Seasonal allergies are a common adverse reaction to various external factors, such as food, medicine, the environment, and cosmetics. Conventional medicine recommends using antihistamines for immediate relief and avoiding allergens that cause the reaction. However, Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system, believes that allergies result from imbalances of the doshas, or bio-energetic principles that govern the body and mind's function. In Ayurveda, treating the source of the problem is essential for long-term relief. In addition to avoiding external causes of allergy, internal immunity needs to be boosted with a healthier diet, lifestyle, certain herbs, and rejuvenating treatments.
A person's primary dosha, or mind-body constitution, can often predict the allergy symptoms that will manifest. Understanding your dosha type, as well as your current imbalances, is crucial for treating allergies. Furthermore, each person has all of the doshas within them, which can lead to imbalances in any of the doshas. Thus, identifying which dosha is out of balance is crucial for relieving seasonal allergies.
Kapha Allergy Symptoms
In Ayurveda, Kapha allergy symptoms are characterized by an accumulation of the Kapha dosha, which is made up of earth and water elements. Typical allergy symptoms in the spring season include congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, sluggishness, and feeling tired. To relieve acute Kapha allergy symptoms, Ayurveda recommends several simple and effective therapies, including the traditional yogic nasal cleansing system known as Jalneti. This self-practice involves clearing the nasal passages with salt water with a Neti Pot, which regulates pressure in the head. Other treatments include using pungent and bitter (astringent) herbs and spices to reduce Kapha, such as ginger, cayenne, pepper, basil, cumin, cardamom, sage, turmeric, and cinnamon. Drinking hot honey water or ginger lemon tea and taking trikatu daily can also help reduce Kapha.
Pitta Allergy Symptoms
Pitta allergy symptoms, which usually occur in the summertime, result from an out-of-balance Pitta dosha, governed by the elements of water and fire. These symptoms are characterized by inflammation in the respiratory tract or skin, such as rash, headache, burning or red eyes, and inflammation in the sinuses and airway (sinusitis, bronchitis). To pacify Pitta and the resulting allergy symptoms, Ayurveda recommends ingesting cooling herbs, such as coriander and cilantro. Other helpful herbs include guduchi, amalaki, and neem. Ingestion of clarified butter, or ghee, as well as aloe, can calm the inflammatory reaction typical of Pitta imbalance.
Vata Allergy Symptoms
Vata allergy symptoms are characterized by headache, wheezing, sneezing, generalized muscle aches, dry cough, restlessness, and dry eyes. These symptoms typically occur in the fall as the air becomes cold and dry. The accumulation of the lighter elements of space and air in the mind-body physiology causes these symptoms. To balance the excess space and air elements, staying hydrated and drinking warm liquids, such as ginger tea with honey, is important. Calming herbs, such as ashwagandha, which is an immune modulator that calms the immune system's response to allergens, can also help. Performing a self-massage, or abhyanga is another useful tool in calming Vata.
Some natural ways of relieving seasonal allergies include:
1. Honey 🍯
Consuming raw, local honey can help to desensitize the body to pollen and reduce allergy symptoms.
Quercetin 🍵
This flavonoid is found in foods such as apples, berries, onions, and green tea. It acts as a natural antihistamine and can help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Vitamin C 🥝
This vitamin is a natural antihistamine and can help to boost the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, and bell peppers.
Probiotics 🥛
These beneficial bacteria help to support the immune system and reduce inflammation. Foods rich in probiotics include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
Essential oils 💧
Certain essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, can help to reduce inflammation and relieve allergy symptoms when diffused or applied topically.
When our Agni is restored, we avoid aggravating allergens and ama (toxicity) through conscious choices and keep our internal energies/doshas balanced, we are less likely to get diseases like seasonal allergies. Instead of seeing our environment as a threat, we can begin to calm the excitability of the immune system and instead experience our connection to the outside world as nurturing. Ayurveda gives us the tools to experience this connection and move closer to our natural state of health and balance.
