Allergic Tonsillitis (Tundikeri)

हनुसन्ध्याश्रितः कण्ठे कार्पासीफलसन्निभः।
पिच्छिलो मन्दरुक् शोफः कठिनस्तुण्डिकेरिका ‌।।

Allergic Tonsillitis - Causes, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment

Tonsils and adenoids are the body’s first line of defense at the oro-pharyngeal gateway. They “sample” bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth or nose at the risk of their own infection. Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils (glands at the back of the throat, visible through the mouth). The inflammation may involve other areas of the back of the throat, including the adenoids and the lingual tonsils (tonsil tissue at the back of the tongue). There are several variations of tonsillitis: acute, recurrent, and chronic tonsillitis, and peritonsillar abscess. It’s most common in children aged 3 to 7, who have larger tonsils than adults and older children. However, it is estimated that 15% of all visits to family doctors are because of chronic tonsillitis.

A disease which is similar to tonsillitis in clinical presentation in Ayurveda is Tundikeri which is described under Mukha Roga. The disease Tundikeri is highly prevalent disease but there is very less explanation in Ayurvedic classics regarding the description of disease and its management. The word Tundikeri is made up of two words i.e. Tundi and Keri. Tundi means mouth and Keri means location. So in total Tundikeri refers to the disease that occurs in the region of the mouth.

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Causes of Allergic Tonsillitis (Tundikeri)

Most common causes of allergic tonsillitis include,

Allergies, like hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or allergies affecting the nose

Sinus infection

In Ayurveda, Indralupta is caused by vitiation of Vata dosha along with Pithadosha in hair follicles. Kapha dosha along with Raktadathu forms a covering in these follicles and prevents the formation of new hairs.

Ayurvedic Reference of Allergic Tonsillitis (Tundikeri)

Symptoms of Allergic Tonsillitis (Tundikeri)

Recurrent attacks of sore throat or acute tonsillitis.
Chronic irritation in the throat with cough.
Bad taste in the mouth.
Foul breath (halitosis) due to pus in crypts.
Thick speech (hoarseness of voice).
Difficulty in swallowing.
Choking spells at night (when tonsils are large and obstructive).

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Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
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Diet Management in Allergic Tonsillitis

Do’s (Pathya) in Allergic Tonsillitis

Dantadhavana (brushing), Kavala (gargling) are measured to maintain oral hygiene, avoidance of which leads to Kapha Dosha vitiation.

Don’ts (Apathya) in Allergic Tonsillitis

Avoid Sleeping in prone position (Avaksayanam)
Avoid continuous usage of excessive fish, meat of buffalo, pork, uncooked Mulaka(radish), soup of black gram, curd, milk, Suktha, sugar cane juice,
Taking bath daily after heavy diet
Indigestion
Drinking / bathing in cold water
Excessive talking after eating, and suppression of natural urges

Yoga Therapy in Allergic Tonsillitis

Postures include,

Ustrasana
Dhanurasana
Baddha konasana

Pranayama include,

Nadi-shodhana Pranayama leads to a marked improvement in lung functions by strengthening the respiratory muscles and decreasing the resistance to the airflow in the lungs.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergic Tonsillitis

The management of Tundikeri is dealt in three ways – medical, para surgical and surgical management.

Internal Medicines for Allergic Tonsillitis

Bharngyadi Kashaya
Dashamulakatutraya Kashaya
Indukantham Kashaya
Pathyakatphaladi Kashaya
Sudarsana Choorna
Talisapatradi Choorna
Triphala Choorna

Agastya Rasayana
Dashamulaharitaki Lehya
Madhusnuhi Rasayana
Shiva Gutika
Khadiradi Vati
Jathyadi Gutika
Panchakola Gutika

Para Surgical Management of Allergic Tonsillitis

The para surgical management of Tundikeri can be done with:

Raktamokshana
Kavala-Gandusha
Pratisarana
Kshara Karma: Apamarga Kshara is widely used in cases of chronic tonsillitis.

Surgical Management

Shastrakarma elaborated for Galashundi (Chedana-excision) can be adopted in Tundikeri.

Single Drugs Used in Allergic Tonsillitis

Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)
Madhuyasti (Glycirrhiza glabra)
Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum)
Vibhitaka (Terminalia bellerica)

Surasa (Ocimum sanctum)
Shirisha (Albizia lebbek)
Haridra (Curcuma longa)

References

Acharaya J.T. 1st ed. Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashan; Varanasi: 2003. Sushrut Samhita of Sushruta.
Shastry J. L.N. 2nd ed. Chaukhambha Orientalia; Varanasi: 2005. Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana.
Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridya edited with Vidyotini Hindi commentary, Uttaratantra. Edited by Kaviraj Atridev Gupta and Vaidya Yadunandana Upadhyaya. 14th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2003. p.717
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Allergic Tonsillitis Chapter No. 48, Page No. 299-303.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Allergic tonsillitis?

Answer: Allergic Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that causes inflammation. It’s most common in children aged 3 to 7.

Question: What are the causes of Allergic tonsillitis?

Answer: Allergic tonsillitis is caused due to allergic exposure to an allergen and occurs when congestion in the nose and sinuses drains down to the throat

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Allergic tonsillitis?

Answer: Along with internal medications, Para surgical and surgical treatment have a major role in allergic tonsillitis.

Question: Can Ayurveda treat Allergic Tonsillitis?

Answer: Yes, Ayurveda can treat Allergic Tonsillitis effectively by eradicating the root cause and fortifies the body against further attacks.

Question: How Ayurveda treats Allergic Tonsillitis?

Answer: The management of Allergic Tonsillitis in Ayurveda includes a combination of a variety of aushadhi (herbal medications), ahar (changes in diet) and vihar (changes in lifestyle).

Question: What is the Ayurvedic perspective of Allergic Tonsillitis?

Answer: In Ayurveda, allergic tonsillitis is termed as Tundikeri which is mainly caused due to the accumulation of toxins due to improper digestion and poor defense mechanism.This condition is managed by Vata and Kapha dosha pacifying herbs, immuno-modulators etc.