Allergies can be quite a difficult thing to deal with especially when it comes as a hindrance for your daily life. Immediate relief for allergies is usually given through administration of antihistamines and to steer clear of the substances that will cause allergic reactions. Conventional seasonal allergies are either related to food, medicine, cosmetics and environment.
The science of Ayurveda basically lays its foundation on curing and balancing the doshas. This is the consistent way through which Ayurvedic practitioners approach any sort of ailment when it is referred to be treated under the principles of Ayurveda. The science believes in treating the origin of the issue rather than focusing on finding a remedy for the symptoms of the disease. Treating the origin of the disease can bring in more effective change and the chances of long term advantages.
Allergy according to the Ayurveda is when a particular substance plays with the balance of a specific element: vata, pitta or kapha. There can only be different cases when more than one of the elements are imbalanced by the allergen substance.
The constitution of the body is different between different people. If the person is a vata-predominant person, then the chances are high the allergen is causing the imbalance of the vata. There are also chances for someone who is pitta predominant to have kapha-related allergy.
Understanding the doshas and individual tendencies is the first step in the ayurvedic treatment of allergies. Allergy symptoms can always indicate the type of dosha imbalance the body is experiencing.
Let us now further understand how different doshas are imbalanced and how this can help guide the planning of better treatment for the allergic reaction.
This type of allergy has a close relationship with the climate, especially in the spring. The primary reason behind this is the onset of pollen-based allergens. The normal allergy symptoms when kapha is predominant are sneezing, running nose, congestion, watery eyes, and so on. Kapha buildup in the body can cause heaviness in the nose and head. There is a constant feeling of fatigue and sluggishness.
Kapha-related allergies can also have a possible correlation with the foods that you consume. Foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, wheat, cucumber, etc. can aggravate the imbalance of Kapha in the body.
It is best to consider specific factors when the patient’s body primarily exhibits allergy symptoms related to Kapha. The first step will be to be as warm and dry as possible; secondly, it will be advised to not go around sleeping during the nap time. When suffering from kapha-related allergies, herbal teas are a good option to have because they can ease the symptoms. During springtime, it will be ideal if you can go ahead with a weekly-fast. If there is high accumulation of Kapha, the practitioner might even refer you for a detailed Panchakarma treatment.
Pitta allergies develop in people when they come into contact with hot, sharp allergens. They come into contact with the skin and then enter the bloodstream. This shows that most common pitta-related allergies come across as skin-related allergies like hives, dermatitis, rashes, eczema, etc. One may also experience bloodshot eyes. Pitta-type allergies can also cause heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and even hot flashes.
Pitta imbalance can be aggravated by the intake of spicy foods, citrus fruits, sour fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and fermented foods.
It is important to keep a close eye on the foods that you consume, and it will be ideal to take in a pitta-pacifying diet. Ayurvedic doctors also recommend some coolant herbs like cilantro or coriander that can be consumed. Cilantro pulp can be applied directly to the skin, where it can have a soothing effect. Drinking cilantro juice can help bring optimal health, comfort, temperature, and fluid balance to the skin.
Pitta has a high affinity for blood, and you can think about opting for treatments that will help purify the blood. Donating blood can also help in the purification process. The inflammatory response that is typical of a Pitta imbalance can be reduced by consuming aloe and clarified butter, or ghee.
The first signs of vata imbalance in the body are allergic symptoms like headaches, sneezing, wheezing, and muscle aches. Winter, when the air is chilly and dry, aggravates the vata-related symptoms. It can also cause digestive tract issues like burping, bloating, digestive discomfort, gas, gurgling intestines, vague abdominal pain, and intestinal colic. Other symptoms of vata imbalance are ringing in the ears, dry eyes, joint pain, sciatica, muscle twitching or spasms, insomnia, nightmares, etc.
Raw foods like beans and animal proteins like pork are vata food sensitivities.
Vata dosha can be balanced by hydrating oneself and drinking warm liquids like ginger tea. Having ashwagandha can help balance Vata and promote a much better immune system in the body. Self-massage, or abhyanga, is another helpful technique for calming Vata.
Let us look further into an umbrella treatment for balancing the doshas:
Ayurveda does not advocate a one-size-fits-all treatment. Instead, it tries to understand the specific needs and allergic reactions of each person and then decide on the treatment accordingly. Leelajani Ayur Care helps every patient that comes to them be assessed effectively, and then a good treatment is prescribed.