Allergic rhinitis affects more than 400 million of the world’s population and is often not diagnosed or treated properly. In the United States, it impacts about 10% to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children, making it the fifth most common long-term health condition.
Allergic Rhinitis is one of the most common conditions of the respiratory system, affecting people of all ages and genders across the globe.
In India, about 20-30% of the population suffers from at least one allergic condition, with allergic rhinitis affecting 20-30% of the Indian population.
What is Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as hay fever, is a type of respiratory condition. It is an allergic reaction that happens when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. This condition occurs when an individual comes in contact with allergens like tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and animal dander.
There are two types of allergic rhinitis:
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis, which happens at specific times of the year, and
- Perennial allergic rhinitis, which is caused by indoor allergens and can happen at any time throughout the year.
It is believed that there is no permanent cure for allergic rhinitis in mainstream medical treatments; however, Ayurvedic science has a natural treatment course that helps in reducing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
To some extent, modern medicines may help in providing temporary relief, but it has its own side effects.
Ayurveda adopts natural means to alleviate different types of health conditions and is hence free from any side effects; it may also be helpful in treating allergic rhinitis.
Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory condition, and the symptoms an individual may experience could be
- Nasal Congestion
- Itchy Eyes
- Nose, or Throat Irritation
- Rhinorrhoea
- Sneezing and
- Other Similar Conditions.
The treatment of allergic rhinitis in Ayurveda follows a different approach that differs from the mainstream medical treatment. There are six allergic rhinitis symptoms that are listed in ayurvedic and are: sneezing, nasal congestion, headaches, difficulty breathing, itching in the nose and throat, and nasal discharge. These symptoms are speculated to stem from toxin buildup in the body, known as “Ama,” which weakens the digestive and immune systems. The main cause of allergic rhinitis symptoms is an imbalance in the Kapha dosha, which results in increased sensitivity in the nervous system.
Understanding Allergic Rhinitis and Ayurvedic Treatments
Managing and curing allergic rhinitis in less time can be tough. The traditional natural treatment (Ayurvedic therapy) mentions a condition known as Vataja Pratishyaya, which has similar symptoms to allergic rhinitis. This condition, Vataja Pratishyaya, is treated using the ancient traditional method.
The Nasya treatment from Panchakarma therapy has been effective in treating the Vataja Pratishyaya condition, which also works well in allergic rhinitis.
Panchakarma Therapy for Allergic Rhinitis
In Ayurvedic science, panchakarma therapy is a comprehensive treatment for treating allergic rhinitis. This Ayurvedic therapy has three main steps: first is cleaning your nose, second is clearing out phlegm, and the third is detoxifying your body, based on your body’s dominant dosha. Panchakarma therapy is tailored treatment to balance kapha and vata doshas, which are typically imbalanced in allergic rhinitis. This involves specific therapeutic procedures and herbal medicines that aim to rejuvenate the respiratory system.
Panchakarma therapy is a step-by-step systematic procedure involving natural therapies:
Shirodhara
Shirodhara is a holistic therapy that involves the gentle pouring of warm, medicated oil onto the forehead along with a light massage. This soothing treatment is recommended to be done daily for seven consecutive days to achieve the required results and relief from allergic rhinitis symptoms. Shirodhara not only calms the mind but also helps balance the body’s energies.
Shirodhara therapy may help calm the nervous system, improve sinus function, and balance doshas
Nasya
Nasya Ayurvedic therapy begins with a gentle oil massage on the forehead and neck for about 10 minutes, promoting relaxation and improving circulation. This involves steam therapy using aromatic oils to enhance the soothing effects. Finally, herbal therapeutic oil is carefully administered into the nasal passages, helping to clear congestion and provide relief from nasal discomfort. Patients are advised to rest, avoid exposure to cold or dust, stay hydrated, and follow a balanced diet to support and maintain the benefits of the therapy.
Virechana
Virechana is a natural way to detox the body by eliminating toxins, specifically targeting the balance of the Pitta dosha. This process helps cleanse the system, promoting overall well-being and reducing allergic reactions. The primary goal of Virechana therapy is to restore balance to the pitta dosha by improving the digestive function.
The patient needs to undergo a preparatory phase involving dietary changes, herbal treatment, and following specific routines to get the body ready for detoxification.
The process begins with Snehana, a full-body oil massage using herbal oils to loosen and mobilize toxins. Next, the patient is exposed to herbal steam to open the pores and further loosen the toxins. Finally, a specific herbal formula is administered to induce a gentle purging effect, typically in the form of a drink or tablets.
The primary goal of Virechana therapy is to restore balance to the pitta dosha by improving the digestive function.
Conclusion
Panchakarma therapy is effective in managing allergic rhinitis by rebalancing kapha and vata doshas through specialized treatments. This Ayurvedic treatment not only reduces allergic rhinitis symptoms but also promotes overall well-being by restoring the overall balance of the body naturally. Embracing the principles of Ayurveda, Panchakarma therapy is a feasible treatment option for treating allergic rhinitis.
