Allergies, or “asatmya” as it is known in Ayurveda, is a condition of hypersensitivity typically caused by a weak digestive fire (agni), as well as a depleted immune system (ojas). As I explained in my previous article, “What is your Allergy Type?”, 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 begin 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 the cases of severe and chronic allergies. None the less, these remedies will at least pacify the symptoms and provide noticeable 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 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 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 10pm)
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 4pm
- Dashamula tea basti; perform 1 day each week for 4-8 weeks
- Sesame oil nasya for dry sinuses (not during sinus infection)
- Tulsi leaf tea, 2-3 times daily
- Triphala tea, 1/2 tsp 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 such as cucumber, cilantro, watermelon, bitter greens and coconut
- Incorporate coconut oil or ghee in each meal
- Begin the day with 1-2 cups of warm cup of water (add lime if desired)
- Drink cumin, coriander and fennel tea between meals
- Avoid iced beverages
- Follow proper food combining guidelines
Lifestyle
- Practice oil pulling each morning with coconut, neem/turmeric oil or sunflower oil
- Scrape the tongue first thing in the morning
- Perform 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 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 4-8 weeks
- Nettle leaf tea, 2-3 times daily
- Triphala, 1/2 tsp before bed in 1/2 cup of warm water
- Brahmi oil nasya (not during sinus infection)
- Liver and immune enhancing herbs: kutki, neem, kalmegha, turmeric, daru haridra, amalaki, bhumyamalaki
Kapha Type Allergies
Diet
- Avoid Kapha provoking foods such as dairy, wheat, white rice, red meat, fatty fried food, sweet fruits, refined sugar and heavy foods
- Dairy 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 cinnamon, dry ginger, turmeric, trikatu, black pepper and cayenne pepper
- Avoid cold beverages
- Do not eat after 6pm (very important!)
- Follow proper food combination guidelines
Lifestyle
- Wake up each day around 6-7am
- 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)
- Kapala Bati 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
- Vacha oil nasya for sinuses (not during sinus infection)
- 1/2 tsp of trikatu before meals, mix in honey
- Agni kindling spices: chitrak, vidanga, musta, dry ginger, turmeric, pippali and black pepper
- Punarnava guggulu, 1/2 tsp 2 times daily
- Bibhitaki, clove and pippali in honey for allergy induced asthma
- Nettle tea, 3 times a day
- Triphala tea, 1/2 tsp in warm water before bed
So as you can see, there are many methods in treating each allergy type. Please do NOT do everything on the list. It is best to chose the recommendations that most pertain to your symptoms, and also that you can realistically fit in your schedule. Remember consistency is key in effective treatment of any condition! Also please keep in mind that herbal remedies are only meant as a complimentary 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!
