A response or reaction to an immune system by substances that is usually not as harmful is termed as an allergy. It’s often termed as atopy. It is the body’s adverse reaction to a particular food or substance.
Allergen:
Any substance or product that triggers an adverse or allergic reaction is termed as an allergen. The most common allergens include pollen, mold, house dust mites, and pets. An allergy happens when the body’s defense system reacts to an allergen and results in conditions like an infection. Antibodies are
Seasonal allergies occur due to an adverse reaction to food, environment, medicine, and cosmetics. The best method for relieving seasonal allergies is to provide immediate treatment to fight against allergy-causing allergens.
According to Ayurveda, allergies originate due to the imbalance of the doshas or bio-energetic principles that maintains the overall function of our body and mind. The main aim is to treat the root cause which is responsible for allergic reactions. it is very essential to boost internal immunity besides treating the external cause by measures like a healthier diet, some common immunity-boosting herbs, lifestyle, and certain rejuvenating remedies.
Balancing the Doshas
It’s important to know your doshas type as well as their imbalanced state as a person’s primary doshas, or state of mind-body constitution predict the type of allergy which can affect the person.
Due to the imbalance of various doshas, there are different types of allergy symptoms occur. By knowing this, we can more particularly guide the treatment of relieving seasonal allergies.
Kapha Allergy Symptoms
In Ayurveda, the typical allergy symptoms due to Kapha doshas occurs in the spring season – the symptoms like congestion, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing – results due to an accumulation of the Kapha doshas, which is composed of earth and water elements. This results in a feeling of “heaviness” and the formation of excessive mucus in the head and sinuses. Few other symptoms are sluggishness and tiredness.
One can practice a traditional yogic nasal cleansing system termed as Jalneti. This self-practice involves clearance of nasal passages by using saltwater with a Neti Pot, which looks like a small teapot with a, particularly long spout. This helps to maintain the pressure inside the head and although it seems to be uncomfortable at first, with practice it’s become easy.
Other treatments include
usage of pungent and bitter (astringent) natural herbs and spices to reduce Kapha which include ginger, pepper, cayenne basil, cardamom, cumin, sage, turmeric, and cinnamon. The easiest method is drinking hot honey water, or ginger lemon or green tea. Another classical herbal treatment to reduce Kapha is trikatu, which should be taken regularly. Also, one can be geared towards lightening techniques such as daily exercise and the use of a dry sauna.
Pitta Allergy
When allergy symptoms occur during summers, the underlying cause is imbalanced Pitta doshas. Pitta is composed of elements like water and fire, and in the summer, due to excess heat inflammation occurs in the respiratory tract or skin. These symptoms include rashes, headache, inflammation in the sinuses or airway (sinusitis, bronchitis) and burning or red eyes.
To pacify Pitta doshas that result in allergy symptoms, Ayurveda recommends taking cooling herbs, such as coriander and cilantro. Besides, herbs like Guduchi, Amalaki, and neem can also be helpful. Intake of clarified butter, or ghee, as well as aloe vera, can calm the inflammatory effect that is typically due to Pitta imbalance. These herbs have healthy anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that support the immune system of the body.
Vata Allergy Symptoms
When Vata doshas get vitiated, the allergic symptoms include headache, sneezing, wheezing and generalized muscle pain. These may be seen more typically in winters when the air becomes cold and dry. This is due to the accumulation of lighter elements like space and air in the mind-body physiology. Other symptoms of this Vata imbalance include dry cough, restlessness, and dry eyes.
To balance the excess Vata doshas, it is important to remain hydrated and drink warm liquids, such as ginger tea or honey water. To bring Vata back into balance, one can use calming herbs such as ashwagandha, which also acts as an immune modulator that calms the immune systems of body against allergens. Another useful method in calming Vata is performing a self-massage or abhyanga.
Here are 10 Ayurvedic approaches to stop allergies –
- Use a neti pot technique daily, or twice a day, with weak saline or salty solution and distilled water, to loosen up the heaviness of Kapha doshas, or earth and water energy, in the sinuses. This also helps clear out pathogens that stick to the mucus membranes.
- Practice Nasya: Dab a few drops of sesame oil spiked with eucalyptus or camphor in each nostril about an hour after practicing neti pot to treat rhinitis.
- Take the Ayurvedic formulation trikatu, a combination of long pepper, black pepper, and ginger, before meals execrate the Agni (digestive fire).
- Avoid cold, heavy foods and beverages, including dairy products, wheat flour, meat, leftovers, sugar, processed foods, and iced beverages, as they slow down the digestive system and dampen the Agni.
- Go on a Kapha pacifying diet: Eat warm, natural, light, cooked foods that get digested easily. Focus on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Cook the raw vegetables with a small amount of ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil to lubricate the mucus membranes.
- Use warming spices like cinnamon ginger, black pepper, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne in your cooking.
- Enjoy ginger or lemon or green tea throughout the day, as it sparks a digestive fire.
- Take Triphala tablets before sleep to get rid of excess toxins from the body that slow down the digestion. The Ayurvedic trio of Amalaki, haritaki, and bibtaki, fruits, helps to cleanse and strengthen your immune system.
- Develop a daily pranayama routine that includes Dirgha (Three-Part Breath), Bastrika (Bellows Breath), Ujjayi (Ocean-Sounding Breath)and Kapalabhati (Skull-Polishing Breath).
- Exercise for 30 minutes daily or so, to help stimulate Agni and eliminate ama doshas. This can be a fun fitness class, brisk walking, a vinyasa yoga class, a bicycle riding, a hike, or a dancing or Zumba classes.
Panchakarma procedures to treat asthma, bronchitis or nasal allergies:
Snehana – Medicated oil mixed with mild salt should be gently massaged on the chest and back to lose the Grathita Kapha in the chest. In Asthma, Grathita Kapha (mucus plug) is present, thus the snehana procedure is useful in Vilayana of the Kapha, thereby removing the sanga (obstruction of the airway).
Swedana – By this process, the grathita kapha gets dissolve in the body thus the kapha becomes softened in the channels and as a result, the movement of Vata is restored to its normal condition.
Vaman – To eliminate or expectorate the liquefy Kapha, vaman should be given with proper method.
Nasya – Pouring the medicated oil in both the nostrils are a highly beneficial treatment in the Asthma. This is effective in reducing the severity of attacks and can be used as an effective and safe therapeutic procedure in the prevention of Tamak sawas.
Dhumrapana – After vaman, to eliminate the hidden pathogenic substances in the dosha which are in the Linavastha (not completely purified), dhumrapana is done.
Uro Vasti: In this procedure, a ring is formed in the chest region. Lukewarm medicated oil is poured in this ring several times. This help in pacification of the Kapha dosha in the body due to which patients get relief from bronchitis condition.
Skin:
Twak Basti – Basti has a great healing capability and is considered to be the half treatment for many diseases. The treatment is mainly used for removing out loosened doshas from the body via the intestinal tract. In Ayurveda, there are many types of Basti or medicated enema. Twak Basti is prepared from teekshan dravyas and medicinal plant substitutes. Twak Basti improves your skin disorders and maintains a good complexion of the skin. It is a combination of Giloy, Manjistha, Neem, etc herbal plants.
SSPS (Shasti shali pinda sweda): In this procedure medicated rice along with medicated oil and Manjisthadi powder is used on the full body. It is very effective and has good results in your body. Medicinal properties of these herbs help in curing the itching, skin complexion, redness of the skin, and many more skin problems.
Lepam: A freshly prepared medicinal herbal Lepam is applied on the affected part of the body. This Lepam helps in the burning sensation of the skin. A medicinal powder called Manjisthadi powder is used in this therapy. This powder is very effective in eczema and any kind of skin disorder.
Tips to follow:
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid exposure to smoke, dust, chemical fumes.
- Use humidifier.
- Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water. Steam relieves wheezing.
- Drink lots of water which helps to thin out the mucus and makes it easier to expel.
- Take adequate sleep which helps to maintain a healthy immune system.
- Use ginger tea, as ginger act as a good expectorant.
- Take 1 teaspoonful of honey twice a day. Honey has an antibacterial property that soothes the irritated mucous membrane of the airways.
- Drink a steamy bowl of chicken soup as it soothes the inflamed airways.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which contain nutrients that support your immune system
- Avoid excessive salt in your diet.
- Avoid cold drinks and ice creams.
- The bitter taste is useful in eczema. Vegetables like bitter gourd must be preferred.
- Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, milk, eggs, cheese, fish and hot spices.
- Intake of spices and oil aggravates the condition of eczema.
- Avoid taking sour food, pickles, papad, curds, etc.
- Keep yourself away from anger, resentment, and frustration.
- Avoid contact with fluffy toys, grass, flowers, and chemicals.
Ayurvedic treatment for Allergy by CAC
1. Detox Premium Powder
It is herbo-mineral sachets which are purely Ayurvedic formulation. These sachets mainly detox the body and eliminate toxic substances and help in the proper metabolism of all the functions. This formulation acts at the level of the nervous system and facilitates proper conduction of signal impulse from the nerves to the muscles. These sachets have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and immune-modulator. The ingredients present in it are moti pishti, parwal pishti, shukta pishti, Giloy satv, kamdudha ras, Jahar Mohra, akik pishti, gandhak rasayan, sutshekhar ras, etc. These ingredients balance all the three doshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) and help in blood purification, reduces burning sensation, weakness, and hot flashes in ulcerative colitis patients. It reduces the level of high uric acid in the body. The powder is very beneficial in relieving discomfort, numbness, muscle ache, and reduces swelling of the pelvic region. This powder provides a cooling & calming effect on the mouth ulcers. It is very beneficial in reducing the swelling, redness, stiffness, and improves the movements of joint
Recommended Dosage- Take 1 sachet twice a day with normal water.
2. Giloy capsule:
Giloy Capsule contains 500mg of pure extract of herb Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). This herb removes toxins, build up the natural immunity, fight against cough, cold, bronchitis, nasal congestion, chest pain, chest congestion, etc. The use of these herbal capsules is good for overall health.
Recommended Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice a day with normal water.
3. Amrit Tulsi Ras:
Amrit Tulsi Ras is a pure herbal formulation containing five types of Tulsi Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissium, Ocimum canum, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum citriodorum. This ingredient increases immunity, helps to treat cough, common cold, bronchitis, and respiratory diseases.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 drops twice a day with a cup of water.
4. Cough Go Tablet
It is a herbo-mineral tablet of size 650 MG and is a purely ayurvedic formulation. CAC Cough Go tablets help in balancing the kapha dosha. It shows effective results in Chronic Cough, common cold, and all respiratory diseases along with Seasonal Allergy, Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma. It helps to treat the root cause and also increases the immunity of the person. It’s not only symptomatic treatment but heals your body naturally. It contains pure herbal ingredients like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), Laxmi vilas rasa, Abhrak bhasam, Tankan bhasam etc. These ingredients contain natural Kapha doshahar properties and help in curing all respiratory diseases and diseases related to Kapha dosha.
DOSAGE: Take one tablet twice a day with normal water.
5. Blood Purifier Syrup
This herbal syrup contains ingredients like – Chirayta, Khadir chall, Majith root, Chopchini, Neem Chall, Giloy, Bahera, Aamla, Haridra, etc. It gently and deeply cleanses the skin. This syrup makes your skin fair and bright. Blood purifier syrup reduces spots, marks, and blemishes. This decoction is suitable for treating eczema.
Recommended Dosage –Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day with normal