Allergic Rhinitis - Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Allergic Rhinitis · Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold is the core pattern in allergic rhinitis, characterized by IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity, nasal congestion with clear watery discharge, paroxysmal sneezing, cold sensitivity, and easy susceptibility to colds. The core pathogenesis is Lung-Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior, allowing Wind-Cold pathogens to invade the nasal passages, triggering mast cell degranulation and allergic symptoms.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Nasal congestion with clear discharge, paroxysmal sneezing, nasal itching |

| Associated Symptoms | Cold sensitivity, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, pale complexion |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale and swollen tongue with thin white coating, deep and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Lung-Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior |

| Etiology | Constitutional Lung-Qi deficiency, recurrent colds, allergic predisposition |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Feishu (BL13) | On the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to T3 | Back-Shu point of Lung meridian; supplements Lung-Qi |

| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Disperses Wind and opens the nasal passages |

| Lieque (LU7) | Above the wrist, on the radial side, in the depression between the tendons | Diffuses the Lung and disperses Wind-Cold |

| Yingxiang (LI20) | In the nasolabial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi | Opens the nasal passages and stops sneezing |

| Fengmen (BL12) | On the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to T2 | Disperses Wind and strengthens the defensive exterior |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method for Lung points, reducing method for nasal points; moxibustion may be added at Feishu to warm and tonify Lung-Qi.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Yu Ping Feng San (玉屏风散) + Cang Er Zi San (苍耳子散)

Composition:

Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Xanthium (Cang Er Zi), Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi), Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi), Mint (Bo He), Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Supplements Lung-Qi, strengthens the defensive exterior, disperses Cold, and opens the nasal passages.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe nasal congestion | Add Xi Xin, E Bu Shi Cao to open the nasal passages |

| Profuse clear discharge | Add Wu Wei Zi, Wu Mei to astringe and stop discharge |

| Spontaneous sweating | Add Mu Li, Fu Xiao Mai to stabilize the exterior |

| Shortness of breath | Add Wu Wei Zi, Hu Tao Rou to astringe Lung-Qi |

| Cold sensitivity | Add Fu Zi, Gan Jiang to warm Yang and disperse Cold |

Western Mechanism Reference

IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa with elevated sIgE, nasal hyperreactivity, and decreased NK cell activity. Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold corresponds to allergic rhinitis with immune dysfunction, where Th1/Th2 imbalance and elevated IgE contribute to nasal hyperreactivity and allergic symptoms.

References

  1. Otolaryngology of TCM - Allergic Rhinitis with Lung-Qi Deficiency and Cold.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Lung-Qi Deficiency → Pivot Layer.

  3. WHO. (2023). Respiratory health. World Health Organization.

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