What Ayurveda says about Allergies?

Immune system is the defence mechanism of your body against certain bacteria, viruses etc which may harm you. But sometimes when this defence 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.

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 individualised approach towards a patient and disease. Hence one must consult an Ayurvedic consultant for complete relief from Allergy.

Dr V D Singh MD (Ay)

Ayurcare

Vijaypur (J&K)

9419180272

9622361874