Allergies, whether from food, pollen, dust, mold, or dander, are typically a form of hypersensitivity reaction. The underlying causes of allergic symptoms are rarely from the allergens themselves, making proper Ayurvedic diagnosis essential. Based on information regarding pakriti (body type), and vikriti (imbalances), a causative diagnosis and treatment protocol can be made. Therapies focused only on the removal of the allergic response rather than the cause will be symptomatic relief at best. This approach, although useful in the short term, can create a dependency to the treatments over time while provoking a more chronic condition.
General Causes
A main causative factor of allergies is a by-product of improperly digested food. This toxic substance, called ama, is manufactured in the digestive system, and is absorbed into the circulatory system. Once systemic, ama can block and clog the channels of circulation (called srotas). There are thirteen major systems of srotas in the body providing all of the bodily means of communication. Arteries, veins, nerves, and lymph, are the major ones. The removal of ama in the circulatory system will often play a primary role in the management of immediate allergic hypersensitivity. (See under: Ama Reducing Program.)Depending on body type, the underlying cause of allergic hypersensitivities will vary. It should be understood in a general way that mental and emotional stress are common contributing factors in a hypersensitive allergic response. For this and other ama-producing imbalances Ayurveda will initially recommend a balanced seasonal and daily routine which includes a proper diet, morning exercise, and a large relaxing lunch and light dinner. Finally, one must have proper rest which would mean bed by 10:00 pm or earlier, and up with the sun. This daily routine instruction is called Dina Charya and is the first line of treatment and prevention according to Ayurvedic medicine.
Vata Causes
The vata body type is susceptible to various hypersensitivity reactions. In the case of allergic rhinitis, a vata imbalance will cause excessive dryness in the body. When this dryness finds its way to the respiratory system and sinuses, the protective mucous lining will dry up. This natural protection acts as a filter, temperature buffer, and first line of allergic immunity. When this layer of mucous dries up, the airborne allergens of dust, pollen, and pollution act as irritants in the sinuses, evoking an immediate hypersensitivity response. The body’s natural response to these irritants is to lay down mucous as a means of protection. The dryness alone will also trigger the body to produce mucous, making allergic symptoms a common vata condition. In this instance, allergic symptoms can be chronic and constant due to a deep mucosal dryness rather than a particular allergen. For the vata body type, precautions during the beginning and end of vata season (fall and spring) must be made to prevent against vata-based allergic symptoms.The vata body type is also particularly sensitive to lifestyle and daily routine. Most importantly with regard to allergens, the vata type must take the proper time to eat a large lunch in a relaxed atmosphere without the distractions of television, magazines, or phone calls. Such distractions aggravate the vata aspects of digestion, producing ama and hypersensitivity reactions.
Pitta Causes
The pitta type will be subject to an accumulation of heat in the body and blood. The heat is produced as a result of a physiological hypermetabolic state needed to burn off the excess ama in the blood. This heat, as does all heat, will rise in the body up into the head and neck. This a natural tendency for pitta types as seen by their tendency towards irritability and anger. Early graying hair and premature baldness are also attributed to an excess of pitta or heat rising into the head and neck. When this heat rises up into the sinuses, the effect is one of dryness along with the accumulation of impurities (ama) in the blood. The result of the dryness aggravates vata as we mentioned previously, and the excess blood ama aggravates pitta. The sinuses respond by acting as organs of excretion rather than secretion producing an allergic response.The treatment for pitta-based allergic response is twofold. The blood must be purified with pitta-pacifying herbs and the dryness must be dealt with, as in the case of vata.
Kapha Causes
The kapha body type is classically the most susceptible to allergies, and kapha imbalances and is often mislabeled the causative factor in most allergic conditions. It is the nature of kapha to produce and hold onto more water, congestion, and ama, however, and the treatment of kapha in all allergies is a common mistake. The symptoms of most allergic responses are kapha in nature with the production of congestion, fatigue, and malaise; but the cause of these kapha symptoms may be vata, pitta, or kapha. This diagnosis is crucial.It is, however, very common for the cause and symptoms of an allergic response to be kapha in nature. In this regard, the treatment is straightforward with the focus on pacifying kapha with bitter, astringent, and pungent herbs and spices, in order to remove excess mucous.Allergy treatments can become more complicated when multiple causes are present. Imbalances in vata and kapha, for example, can easily create chronic allergic symptoms. Treatment for each are opposite in nature, and care must be given to balance both kapha and vata at the same time.
Treatments
Ama Reducing Program
The following regimen is to be followed for the duration of one month:
- sip plain hot water every half-hour for one month
- drink eight to ten glasses of warm lemon water each day
- avoid dairy and wheat and favor fruits and vegetables
- eat a big, relaxing meal at lunchtime and soup for dinner
Vata treatments
- Nasya: Sniff sesame oil deeply into both nostrils two to three times a day
- Triphala (Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica): 1⁄2 teaspoon per day on an empty stomach
- Ginger root tea (Zingiber officinalis), three to four cups per day; also, chew small pieces as a lozenge
- Oleation and purgation: For six to seven consecutive days ingest ghee first thing in the morning. Start with two teaspoons, followed by four the next day, progressing in a like manner until a total of eight teaspoons is reached on the morning of the fourth day. On the eve of the fourth day, take six teaspoons of castor oil (a laxative dose). This removes accumulated ama from the seat of vata in the intestinal tract.
Pitta Treatments
- 1⁄8 teaspoon of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seed as a lozenge during the day
- Triphala (Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica): 1⁄2 teaspoon twice a day on an empty stomach
- Nasya: Sniff coconut oil deeply into both nostrils two to three times a day
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder: 1⁄2 teaspoon with 1⁄4 cup warm milk, three times a day after meals
- Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf tea: 3-4 cups per day as a detoxifier
Kapha treatments
- Trikatu (Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinalis): 1⁄4 teaspoon with raw honey before each meal
- Sitopladi (Piper longum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinalis): 1⁄2 teaspoon with raw honey three times a day on an empty stomach
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): 1⁄2 teaspoon with warm water after meals
- Pippali sticks (Piper longum): Boil four sticks in 1 cup of water until liquid is reduced to 1⁄4 cup. Drink two times a day on an empty stomach.
- Maintain a liquid diet one day per week, as ama reducing therapy
Liquid Diet
This diet generally consists of eating at regular intervals vegetables and fruits, which have been put through a blender and liquefied. Meals can be taken this way warm, or cold, and even with ice added. The liquid diet is normally part of an Ayurvedic cleansing program; putting foods through a blender prior to ingestion puts less strain on the digestive system.
References
- Atha Vale, V.B. Basic Principles of Ayurveda. Town Prinery: Bombay, India. 1980.
- Bhishagratna, K.L. Sushruta Samhita, Vols. 1-2. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office: Varanasi, India. 1981
- Frawley, D. Ayurvedic Healing. Passage Press: Salt Lake City, Utah. 1989.
- Sharma, P.V. Caraka Samhita. Chowkhamba Orientalia: Varanasi, India. 1981
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