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Hay Fever/Sinusitis Symptoms
Hay Fever/Sinusitis Symptoms and prevention according to Ayurveda
By: Naveen Shukla
Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which broadly means an allergy that affects the nose. According to Ayurveda Hay Fever is a Kaphapitta disorder. Kapha dosha has qualities such as heavy, sticky, cold, moist, stable, static, dense and oily. Based on the principle of like increasing like and opposite balancing, we can use foods, treatments and regimes that have the opposite qualities to maintain balance of doshas. Hey fever is triggered by this very concept, kapha accumulates in the body over the winter and starts to liquefy in the warmth of spring (often in form of excess mucous), circulate and localise in weak areas of the body and the symptoms of hay fever manifest in various forms dependent on the dosha involvement, body and digestive strength.
Hey fever or allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction that occur in eye and nose. It is essentially an allergic reaction on nasal airways mainly caused by allergen and pollens.It is easy to cope with allergens when someone in the state of balance, but a stressed or fatigued system bang the balance at the arrival of allergens and an allergic reaction occurs. This allergy may occur in the form of Hay fever.
Causes of hay fever:
The individuals who lack or are deficient in neutralisation capacity, are more prone to get allergies and hay fever. Vata that is responsible for changes in the body is triggered by Seasonal changes in nature in such conditions. An aggravated or overstimulated Vata dosha triggered by certain factors causing hay fever and certain allergies.
The triggers of hay fever are:
4External factors such as pollen, dust, smoke, animal fur or hair etc 4 Exposure to humidity dust and cold 4 Asthma 4 Persistent of disease 4 Low immunity 4 Sinusitis 4 Family history of hay fever 4 Low immunity
Symptoms of hay fever:
4 Congestion in the nose 4 Itchiness in the throat and nose 4 Cough 4 Watery eyes 4 Decrease in sense of taste and smell 4 Pressure in the sinus area 4 Heaviness in the head 4 Headache 4 Body pain 4 Breathlessness 4 Itchiness in the roof of the mouth 4 Sneezing 4 Runny or stuffy nose 4 Itchy ears, nose and throat 4 Red, itchy or watery eyes
Herbs for hay fever:
Our everyday herbs act as natural remedies to feel better some of them that can reduce the symptoms of hay fever are: 4Long pepper or pippali (Pepper Longum) – it is an immunomodulatory and has mucus removing properties 4Ginger – it has anti-inflammatory properties and removes congestions 4Malabar nut – it is a Bronchodilator 4Liquorice – it soothes the lungs and throat 4Turmeric – it can prevent the onset of hay fever 4Holy basil – it is a respiratory system rejuvenator and cures congestion and runny nose
Diet and lifestyle for hay fever:
4Take light, Luke warm and freshly prepared foods 4Include spices like turmeric, black pepper in your daily diet. 4Take hot soups and liquids to liquefy the congested mucus. 4Eat plenty of steamed green vegetables garnished with black pepper and basil 4Avoid heavy, fermented, fried, sour foods 4 Avoid desserts sweets and yoghurts 4 Avoid cold foods or refrigerated foods 4 Avoid alcohol
We need to manage seasonal allergies from the early springtime to better manage hay fever over the summer when the allergies worsen. During spring therefore it is best to avoid day sleep, dairy, sour, oily, sweet, heavy and cold foods especially when the weather is changing.
Foods that imbalance kapha would be those that share the same qualities such as: ice-cream, cheese, yoghurt, heavy meats, oats, lots of sweet fruits, excess processed wheat and anything that triggers mucous as well as incompatible food combinations (fruits and dairy mainly).
Fasting is an accessible line of treatment used to liquefy kapha and eliminate by digestion, by taking liquid diet with hot and bitter spices for set days over this season is useful. You can also stimulate digestion by giving yourself an abdominal massage. These are all excellent preventative healthcare measures and will give you a head start for the summer months.
Overall the aim is to boost immunity and resistance to allergens by focusing on strengthening the digestion. For longer-term hay fever sufferers, PANCHAKARMA treatment can help detoxify and expel imbalanced doshas (mainly kapha) out of the body at the root level. Self-medication is not advisable. These advises are only for general information, an Ayurvedic doctor must be consulted before making any life style changes, diet changes or consuming ayurvedic drugs. Nature Care Ayurveda Yoga Detox & Rejuvenation is the only Sydney based Ayurvedic centre where you can experience a complete range of Ayurveda therapies like Panchakarma, Shirodhara,
Detox, Abhyanga Body massage and consultation from experts. The team is highly professional and working under the direction of Director Dr Naveen Shukla (Vice President Australasian association of Ayurveda for NSW), Dr Nikhila Venugopal (Marma &; Gynae specialist), Dr Urmila Anil Kumar (specialist in Panchakarma and skin care) & Dr Vishal Sharma (Member International Academy of Ayurveda).
Nature Care Ayurveda & Desi Australia in synergy focused to spread the word of Ayurveda in The community and promote wellbeing as “WE CARE FOR YOU”
