Normal">Allerease is one of the most popular formulas from the Blue Poppy Originals line. Many of the formulas from the Originals line were selected by Bob Flaws from published research articles in Chinese medical journals. Bob often made slight modifications based on his personal experience, and a summary of his research and comments on most of the formulas can be found at the TCMinfoline on the Blue Poppy website (just log in and search by keyword to find treasures in the TCMinfoline section of the website).

...

Allerease is notable under the Originals line because it was not inspired by a journal article, but was instead inspired by a formula published in the text “Zhongguo Zhongyi Mifang Daquan (Great Compendium of Secret Formulas from Chinese TCM Doctors).” This text is a modern day compilation of secret formulas from famous doctors of the late 20^th century. Originally listed under the name Bi Qiu Tang (Sniveling Nose Decoction), the formula that inspired Allerease was originally created by Wei Zi-Zhang of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine. It was cited in English for the first time in a publication titled “Hayfever and Chinese Medicine” by Bob Flaws, which can be found online here at the TCMinfoline section of Blue Poppy’s website. (http://bluepoppy.com/cfwebstorefb/images/features/Article_1.PDF).

While Bob wrote a number of articles on Allerease and allergies in general, we didn’t have the full text with the author’s original comments online. Thus, a translation of the original source is provided below. Other good articles on the Blue Poppy website include this one by Bob Flaws and this one by Robert Helmer. Here is a translation of the original source:

Actions and Indications: Fortifies the spleen and boosts qi, dispels wind and frees the orifice [of the nose]. Indicated for allergic rhinitis.

Ingredients: Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix) 15g, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 10g, Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 10g, Xi Xin (Asari Radix) 3g, Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba) 10g, Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 15g, Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) 15g, Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum) 5g, Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) 10g, Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 15g, He Zi (Chebulae Fructus) 10g, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 10g. Prepare as a water decoction.

Modifications Based on Pattern Differentiation: For more severe nasal congestion, add Shi Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Xin Yi Hua (Magnoliae Flos), and Bo He (Menthae Herba); for severe swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose with profuse clear sputum, add Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus).

Clinical Efficacy: In the treatment of 33 cases [of allergic rhinitis], pronounced positive effects (six months or more without recurrence) were observed in 6 cases, positive effects (three months or more without recurrence) were observed in 23 cases, and no effects were observed in 4 cases.

Prescription Origin: Wei Zi-Zhang of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine

Explanation: This condition is primarily caused by lung and spleen qi deficiency, lung qi deficiency cold, and insecurity of the defensive exterior leading to slack interstices and easy contraction of wind-cold pathogen. These factors produce sniveling nose (also translated as allergic rhinitis). The spleen fails to transport essence so lung qi becomes deficient; therefore treatment requires simultaneous treatment of the lung and spleen. Within the formula, Dang Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Shan Yao, and Yi Yi Ren fortify the spleen and boost qi. Xi Xin warms the lung and opens the orifice of the nose. Fang Feng, Jing Jie, and Chan Tui dispel wind. He Zi constrains lung qi. When all these medicinals are combined together, the treatment effect is reliable.

Source: Zhongguo Zhongyi Mifang Daquan (Great Compendium of Secret Formulas from Chinese TCM Doctors), volume two.