Maharishi Ayurveda
Approach to Allergies

Impurity Accumulation is the Main The Cause of Allergies

The allergic response is meant to be a defense mechanism the body against invasion by harmful agents. The vasodilation, fluid accumulation and inflammation that results from the allergic response is actually to help the immune cells get into the area, dilute the toxic agent and help wash it away. "Allergies" result when there is an excessive and unwanted allergic response to foreign particles that are actually not dangerous to the body.

Maharishi Ayurveda is very clear that inappropriate allergic response results from the buildup of excessive toxins and impurities in the body. This toxic accumulation starts to block the channels of communication (lymph and blood vessels preventing the body from naturally cleansing and purifying itself. When the blockage occurs in a body filled with toxins then tissues become aggravated and the grounds for hyper allergic response is laid. The more internal toxins and blockage we create the more likely the allergic response will start attacking these foreign agents and become overly sensitive to others.

For this reason Ayurveda holds that allergic problems start in the stomach as it is improperly digested foods that end up creating the most internal toxins and blockages. When the digestive process cannot completely break down food molecules then larger more toxic and clogging molecules end up becoming absorbed, travel throughout the circulation and start creating the allergic response.

Creating a proper diet and strong digestion are job 1 in the fight against allergies. Next it is necessary to use internal cleansing regimens to reduce the clogging and accumulated impurities.

The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.

1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:30 and1:30, when the digestion is strongest. The sun, the heat element in nature, enlivens Agni, the fire of digestion and metabolism. At the height of the day our digestion is strongest and Ayurveda simply recommends eat the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.

2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. The single biggest contribution to toxins and clogging in the body comes from heavy evening meals.

Agni is much weaker in the evening and it is vitally important to eat lighter meals. Also after dinner there is often only 2-3 hours before we lie to sleep and further slow, circulation and digestion.

3. Eat warm food. Heated food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh food freshly prepared.

4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.

5. Avoid Excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods can be very aggravating to the body. many people experience their allergies become worse when they eat foods with tomato sauces, yellow cheeses and acidic foods

Diet is not the only consideration in allergies Ayurvedic theory also recommends the following behavioral changes to help rebalance the allergic response.

1. Go to bed by 10:00 P.M. Between 10:00 PM and 2 AM the bodies natural rhythms enliven the metabolic process of internal cleansing. If we are always active at this time we are short changing the body on its natural cleansing processes and toxins and impurities start to accumulate. Good sleep is also important for reversing stress. Almost everyone with allergies experiences that if they are under excess stress their condition flares up. There is no technique for helping the body adapt to stress that is more powerful than going to be by 10:00 PM.

2. Cleanse the body before the allergy season. The traditional Ayurvedic recommendation is to do home cleansings the classic in-residence internal cleansing treatments of Ayurveda (Panchakarma or Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy) before the allergy season starts.

3. Have a regular routine of life. Eating, sleeping, working and exercising at about the same time each day is very balancing and stabilizing to the entire physiology. Allergies are much worse when routine of life is hectic and scattered.

4. Practice Yoga asanas and meditation. Yogas asanas and meditation (I recommend the TM technique because of its ease of practice and scientific verification) are very balancing to all aspects of mind and body and have been used by many people to reduce allergy symptoms.

The best approach to allergies is focus on good eating habits, practice stress reduction techniques and do natural cleansing before the allergy season.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Please consult your physician regarding any symptoms you have or before you make changes in lifestyle and diet.

Author:
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.