Ayurveda is the science of life that deals with not only treating various diseases but also promoting disease prevention. Two words, Ayur, which means life, and Veda, which means knowledge, make up this holistic health and wellness discipline that has its roots in the Indian Subcontinent and dates back approximately 5000 years. According to Ayurveda five elements make up the human body and they are:
- Prithvi or earth
- Ap or water
- Tejas or fire
- Vayu or air
- Akash or space
These components combine in the biological form of the human body to generate the three fundamental life forces known as doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—which have an impact on both the mind and body.
Let's now talk about what allergies are and how they are treated in Ayurveda.
Allergy: What Is It?
An allergy, in its most basic form, is an immune system condition that results in an unfavorable response to a supposedly foreign chemical that is normally not damaging to the body. Allergens are chemicals that may cause hypersensitivity in some people. They include specific meals, environmental irritants, specific drugs, and even environmental factors like temperature changes and exposure to specific weather patterns. The body reacts to these allergens by releasing histamine in response to allergic reactions.
According to Ayurveda…
According to Ayurveda, allergies might result from an imbalance of the three Doshas. When your Doshas are out of balance, allergic reactions worsen and your body becomes unable to rid itself of the poisons that have been collected because of a compromised immune system. Ayurvedic remedies specifically target the cause of the allergy rather than just treating the symptom.
The types of allergens that cause symptoms vary; some affect the skin and result in a variety of skin conditions, others may cause nasal congestion and other related respiratory problems, and some food allergies result in digestive problems that cause vomiting and bowel disorders, among other adverse health conditions. The symptoms of particular illnesses or ailments vary from person to person based on the Dosha that is most exacerbated.
Factors Causing Allergies According to Ayurveda
How a person absorbs the allergens determines the kind of bad reaction that person suffers. Ingestion of food allergens can result in food intolerance, enlarged airways, hives, and several gastrointestinal diseases. Inhaling allergens can cause respiratory and nasal allergies.
Not everyone who comes into touch with an allergy reacts in the same way, and different people react differently to the same allergens for different reasons. Fortunately, Ayurvedic treatments can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies regardless of the cause.
About Dosha-Related Allergies
The Vata-Type Allergies
The digestive system is affected by these allergens, which result in symptoms like gas, bloating, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, gurgling intestines, intestinal colic brought on by a blockage, tingling in the mouth, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and face. Extreme sensitivity to meals like raw food, various types of legumes, and particular animal proteins like pork and red meat are all symptoms of vata imbalance.
Vata balancing
Ayurveda advises you to stay hydrated and sip warm herbal beverages like ginger tea with honey or licorice tea when your vata is out of balance. Optimal Vata balance is maintained by calming herbs like Ashwagandha, which also soothes the immune system to help prevent allergies. Consuming smooth-textured foods such as rice pudding, bananas, hot cereal, root vegetables, and pureed soups helps in Vata balancing.
The Pitta-Type Allergies
When the allergens come into touch with your skin and enter your bloodstream, you develop these allergies in your skin. Common symptoms include respiratory tract and skin irritation, burning and crimson eyes, sinus and airway inflammation, hives, rashes, eczema, heartburn, stomach disturbances, indigestion, and vomiting.
Pitta Balancing
Consuming cooling herbs like coriander and cilantro can help calm vitiated Pitta. The respiratory system and the skin can be soothed by using herbs like guduchi, amalaki, and neem, according to Ayurveda. To reduce the inflammatory response, you can consume clarified butter or ghee as well as cool liquids made from natural ingredients. Also limit your consumption of sour cream, almonds, hard cheese, and eggs.
The Kapha-Type Allergies
The spring season is when these allergies start because of the influx of pollen-based allergens. It frequently results in nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose. You'll begin to experience mucous membrane irritation as the allergy worsens, along with hay fever, sinus infection, asthma, bronchial congestion, water retention, and sleeping problems.
Kapha Balancing
To get rid of excess Kapha and lessen susceptibility to pollens, consume light, clarifying teas flavored with ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Include complete, light, dry, comforting, and well-seasoned dishes that have just been prepared. They help in streamlined digestion and the removal of pollutants while balancing mucus formation and controlling moisture levels.
How Can Ayurveda Aid with Your Allergy Management?
Holistic techniques are a part of traditional Ayurvedic therapies to help with allergy symptom relief and prevent allergies from developing in the first place. Ayurvedic medicines and treatments that have stood the test of time include:
The Panchakarma Method
To promote harmony in the body, mind, and spirit, panchakarma therapy blends traditional Ayurvedic therapies with natural enhancements. According to Ayurveda, illnesses and health issues are the result of toxins building in the body due to natural openings and the type of food consumed. This wide and comprehensive technique is a corrective and preventive procedure that helps manage many illnesses and improves general health.
Panchakarma is a detoxification procedure that involves 5 steps including the purging and elimination of toxins. These consist of:
- Vamanam is induced vomiting to eliminate toxins
- Virechana to clear the bowels through therapeutic purging
- Giving enema therapy using Vasti
- The nasal cleansing procedure is known as Nasya
- Raktamokshanam for blood purification
Nasal Therapy
An Ayurvedic cleansing method, this famed Panchakarma treatment for allergies has outstanding benefits and is performed on an empty stomach. It uses natural ingredients like potent essential oils, ghee, juices from raw spices, and honey blended with milk. The powerful medicine clarifies and repairs the entire nasal passage and promotes the body's efficient functioning. The region around the neck, shoulders, chest, and face are first gently massaged using a special potent oil, and a lot of heat is applied to encourage sweating. Additionally, it is an effective Ayurvedic skin allergy therapy that improves the natural health and radiance of the skin from the inside out.
Steam inhalation is used to relax the body's fluid by adding camphor or eucalyptus oil to a large pot of bubbling water.
Natural Treatments, Including Diet and Lifestyle Changes
To lessen and ultimately prevent the development of allergies, Ayurveda advises making healthy changes to your food and lifestyle in addition to using its medicines, treatments, and therapies.
- Eat prepared, warm, and light food.
- Reduce or stay away from dairy
- Usage of a Neti pot (Steaming using herbal oils)
- Exercise sensibly and engage in pranayama
- Use spices and herbal supplements like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, coriander, garlic, cumin seeds, and black pepper
There are many distinct forms of allergies and are caused by several reasons that are difficult to identify. Allergies cannot be eradicated but can be effectively controlled with the right Ayurvedic allergy treatment as this system of medicine places more emphasis on addressing the underlying causes of illness than it does on providing a quick fix like a pill.
At Ayurvedaliving, we have ayurvedic doctors who have tremendous knowledge and hands-on expertise in helping clients across various age groups to embrace a balanced lifestyle. Speak to our experts now!
