How to Avoid Food Allergies?

Allergies are defined as an over-reaction of the body’s immune system to the specific substances that the body misidentifies as harmful. This over-reaction of the body’s immune system is known as an allergic reaction and the substances that cause such reactions are known as allergens. Let’s know about how to avoid food allergies.

Now a days, food allergy is a common health problem which needs attention. In modern medicine it is said thatfood allergies are difficult to diagnose and still more difficult to treat. The experience of Ayurveda can be utilized to accelerate the avoidance and management of food allergies.

Concept of Allergies — According to Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, the major cause of food allergies is the impaired digestion. The symptoms include indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation etc. This dysfunction in the digestive process is the cause of hypersensitivity to certain substances in the diet.

Ayurveda to Avoid Food Allergies

The selection of foods in accordance with the individual’s body constitution and seasonal alterations is considered as the best strategy according to Ayurveda. The concept of Prakrati and properties of food are described in an elaborate manner in Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, food allergy is caused due to the following factors:

· Weak digestive fire

· Accumulation of ama (toxins)

· Imbalance of doshas such as Vata, Pitta and Kapha in the body

· State of dhatu (tissues), agni (digestive fire)

· Weak immune system

Types of Allergies Based on the Dosha Dominance

1. Vata related Allergy

People having this allergy are allergic to dry, bitter, astringent, spicy, raw, cold, dry foods, excess stress and overactivity.

2. Pitta related Allergy

It is caused due to pitta aggravating factors like intake of spicy, sour and salty foods, citrus fruits, fermented foods, exposure to hot weather and extreme sunny conditions.

3. Kapha related Allergy

Kapha related allergy is caused due to intake of sweet, sour, salty foods, dairy products, cheese, yogurt, milk etc.

How to Avoid Vata related Food Allergies?

· Avoid the intake of vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, beans, bitter and astringent foods.

· Avoid cold drinks, ice-creams, chilled water, cold, dry and windy weather.

· Take a Vata pacifying diet that includes mild, sweet, sour and salty tastes.

· Intake of herbal teas containing ginger, cumin, lemon is beneficial.

· Beneficial herbs for Vata related allergies are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),Dashmool (group of 10 herbs), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Trikatu, Triphala etc.

· Tea prepared by ginger and licorice is also beneficial.

· To balance Vata dosha, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) herb is quite useful.

How to Avoid Pitta related Food Allergy?

· Avoid spicy, salty sour foods and include bitter and astringent tastes in the diet.

· Avoid direct contact with sun and extreme hot conditions.

· Beneficial herbs for pitta related allergies are Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Triphala, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) etc.

· Intake of herbal teas such as fennel, ginger, cardamom etc. are quite useful in correcting the digestive fire.

· Intake of coriander water and coconut water are extremely beneficial for pitta related food allergies.

· Intake of herb shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is quite beneficial in pitta dominant food allergies.

How to Avoid Kapha related Food Allergy?

· Avoid the intake of cold, heavy and stale foods such as cheese, yogurt, milk, cream etc.

· Avoid the consumption of sweet, sour and salty tastes in excess.

· Avoid cold, rainy and wet weather.

· Add more of bitter, spicy and astringent tastes in the diet.

· Nasal administration of oils containing pippali (Piper longum) and black pepper should be done.

Yoga to Avoid Allergies

For Vata related Allergy:

· Sun salutations

· Extension poses

· Forward bends

· Alternate nostril breathing

· Right nostril breathing

For Pitta related Allergy:

· Moon salutations

· Spinal twists

· Left nostril breathing or chanderbhedi pranayama

· Shitali pranayama

· Shitkari pranayama

· Alternate nostril breathing

For Kapha related Allergy:

· Sun salutations

· Extension poses

· Kapala bhati

· Right nostril breathing

· Ujjayi pranayama

Conclusion

The Ayurvedic treatment of food allergies focuses on pacifying the doshas and detoxification which help in removing the root cause of the allergic reaction. This also helps in correcting the imbalanced Agni (digestive fire), eliminating the excess dosha and therefore helps in strengthening the immune system.

Thus, Ayurvedic science is beneficial in avoiding the food allergies and the treatment focuses on restoring digestion with herbal preparations and focuses on diet and lifestyle changes.

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