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.)