggles for humans, horses, and dogs alike. From watery eyes and runny noses to coughing and skin irritation, these symptoms often feel like the body is “overreacting” to something harmless, like pollen or dust.

But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), allergies aren’t just about exposure to an allergen. They’re about the body’s internal balance — specifically, the ability of the Lungs and Wei Qi (defensive energy) to resist outside pathogens, and how “Wind” acts as the carrier that pushes allergens into the body.

Wind as the Pathogen Carrier

In TCM, “Wind” is often called the “spearhead of a thousand diseases.” Why? Because Wind is light, mobile, and ever-changing — just like seasonal allergens that ride on breezes and shift with the weather. Wind is rarely the root problem itself; rather, it’s the vehicle that carries external pathogens (like pollen, dust, or dander) deeper into the body.

When the body’s defenses are strong, Wind passes by without issue. But if the immune system (Wei Qi) is weak, Wind can slip in and trigger symptoms such as:

1. Sneezing and watery eyes (Wind-Cold invasion)
   
   
2. Red, itchy eyes and skin, hives, or inflamed nasal passages (Wind-Heat invasion)
   
   
3. Seasonal coughs, wheezing, or respiratory irritation (Wind obstructing the Lungs)

This explains why some individuals (or animals) in the same environment react severely to allergens while others remain unaffected: the difference lies in internal balance, not just exposure.

The Lung and Wei Qi: The Body’s First Line of Defense

In TCM, the Lungs govern the Wei Qi — the body’s surface-level immunity. Wei Qi acts like a protective shield, regulating pores, keeping pathogens out, and ensuring healthy breathing.

Humans: Weak Lung Qi may show as susceptibility to colds, sinus issues, asthma, or seasonal allergies.

Horses: Respiratory imbalances may appear as coughing, nasal discharge, or difficulty performing in dusty barns or fields.

Dogs: Common signs include reverse sneezing, watery eyes, and irritated skin during high-pollen seasons.

When Lung Qi is deficient, the body struggles to repel Wind, and allergens penetrate more deeply.

The Role of the Spleen and Dampness

The Spleen, which governs digestion and fluid metabolism, also plays a role in allergy susceptibility. A weak Spleen leads to the accumulation of Dampness, which combines with Wind to form phlegm, mucus, congestion, or skin flare-ups.

• In humans, this may look like sinus congestion, post-nasal drip, or digestive upset during allergy season.
  
  
• In horses, it may show as thick nasal discharge or “stocking up” in the legs when inflammation lingers.
  
  
• In dogs, Dampness often manifests as skin irritations or ear infections that worsen during allergy season.

When Dampness and Wind combine, the result is stubborn, recurring allergies that don’t fully resolve.

Why the Immune System Overreacts

From a TCM perspective, the overreaction seen in allergies isn’t random. It happens because the Lungs fail to regulate Wei Qi properly, and the Spleen fails to transform Dampness, leaving the body vulnerable to external Wind. The result, environmental factors — like pollen are treated as dangerous intruders.

Supporting Balance With Respire 

At ActivateQi, we created Respire to address these very patterns. Rather than masking symptoms, Respire works within the TCM framework to:

1. Strengthen the Lung Qi to fortify Wei Qi (the immune shield)
   
   
2. Expel Wind that drives allergens deeper into the body
   
   
3. Clear Heat that contributes to red, itchy, inflamed symptoms
   
   
4. Resolve Dampness that underlies mucus, congestion, and lingering irritation

Whether it’s humans struggling with seasonal sneezing, horses facing barn dust and pollen exposure, or dogs itching and wheezing during spring, Respire is designed to restore balance at the root — helping the body stop overreacting to harmless environmental triggers.

Sources

• Kaptchuk, T. J. (2000). The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. McGraw-Hill.
  
  
• Maciocia, G. (2015). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Elsevier.
  
  
• Xutian, S., Zhang, J., & Louise, W. (2009). New exploration and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 37(3), 411–426.
  
  
• Wu, Y., & Beal, M. W. (2002). The use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 22(9), 400–404.
  
  
• Hwang, Y. C., & Wu, Y. (2013). Veterinary applications of TCM in small animals. American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, 8(1), 25–34.