Allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are
usually not harmful. It's often called atopy. It is an adverse reaction that
the body has to a particular food or substance.
Any substance that triggers an allergic reaction is called
allergen. Some of the most common allergens include pollen, house dust mites,
mould and pets. An allergy develops when the body's immune system reacts
to an allergen as though it is a threat, like an infection. It produces
antibodies to flight off the allergen, in a reaction called the immune
response.
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The next time a person comes into contact with the allergen, the
body remembers the previous exposure and produces more of the antibodies. Thus,
this causes the release of chemicals in the body that lead to an allergic
reaction. Examples of some allergic disorders include asthma, eczema, and hay
fever.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergy:
In Ayurveda, our body is an
end product of what we eat and how we live. The food is ingested, and then
digested. During the digestion, the food passes the seven different stages of
nutrition. After passing the seven stages, the food sap, which remains, is
known as the Nectar of the food (Ojus). According to Ayurveda, the Ojus enables
the human body to fight against different diseases. Thus, a good quality Ojus
is required for a better health. According to Ayurveda, allergens such as
pollen, dust, and dander, may trigger symptoms in susceptible persons, but
these allergens are not the primary cause of allergies. Ayurveda theory
believes that the accumulation of 'ama' is the main problem, because it
prevents the immune system from functioning normally, which in turn causes
over-reaction in the body, with allergies as the end result. When your body has
low digestive fire or unsteady digestive fire, or foods that demand more digestive
power than the body possesses, are being eaten, it creates a half-baked gunk.
When people continue their improper dietary practices, ama moves beyond the
digestive tract through the circulatory system, thus settling in various bodily
tissues and clogging internal pathway. In an effort to protect the body, the
immune system offsets into high gear. Thus, as the toxic load increase, it
becomes over- vigilant and defensive, violently attacking even harmless
substances such as pollen, causing pointless symptoms.
Causes:
- Poor digestion and elimination: Ayurveda
theory maintains that the cause of allergy is in the stomach. Improperly
digested food is carried through channels into various tissues in the
body. The resulting toxin accumulation imbalances the tissues through
several mechanisms; the toxins become irritants, and are perceived as
foreign bodies by the immune system. An allergic response is initiated by
the accumulating toxins. Also, when the accumulation of impurities become
excess, the tissue often becomes hyper-responsive to other foreign
particles and such individual becomes allergic to environmental substances
that aren't harmful. Such person has allergies.
- Accumulation of physical and mental stress.
- Imbalance of nervous system strength and stability; In Ayurveda, the functioning mode in the body which is called Vata, controls the overall level of balance and activation of the nervous system. Thus, an imbalance of Vata plays a major role in allergy symptoms.
Ayurvedic treatment for Allergy:
Boosting the digestive fire, detoxification, immune system
strengthening, stress management.
Treatment:
The treatment modalities include panchakarma, external
therapies, internal medications, Activities, advice of food and life style
changes.
Panchakarma – Vamana, Virechana,
Nasya
Externally – Abhyanga, Lepa, Shiro dhara
Internally
Agni Deepana (Improve appetite)
Ama Pachana (Digestives)
Vatanulomana (Herbs to balance the flow of Vata)
Pitta and Kapha balancing herbs
Rasayana which strengthen the particular system.
Activities:
Specific Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation.
Food:
· Foods which aids easy digestion and create nutrients assimilated
into the tissues are advocated for.
· Intake of warm water
· Avoid heavy foods
Lifestyle:
Develop a lifestyle that
does not disturb the natural bodily rhythms.