Spring Allergies?

reprinted with permission from Banyon Botanicals

Do you suffer from allergies in any way? Perhaps you’ve come to dread the arrival of springtime because of the degree to which your allergies overtake your life. Unfortunately, many of us feel utterly helpless when it comes to changing our allergy experience in any real or meaningful way. But because they so commonly flare up at this time of year, spring is an especially poignant time to explore the Ayurvedic approach to allergies – which, thankfully, offers a unique perspective and a number of effective allergy remedies for springtime and beyond. We sincerely hope that these insights will help you and your loved ones find some much-deserved allergy relief.

According to Ayurveda, an allergy is the result of a particular substance (the allergen) aggravating a specific dosha: vata, pitta, or kapha. Ayurveda therefore classifies allergies according to dosha, depending on which one(s) are triggered in each individual case – and yes, it’s possible for more than one dosha to be involved. More often than not, allergic reactions are reflective of our constitutions. In other words, a pitta predominant individual is more likely to develop a pitta type allergy while a kapha predominant individual is more likely to suffer from a kapha type allergy. This is especially true when our predominant doshas are aggravated. However, it is also possible to develop allergies that do not correlate with our constitutions. For instance, a vata predominant person with elevated pitta, might manifest a purely pitta type allergy. Whatever the case, let’s start by differentiating the three types of allergies identified in the Ayurvedic tradition.

Allergies and the 3 Doshas

Below, you will find a description of allergies according to dosha: vata type, pitta type, and kapha type – each with a brief exploration of potentially aggravating foods and a short list of dosha specific remedies. This information provides an important foundation. But don’t get too bogged down in the details because next, we’ll look at a number of Ayurvedic tools that can reduce allergy symptoms – regardless of their origins.

Vata Type Allergies

Symptoms

Vata type allergies are often experienced in the digestive tract with symptoms such as burping, bloating, digestive discomfort, gas, gurgling intestines, vague abdominal pain, and intestinal colic (1). They can also include symptoms of constriction such as wheezing or headache, as well as sneezing, ringing in the ears, joint pain, sciatica, muscle twitching or spasms, insomnia, nightmares, and other vata type discomforts (1).

Possible Correlation with Vata Aggravating Foods

Vata imbalances can cause food sensitivities to raw foods, many beans (black beans, pinto beans, adzuki beans, etc.), and certain animal proteins, like pork (1). These foods can also aggravate a vata type allergy.

Balancing Vata

When vata is aggravated, it is important to slow down, keep warm, stay hydrated, and eat a vata pacifying diet. Vata type allergies are often soothed by ginger or licorice teas with an added drop of Ghee to counteract vata’s dry quality (1). Healthy Vata and Vata Digest can also be supportive. Because the seat of vata is in the colon, one very effective therapy for balancing vata type allergies is a Dashamula tea enema (basti) (1). This therapy is best learned from an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner.

Pitta Type Allergies 

Symptoms

Pitta type allergies usually occur when the hot, sharp qualities of an allergen come in contact with the skin and then subsequently enter the bloodstream (1). Pitta type allergies are therefore often skin-based reactions such as hives, rashes, itching, allergic dermatitis, eczema, and may also involve bloodshot eyes (1). In the GI tract, pitta allergies can cause heartburn, acid indigestion, stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting (1). Pitta allergies can also induce hot flashes (1).

Possible Correlation with Pitta Aggravating Foods

High pitta can cause food sensitivities or allergies to hot, spicy dishes, citrus fruits, sour fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and fermented foods (1). These foods can also aggravate a pitta type allergy.

Balancing Pitta

When pitta is high, it is best to keep cool, to avoid exercising at midday, and to eat a pitta pacifying diet.Healthy Pitta and Pitta Digest can also be supportive. Because pitta has such an affinity for the blood, purifying the blood is often tremendously helpful. Simply donating blood can pacify pitta in much the same way that traditional bloodletting does (1). Herbal formulas that specifically support the blood can also be very effective. Try Blood Cleanse or a mixture of Manjistha and Neem (mix 1 part Manjistha with 1 part Neem; take ½ tsp. of the mixture in warm water three times per day, after meals) (1).

To balance and soothe the skin, try:

• Fresh Cilantro Juice, which cools and calms the entire system and promotes optimal health, comfort, temperature, and fluid balance in the skin (1). Simply place a handful of fresh cilantro in a blender with about ⅓ cup water and blend. Strain the pulp and drink the juice. (1)
• Cilantro Pulp Directly on the Skin. This method offers more localized soothing support and can be used in conjunction with cilantro juice. The pulp can be applied to the skin after it has been separated from the juice (1).
• Soothing Skin Balm or Neem Oil. Massaging either of these into the skin can help to promote balance and ease in the affected tissues.
• Guduchi, an herb that boosts the immune system and purifies the blood, while cooling, calming and soothing the skin (2).

Kapha Type Allergies

Symptoms

Kapha type allergies are the most likely to be exacerbated during the spring season because of the onslaught of pollen-based allergens (1). Kapha allergy symptoms include irritation of the mucus membranes, hay fever, cold, congestion, cough, sinus infection, water retention, bronchial congestion, asthma, and even sleeping disorders (1). In the digestive tract, kapha allergies can cause heaviness in the stomach and sluggish digestion (1).

Possible Correlation with Kapha Aggravating Foods

Elevated kapha can cause food sensitivities or allergies to dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese, and also to wheat, cucumber, or watermelon (1). These foods are also likely to aggravate a kapha type allergy.

Balancing Kapha

When trying to balance kapha, it is best to keep warm and dry, to avoid daytime napping, to stay active, and to eat a kapha pacifying diet. Drinking lightening and clarifying teas such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, or clove can also help to liquefy, dry, and eliminate excess kapha (3). Using small amounts of local honey as a sweetener serves to cleanse the system of excess kapha but can also help to diminish sensitivity to local pollens. Healthy Kapha and Kapha Digest (the Ayurvedic formula, Trikatu, in tablet form) can also be supportive. In addition, Punarnava very effectively clears excess kapha from the chest and stomach and promotes proper fluid balance in the tissues (2). As a digestive, it simultaneously helps to restore strength to the sluggish digestive fire (2).

If you tend to struggle with springtime allergies in particular, a dietary cleanse at the junction between winter and spring can help to clear the stomach and lungs of the excess kapha that is usually at the root of kapha type allergies (3, 1). Throughout the rest of the spring, a weekly one day fast – whether a total fast, a fruit or juice fast, or a mono-diet of kitchari – can help to keep kapha balanced (3). There are also more advanced Ayurvedic therapies (like pancha karma) that offer a powerful means of clearing accumulated kapha from the system; these are best done under the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner.

You might consider The Elemental Cleanse as an approachable alternative to Pancha Karma.

Use Coupon Code ALG314 for 20% off select allergy fighting herbals.  Please know when you shop through EOM’s links, we do receive a commission for the sale.  OM, Pamela

learn more>>