Sunday, May 10, 2009

Ayurveda for Allergies

Allergies are definitely an adverse reaction to something external, however the fact that they occur originates from an imbalance of the doshas or bio-energetic principles that govern the functioning of our mind-body. As with all Ayurvedic treatment, treating the origin as opposed to the result is the key to achieving long term benefits and relief.

"Allergies" become a health problem when an excessive and unwanted allergic response occurs to particles that are part of our normal environment and are not actually dangerous to the body.
Some individuals are born with allergies, and have a genetic susceptibility to them. However, most allergies are acquired after birth. While inborn allergies can often be helped by the measures discussed in this article, acquired allergies are generally more responsive to such behavioral approaches.

The Main Cause of Allergies :1.Although pollen, dust, dander, trees and other allergens are the trigger for allergies in susceptible people, they are not the underlying cause. Many people are exposed to these substances every day without developing allergic reactions. Rather, it is the inner condition of the body that determines whether an allergic response results from exposure to an allergen.
2.Allergies result when the body has accumulated excess wastes, toxins and impurities.
3.According to Ayurvedic theory, improperly digested foods (called ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system. When additional allergens such as pollen or dust arrive on the scene, the already irritated immune system goes into "high gear", creating the symptoms of an allergy attack.

Remedies:
1. Practice Jalneti : Its a traditionally performed with a small pot called a Neti pot that looks like a miniature teapot with a particularly long spout.
Fill the Neti pot with about 1 cup of lukewarm water. Add 5 to 7 drops of an herbal essential oil or other concentrate that brings out toxins and relieves congestion.Place the spout at the right nostril (but do not insert into the nostril), keeping your mouth open to allow for free breathing, and tip the pot to send the water into your right nostril.
2. Then follow with some pranayama techniques for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Follow with Nasya: Ayurvedic nasal therapy. Insert a few drops of oil into each nostril after washing your face with lukewarm water. Choose an Ayurvedic oil that that has been prepared to help alleviate allergies

Recommended Diet for Allergies :The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.
1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, when your digestion is strongest. Ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.
2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. . Eat a warm, freshly cooked vegetarian evening meal without fried foods, desserts, cheese, yogurt or other curdled products, since these are heavy for digestion and cause more blockage, congestion and mucous.
3. Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh warm food, freshly prepared. Avoid micro-waving, which has been shown to destroy over 90% of the protective antioxidants in the food. Also, avoid cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods.
4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.
5. Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods are irritating to the body and promote inflammation, according to Ayurveda.
6. Do include detoxifying spices in your daily diet

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