Seasonal Allergy (Pratishyaya)

क्रुद्धावातोल्बणादोषानासायांस्त्यानतांगता: l
जनयतिप्रतिश्यायंवर्धमानंक्षयप्रदम् ll

Seasonal Allergy - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Seasonal allergy is the type of allergy that happens during different times of the year. It is also called ‘Hay Fever’ or ‘Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis’. It is caused mainly due to the spread of pollen grains from different plants, spores of molds, etc. through the air. It can start at any age but usually occurs during childhood. According to Ayurveda, during each Ritu (season) there will be natural vitiation of doshas causing corresponding symptoms. Most of the symptoms of seasonal Allergy are similar to that of Pratishyaya. Ayurveda has mentioned various successful internal as well external treatment measures for “Seasonal Allergy”. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is using classical Ayurvedic measures for treating Seasonal allergy and associated symptoms with high success rates. Hay fever can be treated within a short period of time by following Dr. Gupta’s IAFA treatment methods.

Causes of Seasonal Allergy

When molds or pollens enter the body, the immune system produces chemicals like histamines that fight against them. These chemicals result in various allergic reactions in the body. Reasons for allergies differ in different seasons. During springtime, pollen from many trees; during summer grasses and weeds; during autumn, pollen from small plants; during winter, indoor allergens like mold, dust mites, etc. are the major causes for allergy. Smoke, insect bites, the smell of flowers, etc. are some of the triggering factors of allergy.

Ayurveda explains that snow, wind, dust, water, etc. are some of the reasons for Pratishyaya. These factors are extremely affected by seasonal changes and so can be connected to seasonal allergy.

Ayurvedic Reference of Pratishyaya (Seasonal allergy)

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergy

Symptoms are mainly those affecting the respiratory system. It includes:

Sneezing
Post nasal drip
Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
Redness of eyes
Watering of eyes

Ayurveda suggests different dosha prakopa (aggravation of factors named Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in different seasons. Varsha (rainy) is the season of aggravation of Vata dosha and results in symptoms like dry cough, restlessness, dry eyes, headache, sneezing, etc. Pitta dosha is aggravated during Saradrtu (autumn). It causes symptoms like redness and burning of eyes, rashes, headache, etc. During Vasantakala (spring) Kapha dosha aggravation occurs and results in symptoms like runny nose, nasal congestion, heaviness, watery eyes, etc.

“Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the perfect destination for treating “Seasonal allergies” as well as any type of allergies. The unique internal and external treatment measures, if followed properly will assure complete cure in various allergic conditions including “Hay Fever” or “Seasonal allergic rhinitis”.

Visit us today and say goodbye to your allergy!!!

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet in Seasonal Allergy

Do’s (Pathya)

The practice of following things can greatly help in the prevention and avoidance of recurrence of seasonal allergy:-

Intake of light, warm food
Food should be of sour taste with salt added.
Hot, sour, and spicy soup
Use of barley, wheat, pomegranate, etc.
Use of warm water for internal and external purposes
Wearing heavy clothes like a sweater in the cold season
Covering head and throat during the winter season

Don’ts (Apathya)

Avoid the following things to prevent aggravation of symptoms:-

Cold and refrigerated food
Heavy and fatty food
Intake of the excess quantity of water
Use of cold water for internal and external purposes
Excess bathing time
Day sleep
Emotions like anger, sorrow

Yoga and Pranayama for Seasonal Allergy

Yoga provides physical as well as mental fitness. Various asanas (postures) are beneficial to increase the body’s immunity. Suryanamskara, savasana, Sarvangasana, svanasana, etc. help in the relaxation of the mind and rejuvenate body tissues. Pranayama is the method of controlling the breath. It helps to normalize vitiated doshas and to clear body channels. It is a process by which benefits of mental as well as physical detoxification can be achieved.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Seasonal Allergy

Ayurveda has specific treatment for allergic manifestations. The combination of internal medicines and various treatment procedures are very effective in the management of allergies.

Internal Medicines

Trikatu Churna
Vyoshadi Vatakam
Talisapatradi Churna
Dasamoola Kwatha
Amrutothara Kwatha

Elakanadi Kwatha
Indukantha Kwatha

Treatment Procedures

Purification therapies as well as other procedures are beneficial in treating seasonal allergies. Following treatment, modalities can be adopted based on the dosha aggravation and patient condition.

Vamana (Emesis)
Snehapana (Intake of medicated ghee or oil)
Swedana (Steaming)

Dhumapana (Intake of medicated smoke)
Gandusha (Holding of medicated liquids in mouth)

Following single drugs can be taken in suitable forms and with proper adjuvant:-

Shunti (Zingiber officinale)
Pippali (Piper longum)
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)

Nimba (Azadirachta indica)
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
Haridra (Curcuma longa)

References

Shloka No. 2, Nasarogavijnaneeyam, Ashtangahrudayam by Acharaya Vaghbhata, Nidanasthana.
Agnivesha. Charak Samhita, Commentary by Chakrapani Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; reprint: 2004, Ch. Chi 8/49 -50.
Sushruta Samhita, the Nibandha Sangraha commentary by Dalhanacharya and the Nyayachandrika Panjika of Sri. Gayadasacharya on Nidana Sthana, edited by Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharaya and Narayanarama Acharya, Kavyatirtha, Chaukhamba Surabharati, Varanasi; reprint 2003. Su. Ut. 24/16 – 17.
Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, by Sahil Gupta, Seasonal Allergy Chapter No. 8, Page No. 50-54.

Ayurveda is the only natural measure for the successful management of a wide range of allergic conditions. The unique internal and external treatment measures, if followed properly will assure complete cure in various allergic conditions including “Hay Fever” or “Seasonal allergic rhinitis”. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is the perfect destination for treating “Seasonal allergies” as well as any type of allergies.

Visit us today and say goodbye to your allergy!!!

IAFA, the trusted name in Ayurvedic management of Allergies.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Seasonal Allergy?

Answer: Seasonal allergy is the hypersensitivity reaction of the body’s immune system towards allergens that appear during different seasons.

Question: What are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergy?

Answer: The symptoms may vary according to the season of exposure. But major symptoms are those affecting the respiratory system like sneezing, postnasal drip, headache, wheezing, etc.

Question: How Ayurveda helps in the Cure of Seasonal Allergy?

Answer: Ayurveda is very effective in the management of seasonal allergies. Internal medicines, purification therapy, and other procedures help to normalize the balance of doshas in the body and thereby to get relieved from seasonal allergy.

Question: What is the cause of Seasonal Allergy?

Answer: According to Ayurveda, when the aggravated doshas get localized in the nose, it manifests the symptoms of pratishyaya (allergy).

Question: How to avoid recurrence of seasonal allergy?

Answer: The simple practices such as intake of light and warm food, hot, sour and spicy soup, use of barley, wheat, pomegranate, covering head and throat during winter season etc. and avoidance of cold and refrigerated food, heavy and fatty food, intake of excess quantity of water, day sleep, emotions like anger, sorrow, grief etc. can help in avoiding recurrence of seasonal allergy.

Question: How Ayurveda is helpful in treating seasonal allergy?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment under the expert guidance is quite effective in the treatment of seasonal allergy. It is safe and free from side effects. Ayurveda has specific treatment for allergic manifestations. It includes the combination of internal medication and external procedures according to the condition of patient.

Question: What are the herbs useful in seasonal allergy?

Answer: Various herbs such as Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haridra (Curcuma longa) etc. are very effective.

Question: What is the role of Yoga and Pranayam in the treatment of Seasonal Allergy?

Answer: Yoga and Pranayam provide physical and mental fitness. These are beneficial in increasing body’s immunity, controlling breath, normalizing the vitiated doshas, clearing body channels etc.