The Ancient Science of Seasonal Allergy Support: Understanding the Causes of Imbalance

For those with a Vata dosha, allergies may manifest as dryness in the nose and throat, leading to dry and irritated sinuses. They may also experience symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. To support their immunity, they should focus on warming, grounding foods and activities, such as soups and stews, and regular exercise routines.

For those with a Pitta dosha, allergies may manifest as inflammation and heat in the nose and sinuses, leading to redness and congestion. They may also experience symptoms such as anger, frustration, and irritability. To support their immunity, they should focus on cooling, light foods and activities, such as salads and fruits, and practices such as yoga and meditation.

For those with a Kapha dosha, allergies may manifest as congestion and mucus in the nose and sinuses, leading to a heavy, sluggish feeling. They may also experience symptoms such as sadness, depression, and lethargy. To support their immunity, they should focus on dry, light foods and activities, such as stir-fries and hot spices, and practices such as dry brushing and cardio.

Overall, an Ayurvedic approach to managing seasonal allergies includes a focus on maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and practices such as yoga and meditation to promote balance and harmony in the body. Additionally, herbal supplements such as turmeric and quercetin, as well as seasonal cleanses may also be beneficial in reducing symptoms.

Herbal Supplementation

Herbs play a crucial role in Ayurvedic medicine, as they possess unique healing properties that can be used to address a wide range of health issues and bring balance to the doshas. Each dosha has unique needs when it comes to seasonal allergies, and certain herbs can be more beneficial for each one.

Vata individuals tend to experience seasonal allergies as dry and itchy eyes, a runny nose, and dry skin. They may also experience anxiety and restlessness as a result of their allergies. They may benefit from herbs that not only soothe their allergies but soothe their emotional response.

Aller-Rest: supports respiratory immunity and protection against seasonal sinus sensitivity.
Turmeric Plus: supports healthy cardiovascular circulation and a normal inflammatory response when stressed.
Slippery Elm Prebiotic: a blend of rough cut vata-balancing soluble fibers (slippery elm, licorice, and marshmallow root) to soothe the lining of the entire digestive tract while boosting beneficial gut bacteria.
Gut Revival: a blend of colonizing probiotics that establish a new healthy stable of beneficial gut bacteria while creating an environment unsuitable for undesirable bacteria. It has also been shown to increase bowel movement transit time by 56%.
Respiratory Restore: a soothing respiratory syrup that offers lingering support for hours for both kapha and vata respiratory imbalances.
Mucus Destroyer: a combination of sitopladi churna, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper for vata and kapha respiratory imbalances.

Pitta individuals tend to experience seasonal allergies as inflammation and redness in the eyes, skin rashes, and a runny nose. They may also experience irritability and anger as a result of their allergies. They may benefit from cooling herbs to soothe their allergies and their emotional response.

Neem Boost: a blend of cooling herbs used to support respiratory immunity and a healthy microbiome.
Brahmi-Brain: a cooling herb that supports healthy circulation, brain lymphatic drainage, longevity, and protection against stress.
Aller-Rest: supports respiratory immunity and protection against seasonal sinus sensitivity.

Kapha individuals tend to experience seasonal allergies as congestion, lethargy, and excessive mucus production.They may also experience feelings of depression as a result of their allergies. They may benefit from stimulating herbs to move the congestion and energize them emotionally.

Mucus Destroyer: a combination of sitopladi churna, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper for vata and kapha respiratory imbalances.
Turmeric Plus: supports healthy cardiovascular circulation and a normal inflammatory response when stressed.
Aller-Rest: supports respiratory immunity and protection against seasonal sinus sensitivity.
Respiratory Restore: a soothing respiratory syrup that offers lingering support for hours for both kapha and vata respiratory imbalances.

If you are new to taking Ayurvedic herbs or supplements, we highly recommend downloading this short free ebook to set you out on the right track from the get-go:

Dr John’s Guide to Taking Herbs

Dinacharya (Ayurvedic Daily Routine)

Dinacharya, or daily routine, is an important aspect of Ayurvedic medicine and can help immensely with the management of seasonal allergies. Some practices that can help relieve seasonal allergies include:

Waking up early: Rising early and starting the day with a sense of freshness can help regulate the lymphatic system and improve immunity.
Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping): Scraping the tongue can remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue, which can promote overall oral health and a strong immune system.
Drinking warm water: Drinking warm water first thing in the morning can help stimulate digestion and flush out toxins. Option: add juice of ¼ lemon.
Gandusha (oil pulling): In the shower, swish oil around the mouth for 10-15 minutes to support a healthy mouth microbiome and protect against undesirable bacteria and gum issues. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Swish Oil Pulling Therapy.
Nasya (nose oiling) and Karna Purana (ear oiling): In the shower, add a few drops of LifeSpa’s Nasya Oil in the nose and ears. This is an easy way to keep the sinuses, eustachian tube, and cervical lymph lubricated, clear, healthy, and functional.
Abhyanga (self-massage): Applying warm oil to the body while showering or before bathing can calm Vata, fight stress, improve circulation, and help stimulate immunity. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Tri-doshic Massage Oil or Lymphatic Massage Oil.
Grounding practices: Practicing yoga, pranayama (breathing), meditation, or other forms of exercise in the morning before starting your day can help reduce stress, improve circulation, and support a strong immune system. Practice my One Minute Meditation up to ten times per day to help cope with stress, anxiety, and depression.
Eating at regular intervals: Eating at regular intervals can help regulate the digestive system and prevent overeating or undereating, supporting a healthy immune system. Make breakfast and lunch the main meals of the day.
Eating a balanced diet: Eating a diet that is balanced in terms of the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) can help ensure that all the necessary nutrients are being consumed for a strong immune system.
Avoiding eating late at night: Eating late at night can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and negatively impact your lymphatic and immune systems.
Avoiding eating in front of the TV or computer: Eating while distracted can lead to overeating and a weakened immune system.
Get to bed early: Settle into bed early around 9:30 PM so you are asleep by 10 PM.

In Ayurveda, the daily routine, known as Dinacharya, is considered a crucial aspect for leading a fulfilling life, which is why I created the 28-Day Ayurveda Challenge. Each day in this eCourse, you will learn a new challenge to incorporate into your daily routine that relieves stress, promotes health, and quiets the mind. By the end of the Ayurveda Challenge, you will have effortlessly incorporated a daily routine that lasts for 20-30 minutes, and it will be simple, enjoyable, and impactful. You will soon experience feelings of calmness, focus, and increased energy. This daily routine will not be seen as a chore, but rather a means of reward, as the benefits far outweigh the small time investment.

Nutrition

According to Ayurveda, each dosha has specific dietary needs and practices that can help support the immune and lymphatic systems to protect against seasonal allergies.

For Vata dosha individuals, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest, such as soups and stews. Spicy, cold and dry foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Vata. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee, olive oil and avocado, to help lubricate the digestive tract. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Vata individuals to eat seasonally during the Fall and Winter seasons when Vata individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Vata that can lead to fatigue, weak immunity, and poor sleep.

We recommend downloading our Winter Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Vata during this season. For Vata body types during the winter months, it is especially important they follow these Vata-balancing dietary rules:

Reduce foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a cold, dry, and light quality.
Increase foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have a heavy, oily, and hot quality.

For Pitta dosha individuals, it is important to consume cooling foods such as fruits and vegetables. Spicy and sour foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Pitta. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee, coconut oil and flaxseeds, to help cool the digestive fire. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Pitta individuals to eat seasonally during the Summer when Pitta individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Pitta that can lead to indigestion, irritability, and skin concerns.

We recommend downloading our Summer Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Pitta during this season. For Pitta body types during the summer months, it is especially important they follow these Pitta-balancing dietary rules:

Reduce foods that are pungent, sour, and salty or have hot, dry, and light quality.
Increase foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent or have a heavy, oily, and cold quality.

For Kapha dosha individuals, it is important to consume warm, light and dry foods such as salads and steamed vegetables. Heavy and oily foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Kapha. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, to help keep the digestive tract moving. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Kapha individuals to eat seasonally during the Spring when Kapha individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Kapha that can lead to fatigue, sadness, congestion, and heaviness.

We recommend downloading our Spring Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Kapha during this season. For Kapha body types during the spring months, it is especially important they follow these Kapha-balancing dietary rules:

Reduce foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have heavy, oily, and cold quality.
Increase foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a light, dry, and hot quality.

It is important to note that these are general recommendations and it is always best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best dietary plan for your individual needs.

As humans have advanced, we have grown more and more disconnected from the natural cycles and circadian rhythms which leaves many of us scratching our heads when we’re asked to eat seasonally. To help us reconnect with these rhythms, I created a free program that delivers seasonal guidance and recipes every month directly to your inbox. I call it the 3 Season Diet Guide, I highly encourage you to check it out. New research suggests that our gut microbes are meant to change seasonally with the foods we eat. Seasonal microbes optimize digestion, mood, and immunity, the way nature intended!

Cleansing

Cleansing plays a crucial role in Ayurveda as it is aimed at purifying the body and restoring balance to its natural systems. At times, the imbalances in our doshas can become so severe that regular dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle practices are not sufficient to bring us back into balance. In such cases, a more comprehensive detoxification program, known as a cleanse, may be necessary. Cleansing can correct doshic imbalances that are negatively affecting our physical and emotional health, thereby enhancing our overall well-being. These cleanses can be performed seasonally, in Spring and Fall, or as needed to support the body’s natural cleansing processes. LifeSpa offers a wide variety of cleansing options to fit your unique needs, discover the perfect cleanse for you here.

Further Education

Expand your knowledge by exploring these comprehensive ebooks and engaging online courses related to seasonal allergies:

The Miracle of Lymph: How and Why to Detox Your Lymphatic System (eBook)
Perfecting Digestion: Gateway to Emotional Freedom (eCourse)
Digestive Troubleshooting Guide (free eBook)
Digestible Guide to Gut Health (free eBook)
Short Home Cleanse (free eBook)

Getting Started

An Ayurvedic Guide to Seasonal Allergy Relief

In Ayurveda, the transitions from summer to fall and from winter to spring are prime times for imbalance, the risk of uncomfortable immune system response, and allergies. Learn how to bolster your body for the changing season and find some relief from seasonal sensitivity.