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Ayurvedic Insight
March 2007
In This Issue
- Ease Hay Fever with Ayurveda
- Ayurvedic Recipe: Khir with Noodles
- Upcoming Events
Ease Hay Fever with Ayurveda
Hay fever is a common allergic response to dust, pollen, mold or other irritants in the air. When the body does not tolerate a foreign substance coming in, it signals a response in attempt to rid the body of the offending substance. The severity of the response is dependent on how hypersensitive or overloaded with toxins the individual's system may be. Some symptoms include:
- itchy, watery eyes, nose and throat
- sneezing, coughing
- excess mucus, congestion of the sinuses
- nasal secretions which can be very watery and thin, or thick and clear
When our digestion is not working optimally, foods and other substances are stored as toxins stressing the body's immune function. It is important to support and strengthen our bodies' digestive power so that it can metabolize and digest whatever may come in. Good digestion means good immune function and better protection against allergies.
Diet
To help the body prepare for and lessen the burden caused by allergens during hay fever, follow a detoxifying and cleansing diet. Here are some simple recommendations to help alleviate the symptoms associated with hay fever:
- Favor foods that are warm, nourishing and easy to digest. Think steamy soups and other one-pot meals which include grains and dark leafy greens.
- Eliminate dairy, especially cheese and ice cream.
- Avoid ice cold drinks and cold salads. These impair digestion.
- Reduce or eliminate other mucus-forming foods such as wheat and refined sugar.
- Sip hot ginger tea to aid digestion and help cleanse the body of toxins.
Lifestyle
Herbal steams can do wonders for clearing up congested sinuses. Try adding a couple drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of boiling hot water. Put a towel over your head. Lean over the bowl and inhale the steam for several minutes.
Neti is a process of cleansing and purifying the nasal passages with a nasal rinse cup and water or saline solution. It can be an extremely beneficial practice for people with asthma, allergies or sinus problems. This can be done several times throughout the day. Here is the practice:
- Relax and breathe normally. Mix a saline solution of 1/2 teaspoon salt to one cup tepid water. Place the spout of the neti pot firmly against the side of the nostril so that no water leakage occurs. Begin to breathe steadily in and out through your mouth. Lift the neti pot and tilt the head to the side so that the water enters into the nostril, over the (internal) bridge of the nose and out the other nostril.
- When half of the water has passed through, remove the spout, bring the head to center and allow the water to run out. Gently blow out through the nostrils to clear any fluid. Then, tilt head to the opposite side and repeat.
- Finally, it is important to dry out the nostrils. Blow out forcefully through the nostrils several times while bending forward. This helps to ensure that any water that may have been trapped in the sinus cavities is expelled.
Herbs
Banyan's Lung Formula blends pippali, licorice, cane sugar and other herbs to nourish and support healthy respiration. Lung Formula helps to strengthen and rejuvenate the respiratory system while bolstering immunity.
Trikatu can be most beneficial to aid digestion, eliminate toxins and dry up excess mucus in the body.
Immune Support can boost the body's natural defenses and help to decongest the head and chest. It can be taken preventively before the start of hay fever season or exposure to an allergen.
Include Triphala to support elimination, detoxification and tonification of the gastro-intestinal tract.
Nasya oil is medicated oil administered through the nose. Regular use helps to protect the nose and throat against impurities. Nasya helps to keep the nasal passages clear, increase awareness and improve mental clarity. Two drops can be applied to each nostril daily.
Yoga
Effective yoga asanas to help relieve breathing difficulty are Bow and Cobra and inversions such as Shoulder Stand and Plow.
For more information on yoga for vata, pitta and kapha please visit http://banyanbotanicals.com/yoga/
Meditation
Although it may seem difficult to try meditating while experiencing the distracting and persistent symptoms of hay fever, it may offer some degree of peace to your daily life. The clarity of mind and sense of freedom that meditation provides may eliminate the feeling of your life being ruled by this allergy condition. Find the time of day when your symptoms are most mild and sit for meditation at least 5-10 minutes. The calming and relaxing effect of meditation can also help to regulate breathing patterns, improve respiratory function and reduce stress.
Pranayama
Pranayama is best practiced on an empty stomach, after yoga when the body is open and relaxed. Kapalabhati or skull-shining breath is a breathing exercise that cleanses the entire respiratory system, helping to eliminate large quantities of carbon dioxide. Movement of the diaphragm massages the stomach, liver and pancreas.
- Contract the abdominal muscles quickly, causing the diaphragm to rise and force the air out of the lungs.
- Relax the abdomen, allowing the air to return to the lungs.
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Repeat 20-50 times quickly for 3-5 rounds.
When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
- John Muir
Ayurvedic Recipe: Khir with Noodles
2 oz uncooked whole wheat noodles, finely crushed (about 1 cup crushed)
1 c. whole milk
5 almonds, blanched and slivered
1 t. ghee
1/8 t. ground cardamom
4 to 5 threads of saffron
1 1/2 T. brown rice syrup
Saute the crushed dry noodles in ghee until their color turns slightly brown. Add milk and bring to a boil over high heat for 4 minutes or until noodles are soft. Stir constantly to avoid lumping. When cool, add the rest of the ingredients.
Recipe reprinted with permission from The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea Morningstar, Lotus Press, P.O. Box 325, Twin Lakes, WI 53181.(c)1995 All Rights Reserved
Upcoming Events
- Ayurvedic Home Remedies: A Hands-on Workshop with Arun Deva, March 11, 2007 in San Juan Capstrano. Please email Megan at yogaeverywhere@cox.net
- Join Jai Uttal for kirtan Saturday, March 24, 2007, 7:30-10:00pm at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft @ 6th St., Berkeley, CA. For ticket information contact http://www.sacredspaceyogasanctuary.com Banyan will have an exhibit at the grand opening of Rudramander (Sacred Space) March 24, noon-7:30 pm.
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