Ayurvedic Insight

April 2008

Publisher: Banyan Botanicals
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com

In This Issue

• Asthma and Hay Fever
• Ayurvedic Recipe: Digestive Cleansing Tea
• Upcoming Events

Asthma and Hay Fever
by Shannon Mooney

The spring season marks the beginning of allergy season for many people. It is also the time of year when the accumulated kapha from winter begins to liquefy due to warmer temperatures and increased activity. So, not only are we plagued with an overall increase in mucus trying to clear itself from the body, but an increase in airborne irritants can lead to a reactive bronchial system resulting in other discomforting symptoms.

Asthma is a condition consisting of recurrent attacks or shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough with expectoration of mucus. Hay fever typically consists of watery nasal discharge, itchy eyes and nose, and sneezing, and is usually associated with a particular season.

In the United States, there is a rapid increase in the rate of diagnosing asthma, particularly among children. Many reasons may explain this increase including: an increase in the number of environmental chemical pollutants in the air, water, and food; an increase in the use of food additives; and for infants earlier weaning or earlier introduction to solid food.

Hay fever and asthma have similar causal factors and pathogenic tendencies in the body. Allergens can contribute to both of these conditions. The more allergens present, the more intense the reaction of the body. The severity of the response to allergens is also dependent on the nature of each individual's system and how hypersensitive or overloaded with toxins it is. Though asthma is generally broken into two categories, extrinsic (an allergic reaction where there is an increase in allergic antibody) and intrinsic (a reaction to a toxic chemical, cold air, exercise, infection) the physiology of the reactions is very similar.

Ayurvedic therapeutic treatment is relatively the same for both conditions. Using natural methods of improving diet and lifestyle, such as taking herbs and practicing yoga can greatly reduce or even eliminate attacks of asthma and hay fever. In acute asthmatic conditions Ayurveda can be used complementarily (with Western medical treatment) to help reduce symptoms and improve the body's immune response.

The first step in treating asthma and hay fever is to reduce the allergic threshold by avoiding both airborne and food allergens. Removing the cause is not always easy, particularly when the allergen may be prevalent in the outside environment. Indoor environments are much easier to control thanks to HEPA air filters, various anti-allergen bedding materials, carpet removal and cleaning with non-toxic, non-fragrance cleaners. 
 
Reduce food allergens by eliminating processed foods, particularly foods that contain additives, preservatives and food colorings. If a food allergy is suspected, an elimination diet may be the most effective tool to improve health and eliminate the offending allergen. (This is usually the easiest way to treat children.) Common food allergens are soy, wheat, corn, dairy, eggs, shellfish, nuts and citrus. Reducing the allergen load in your diet will improve digestion and strengthen your immune function to better protect against allergies.

Diet
An Ayurvedic diet is a healthy one, rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. For the general treatment of asthma and hay fever, follow a kapha pacifying diet, favoring foods that are light and drying. For more information on this diet, please click http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_kapha.html
Here are some other general considerations:

• Eliminate dairy products which are typically mucus-forming, particularly cheese and ice cream.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Many types of alcoholic drinks contain sulfites, a common allergen. Alcohol can also impair immune function.
• Increase fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C.
• Limit salt intake. Several studies, like the one done in 2005 by researchers at Indiana University, have found a higher reactivity of the bronchial membranes when salt intake is high.
• Sip hot ginger tea throughout the day to aid digestion and help to cleanse the body of toxins.
  

• Recline comfortably on a blanket.
• Breathe normally and allow the body to relax.
• Place the hands, fingers spread wide, on either side of the rib cage providing a slight resistance.
• On inhalation, begin to direct and expand your breath into your rib cage, expanding the ribs outwards, into the pressure of your hands.
• With exhalation, allow the ribs (and fingers) to move closer together.
• Providing resistance with the hands will engage the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
• Continue for 10 breath cycles.
• Be sure that you are not holding tension in your face, neck or back. Allow the breath to move as smoothly and as naturally as possible.
• Rest with your arms at your sides and breathe normally for 10 breath cycles.
  

Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.
If it were always in a fist or always stretched open,
you would be paralyzed.
Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding,
the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated
as bird wings.

- Rumi

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