Allergic rhinitis - Diet and lifestyle Ayurveda

Allergic rhinitis is used to describe an inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by allergies. Symptoms include a 'runny' nose and sneezing, nose, palate and ears may itch. Ayurveda believes in three doshas which are vata, pitta and kapha, an imbalance which results in disease. Ayurveda has the faith that allergy or Sheetpitta is the variety of unhealthy conditions of pitta. In this condition the pitta loses its natural warmth. It can happen when you eat hot foods or spices, caffeine, drink or are exposed to chemical irritants such as smoke, snuff or perfume. Also occurs due to allergens such as pollen of all kinds, house dust mites and their feces, mold spores, animal dander, feathers and aerosols and household.

Allergic rhinitis may be better served by taking certain precautions diet and lifestyle. Some of them are:

• Certain foods are more mucous producing and Ayurvedic medicine recognizes food as food allergies Kapha as aggravating as dairy, wheat, sugar, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, oranges and grapefruit. Food additives such as dyes and preservatives are also several major factors

Home • environment, such as forced air, gas heat, pets and carpet which harbors dust mites, molds, bacteria, along with many chemicals are aggravating factors.

• Large dry like chickpeas, kala Channa, corn, fish like salmon, trout, cod are better choices. Tea with cardamom, pepper and ginger, lemon juice and honey work effectively. Diet rich in many fruits and vegetables of different colors are recommended.

Carpets • are a major contributor to allergies as dust mites reproduce. The best option is to remove the carpet, which eliminates the area of dust mites breed also use pillows with micro fiber.

• Yoga-The Sheetpitta respiratory tract such as rhinitis can be cured by regular practice of certain types of Pranayama as Bhastrika, ujjai.