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)

“Dr. Gupta’s provides efficient treatment for Cow milk allergy by assessing the specific condition of the patient. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® offers pure and authentic Ayurvedic Management for Cow Milk allergy. IAFA provides the best care and service for all your health problems”.

Trust IAFA and your health will be safe with us!!

– 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.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Cow Milk allergy?

Answer: Cow Milk allergy is a condition in which there is an abnormal response of body’s immune system to a protein found in cow’s milk, which causes injury to the stomach and intestines.

Question: What are the causes of Cow Milk allergy?

Answer: It is a hypersensitivity reaction to milk proteins mostly alpha S1-casein in cow’s milk caused by an abnormal immune system.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Cow Milk allergy?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment includes purificatory measures which purify the gut of the mother and the child and expels the allergens ingested. It also improves the digestive power and thus helps in improving digestion and metabolizing the undigested elements.

Question: Can Ayurveda treat Cow Milk Allergy?

Answer: In Ayurveda, cow milk allergy is considered as indigestion. The treatment involves strengthening the digestive fire, increasing metabolism, purification of breast milk in mothers.

Question: What is the diet in cow milk allergy?

Answer: Dairy products that are rich in enzymes and probiotics, green leafy vegetables cooked in oil or ghee, wheat, barley, ragi should be consumed.