Allergic Rhinitis – Ayurveda treatment, medicine, diet & lifestyle tips.
By Dr. Pradeep Kumar .K
Allergic Rhinitis or Hay fever is an inflammatory response of nasal mucosa to airborne allergens (particles that provoke an allergic reaction).
Allergy is an abnormal function of immune system. When our immune system fail to recognize common dust, pollen etc and treat like a harmful allergen, there will be symptoms like repeated sneezing and thin watery discharge from the nose.
The inhaled allergens activate Mast cells and Basophils. These cells release Histamine and chemical mediators, they cause symptoms in nose, eyes, ear, throat and palate. It will last for several hours.
Causes:
- Seasonal allergic causes (symptoms appear in particular season): Pollen’s, dust mites, Grass dust, fungal spores etc.
- Perennial allergic causes (symptoms present throughout the year): House dust, chemicals, Animal dandruff, cockroach, wood dust etc.
- Strong irritants like smoke, odors, humidity of the atmosphere and Perfumes.
Symptoms:
- Early morning sneezing or recurrent sneezing when exposed to allergic factors.
- Nasal congestion.
- Thin watery discharge from the nose.
- Itching in the eyes, ear, throat and nose.
- Post nasal drip
- Sore throat
- Anosmia
Ayurveda Treatment concept:
- Nidanaparivarjana
- Prathishyaya chikitsa
- Kshawathu chikitsa
- Kaphavatahara chikitsa
- Srotoshodhana
- In Pitta and Raktadusti associated condition treat according to prakopa of anubhanda dosha.
In most of the patients Allergic rhinitis seen in early morning in Kapha kala. If you assess the nidana, there will be a history of intake of kaphakara kledayukta ahara like kaanji, curds, milk, excessive intake of water etc, especially in the night time. By following pathya there will be a gradual reduction in the symptoms. Select the oushadha dravyas having Kaphavatahara ruksha, ushna, pachana and vatanulomaka properties.
Treatment Procedures:
Shiro abhyanga:
- Tulasyadi kera
- Surasadi Taila
Mukha abhyanga:
- Karpooradi taila
Swedana:
- Bashpa sweda (steam inhalation – hot water with eucalyptus oil few drops and camphor)
Nasya:
Sneha nasya: Marsha or Prathimarsha Nasys (useful in Chronic Allergic rhinitis)
- Anutaila
- Shadbindu taila
- Shirovirechana gana siddha taila
Lepa/Talam:
- Rasnadi churna
- Kacchoradi churna
Internal medicines:
Kashyam:
- Amruthothara (Kaphavatahara, pachana, Ruksha and Ushna)
- Dashamoola katutraya (Kaphavatahara, Vatanulomaka, Pachana, Ruksha and ushna)
- Maha sudarshana kashayam
- Amrutha rajanyadi Kashayam
Churna:
- Talisadi churna(Kaphavatahara)
- Sitopaladi churna(Pittakaphahara)
- Laghu Sutshekhara mishrana(Pittakaphahara, ruksha)
- Trikatu churna(Kaphahara, Lekhana, Srotoshodhana)
Vati/Rasayana/Vataka:
- Laghu Sutshekhar Rasa
- Naradiya Laxmi Vilasa Rasa
- Mrityunjaya rasa
- Tribhuvana kirti rasa
- Vyoshadi vattakam
- Vettumaran gulika
Arishta/Asava:
- Dashamoolarishta(Kaphavatahara)
- Amritharishta(Tridoshahara)
- Pippalyasava(Kaphapittahara)
- Panchakolasava
- Mahasudarshan Kadha
Leha/ Khanda:
- Haridra khanda
- Chitrakaharitaki
- Dashamoolaharitaki
- Agatsya rasayana
Gritha:
- Shatphala gritha
Diet and Lifestyle tips for Allergic Rhinitis:
- Avoid exposure to known allergens and factors that trigger the symptoms like animal dandruff, pillow or mattress, house dust and chemicals.
- Keep windows closed during pollen season and while travelling in an open vehicle.
- Wash the hands after petting the animals.
- Steam inhalation twice daily, the water may have camphor or few drops of Eucalyptus oil.
- Avoid cold water head bath. Apply Rasnadi churna over Vertex after the head bath.
- Avoid Smoking, day sleep and suppression of natural urges.
- Do regular Pranayama.
- Use the food which is processed with Turmeric, Pepper and Ginger.
- Avoid Kaphakara aharas(Snigdha, sheeta, pichila and kledayukta)like icecream, curds, milk, banana, oily, fried, Chinese and junk foods.
- Avoid excessive drinking of water, Drink only warm water when you feel thirst.
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