Ayurvedaforall: Ayurvedic Treatment for POLLEN ALLERGY

Ayurvedic Treatment for Pollen Allergy is done by enhancing digestion. Pollen from plants is a major cause of allergic reactions. Pollen is a very fine powdery substance produced by the anthers of seed-bearing plants, consisting of numerous fine grains containing the male gametes. The symptoms produced by pollen may vary. Each spring, summer, and fall, plants release tiny pollen grains, and allergy due to pollen is also called hay fever.

Signs and symptoms of Allergy pollen
Causes of Allergy pollen
Pathophysiology of Allergy pollen
Diagnosis of Allergy pollen
Treatments of Allergy pollen
Complications of Allergy pollen
Disease according to Ayurveda
Nidana- Causes
Purvaroopam (Premonitory Symptoms)
Lakshana of Allergy pollen
Chikitsa (Treatment)
Commonly used medicines for Allergy pollen
Diet desirable to prevent Allergy
Yoga
Research articles link

Signs and Symptoms

On inhaling air with pollen may cause symptoms like,

Sneezing and coughing
Nasal congestion or running nose (allergic rhinitis)
Watery eyes, redness and foreign body sensation
Itchy throat and eyes
Wheezing, difficulty in breathing, or shortness of breath.
Pollen grains can aggravate the symptoms of asthma.

Causes

The most common pollens that cause an allergic reaction in humans come from trees, weeds, and grasses. The pollen from these plants is small, light, and dry pollen grains so that they travel by the wind. So it is easy to get inhaled. Grasses are also a common source of pollen causing the allergy.

Pollen from weeds also causes allergy. Ragweed is the main cause of weed allergies. Other common weed pollen includes sagebrush, pigweed, lamb’s quarters, and tumbleweed. Certain species of trees, including birch, cedar, and oak, produce pollen which is highly allergic.

Pathophysiology

When the body is exposed to pollen, it will trigger the immune system producing chemicals like antihistamines and causes allergic symptoms like rhinitis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Allergy to pollen is made by a detailed history taking comprising the pattern and appearance of symptoms which helps in pointing out which pollen is allergic. Confirmative diagnosis include,

Skin prick test
Specific IgE level

Treatments

Primary treatment includes avoiding chances to come in contact with the pollen. To achieve this,

Limit the outdoor activities if pollen counts are high.
Close the windows
Bath the head using shampoo before going to bed
Wash bedding, dry washed clothing in drier rather than keeping in outdoor for drying
Wear sunglasses and hat

Medicines for treatment includes,

Anti-histamines
Nasal decongestants
Corticosteroids and
Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Allergy Shots – Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)

Complications

Allergic complications due to pollen include eczema, ear or throat infection, sinusitis, headaches, etc. asthmatic symptoms are aggravated by pollens.

Disease and Ayurveda

Symptoms mostly resemble allergic rhinitis and allergic wheezing or cough can be managed by suitable Samanaushadha. Allergic rhinitis is correlated to Pratisyaya.

Nidana- Causes

Virudhahara(incompatible food)
Increase in kapha dosha
Allergens, living with animals
Dust, cold, humidity, etc. cause the disease.
Suppression of Bashpavega (tears)
Exposure to polluted air.

Purvaroopam- Premonitory Symptoms

Shirogurutwama (heaviness f head), Kshavathu (sneezing), Angamarda (body aches), Parihristaromta (horripilation) are included as the premonitory symptoms of pratisyaya by Susruta Acharya.

Samprapthi Maturation

The nidana causes vitiation of vata kapha pradhana doshas leading to vitiation of rasa and raktha dhatu. The vitiated doshas reach nasa (nose) and siras (head) causing the symptoms.

Lakshana Signs and Symptoms

Pain in head(Shirasoola)
Heaviness of head (Sirogurutwa)
Nasal discharge
Jwara (fever)
Kasa (cough)
Vitiation of kapha dosha
Swarabheda (hoarseness of voice)
Sensory incompetence

These are the most common symptoms.

Divisions based on Dosha

There are 5 types based on doshas,

Vataja Pratishyaya
Pittaja Pratishyaya
Kaphaja Pratishyaya
Rakthaja Pratishyaya
Sannipataja Pratishyaya

Prognosis

If pratisyaya left untreated it leads to dushta pratisyaya which is difficult to cure.

Chikitsa- Treatment

Snehana, swedana, vamana, dhoomapana and gandusha are the common treatment methodologies suggested in all types of Pratishyaya.

Fasting is suggested followed by drugs which increase digestive power.

Local treatment includes Nasya, Dhoomapaana, Ghreya chikitsa include smelling of volatile substances like Krishna jeeraka, Bashpa sweda (steam inhalation), etc.

Nidana parivarjana or staying away from an allergen (here pollen) is also necessary.

Commonly used medicines

Vyaghriyadi Kashayam
Chiruvilwadi Kashayam
Pachanamrutham Kashayam
Nirgundyadi Kashayam
Shadagam Kashayam
Gandharvahasthadi Kashayam
Vyoshadi vataka
Suntyadi choorna (with ghee or jaggery)
Lavangadi choorna with honey
Lakshmi vilasa rasa
Abhraka bhasma
Sootasekhara rasa
Haridrakhandam
Rajanyadi choorna
Ashta Churna
Pulikuzhambu

Brands available

Aryavaidya saala Kottakkal
Vaidyaratnam Oushadha saala
Baiyanaath
Dhootpapaeswar

Home Remedies

consume black pepper +jaggery +curd
Trikatu (black pepper, long pepper, dry ginger) Ajamaoda kwath (decoction of Ajwan) or choorna mixed in ginger juice
Use masks to prevent allergens

Diet