Treating Allergies through AYURVEDIC Medicine
Seasonal allergies affect most people in the world today. An allergic reaction can be treated but not cured as drugs simply suppress the symptoms and make the situation better.
Allergies could be:Springtime Allergies
The pollen causes these types of allergies from trees, which pollinate typically between January and April, depending on the climate and location.
Summertime Allergies
Grass pollen is typically the main cause of late spring and early summer allergies. Reactions to grass pollen can be enhanced if someone is mowing the lawn or lying in the grass.
Fall Allergies
Weed pollen, including ragweed, sagebrush, and tumbleweed, is the main cause of seasonal allergies in the late summer and early fall.
How to Determine Your Pollen Allergies
An allergist can determine if you have seasonal allergies and to which types of pollens you are allergic through allergy testing. This can involve skin testing or a blood test (RAST). Allergy testing is helpful in predicting the time of the year that you may experience allergies so as to planning an allergy shot.
How to Minimize Pollen Exposure
Keep windows closed and minimize early morning activity, stay indoor on windy days, avoid freshly cut grass and mowing the lawn.
Omega 3 fatty acids also really help in curbing allergic reactions. Studies have shown that these substances found in walnuts, eggs, and fish, like salmon, help in fighting inflammation.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergy
In the Ayurvedic point of view – everybody has different body constitutions made up of Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Water) doshas. We have all three elements in our bodies.
Vata Allergy Symptoms
If Vata is the dominant dosha in your body, your allergies could be set off by exposure to dry dust, and involve a feeling of excess dryness, pain in the nose, and sinuses, as well as a dry hoarse feeling in the throat. Spasmodic asthma may result in severe cases.
Remedies for This Situation
It is important to begin preparation for the allergy season about a month ahead of time. To prepare for the allergy season: begin regular self massage with warm sesame oil before showers, and a teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder or a capsule can be taken at bedtime with warm water or milk. Oil of Oregano nasal drops/spray is the best remedy for dry, painful nasal passages, while Licorice Tea, will alleviate a dry raspy throat.
Pitta Allergy Symptoms
Pitta allergies and hay fever express themselves in very red, sore eyes, and inflamed nose. It is important to get to work on strengthening the liver in order to reduce Pitta doshas.
Remedies for This Situation
Amlaki is a very good mild laxative herb for gently removing the excess Pitta Doshas. It is an essential preparation for the allergy season. It is important to follow a Pitta soothing anti-inflammatory diet by avoiding fried foods, processed foods, chillies, onions, garlic, and egg yolks. Avoid excess consumption of alcohol and caffeine. During allergy season, many people reach to over-the-counter antihistamines. However, an antihistamine effect can also be obtained from the humble bioavailable Curcumin.
Kapha Allergy Symptoms
Kapha allergies manifest themselves with a dull, heavy feeling in the head, a stuffy nose, and sinuses leading to a feeling of fullness in the face, swollen eyes, lethargy, sleepiness, and copious mucus production.
Remedies for This Situation
Detoxifying lymphatics and strengthening the lungs are necessary steps for Kapha in allergy season. The best preparation for allergy season is to take Chyavanprash twice daily to strengthen the lungs. Curcumin can be used for acute allergy attacks. Triphala will also help with overall detoxification. For asthma caused by allergies – 1 tablet of Trikatu with two tablespoons of aloe vera juice is suggested.
Pollen and moulds have been found to adhere to the nasal mucosa causing ongoing problems. A remedy for this situation is Saline nasal wash or Neti -Wash. Be sure to use purified water for your nasal wash because excess chlorine adversely affects the flora of your nose.
After allergy season, the lungs can be further rejuvenated by resuming Chyavanprash, and breathing exercises (Anuloma viloma).
By making use of Ayurvedic remedies for allergy season, allergy sufferers will enjoy relief. Indeed, faithfully following all the relevant suggestions could also greatly improve overall health and wellbeing.
This article has been provided by Pragya Misra. Pragya is an Ayurvedic Doctor and a Registered Herbalist. She can be contacted at the Nature’s Source Mississauga location at: 905-502-6789