Paraya Assanasen2011-02-212011-02-212010-09-022010-09-02Journal of Traditional Thai \& Alternative Medicine; Vo. 7 No. 1 January-April 2009; 71-83http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/131264Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease characterized by a symptomatic disorder of the nose, which is induced after exposure to an allergen via an IgE-mediated inflammation. AR symptoms include rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching and sneezing. Previous studies have classified AR into seasonal AR or perennial AR. A different classification distinguishing between intermittent AR and persistent AR has been proposed in the publication entitled “Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma” (2001). AR may also be a co-morbidity in patients with asthma, otitis media or sinusitis. The literature shows that AR impairs the quality of life, work performance, social life and school performance. The burden of AR underlines the importance of appropriate management strategies, which include allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and allergen immunotherapy.en-USDepartment for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, ThailandReview