Allergy
Allergy is a condition where the body's immune system becomes overly sensitive to specific antigens, triggering characteristic symptoms upon subsequent exposure. These allergens can be found in various forms such as pollen, dust, dairy, wheat, latex, chemicals, and more. Allergic reactions can manifest in different forms, including urticaria, asthma, atopic dermatitis, angioedema, rhinitis, and food or drug allergies, with severe cases leading to anaphylaxis.
In Ayurveda, allergies are viewed as disruptions in the body's natural constitution, with doshas accumulating due to unhealthy lifestyle and diet choices. When triggered by external factors, these accumulated doshas can flare up, leading to various allergic reactions. Ayurveda categorizes allergies based on the predominant dosha involved:
Vata Allergies: These allergies often manifest suddenly with symptoms like wheezing, Vata-related asthma, dizziness, and headaches.
Pitta Allergies: Pitta-related allergies typically occur when an allergen comes into contact with the skin and enters the bloodstream. This can result in skin-based reactions such as hives, rashes, itching, eczema, or allergic dermatitis.
Kapha Allergies: Kapha-related allergies are often exacerbated during the spring season due to the prevalence of pollen-based allergens. Symptoms may include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and respiratory discomfort.
Ayurvedic treatment for allergies involves identifying the specific dosha imbalance and addressing it through various methods. This may include dietary adjustments tailored to pacify the aggravated dosha, herbal remedies known for their balancing properties, lifestyle modifications to promote overall health and immunity, and cleansing techniques to remove accumulated toxins from the body. By restoring balance to the doshas, Ayurveda aims to alleviate allergic symptoms and promote long-term well-being. Herbs like turmeric, gooseberry, Holy basil, Ginger and pepper have proven efficacy in treating different allergic conditions.