Best Diet Chart for patients with Seasonal Allergies

Allergies are an over-reaction of the body’s immune system to specific substances that the body misidentifies as harmful. The over-reaction of the body’s immune system is known as an allergic reaction and the substances that cause it are called as allergens.

Person’s weakened immunity leads to the attack of small particles such as dust, pollen, microscopic bacteria etc. and let them enter into the nasal passage and cause irritation and inflammation known as local swelling.

What are the causes of Seasonal Allergies?

• Indigestion
• Low digestion strength
• Wrong food combinations
• Inhalation of smoke
• Staying awake in the night
• Exposure to cold and chilly weather
• Not being in balance with the season
• Suppression of natural urges
• Long term intake of drugs such as aspirin leading to the depleted immunity thus makes the person prone to dust allergies.

What are the symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?

• Sneezing
• Body ache
• Watery eyes
• Cough
• Running nose
• Tickling sensation and irritation in the nostrils.
• Hoarseness of the voice
• Headache
• Heaviness in the head

According to Ayurveda

• According to Ayurveda, it is caused due to the toxins (ama) present in the body and due to low immunity. Accumulation of toxins aggravates the levels of kapha in the body giving rise to different symptoms of allergies
• Ayurvedic treatment of seasonal allergies focuses on pacifying the imbalanced dosha, restoring digestion, strengthening the immune system of the body and building the strength of the lungs. There are various home remedies which are very effective in seasonal allergies.

Diet Chart for Patients with Seasonal Allergies

Lemon:

• Lemon is loaded with Vitamin-C and helps in loosen as well as clearing the phlegm.

How to use:

• Squeeze half a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Take this mixture once daily first thing in the morning for several months. This remedy helps in flushing the toxins from the system and also acts as an anti-allergic agent.

Licorice Root:

• Licorice (Mulethi) acts as a demulcent and has expectorant properties which helps in thinning and loosening of mucus thus soothing the airways. It also helps in reducing the inflammation that irritates the throat.

How to use:

• Prepare a decoction by boiling ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, ½ teaspoon licorice root powder along with 8-10 tulsi leaves in a cup of water. Reduce the liquid to half. Add ½ teaspoon of sugar and drink this mixture lukewarm twice a day in mornings and evenings in place of tea or coffee.

Amla:

• Amla is a rich source of Vitamin C as well as loaded with anti-oxidants that help in increasing the immunity.

How to use:

• Mix ½ teaspoon of Amla (Indian gooseberry) powder with 1 teaspoon of honey. Take this mixture twice a day.

Grated Ginger & Milk

• Boil ½ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in milk. Add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Take this mixture twice or thrice a day.

Garlic:

• Garlic is considered as a natural anti-biotic. It contains a compound known as allicin which has the ability to destroy a wide range of organisms.

How to use:

• Take 2-3 garlic cloves and boil them in 1 cup of water. Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Stir well and let it boil for few minutes. Strain it and drink it warm.

Cinnamon:

• This sweet spice is highly effective in the management of the symptoms of seasonal allergies such as nasal congestion, common cold, sore throat etc. because of the chemicals present in cinnamon. These chemicals have the ability to break down the mucous from the respiratory tract.

How to use:

• Take ½ or 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of honey in a glass of water. Boil this mixture for a few minutes. Strain the liquid and consume this mixture while warm.

Ginger:

• Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. It protects the nasal passage as well. It also helps in improving the body’s ability to get rid of the infection naturally by enhancing the functions of the immune system. This herb also reduces the production of mucous thus preventing the nose block.

How to use:

• Chop ½ an inch of fresh ginger and add it in a cup of boiling water and let it brew for about 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink it as tea.

Honey:

• Honey is an excellent and soothing healing agent that boosts the immunity. It has anti-oxidant as well as anti-bacterial properties.

How to use:

• Consume ¼ tablespoon of honey, ¼ tablespoon of lemon juice in a glass of lukewarm water to get rid of seasonal allergies.

Turmeric Milk:

• Turmeric is a wonderful herb that possesses anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-cancer properties.

How to use:

• Add little turmeric and ginger paste to 1 glass milk and boil it for few minutes. Drink this warm. Take turmeric milk twice a day for better results.

Basil leaves:

• Basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum) relieve excess sputum production and anti-microbial. It is one of the best anti-viral herbs of Ayurveda.

How to use:

• Crush 8-10 basil leaves and add ginger extract to it. Mix it along with honey and swallow around 1 tablespoon of this mixture. Take this remedy twice a day for better results.

Peppermint:

• Peppermint acts as an amazing decongestant because of the presence of menthol. It helps in breaking down mucus and soothing the sore throat.

How to use :

• Consume peppermint tea daily or try inhaling the vapours of peppermint through steam. Drop around 4-5 drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water. It effectively helps in treating congestion and breaks up phlegm.

Diet and lifestyle:

• Have freshly prepared and warm food
• Avoid stale and junk food
• Foods that are Kapha aggravating such as dairy, wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, sugars must be avoided
• Avoid cold drinks and frozen foods
• Cover your nose in dusty areas
• Drink warm water at regular intervals
• Steam inhalation can be taken when you feel slight congestion.