| Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system maintains | | | | According to Ayurveda, an ancient healing system, |
| that although allergens such as pollen, dust, and dander | | | | one develops allergies when ojas (life force) is |
| trigger symptoms in susceptible people, they are not | | | | depleted & when the immune system is weakened. |
| the primary cause of allergies instead it is the | | | | High quality ojas is primarily built from proper digestion |
| accumulation of ama (toxic) and low immunity. | | | | of wholesome foods, and is depleted through stress, |
| Ayurveda emphasis that the improperly digested | | | | lack of rest, toxic foods, irregular eating habits and |
| foods (ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, | | | | routines & turbulent emotions. Ayurvedic management |
| are absorbed into the body, travel through the | | | | of allergies includes:a) Diet, Nutrition and Digestion - |
| circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and | | | | Allergies can be aggravated through improper diet. |
| other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated | | | | Foods that can be easily digested, creating nutrients |
| wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the | | | | that are then assimilated into the tissues to rebuild their |
| toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune | | | | strength is advised. Prepare foods in ways that create |
| system. | | | | maximum nourishment for the body.b) Stress |
| When this toxics material interact with the Skin, they | | | | Management and Improved Emotional Function - |
| can cause rashes, itching,burning sensations and | | | | Allergies are worsened by heightened stress and |
| discoloration. If the respiratory tract is involved, | | | | mental fatigue. Sleep disturbance that is often created |
| sneezing, inflammation and mucous drainage will | | | | by symptoms of allergies increases fatigue, which in |
| occur.If the tissue involved is the digestive tract, | | | | turn increases one's susceptibility to stress, which in |
| diarrhea can result. | | | | turn aggravates the allergy condition. Meditation |
| The qualities that predominate and the season or | | | | relieves the stress component of allergies.c) Lifestyle |
| conditions that bring on or worsen the allergy reveal | | | | and Daily Routine - Regularity in our daily routine is |
| the doshas that are involved. Determining the dominant | | | | highly effective as one of the most important factors |
| aggravated dosha helps in the creation of an | | | | for balancing Vata and keeping the natural cleansing |
| individualspecific treatment plan. | | | | processes strong is to have a lifestyle that does not |
| Vata type allergies may present with symptoms of | | | | disturb natural bodily rhythmsd) Ayurvedic Herbs - |
| dry cough with dry phlegm, headaches, anxiety, | | | | Appropriate herbal formulas is advised for aiding the |
| insomnia, and irregular digestion and elimination, and will | | | | healing process, strengthening digestion and helping the |
| likely worsen in dry or windy environments and in the | | | | body purify itself.e) Herbal Oil Massage - Daily oil |
| fall season. | | | | massage creates heat and friction which enhance |
| Pitta type allergies will show up as heated symptoms | | | | circulation and help cleanse the areas of chemical |
| such as burning eyes, rashes, loose stool, and irritation | | | | impurities that could be causing symptoms of |
| and may get worse in hot environments and the | | | | allergies.f) Cleansing therapies - Treatment program of |
| summer time. | | | | massage, application of herbal preparations and mild |
| Kapha, being moist, dull, and heavy, will have the most | | | | internal cleansing therapies like panchakarma is the |
| abundant clear or cloudy mucous production and | | | | cornerstone of ayurvedic treatment.g) Exercise - |
| sluggish digestion, and will worsen in the spring time as | | | | Ayurveda considers proper stretching and flexibility |
| the weather warms up and the accumulated kapha | | | | exercises to have a very positive effect on the body's |
| from the winter begins to "melt." | | | | healing response and the treatment of allergies. Yoga |
| From an Ayurvedic perspective, allergies, as with any | | | | breathing practices that create a state of restful |
| condition, reflect a unique situation in each person's | | | | alertness in mind and body. |
| array of symptoms and underlying imbalances and its | | | | Thus, Ayurveda is an integrated approach to allergy as |
| allergy treatment will emphasize on the four steps: | | | | it eliminates toxin buildup, stabilize the nervous system, |
| boost the digestive fire, adjust the diet to support a | | | | enliven the healing ability of the body and manage |
| "clean burn," detoxify, and restore the strength of the | | | | stress and thereby strikes the allergy at its root. |
| immune system. | | | | |