:: March/April 2004 Volume 3/Number 2

Welcome to Spring!
Allergy Season Is Here
An Ayurvedic Point of View

By Felicia M. Tomasko

Spring is the time when Mother Nature's thoughts turn to water. Winter snows melt, and rains descend. The air becomes damp and in our bodies, water begins to increase and flow when the kapha dosha , composed of the elements water and earth, predominates. In excess, the wet and heavy energy of kapha contributes to the bane of spring for those who are susceptible to seasonal allergies manifesting in runny noses, sniffles, congestion, and blocked sinuses.

According to Ayurveda, allergies are complex conditions. In the Ayurvedic system, allergies occur when our immune systems respond to environmental substances not considered threatening--such as pollen, grass, dust, or dander. It is thought that this occurs due to a lack of intelligence in the body leading to an inappropriate immune system reaction. Often this can be due to low agni (digestive fire), leading to a buildup of ama (undigested and/or toxic material) in the digestive system or the tissues.

The changing of the seasons always is a particularly vulnerable time for allergies, especially, spring's transition from the dry, airy vata (air and space) winter to the damp, heavy wet kapha spring. To support this change, shifting the diet, reducing dairy and increasing bitter greens, soups, and salads helps reduce the weighty influence of kapha .

Actually, kindling agni is a recommended method of treating and preventing allergies. To kindle agni , solutions are only as far away as the kitchen cupboard.

Ginger

Ubiquitous and delicious ginger can be used in a myriad of recipes to both strengthen digestion and eliminate excess mucus.

A tea of 1/8 tsp of freshly grated ginger, boiled in a cup of water, honey added to taste and a squeeze of lime or lemon can be the perfect ????. Drink this tea twice a day for a cleansing and stimulating effect.   

H2O

The most basic and yet profound lifestyle change to kindle healthy digestion is to drink water and other liquids at room temperature, rather than ice-cold. Ice cools agni and increases kapha , thereby increasing excess mucus production--which you want to minimize in allergy season.

Turmeric

To dry up a runny nose or reduce congestion, turmeric produces amazing results. Take ¼ to ½ tsp of turmeric with honey, as often as needed, to clear up the sniffles and provide freedom from the tissue box.

Mahasudarshan

Another medicinal herbal preparation, Mahasudarshan, containing 40 bitter herbs, treats allergies. It can be found at Ayurvedic treatments centers and specialty herb shops. Mahasudarshan, like turmeric, clears up the nasal congestion and treats underlying imbalances.

Neti and Nasya

Neti and Nasya are practices that treat the nasal passages and sinuses directly. Both can be beneficial in the spring allergy season and throughout the year.

Neti , now becoming used therapeutically in modern medicine, is the rinsing of the nasal passages with warm, salty water. Prepare neti by lightly salting room temperature pure or filtered water--about a pinch of salt per cup of water, 1 tsp per quart, or enough salt to make it taste like tears. Use a neti pot over the sink to pour the water through the nostrils.

Nasya is the use of herbal nosedrops, administered in a posture with the head back and nostrils open, to medicate, open and clear the sinuses and nasal passages. Nasya herbs include eucalyptus, basil, sandalwood or brahmi, along with lubricating and soothing sesame oil. Three to five drops in each nostril twice a day is usually sufficient. Nasya preparations can be found at Ayurvedic shops, practitioners' offices or through mail-order suppliers.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, allergies, as with any condition, reflect a unique situation in each person's array of symptoms and underlying imbalances. Even without knowing all the details, there are many simple solutions. So instead of popping Claritin or another pill when the weather or the television commercials herald the call of spring, try an Ayurvedic remedy within your reach that also supports your overall health.