Cow Milk Allergy (Ksheeraalasaka)
Cow Milk Allergy - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment
Cow milk allergy (CMA) also known as Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), is one of the most common food allergies in babies, and usually appears before 1 year of age. Cow milk allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to milk proteins mostly alpha S1-casein in cow’s milk (also in any other animal milk). It causes gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory symptoms and may even involve anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening condition.
Since it is a disease usually appearing before the age of 1, it can be correlated to Ksheeraalasaka in Ayurveda. It is a disease of breastfed babies-Ksheerada (the exclusively breastfed) and Ksheera Annada (partially breastfed baby on complementary feeds). Dr. Gupta’s IAFA provides efficient treatment for Cow milk allergy by assessing the specific condition of the patient.
Causes of Cow Milk Allergy
Cow Milk allergy is an abnormal response by the body’s immune system to milk and other products containing milk. An allergic reaction usually occurs soon after consuming milk. The disease has two forms:-
- Antibody-mediated,
- Non-antibody mediated.
CMA is most frequently caused by a Non-IgE-mediated mechanism. Non-IgE-mediated allergies tend to resolve by 2 years of age, while IgE-mediated allergies resolve by 3 years of age.
Ayurvedic Reference of Cow Milk Allergy (Ksheeraalasaka)

Symptoms of Cow Milk Allergy
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:-
- Colicky pain
- Regurgitation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation with or without perianal rash
- Blood and mucous in stool
- Mouth ulcers
Skin:-
- Atopic dermatitis
- Swelling of lips or eyelids (angioedema)
- Urticaria
- Allergic shiners
Respiratory tract:-
- Rhinitis
- Otitis media
- Chronic cough
- Wheezing
General / Extraintestinal Manifestations of Cow Milk Allergy:-
- Distress, irritability
- Frequent crying episodes
- Fatigue
- Nutritional deficiencies like iron deficiency anemia
- Joint pain/hypermobility
- Poor sleep
- Night sweats
- Headache
- Bedwetting
In Ayurveda, Symptoms include:-
- Shoola (abdominal pain)
- Bhrama (vertigo)
- Anaha (abdominal distension)
- Stambha (constipation)
- Jwara (fever)
- Atisara (diarrhea)
- Trishna (dehydration)
- Chardi (vomiting)
- Vaksanga (obstructed voice)
- Ksheetavana (eructations)

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– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)
Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®
Diet in Cow Milk Allergy
Do’s (Pathya) in Cow Milk Allergy
- Eat Dairy Rich in Enzymes and Probiotics to Aid Digestion.
- Choose a High-Quality Whey Protein Powder.
- Godhuma (wheat), Barley, Ragi, effective in diarrhea, a rich source of iron and other minerals.
- Green leafy vegetables cooked in oil/ghee provide minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
- Lentil soups provide good quality proteins.
- Thin meat soups help regain lost weight, improves immunity.
Don’ts (Apathya) in Cow Milk Allergy
- Drink Ultra-Pasteurized and Homogenized Milk
- Consume Low Fat Milk Products
Yoga Therapy for Cow Milk Allergy
Yoga therapy is extremely beneficial to treat Cow Milk allergy since there is an underlying psychological component in many intestinal diseases. Yogasanas and pranayama are more beneficial to the patients.
Postures include,
- Pavanamukthasana
- Matsyasana
- Sarvangasana
- Sirsasana
- Bhujangasana
- Paschitmoasana
Pranayama include,
- Kapalbhati
- Nadishodhana Pranayama
- Bhastrika Pranayama

Ayurvedic Treatment of Cow Milk Allergy
Ksheeralasaka is a form of Ajeerna (indigestion). The severity of the disease depends on the degree of ama (undigested metabolites) or Agnimandya (reduced digestive power) which is involved and the treatment is also selected accordingly. Shodhana (purificatory therapies) Ama pachana (increasing metabolism) Agnideepana (strengthening the digestive power) Stanyasodhana (purification of breast milk) Samana (pacification of Doshas).
Internal Medicines for Cow Milk Allergy
- Vachadigana Kwatha (decoction)
- Haridradigana Kwatha
- Pathadimaha kashaya
- Jambu amra tinduka kapitha patra kwatha
- Vilwabhangasya kwatha
- Mustadi stanyasodhana kwatha
- Laghu panchamoola kwatha with milk
Purificatory Therapies
- Vamana (emesis) for mother and child
Single herbs used in Cow Milk allergy as per Ayurveda
- Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica)
- Bilwa (Aegle marmelos)
- Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
- Sunthi(Zingiber officinale)
- Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica)
- Pathya (Terminalia chebula)
- Mridweeka (Vitis vinifera)
- Dadima (Punica granatum)
References
- AshtangaHridya by Acharaya Vagbhata, UttaraSthana, Balamayapratishedha, Chapter 2, Sloka 22.
- Sharma PV, Ashtanga Samgraha of Vagbhata Uttara Sthana Vol. III, 2013, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Chapter 2, Sloka 18, p. 20.
- Bhartiya S, Ashtanga Hridaya Arthaat Vagbhat 2013 Mathura: Govardhan Pustkalaya, 2013, Sutrasthana Chapter 8, Sloka 9, p.103.
- Sharma H, Kashyap Samhita by Vriddha Jivaka with Vidyotini Hindi commentary, Banaras, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Series, Khilasthana Chapter 15, verse 10, p. 331.
Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)