Allergies, or “asatmya” as it is known in Ayurveda, is a condition of hypersensitivity typically caused by a weak digestive fire (Agni), excessive toxins, and/or a depleted immune system (Ojas).  Allergies are typically divided into the three main subcategories of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.  Just as each allergy type is very different, each treatment type will differ as well.

Here, I will give you some general remedies for each allergy type as I have learned in my studies.  Please note that it is recommended to start the treatment protocol about one month before your typical allergy onset for best results.  Also, keep in mind that the lists below are just general recommendations.  Some individuals may need more specific treatment, especially in cases of severe and chronic allergies, or when multiple doshas are involved.  Nonetheless, these remedies help get you started and bring you some much-needed relief!

Find out “Your Allergy Type” here.

Vata Type Allergies

DIET

• Favor warm, well-cooked meals
• Avoid cold, raw, dry, and rough foods
• Include lots of sesame oil and ghee in meals
• Incorporate warming spices such as Vata Churna, turmeric, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, fenugreek, and nutmeg
• Begin the day with 1-2 cups of warm water (add lemon if desired)
• Sip on warm water throughout the day to keep hydrated and increase digestion
• Avoid cold beverages
• Don’t skip meals
• Follow proper food combining guidelines

LIFESTYLE 

• Find a consistent daily routine, including a regular eating and sleeping schedule
• Practice oil pulling (kavala) each morning with Kavala Oil or organic sesame oil
• Scrape the tongue first thing each morning
• Perform a self-oil massage (abhyanga) at least 2-3 days each week with Vata Oil
• Surya Namaskara (sun salutation)
• Nadi Shodhana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing)
• Daily meditation
• Get plenty of rest each night (bedtime for Vata is typically before 10 pm)

HERBS

• Take 1/2 tsp ashwagandha, vasa, and licorice mixture, 3 times daily in warm water
• 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp turmeric mixed in honey; take upon awakening and again around 4 pm
• Dashamula tea basti; perform 1 day each week for 4-8 weeks
• Apply Prana Nasya each morning for dry sinuses (not during a sinus infection)
• Drink CALM Tea, 2-3 times daily
• Take 1/2 tsp Triphala Churna in 1/2 cup of water before bed

Pitta Type Allergies

DIET

• Avoid heating foods such as nightshades, fermented foods, sour fruits, spicy foods, onion, garlic, and fried foods
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine
• Increase cooling foods and spices such as Pitta Churna, cucumber, cilantro, watermelon, bitter greens, and coconut
• Incorporate coconut oil or ghee in each meal
• Begin the day with 1-2 cups of a warm cup of water (add lime if desired)
• Drink COOL DOWN Tea between meals
• Avoid iced beverages
• Follow proper food combining guidelines

LIFESTYLE

• Practice oil pulling each morning with Kavala Oil or coconut oil
• Scrape the tongue first thing in the morning
• Perform a self-oil massage at least 2 times each week with Pitta Oil
• Avoid excessive heat and direct sunlight
• Chandra Namaskara (moon salutation)
• Shitali and Sitkari pranayama
• Daily meditation

HERBS

• Take 1/2 tsp of shatavari, vasa, and guduchi mix, 3 times daily in aloe juice
• Take 2 ounces of cilantro juice, 2 times daily
• Apply cilantro pulp onto the skin in the case of a rash
• 1/2 tsp of Mahasudarshana, 1-3 times daily
• 1 tsp Tikta Ghrita each morning on an empty stomach
• Castor oil and ginger tea for virechana, one day each week for 4 to 8 weeks
• Drink COOL DOWN Tea or Nettle Leaf tea, 2-3 times daily
• Take 1/2 tsp Triphala Churna in 1/2 cup of water before bed
• Apply Prana Nasya or Brahmi Ghee nasya each morning for dry sinuses (not during sinus infection)
• Liver and immune-enhancing herbs: Love Your Liver Tincture, Immaculate Immunity Tincture, kutki, neem, kalmegha, turmeric, bhumyamalaki

Kapha Type Allergies

DIET

• Avoid Kapha-provoking foods such as dairy, wheat, white rice, red meat, fatty fried food, excessive sweets, refined sugar, and heavy foods
• Dairy, processed sugar, refined grains, and gluten should be completely eliminated!
• Eat a light diet with foods such as millet, brown rice, tons of veggies, bitter greens, fermented foods, and spicy foods
• Begin the day with 1-2 cups of warm lemon water
• Avoid snacking between meals
• Incorporate warming spices such as Kapha Churna, cinnamon, dry ginger, turmeric, trikatu, black pepper, and cayenne pepper
• Avoid cold beverages
• Do not eat after 6 pm (very important!)
• Follow proper food combining guidelines

LIFESTYLE

• Wake up each day around 6-7 am
• Practice oil pulling each morning with sunflower oil
• Scrape the tongue first thing each morning
• Perform a self-oil massage at least 2 times each week with Kapha Oil
• Include a 20-30 minute exercise regimen each day, such as walking, swimming, bicycling, or yoga
• Avoid daytime sleeping
• Surya Namaskara (sun salutation)
• Kapalabhati pranayama
• Daily meditation
• Take a warm ginger/baking soda bath at night, 2+ times each week

HERBS

• Take 1/2 tsp of punarnava, pippali, and vasa mixture, 3 times daily in warm water
• Take 1/2 tsp of Mahasudarshana, 2-3 times daily in honey
• Apply Soothing Sinus Nasya each morning for sinuses (not during sinus infection)
• 1/2 tsp of Trikatu Churna before meals, mix in honey
• Take Agni kindling spices: Kapha Churna, Kapha Honey Infusion, chitrak, vidanga, musta, dry ginger, turmeric, pippali, and black pepper
• Punarnava guggulu, 1/2 tsp 2 times daily
• Respiratory Relief Syrup for allergy-induced asthma or cough
• Drink AWAKEN Tea, 2 to 3 times a day
• Take 1/2 tsp Triphala Churna in 1/2 cup of water before bed

As you can see, there are many methods for treating each allergy type.  Please do NOT do everything on the list.  It is best to choose the recommendations that most pertain to your symptoms, and also that you can realistically fit into your schedule.  Remember, consistency is key in an effective treatment of any condition!  Also, please keep in mind that herbal remedies are only meant as a complementary treatment to the proper diet and lifestyle changes required.  Without these changes, you will just be pacifying the symptoms and not treating the vital root cause of the allergy.  As always, please contact me if you have any questions or comments!

Try our Allergy Relief Tincture!