May: ALLERGIES & Ayurveda
Pollen Has Arrived
Spring has sprung, flowers have bloomed, and pollen has arrived! This time of year can be a dreaded struggle for those affected by seasonal allergies. Each dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) can be aggravated by substances that cause allergic reactions. Typically, Vata-type allergies cause uncomfortable symptoms in the digestive tract (bloating, burping, gas, abdominal pain), while Pitta-type allergies often present as skin irritants (rashes, itching, hives, eczema). It’s the quintessential springtime allergen reactions (bronchial & nasal congestion, sinus infection, asthma, hay fever, cold, cough) that are associated with Kapha. Ughh, sound familiar?
Ayurveda teaches that allergies are an attack on the body’s immune system. Due to the extreme changes in the external environment, seasonal transitions (especially spring and fall) are when the body’s immune strength is the most fragile. Just when our immunity is most vulnerable, Mother Nature makes Her grand entrance into spring with an explosion of color…. and pollen. Our bodies digest everything—sensory impression, ingested food & liquid, topical application, air, and yes, pollen. This constant process of digesting, filtering, and assimilating can be an overload on the body. That’s why you gotta help a gal out!
The best way to help prevent seasonal allergies is to transition into spring with a strong & healthy immunity and mind-body system. This ensures when the onslaught of pollen appears, your body is armored & ready for battle. Sounds great! But, how? As always, Ayurveda’s gotchu.
Allergy Prevention Guide
Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse
Take 5-7 days to eat a simple & light mono diet. Kitchari is the Ayurvedic classic cleanse dish. However, if this feels overwhelming, choose something more familiar, such as chicken rice soup. Cleanses help support the removal of toxins, stimulate the digestive fire, balance the doshas, strengthen immunity, reestablish healthy lifestyle patterns, and offer a container to slow down & self-nurture (destress). Allergies are a sign of low agni (digestive capabilities) and high ama (toxins). A cleanse is your ticket to lessening the load on the digestive system & strengthening your immunity. *(Check out April’s content for cleanse guidance)
Spice It Up & Lighten It Up
Calling all spices! This time of year, spices are a much needed part of our day. They’re not only tasty and bring a dish to life, but they’re packed with benefits, too. Plus, they brighten the mood & taste sooo good. There are many Kapha supporting spices, but here’s some tasty ones to favor: ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, cayenne, mustard seed, bay, oregano….all the spices, really! Just use all the spice. Adding these warming spices will help boost digestion, break down mucous, improve circulation, enhance nutrient absorption, promote liver detox, purify the blood, support elimination, and yup….help prevent the seasonal affects of allergens.
And don’t forget to cook your food! Eating cooked food, while avoiding too much raw intake, will help keep Kapha balanced. Favor more bitter and astringent foods (all those leafy greens), lighter meals, and keep things warm, spicy & circulating. Keeping Kapha balanced & healthy from late winter through spring will help strength immunity & protect against pollen, pollutants, and allergens.
That First Burp
I’m not talking about that first belch. Nobody wants to hear that. When you eat slowly & intentionally, savoring the flavors & textures, you’ll notice a very subtle burp that occurs. It happens when the system has had just enough, at that perfectly satisfied point before becoming full. If you’re eating quickly or on-the-go, you’ll miss the body’s burp signal, letting you know it’s time to stop. When we eat too much, it creates an overwhelmed & sluggish digestive system. When our digestion is weakened, our immunity is also weakened. Eat slowly & intentionally….and wait for the burp!
Neti (Jala Neti)
Nasal rinsing is an effective way to cleanse & purify the nasal passages, while also soothing nerves that innervate the eyes, ears, and nose. Our nose purifies the air we inhale by filtering millions of particles, pollutants, and germs—this ensures the air we breathe is safe for our lungs. Incorporating a daily/weekly practice of neti will offer many supportive benefits to help keep our nasal passages free from pollutants, irritants & allergens. Jala neti will helps remove excess mucous, encourages sinus health (prevents infections), eases sinus headaches & migraines, reduces nasal dryness & inflammation, improves respiration, balances prana, stimulates ajna chakra (3rd Eye), and allows for fuller & freer breathing. Ayurveda & yoga both teach that the quality of our breath is vital to our wellbeing, and nasal cleansing is a great first step!
Nasya (nasal) Oil Application
The benefits of this daily practice are profound and include: protects & soothes the nasal passages, improves the quality of breath by filtering pollen & pollutants that circulate in the environment, enhances mental clarity & cerebral function, relieves mucous & congestion, clears stagnation, calms the nervous system, soothes vocal cords, helps to prevent & treat allergies, sinuses, headaches, sore throat and jaw discomfort. Plus, nasya oil application is the fastest way for the brain to receive herbal medication!
The Three Ts: Triphala, Trikatu, Turmeric
Triphala detoxifies, cleanses, balances, and revitalizes the body system; it’s considered a complete body cleanser. From the colon, to the liver, urinary tract, intestines, to the blood & channels (shrotas)…triphala’s gotchu!
Trikatu is a powerful digestive herb formula that combines together pippali, ginger, and black pepper. The heating quality of trikatu helps kindle the digestive fire (agni), burn fat & toxins, supports healthy metabolism & weight management, and encourages proper assimilation of nutrients in the body. Trikatu to the rescue! This is a beautiful herb blend to keep in your pharmacy throughout the springtime.
Turmeric is one of the best herbs for protecting the body against inflammation, allergens, and toxic buildup (ama). It boasts a long list of benefits: blood purifier, immune support, promotes healthy skin, strengthens digestion, eliminates toxins, clears the physical & energetic channels (nadis), nourishes & soothes joints, and encourages proper function of the pancreas & heart. You’re gonna want to keep turmeric around! And share some with everybody you know.
Exercise (Vyayama)
Engaging in energizing, invigorating & fun physical activities is incredibly healing, balancing & supportive for our Immune System. Mix things up! If you find yourself stuck in a monotonous routine of exercise, seek ways to spice it up with adventure & play. Get that body move’n & groove’n! If you have a sedentary job, ensure you get up and move every hour throughout your work day.
Chill Out
Yoga, meditation, and pranayama (breathwork), oh yes! Meditative and mindful acts directly affect the nervous system. Chronic stress (eh hem, modern society) affects all aspects of your body, and is damaging to all body systems. Stress directly affects the strength of your immune responses. When you’re stuck in high gear, your body and mind aren’t able to let life flow. When you’re able to tap into calmness, you’re better able to connect to intimacy, pleasure, and a deeper expression of yourself. Incorporating pranayama, yoga, meditation, mantra chanting (or anything that helps bring you into a calm & present space) will help regulate the nervous system & allow for mental clarity, connectivity, and immune-boosting ability. Sit, breathe, connect.
Garshana (Dry Skin Brushing)
Raw silk gloves are used to exfoliate & tone the skin, stimulate the lymphatic system, support immune health, promote mental alertness, release accumulated toxins, and enhance blood circulation. If your skin is prone to dryness -or- if you experience mental anxiety & nervousness, it’s best to follow garshana with an herbal oil treatment (abhyanga self-massage). This will help calm the nervous system, while also leaving the skin supple & rejuvenated.
Adaptogenic Pharmacopeia
Herbs are our allies. Seasonal transitions are a great time to call on the support of some Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, such as tulsi and ashwagandha. Adaptogens are rejuvenatives for the nervous, reproductive & cardiovascular systems as they tonify and support body functions. As an additional bonus, they energetically open & nurture the heart (anahata) and sacral (svadhisthana) chakras. Ashwagandha and tulsi are honored for their nurturing ability to help the body, mind & soul find peaceful transitions through the twists and turns of life.
Find a comfortable spot & nurture your senses with a guided meditation. Allow your eyes to close, your body to soften, and your mind to quiet. Take a deep breath in, and let it go.
TURMERIC & OAT FACE MASK
The earth (prithvi) and water (aap) elements associated with Kapha can create heavy qualities during the spring months. The combination of these elements can cause clogged pores, oily skin & acne. If this sounds like your skin’s current struggle, try the Turmeric & Oat Face Mask below. Turmeric is known for it’s beauty benefits of clearing acne, absorbing excess oil & sebum, reducing wrinkles, and softening the skin.
What You Need:
2 Tbsp French Green Clay, Rhassoul Clay, or Sandalwood Powder
1/2 tsp. Dry Oats
1/4 tsp Turmeric
Honey, a few drops
Mix ingredients together, and add enough water to create a paste. Apply evenly over the face & leave on for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, pat to dry, and apply a small amount of facial oil (sunflower, safflower, or mustard oil) in circular motions. Smile, and give thanks for your skin & the ability to self-nourish.
Sandhya Vandam Water Ritual
Water is associated with positive affirmation, emotion, and it’s powerful ability to cleanse. Sandhya Vandam is a Vedic practice used with the intention of releasing mental negativities, affirming & strengthening the positivity you behold, while acknowledging & honoring your own light & spirit within.
Traditionally, a kalash (small copper pot) is used for this practice, as it symbolizes a ‘source of light’ and abundance. However, using a mug or a small vase is appropriate; the intention behind the practice is what’s most important.
What To Do:
Fill your vessel with water, and hold it in both hands. While looking into the water, you can chant a mantra, or simply repeat to yourself an intention (sankalpa) that you are working with as positive affirmation. Another lovely ritual is to hold the kalash (or vessel of choice) in one hand, and place all the fingers (except the thumb) of the other hand into the water. As you silently or verbally affirm the words below, touch each body part with the water.
Water Ritual for Universal Blessing
May my head be filled with the light of wisdom.
May my eyes see what is auspicious.
May my ears hear that which is auspicious.
May my mouth be free from eating disorders, and food-related conditions.
May my throat be blessed with truthful words.
May my heart be free to give & receive love.
May my navel be free from anxiety & digestive challenges.
May my hands & feet guide me to perform positive actions in the world, which bring myself and others greater health and freedom.
Instead of rushing off immediately after, sit for a moment and become aware of your body, mind & spirit. Simply notice, listen, and bow to the light within.