Ayurvedic Solutions To Cure Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mold, or flakes of skin from certain animals. The most common airborne allergens that cause rhinitis are dust mites, pollen and spores, and animal skin, urine, and saliva. It leads to conditions such as nasal congestion, nasal discharge, itching of the nose, and sneezing.

In Ayurveda, Allergic rhinitis is called as Vata-Kaphaja Pratishyay. As per Ayurveda Allergic rhinitis is caused due to the formations of Ama or toxins in the body, which leads to a poor immunity system. The accumulated ama aggravates the levels of Kapha Dosha in the body. As a result, the body shows the different symptoms of allergies. It is also caused by the wrong combination of food and unsuitable foods. So to erase the disease as a whole Ayurveda aims to balance the dosha by providing different types of treatments. It involves clearing the sinuses and expelling phlegm, removing the doshas, and detoxification. The treatments are panchakarma therapies, Ayurvedic medications, Rasayana Therapies, Diet recommendations, lifestyle changes, etc.

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Different Types Of Allergic Rhinitis

There are two main types of allergic rhinitis, seasonal and perennial.

• Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

  Seasonal allergies usually happen during the spring and fall season and are typically in response to outdoor allergens like pollen. It occurs at a certain time of the year. It is also known as Hay Fever. .

• Perennial allergic Rhinitis

  Perennial allergic rhinitis is a chronic allergic condition that doesn't subside throughout the year and causes nasal congestion and a runny nose. It occurs in response to indoor substances, like dust mites and pets. .

Different types of Allergic Rhinitis are Seasonal and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.

Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis

Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

• Sneezing.
• Itchy and runny nose.
• Coughing.
• A sore throat.
• Itchy, watery eyes.
• Dark circles under eyes.
• Frequent Headaches. .
• Eczema.
• Excessive Fatigue.

Causes Of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is triggered by breathing in tiny particles of allergens. The most common airborne allergens that cause rhinitis are dust mites, pollen and spores, and animal skin, urine, and saliva.

• House dust mites

  These are tiny insects that feed on the dead flakes of human skin. They are also found in mattresses, carpets, soft furniture, pillows, and beds. There is a chemical found in these dust mites. It causes disease.

• Pollen and spores

  Trees and grasses can produce tiny particles of pollen which sometimes cause allergic rhinitis. It can also be caused by spores produced by mold and fungi.

• Animals

  Animals, such as cats and dogs can cause allergies to human beings. It is caused by flakes of dead animal skin and their urine and saliva. Some people are affected by horses, cattle, rabbits, and rodents, such as guinea pigs and hamsters.

• Work-related Allergens

  People can get allergic rhinitis through their work circumstances, such as wood dust, flour dust, or latex.

• Increase in Kapha Dosha

  Kapha is the combination of water and earth elements. Kapha is based in the chest area. Sometimes Kapha gets aggravated and increases Kapha dosha. This leads to the condition of Allergic Rhinitis.

• Viruddh Ahar

  It means the consumption of the wrong combination of foods.

• Poor Digestion

  According to Ayurveda, if we do not follow dietary guidelines and consume food without self-control, we develop indigestion, and poor digestion is the root cause of many diseases. One of them is allergic rhinitis.

• Cold Temperature

  It is another cause of Allergic Rhinitis.

The common causes of allergic rhinitis are some allergens like house dust mites, pollen, and spores, animals, work-related allergens, increase in Kapha dosha, Viruddh Ahar, poor digestion, and cold temperature.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Allergic Rhinitis

Ayurveda recommends the treatment for Allergic Rhinitis includes:

• Nidana Parivartana

  In Ayurveda, Nidana Parivarjana or avoiding the cause is considered as the first line of treatment in most diseases. This treatment is specifically indicated in the management of diseases caused due to microorganisms. So it also treats Allergic Rhinitis.

• Shodhana

  Shodhana is the detoxification of the body to prevent disease. Toxins cause Allergic Rhinitis to accumulate inside the human body due to a variety of factors, and this treatment aids in their removal via the excretory system.

• Shamana

  Shamana revitalizes the body by treating imbalances and neutralizing impurities that remain after detoxification. It is a healing treatment. Shamana can be an external treatment like application of herbal pastes, showering or sprinkling with medicinal liquids, tub bath in medicinal liquids, herbal oil massage, oil pooling over the head, oral rinsing, gargling, oil pulling, etc.

• Rejuvenation or Rasayana Therapy

  Rasayana is an Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy that helps in the maintenance and promotion of health. Ayurveda describes Naimittika Rasayana as an effective one to reduce the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis. Some of the suggested Naimittika Rasayanas to be used for prevention and treatment of Allergic Rhinitis are Chyawanprash Rasayana, Chitraka Haritaki Rasayana, Agastya Haritaki Rasayana, Vyaghri Haritaki Rasayana, Vasa Awaleha, etc.

• Snehana

  Snehana, or Oleation Therapy, is one of the most important therapies that involve the application of medicated oils, ghee, and herbs to the body internally and externally for three to seven days. Oleation therapy is performed before any purificatory therapies such as Vamana (emesis), Virecana (purgation), or Vasti (enema).

• Swedana

  According to Ayurveda, Swedana is an ayurvedic therapy that means sweating. Swedana helps to balance the Vata and Kapha doshas in the body. It opens up the capillaries of the body and through perspiration, and thus surface toxins are released. .

• Dhumapana

  Dhumapana is an Ayurvedic herbal smoke inhalation procedure. During the Ayurvedic Dhoompana treatment, the smoke of medicated herbs smeared with ghee or oil is inhaled through the nostrils and mouth to treat various respiratory tract ailments.

• Vamana

  Vamana is one of the five therapies of Panchakarma in Ayurveda. Vamana means therapeutic vomiting which is a medicated emesis. This treatment is done for the aggravated Kapha dosha, which dislodges the toxins mainly from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. This therapy is very effective for the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis.

• Vasti

  Vasti (Enema) treatments are effective in removing Vata-based toxins from the body. This treatment should be done under the guidance of an expert Ayurveda doctor and all kinds of Vata disorders are eliminated with the proper use of Vasti. It has the power to remove toxins from the human body. .

• Nasya

  Nasya treatment refers to an Ayurvedic therapy that includes the installation of herbal oils, juices, or powders through the nasal route. It is one of the purificatory therapies for Allergic Rhinitis. .

The different ayurvedic treatments to cure the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis are Nidana Parivartan, Shodhana, Shamana, Rasayana Therapy, Snehana, Swedana, Dhumapana, Vamana, Vasti, and Nasya.

Diet Recommendations Of Allergic Rhinitis By Ayurveda

Ayurveda suggests following Pathya(Dos) and Apathya(Don’ts) for the effective Management of Allergic Rhinitis. They are as follow:

Pathya(Dos)

• Consume lukewarm water and food.
• Eat less spicy light food.
• Drink Soup.

Apathya(Don’ts)

As per Ayurveda, some of the food items you must be avoided to reduce the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis are:

• Heavy Meals. .
• Cold food.
• Cold beverages.
• Fermented food.
• Virudha Ahar.
• Curd.
• White flour (Maida).
• Pickles. .
• Chocolates.
• Daily head shower.

Lifestyle Modifications As Per Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes to follow below mentioned Ayurvedic lifestyle changes to Cure Allergic Rhinitis:

• Stay away from the particles which cause irritation or allergy.
• Take a warm water bath daily.
• Wear warm clothes in cold temperatures.
• Take nose inhalation steam regularly.
• Don’t sleep in the daytime, especially after lunch.
• For effective digestion eat slowly and properly.
• Do regular yoga and exercises.

Effective Yoga Practices To Get Relief From Allergic Rhinitis

According to Ayurveda yoga asana will help to control Allergic Rhinitis. Yoga asanas also help to improve breathing, improve mental state, and decrease the severity of allergic symptoms.
Some of the yoga practices that are very beneficial for Allergic Rhinitis are:

• Trikonasana.
• Setu Bandhasana.
• Vrikshasana.
• Ardhachandrasan.
• Virabhadrasana.
• Pawanmuktasana.

Herbal Remedies To Cure Allergic Rhinitis

• Haridra (Curcuma longa)

  Haridra commonly known as turmeric has shown good effect in treating Allergic Rhinitis. It contains properties like antiallergic, antioxidant, antimicrobial actions. It can be used to pacify Kapha and pitta dosha and can be used against allergic reactions induced by the imbalance of these doshas. .

• Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

  Due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties give good relief in allergic rhinitis. It helps in expelling out phlegm from the throat. The presence of eugenol, cineole, and camphene in tulsi leaves helps in relieving the congestion.

• Shati (Hedychium spicatum)

  Shati is a plant mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of swelling, diseases of the oral cavity, alopecia, sinusitis, diseases of the respiratory tract, and indigestion. It has properties like aromatic, acidic, bitter, pungent, carminative, stomachic, stimulant, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory. So it also treats Allergic Rhinitis.

• Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck)

  It is mainly used in allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, urticaria, etc. Albizia can also help reduce sensitivity, and lower levels of allergy-inducing antibodies and specific white blood cells involved in the immune response.

• Pushkaramula (Inula Racemosa)

  It is an effective herbal treatment of Allergic Rhinitis. It shows Antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains various chemical constituents. So it effectively treats various allergic conditions.

• Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)

  Vasa commonly known as Malabar nut is an important herb used in Ayurveda. It has a cold potency. It is used to treat diseases caused by Vata dosha and removes Kapha, pitta, and Rakta dosha.

• Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)

  The antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory actions of Kantakari help to treat different types of allergens. Hence it can effectively be used in allergic rhinitis.

• Madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

  Madhuyashti or Liquorice is used in the treatment of various health disorders. It acts as a good expectorant, expels phlegm from the lungs, and heals respiratory diseases.

• Bharangi (Clerodendron serratum)

  It is one of the common herbs used in the treatment of common cold, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, cough, and other chronic respiratory disorders. It contains anti-allergic and analgesic properties. So it can be effectively used in inflammatory conditions.

The herbal remedies that are effectively used for the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis are turmeric, tulsi, Shati, Shirish, Pushkaramula, vasa, Kantakari, Madhuyashti, and Bharangi.

Conclusion

All the information related to Allergic Rhinitis is based on various Ayurvedic resources. Always prefer the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before using herbs and herbal medicines for the treatment.

References

• Madhava Nidana,chapter 58.
• Nasa Roga Nidana.