Respiratory System Allergies
Allergy in Ayurveda is explained as asatmya, which refers to not following guidelines associated with diet or environmental changes. Satmya indicates tolerance and asatmya intolerance. It speaks of conditions of hypersensitivity, of reactions of one or more doshas to a causative factor, the root of the allergies is an unbalanced agni.
Satmya refers to this tolerance of our immune system to respond to stimuli. Agni maintains our immune system, balancing prana, tiles and ojas (subtle energies related to doshas) that are responsible for neutralizing invaders.
According to Ayurveda, allergies are specific reactions to specific agents, it can be through the skin, through ingested food or through olfactory reactions. Depending on the reaction we have, the allergy can be Vata type, Kapha type or Pitta type.
In this article we will focus on Kapha allergies.
In spring the plants begin to emerge from their winter lethargy, for many it is the most beautiful time of the year because the planet begins to come alive filling nature with color, beauty and flowers. However, for others, it begins a small calvary, which has to do with the pollen that emanates from that explosion of life.
In this article we want to show you the part that deals with allergies of the type: respiratory system, which may arise in spring due to pollen, but can also be present at other times of the year due to dust. This allergy of the respiratory system, which arises from exposure to both pollen and dust, according to Ayurveda, is Kapha type. The symptoms we find are irritation of the mucous membranes, cold, cough, sinusitis, fever and even asthma.
Normally the allergy goes with the type of constitution of the person, if a person is Vata, he will have an allergy of Vata type, unless he has a food, environmental or emotional imbalance that makes a Vata person present the imbalance in Kapha, for example.
It is very important to have a good diet throughout the year, especially in winter, so that people who have allergy problems, do not accumulate Kapha and when spring arrives this Kapha will liquefy and creater respiratory problems.
A Kapha diet is a light, dry and warm diet. We have to look for for spicy, bitter and astringent flavors,.
The vegetables that can go well to a Kapha type are: eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, onion, leek, cabbage, endive, green bean, radish etc… Among the fruits we can find: pomegranate, apple, papaya, pear, etc… The spices in general all go well, but those that would go best are: fennel, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and clove. Legumes are also good, accompanied by the vegetables we have already mentioned. Cereals can be: brown rice, basmati rice, barley, rye, millet, buckwheat, amaranth. Dairy is not going to suit a Kapha, so we can use rice milk for example, which will be a good substitute for cow’s milk, and always bearing in mind that goat’s milk is going to be the least unbalancing but better to avoid as well.
Treatment
Kapha allergies are respiratory in nature and can be treated in several ways.
Mixes of the herbal compound called Sitopaladi with liquorice, the latter helps us to liquefy the accumulated Kapha and remove it more easily. In the absence of sitopaladi you can also make a mixture of black pepper and ginger and take a third of a teaspoon with honey three times a day.
If Kapha is retained in the lungs and stomach, a mild laxative (virechana) is needed, for example triphala (can be taken every night, up to 1 gram) or linseed oil (a spoonful of desserts twice a day, for 3 days). Especially the triphala will help us also to prevent the arrival of allergic reactions.
Eucalyptus vapours are very useful to eliminate Kapha, as well as the spicy infusions, with pepper, clove, ginger, cinnamon and a little liquorice. Flax infusions will help to clear the lungs of mucus. Also a daily fennel infusion will help us balance agni, and give strength.
Meditation and yoga are our allies, to prevent and cure Kapha dosha allergies it is very good to practice several salutations to the sun (Surya Namaskar) every day. As well as Bastrika pranayama (fire breathing) which gives us warmth, five minutes each day during the spring or after the yoga session and before meditation.
Doing nasya with an herbal medicated oil called Anu taila will also help us if it is done for a whole year to prevent its appearance.
So you know, if you’re in the middle of an allergy season and don’t know what else to do, try our Ayurvedic tips, and little by little you’ll see the results.
Namaste!