According to Professor Jean Emberlin (director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit) hay fever costs UK businesses up to £7 billion per year in lost productivity. Professor Emberlin found that of 2000 hay fever sufferers surveyed, nearly 80% did not operate properly during the hay fever season and 2% could not function at all.
For most sufferers drowsy-making antihistamines remain the only treatment but, based on research into the effect acupunture on histamine type

reactions ('Preventive effect of acupuncture on histamine-induced itch: A blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial' , Pfab et al, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology:Dec 2005.vol116;6,1386-1388), acupuncturist Andrew Broch has developed the 'Qu-Chi' (pronounced 'Kyoo Chee') acuband that works by applying pressure to a specific acupuncture point on the arm, known as the 'Qu-Chi' point, also known as Large Intestine 11 (Li-11). This point is used to pull heat away from the face and Broch found that, in practice, it reduces the body's sensitivity to allergens, thus relieving symptoms.

The 'Qu-Chi' hay fever acupressure band wraps neatly round your elbow beneath your sleeve and is available for a mere £9.95 from www.qu-chi.com, from high street pharmacies, health clubs, and from many independent website shops.

Click here for more research on possible treatments for hay fever

First Published July 2009

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