How does Ayurveda Help You Deal with Your Allergies?

Allergies cause so much inconvenience to our daily lives. Whether travelling with a loved one or eating out, allergies and their uncomfortable consequences are lurking everywhere. Many people take medications at the first sign of an allergic reaction. Others take it as a precautionary measure. Ayurveda has an entirely natural approach to allergy and its difficulties. So how does Ayurveda help you deal with your allergies?
 

What is Allergy?

Allergies are your body's way of responding to a typically innocuous material, such as pollen, pet dander, moulds, latex, particular foods, insect bites, etc. Allergy symptoms can range from moderate to life-threatening (rash or hives, itching, runny nose, watery/red eyes). Contact with a normally harmless substance, such as pollen, may cause your immune system (your body's defence mechanism) to respond. Allergens are substances that induce these responses. Food, skin and seasonal allergies are the common types of allergies.

Managing Allergies in a Holistic Ayurvedic Way

The Ayurvedic method to allergy management entails the following steps:

Avoiding factors responsible example, if you're allergic to pollen, try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Keep the windows and doors closed with the air conditioning on, car set to internal airflow. When coming home from outside, shower, wash your hair, and put on different clothes.

Ayurvedic therapies help to stabilise the system, restore balance, and increase immune resistance. These can include Shamana (calming by nutrition, lifestyle, and herbal formulations) and Shodhana (calming through meditation) (cleansing treatments like Panchakarma).

Eventually, the sensitive elements will be reintroduced in an integrated method.

Types of Allergy

There are predominantly 3 types of Allergies as per Ayurveda

Kapha Related Allergy: 

Kapha is a dosha characterised by excessive mucus in the body. Dry skin, nasal congestion, itchy eyes,  sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose are the most typical symptoms of Kapha allergies. The degree of the allergy influences the symptoms. However, if you have any of these symptoms on a regular basis, you should definitely see an allergist.

Vata Related Allergy:

Vata is a dosha connected with the elements of air, fire, and the mind. It is in charge of emotions, metabolism, hormones, and development. Dry skin, dry mouth, thin hair, fragile nails, constipation, diarrhoea, and gas are some of the symptoms. Cold hands and feet, as well as heartburn or acid reflux, are further symptoms.

Pitta Related Allergy: 

Pitta-related allergies can be quite problematic. Breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and throat itching are some of the symptoms. Pitta-related allergy symptoms are non-specific and might vary between individuals.
 

Risk Factors of Allergies

Early exposure to allergens in infancy (such as having a dog in the family) and respiratory illnesses, according to some ideas, can help avoid the development of allergies. Mothers who smoke while pregnant are more likely to put their children at risk of allergies. Secondhand smoking also increases the incidence of allergies in children and newborns. Breastfeeding is suggested for a variety of reasons, including lowering the child's tendency to develop allergies later down the line.
 

Ayurvedic Herbs and  Medicines for Allergies

There are countless Ayurvedic Herbs used by practitioners of Ayurveda. We have enlisted a few of them:

• Adraka - ingested in paste format with honey, it is used to treat Kapha related allergies. Also good for digestion
• Yashtimadhu - root herb that acts as an emetic, tonic and rejuvenator. 
• Vasa - ingested in powder form, it manages respiratory-related allergies.
• Haridra - has anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic and antibacterial properties
• Pippali - treats respiratory problems and its fruit has carminative and analgesic properties that are excellent against allergies
• Krishnakeli - consumed as a juice with water, it helps fight against skin diseases and other allergies. 

Ayurvedic medicines should only be consumed with proper prescription from the Ayurvedic Doctor

• Trikatu Churna - Prepared with Pippali, Maricha and Shunthi, it helps to remove accumulated toxins from the body.
• Sitopaladi Churna - Prepared with sugarcane, cinnamon and cardamom, it is used to treat upper respiratory tract related allergies.

Ayurvedic treatment for Allergies

1. Ahara – Dietetic treatment: An Ayurvedic physician-created personalised food plan that is tailored to the particular bodily constitution and lifestyle is the ideal foundation for balancing the doshas and avoiding allergies.

2. Vihara – Regulative therapy: Personal lifestyle has a significant influence on the immune system, which is why someone who suffers from allergies should live a lifestyle that avoids certain allergens.

3. Aushadha – Natural medicine: Ayurvedic medicinal herbs might also help to alleviate discomfort. After a comprehensive consultation, an expert Ayurvedic physician will advise you in this area.

4. Shodhana – Detoxification: Panchakarma is a five-fold detoxifying procedure. Only an expert Ayurvedic physician can determine which of these cleansing treatments is appropriate for a particular health issue.

5. Sattvavajaya – Psychosomatic medicine: A person's mental condition can sometimes exacerbate or even induce allergic reactions. As a result, psychological issues such as worry and insecurity demand specific consideration. Allergies can be reduced by cultivating inner calm and mental stability.

Ayurveda tackles the issue at its roots instead of only reducing the symptoms. It however does not offer an instant solution for hypersensitivity. If you are looking to learn a thing or two about Ayurveda, take up an Online Ayurveda Course in Kerala from the best Ayurveda Institute in Kerala - School of Ayurveda & Panchakarma. They cover a vast range of topics in the field of Ayurveda.