The commonly-seen syndromes of allergic rhinitis include wind and cold invading the lung, internal accumulation of heat in the lung, qi deficiency of the lung and spleen, yang deficiency of the kidney. The syndrome of wind and cold invading the lung is characterized by aversion to wind and shorter course of diseases. Treatment should be dispelling wind and cold. The syndrome of internal accumulation of heat in the lung is marked by congestion of the nasal mucosa. Treatment should lie in clearing away heat and descending the lung qi. The syndrome of qi deficiency of the lung and spleen has the features of pale complexion and uncongestion of nasal mucosa.

The disease belongs to the category of "Biqiu" (allergic rhinitis) in TCM according to its clinical manifestations. Its external pathogenic factor is pathogenic wind while the internal pathogenic factor lies in deficiency of yang qi due to congenital insufficiency. When the lung, spleen and kidney are asthenic, the insufficient yang qi will cause the failure of defensive qi to protect the body against diseases. At this time, when external pathogenic factors attack the organism, obstruction of the lung qi will occur, giving rise to nasal obstruction and accordingly the disease.