Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Ayurveda
has a unique outlook on allergies and why we get them. According to
many texts, when the food we eat is not digested properly, Ama is created. Ama is
undigested food that literally turns toxic and starts to accumulate in
the digestive tract. When lifestyle and diet are unhealthy and
contra-indicatory with the dosha of a person (vata,
pitta, or kapha), Ama increases. Then it can travel within the body and
lodge in other organs, vessels, and cavities. When a lot of Ama is
stored within the body, it turns into a reactive toxin called Amavisha.
This Amavisha reacts badly when it comes into contact with outward
influences like a change of weather, pollen, harsh temperatures, or even
extreme food which is spicy, hot, cold, or heavy, or too rich in
certain nutrients. And when Amavisha reacts, the allergy occurs in the
form of seasonal sniffles, fever, sore throats, hives, rashes, or more…
This Amavisha needs
to be thrown out of the body with the right diet and exercise—else
the allergies will flare up even more the next time. Ayurveda says that detoxification is key to get rid of allergies.
Now, this may be true or not, but Ayurveda does offer plenty
common-sense cures for allergy sufferers. You may want to try some of
them.
Avoid The Allergen
This is not a
cure for the allergy in itself, but if and when your allergy flares up
big time, the first thing you need to do is to stop coming into contact with that allergen.
At least until Ayurveda or any other medication that you take
eliminates the allergy itself. So till then, figure out what is making
you sneeze or itch or cough or whatever and avoid it. Don’t eat or drink that allergen and if the pollen is your Achilles, wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth when you step out.
Balance Your Doshas
It’s easy to find out which dosha you are, and how to balance it to counteract any food-related conditions you might be experiencing, including allergies. Eating for your dosha as per the six tastes of Ayurveda may help in alleviating the symptoms of allergies and slowly help dissipate the allergy itself:
- Vata Dosha Diet: Avoid bitter, astringent, and pungent tasting foods, and include more sweet, salty, and sour foods in your diet. Eat warm and heavy foods and avoid anything cold. Starchy veggies, ripe fruits, and ghee as well as jaggery and molasses are good for the vata dosha—anything too processed and white isn’t. Mild spices work best.
- Pitta Dosha Diet: Include bitter, sweet, and astringent tastes but avoid pungent, sour, and salty foods. Steamed veggies and raw foods are good for you, as is warm milk and ghee. Do not overindulge in hot foods, cheeses, or yogurt. Cooling spices will work for you and use honey as a sweetener.
- Kapha Dosha Diet: Include more pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes but avoid sweet, sour, or salty foods. All ripe fruits are good except bananas, and do not overindulge in heavy foods or dairy products. Use little to no oil, though ghee is okay. Raw honey as a sweetener and strong spices work best for you to clear up those sinuses.
Detoxify When Seasons Change
At the end of every season, it’s advisable to detoxify your system by eating light and seasonal foods and warm liquids such as soups
and non-milky teas. The idea is not to starve your body of nutrients,
but basically wash away all the wrong eating of that season—like an internal spring clean.
Keep your diet light and as oil-free as possible, with a little ghee
added to your food if it’s the start of winter, and a little olive oil
if it’s summer. Stay away from non-vegetarian food for a while, and if
it’s the onset of winter, do have warm milk but in summers, make sure
it’s yogurt. Your carbs need to be as whole as possible and add in all
the fresh fruits and nuts of the season to your table.
Eliminate Dairy
Ayurveda
is almost vegan in its belief and tells you that most dairy products
often aggravate doshas and exacerbate any allergies. If you must, a
glass of hot milk or room-temperature yogurt is fine, but cheeses and
creams become a strict no-no. Considering that more and more people are
becoming lactose intolerant, Ayurveda might have a point here.
Eat More Warm, Cooked Foods
Eating
raw is good for your health to a point, but only if your source is
organic and additive-free, and only in the summers. In winter or even in
fall, spring, and rain, your food should be warm (not piping hot!) and
freshly cooked with mild spices that aid digestion. Ginger, turmeric, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, and black pepper all aid in digestion. Think comfort food—healthy and mild.
Use Nasya or Neti Pots
If your sinuses tend to react badly to pollen, the use of herb oil applied inside your nostrils (nasya) or the rinsing out of your sinuses (neti pot) with saline or herb infusions is a good idea. But do this under the guidance of a practitioner and do follow all instructions.
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Exercise & Breathing Techniques
Pranayama is
the yogic way of breathing and basically not only does it teach you to
breathe right to get all the oxygen you need from the air, it also helps
clear out your sinus cavities and air spaces—thus detoxifying your
lungs on an everyday basis. Exercise too helps in the removal of toxins
and your exercise may be yoga, the gym, or a brisk walk. The idea is to
get moving and get the blood pumping.
Most of this list is the same as most health practitioners will tell you—and Ayurveda is basically the science of life and existence. So do give these tips a whirl!
https://basmati.com/2018/04/30/ayurvedic-tips-beat-seasonal-allergies
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