Ayurvedic treatment for Allergic rhinitis focuses on maintaining the balance of the digestive system. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nose which is also known as hay fever. This occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Allergic rhinitis occurs seasonally or year-round. Pollen is the most common allergen in seasonal allergen in seasonal allergic rhinitis. These are allergy symptoms that occur with the change of seasons.
- Signs and symptoms of Allergic rhinitis
- Causes of Allergic rhinitis
- Pathophysiology of Allergic rhinitis
- Diagnosis of Allergic rhinitis
- Treatments of Allergic rhinitis
- Prognosis of Allergic rhinitis
- Complications of Allergic rhinitis
- Allergic rhinitis in Ayurveda
- Nidana- Causes of Allergic rhinitis
- Purvaroopam (Premonitory Symptoms) of Allergic rhinitis
- Samprapthi (Maturation) of Allergic rhinitis
- Lakshana of Allergic rhinitis
- Prognosis of Allergic rhinitis
- Chikitsa (Treatment) of Allergic rhinitis
- Commonly used medicines for Allergic rhinitis
- Diet desirable to prevent Allergic rhinitis
- Yoga
- Research articles link
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis include,
- runny nose and stuffy nose
- itching in the nose, eyes
- coughing
- a sore or scratchy throat
- watery eyes and frequent headaches
- excessive fatigue
- in some cases eczema-like skin lesions, dry and itchy type of skin
Causes
It is usually caused by allergens like,
- Grass pollen, dust mites, animal dander
- Pollen becomes the most problematic. Tree and flower pollens are more common in the spring. Grasses and weeds produce more pollen in the summer and fall.
- The four cardinal symptoms include- rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, and sneezing.
Pathophysiology
When the body comes in contact with an allergen, then histamines are released which is a natural chemical that helps in defending the body against allergens. IgE- mediated immune reaction occurs here.
Two types- Seasonal and perennial types of rhinitis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Allergic rhinitis is made by a history of symptoms of allergic rhinitis and diagnostic tests. When two or more symptoms of allergic rhinitis persist for more than an hour on most days, then Allergic rhinitis is strongly suspected. Disease severity is classified based on ARIA guidelines.
Confirmative diagnosis include,
- Skin prick test
- Serum specific IgE level.
Treatments
The main treatment protocol includes avoidance of allergens causing the symptoms.
Medications include leukotriene receptor antagonists and antihistamines and topical steroids are used based on the severity of symptoms and duration.
Prognosis
Allergen-specific immunotherapy can resolve the symptoms completely. The patients can also lead a normal life though the symptoms persist.
Complications
The complications include allergic conjunctivitis, Rhinosinusitis, Nasal polyposis, Adenoid hypertrophy, defects in the Eustachian tube, and otitis media. Sometimes changes in cognitive abilities happen.
Allergic Rhinitis and Ayurveda
The disease can be correlated to Pratishyaya in Ayurveda.
Nidana- Causes of Allergic Rhinitis
The nidana (causes includes)
- Virudhahara(incompatible food)
- Increase in kapha dosha
- Mandagni is the reduced digestive power
- Allergens, living with animals
- Dust, cold, humidity, etc. cause the disease.
- Suppression of Bashpavega(tears)
Purvaroopam- Premonitory Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Shirogurutwama (heaviness f head), Kshavathu (sneezing), Angamarda (body aches), Parihristaromta (horripilation) are the symptoms said by Susruta Acharya.
Samprapthi Maturation of Allergic Rhinitis
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.
General symptoms of Pratishyaya includes,
- Pain in the head(Shirasoola)
- The heaviness of head (Sirogurutwa)
- Nasal discharge
- Jwara (fever)
- Kasa (cough)
- Vitiation of Kapha dosha
- Swarabheda (hoarseness of voice)
- Sensory incompetence
Divisions based on Dosha
There are 5 types based on doshas,
- Vataja Pratishyaya
- Pittaja Pratishyaya
- Kaphaja Pratishyaya
- Rakthaja Pratishyaya
- Sannipataja Pratishyaya
Prognosis of Allergic Rhinitis
When it is not properly managed it leads to Dushta Pratishyaya which is difficult to treat.
Chikitsa- Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis
- Snehan, swedana, vamana, dhoomapana and gandush are the common treatment methodologies suggested in all types of pratishyaya.
- Fasting is suggested followed by drugs that increase digestive power.
- Local treatment includes Nasya, Dhoomapaana, Ghreya chikitsa include smelling of volatile substance like Krishna jeeraka, Bashpa Sweda (steam inhalation), etc.
Commonly used Ayurvedic medicines for Allergic Rhinitis
Commonly used medicines include
- Dasamulakaduthrayam kashayam
- Indukantham Kashayam
- Vyaghriyadi Kashayam
- Vyoshadi vataka
- Suntyadi choorna (with ghee or jaggery)
- Lavangadi choorna with honey
- Lakshmi vilasa rasa
- Abhraka bhasma
- Kamadugdha rasa
- Sootasekhara rasa
- Swasakutara Ras
- Rasa Sindhoora
- Haridrakhanda
- Agasthya Rasayana
- Chyvanprash
- Kooshmanda Rasayana
- Dasamula Rasayana
- Thippali Rasayana
- Vasarishta
- Kanakasava
- Amritarishta
- Dasamularishta
- Sireesharishta
- Swasanandam Gulika
- Gorochanadi Gulika
- Gopichandanadi Gulika
Brands available
- Aryavaidya saala Kottakkal
- Vaidyaratnam Oushadha saala
- Kerala Ayurveda
- Oushadhi
- SNA Oushadhasala
- Sitaram Ayurveda
- Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates
- Baidyanaath
- Dabur India
- Himalaya Herbal Healthcare
- BAN Labs
- Vasu Pharmaceuticals
- Dhootpapaeswar
Home Remedies for Allergic Rhinitis
- 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 for Allergic Rhinitis
- Food rich in Vitamin C
- Citrus fruits
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Tomato, onion
- Salmon, oily fishes, etc. are desirable food in Allergic rhinitis.
Yoga
- Meditation
- Pranayama
- Yoga helps to improve the immunity of the body.
Research articles link.
http://www.wjpmr.com/download/article/26092017/1508750637.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221066/