Ayurvedic Concept of Allergies
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system maintains that although allergens such as pollen, dust, and dander trigger symptoms in susceptible people, they are not the primary cause of allergies instead it is the accumulation of ama (toxic) and low immunity.
- Ayurveda emphasis that the improperly digested foods (ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system.
** When this toxics material interact with the Skin, they can cause rashes, itching,burning sensations and discoloration.
** If the respiratory tract is involved, sneezing, inflammation and mucous drainage will occur.
** If the tissue involved is the digestive tract, diarrhea can result. - The qualities that predominate and the season or conditions that bring on or worsen the allergy reveal the doshas that are involved. Determining the dominant aggravated dosha helps in the creation of an individual-specific treatment plan. – Vata type allergies may present with symptoms of dry cough with dry phlegm, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and irregular digestion and elimination, and will likely worsen in dry or windy environments and in the fall season.
– Pitta type allergies will show up as heated symptoms such as burning eyes, rashes, loose stool, and irritation and may get worse in hot environments and the summer time.
– Kapha, being moist, dull, and heavy, will have the most abundant clear or cloudy mucous production and sluggish digestion, and will worsen in the spring time as the weather warms up and the accumulated kapha from the winter begins to “melt.”
From an Ayurvedic perspective, allergies, as with any condition, reflect a unique situation in each person’s array of symptoms and underlying imbalances and its allergy treatment will emphasize on the four steps: boost the digestive fire, adjust the diet to support a “clean burn,” detoxify, and restore the strength of the immune system.
How to Manage Allergies through Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda an ancient healing system, one develops allergies when ojas (life force) is depleted & when the immune system is weakened. High quality ojas is primarily built from proper digestion of wholesome foods, and is depleted through stress, lack of rest, toxic foods, irregular eating habits and routines & turbulent emotions. Ayurvedic management of allergies includes :
a) Diet, Nutrition and Digestion – Allergies can be aggravated through improper diet. Foods that can be easily digested, creating nutrients that are then assimilated into the tissues to rebuild their strength is recommended. Prepare foods in ways that create maximum nourishment for the body.
b) Stress Management and Improved Emotional Function-Allergies are worsened by heightened stress and mental fatigue. Sleep disturbance that is often created by symptoms of allergies increases fatigue, which in turn increases one’s susceptibility to stress, which in turn aggravates the allergy condition. Meditation relieves the stress component of allergies.
c) Ayurvedic Herbs -Appropriate herbal formulas is advised for aiding the healing process, strengthening digestion and helping the body purify itself.
d) Herbalized Oil Massage – Daily oil massage creates heat and friction which enhance circulation and help cleanse the areas of chemical impurities that could be causing symptoms of allergies.
e) Cleansing therapies – Treatment program of massage, application of herbalized preparations and mild internal cleansing therapies like panchakarma is the cornerstone of ayurvedic treatment.
Thus, Ayurveda is an integrated approach to allergy as it eliminates toxin buildup, stabilize the nervous system, enliven the healing ability of the body and manage stress and thereby strikes the allergy at its root.
How Yoga and Lifestyle helps you to cure Allergies
Ayurveda, an integrated system of medicine emphasis on an ideal life style based on yoga which helps to remove stress and leads to relaxation which are extremely effective in reducing the allergy symptoms by tempering the immune system’s response to the offender.
a) Practicing yoga posture in a relaxing way with slow deep breathing relaxes the nervous system is beneficial in fighting allergies. ** Kapalabhati breathing is great for allergies as it forces out the mucus. ** Standing poses—forward and backward bends, and twists tends to massage various parts of the spine and the thoracic cage and condition the lungs.
b) Lifestyle to be changed if one has a stressful job or home life. Meditation and relaxation techniques calms the nerves and loosen up muscles and treats allergy.
c) Few guidelines for managing allergy are :
** Allergies aggravates when routine of life is hectic, so one should have a regular routine of life. ** Do yoga postures which strengthen the body’s natural resistance and helps the body block toxic reactions and strengthens the liver, which boosts the immunity.
** Ayuvedic herbal preparations can be very beneficial, and some of the most promising anti-allergy herbs include: turmeric, Picrorhiza kurroa, Tinospora cordifolia, and Triphala. Taking Triphala helps “keep the colon clean,” which reduces the buildup of improperly digested food remains, and their associated toxins.
** Include detoxifying spices in your daily diet like turmeric which has anti-allergy, immune-balancing effects.
** Go to bed by 10:00 P.M as between 10 PM and 2 AM, the body performs a natural cycle of internal cleansing.
** Eat the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it i.e, between 12.00 and 1.00 pm.
** Cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods are to be avoided
** Avoid eating heavy evening meals, particularly after 7 PM.
** Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods.
** Drinking alcohol or coffee should be stopped.
** Cleanse the body before the allergy season.
Needless to say, Ayurveda is an alternative therapy which helps to lead a healthy balanced life and is an effective way of treatment for allergy.
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