Understanding Allergies in Ayurveda

What does Ayurveda say about Allergies?

A1 Understanding Allergies in Ayurveda

Written and Researched by Dr V.D Singh

The immune system is the defence mechanism of your body against certain bacteria, viruses etc. which may harm you. But sometimes when this defense mechanism starts fighting with the substances with which it shouldn’t, the condition is called Allergy. Such substances, found in dust mites, animal dander, pollen, insects, ticks, moulds, foods, some medicines etc., are called allergens and are completely harmless for most people.

An allergic reaction begins when an allergen (for example pollen) enters the body of a person, who is allergic to that particular allergen and triggers the release of antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to special cells, called mast cells. When this allergen (pollen) comes into contact with the antibodies, the mast cells respond by releasing histamine and other chemicals.

Allergy may be atopic (inherited) or acquired. The allergens may hit your eyes, nose, sinus, skin, stomach, bowels, lungs etc and may cause conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, urticaria (hives), eczema, allergic asthma, etc and sometimes may result into anaphylaxis – a serious situation which may put your body into shock.

Antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays etc may provide the symptomatic relief but the episodes may recur once you get exposed to that particular allergen again.

Allergy and Ayurveda

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In Ayurveda, Allergy is described as Asatmya. Asatmya literally means Intolerance or Incompatibility or Unsuitability.

In other words, Asatmya is that “which doesn’t suit the self” and ‘self’ here includes mind, body and soul. Pathophysiologically, Allergy is a condition in which either of the doshas ( Vata, Pitta & Kapha), individually or in unison, refuses to accept and adjust with some specific change in diet or environment and as a result, react against the causative factor.

Apart from doshas, misbalanced Agni (Digestive Fire) and hence produced ama (toxins) play a pivotal role in allergic reactions.

The Ayurvedic treatment puts emphasis on clinical observations of signs and symptoms of Allergy. The first line of treatment being  Nidan Parivarjanam ­ – to avoid the cause.

The causative factors may include any of the substances discussed above. However it is not always possible to evade the cause and sometimes even the patient himself is not aware of the allergen; hence, an all-inclusive Ayurvedic treatment is required.

It includes Shamana Chikitsa (Palliative treatment), and once the acute symptoms subside, Shodhana Chikitsa (Detoxification program or Panchakarma) is done to avoid the recurrence.

By and large Ashwagandha, Shatawari and Yashtimadhu are good herbal antihistamines for Vata, Pitta and Kapha  type of Allergy respectively but Ayurveda believes in individualized approach towards a patient and disease.

 Seasons and Allergy

A3 Understanding Allergies in Ayurveda

There are certain seasonal allergies which are described as per Ayurveda those are further connected to the state or changes in the season regimen of the earth at that time, means according to the rituachrya.

Ayurveda further states that season trigger allergies due to ‘doshas’ that are involved. To find a treatment, it is important to determine the aggravated ‘dosha’.

Vata types of allergies are caused due to dryness. Symptoms includes dry cough with dry phlegm, insomnia and anxiety. It gets worse in dry or windy environments and also during autumn.

Pitta type allergies cause excessive heating such as burning eyes, rashes and loose stools. The condition usually worsens during summers.

Kapha allergies develop due to moist, humid conditions and worsen during spring time as the weather warms up. It shows up as cloudy or clear mucus production and slow digestion. You should follow a liquid diet of liquefied fruits and vegetables once a week.

For curing allergies with Ayurveda, we must focus on cleansing the body off the toxins and boosting the immune system. If the allergies last all year long, it is advisable to visit an ayurvedic practitioner for proper guidance and diet plan.

How to Cure Allergies with Ayurveda

  • We must avoid heavy foods such as dairy, meats and nuts.
  • We should do hearty lunch and opt for a very light dinner.
  • Drinking plenty of warm water would be much relaxing.
  • Exercising daily.
  • Yoga breathing exercise would be good for relaxing the mind and body.
  • Allergies are worsened with intense stress. Stress causes disturbance in sleep which in turn aggravates the allergy. One must get adequate sleep to avoid allergies.
  • Applying Herbal oil massage enhances blood circulation in the body. This leads to the removal of chemical toxins which might be causing the allergy.

Conclusion

Hence Ayurveda can better deal with the Allergies and we must adhere it according to seasonal regimen, food and taste and for better results one must consult an Ayurveda consultant for complete relief from Allergy.

Regards,

By Dr V D Singh MD (Ay)

 

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Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr Vikram

Ritucharya: Ayurvedic Seasonal Regimen for Healthy Living

ritucharya2 Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr Vikram

Written and Compiled by Dr Vikram Jasrotia (Ayr, MD)

Founder of Ayurcare

PREFACE


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Ayurveda is the ‘Science of life’. Its fundamental and foremost principle is to maintain the health of a healthy individual by following proper diet and lifestyle regimen rather than to treat or cure an ailment. To achieve this goal, Ayurveda explains various protocols as per the need and necessity of an individual. These protocols vary from person to person as Ayurveda doesn’t accept ‘one-size-fits-all’ as true. As per Ayurveda no two persons are exactly alike in the given time. Hence the treatment is recommended keeping a variety of aspects of ailment and ailing individual in mind.
Apart from age, sex, constitution etc of the sick, various other external factors too are taken into consideration while treating a person, which may intermingle with the wellness of that individual. For example, the environmental factors including temperature, humidity, wind, rain, clouds, the nature of the land, water of the given place etc are kept in mind while designing a treatment protocol. To be more precise, the treatment plan for an individual dwelling in the mountainous terrain of Kashmir will be different from a person residing in tropical Punjab. Likewise choice of drugs varies from season to season.
TRIDOSHA
 
Ayurvedic principles Panchamahabhuta and Tridosha Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr Vikram
This whole Universe is composed of five basic elements called Panchamahabhuta or Panchatatva viz., Ether (Akash), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jala) and Earth (Prithvi); and man being the microcosm of this Universe, too is made up of these five basic elements. These five elements interact in specific patterns constituting Vata, Pitta & Kapha collectively called as Tridosha.
Tridosha are basic humors or bio-entity of the body. However, they can’t be seen being a non-physical entity, yet are evident through their bodily functions and typical symptoms. The balanced state of Tridoshas symbolizes health and imbalance of the same is considered as illness.

RITUCHARYA 
 
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Ayurveda advocates that our body is affected by seasonal changes. As stated above, man is microcosm of the Universe. Vata, Pitta &Kapha govern all bodily activities of human as Air, Sun and Water do in the ecosystem of earth. As we see various changes in ecosystem such as scorching heat in summers, biting cold in winters etc, man being a part of the same ecology, his body is also influenced by such alterations in external environment. With the change in season, the change is evident in the environment we live in. If body refuses to adopt the stressors arose because of the changes in specific traits of seasons, it may lead to imbalance of Tridosha, which in turn may render the body highly susceptible to one or other kinds of disorders. To avoid this imbalance of Tridosha, Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) has been mentioned in the classics of Ayurveda.
Lifestyle diseases are a result of an inappropriate relationship of people with their environment. Ayurveda has depicted various rules and regimens regarding diet and behavior to acclimatize seasonal alterations and thus prevents the derangement of homeostasis which may cause various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer etc. Ritucharya is a mode of living one’s life in context of the seasons. It is an ancient Ayurvedic practice literally meaning ‘seasonal regimen’. It recommends different diets and lifestyle schedules in each season which help in retaining the health. This could range from obvious choices such as wearing warmer clothes during the winter to seasonal eating habits. The importance of Ritucharya in Ayurveda is that the principles from it can be applied daily to benefit one’s body.

SEASONS
 
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Ayurveda describes six seasons, each of two months duration, namely Shishira, Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharada and Hemanta in a year. A year (Samvatsara) is further divided into two semesters (Ayana), consisting of six months with three seasons each.
(1) Uttarayana or Northern Solstice – It indicates the ascent of the Sun or when the Sun appears to move northward. It comprises ofShishira, Vasanta & Grishma seasons. It is Agneya (Fire-like property) in nature.
(2) Dakshinayana or Southern Solstice – Dakshinayana indicates the descent of the sun or when the Sun appears to move southward. It comprises of Varsha, Sharad and Hemant seasons.
Uttarayana or Adana Kala or Northern Solstice 
 
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Uttarayana is also called Adana Kala. Adana means ‘to take away’. In Indian subcontinent this period may range from mid – January to mid – July when warmness and dryness in atmosphere increases and reaches its peak. The Sun and the wind become extremely powerful during this half of the year. The scorching heat of the Sun takes away the moisture and cooling quality of Earth leaving it dry and rough. Likewise energy and strength of the creatures also dries up leaving them debilitated. Adana Kala brings increase in the Tikta (bitter),Kashaya (astringent), and Katu (pungent) rasa (taste) respectively, in the successive ritus, which brings about dryness in the body and reduces the Bala (strength).
According to modern science this can be compared with the movement of Earth around the Sun to the position in which the rays of the Sun fall perpendicularly at 30 degree meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called as summer solstice.


Dakshinayana or Visarga Kala or Southern Solstice 

 
Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr Vikram
Dakshinayana, also known as Visarga Kala is for giving of strength and vigour in all living beings. During this period, Moon dominates the Sun and anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment. The Sun releases the strength to the people while Earth is cooled down due to the clouds, rain and cold wind. Unctuousness sets in the atmosphere and Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), and Madhura(sweet) Rasa are predominant, so the strength of person enhances during this period. This period ranges from mid – July to mid – January in the Indian subcontinent.
According to modern science, this can be compared with the movement of the earth around the sun to the position in which the rays of the sun fall over 30 degree meridian of the South Pole perpendicularly on December 21st every year, called as winter solstice.

Seasons1 Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr Vikram
CLASSIFICATION OF SEASONS

TRIDOSHA STATUS IN DIFFERENT SEASONS

Tridoshainseasons Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr VikramVata dosha accumulates during the dry or dehydrating heat of the summer. In rainy season, due to constant raining, the moisture and cold weather aggravates Vata. The apetite (Agni) becomes low and causes indigestion.

Pitta accumulates during the rainy season due to the acidic conditions of the atmosphere and a weakened digestion. It is aggravated during autumn when the heat returns .This occurs after the cooling spell of the rainy season.
Kapha accumulates during the cold season due to the cold and dampness caused by the winds, clouds and rain. It gets aggravated during the spring when the warm weather liquefies the accumulating Kapha.
SEASONAL VARIATION IN HUMAN STRENGTH 
In the beginning of Visarga Kala and ending of Adana kala, i.e., during Varsha and Grishma, strength gets weak and debility occurs. In the middle of the solstices, that is, during Sharata and Vasanta, strength remains in moderate grade and during the end of Visarga Kala and in the beginning of Adana Kala, that is, during Hemanta and Shishira, maximum strength is seen.
SEASONAL VARIATION IN POTENCY OF TASTES 
 
Season2 Ritucharya: An Overview of Seasonal Regimen in Ayurveda by Dr Vikram

The following table summarizes the tastes which are more powerful and hence can be included in the diet in each of the six seasons.

Conclusion:
As adaptations according to the changes, is the key for survival, the knowledge of Ritucharya (regimen for various seasons) is thus important.
Note: Article is Originally Written by Dr VD Singh and Author can be reachable at Ayurcare.
With Regards,Dr V D Singh MD (Ay)
Ayurcare, Vijaypur (Jammu)
Mobile : +91- 9419180272 | +91- 9622361874
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