What is Food Allergy?
Food Allergy is an immune response to a certain food labeling it as harmful to the body instead of a nutrient. So, why does the body label it as a foe? Does it have to do something with how we eat food? Foods like fish and milk, if taken in combination, are the cause of skin disease.
Aahara Asatmyata or Virudha is the term mentioned in Ayurveda to denote Food Intolerance or Food Allergy. Inability to digest or effectively not able to break down some proteins (amino acids). When food proteins are not digested well, they behave like antigens resulting in multiple allergic responses like food allergies, chest and nasal allergies, and gastrointestinal imbalance.
According to Ayurveda, there is a concept of Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatana i.e. how you intake the food determines it as a treatment or the cause of disease.
The common notion of causes of food allergies is said to be the food they eat. What if it is not? What if food is not the culprit, the one whose eating it is? Who we are is determined by how the body is built, what we eat, and what we surround ourselves with, which in today’s world are packed with foods, preservatives, and chemicals. Ayurveda Treatment for allergy suggests you take food acc. to your Prakriti and as organic it may be food or medicine.
Food allergy results from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors in normal life. It appears to be a shift towards an urbanized lifestyle, which may be a result of rising economic growth or migration and is said to be associated with the development of food allergies. Urbanization means people working at night and sleeping during the day leading to disturbance in normal circadian rhythms which as a result are the cause of many ailments.
Food Allergy Treatment in Chandigarh suggests taking a detailed examination from specialists for understanding the root cause. IAFA ensures the effective treatment of various allergies.
What are the Causes of Food Allergies?
An allergy is caused by an immune response activated to a certain labeled harm. The immune system is programmed to attack bacteria, parasites, viruses, etc. Sometimes the immune system reacts to certain food items. That is called “Food Allergy” or “Food Intolerance”. When the immune system is activated immunoglobulin and antibodies are sent in response to allergens and antigens. The antigen-Antibody reaction causes inflammatory reactions the inflammatory response affects different systems of the body causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, etc.
As some studies show that food allergies or allergies, in general, have some triggers that are environmental and genetic.
Environmental causes also include food intake methods, genetically mutated crops, and preservatives added to packed foods. Genetic causes work as a predisposing factor in allergies.
Causes of Food Allergy – According To Dosha Predominance
- Vata Aggravated by food items like astringent, cold, bitter, spicy, raw, and dry.
- Pitta Aggravated by food items like spicy, fried, sour, salted, and fermented foods.
- Kapha Aggravated by food items like heavy, fried, cold, and excessive eating habits.
What Food Causes Food Allergies?
Any food can have an allergic reaction but According to International Standards these are the most common foods:-
- Eggs
- Milk
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Strawberries
- Wheat
- Soy
- Tree nuts
- Shellfish
- Certain seeds like mustard and sesame are also known to cause allergic reactions.
According to Ayurveda, doshas get vitiated in the body and cannot be expelled from the body. This may occur when someone eats a mismatched combination of food items, has food at the wrong place, has improper time, has inappropriate amounts, etc.
In Ayurveda, on basis of doshas food allergies are classified into:-
- Vata-related Food Allergy
- Pitta-related Food Allergy
- Kapha-related Food Allergy
Signs and Symptoms of Food Allergies
Mild Symptoms
- Swelling and itching of lips and mouth
- Tightness in the throat or hoarse voice
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and cramps
- Itchy, raised bumps (hives)
- Swelling of the skin
- Itching
Severe Symptoms
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Feeling as if the throat is closing or that the lips and tongue are swelling
- Flushing of the skin
- Itching of palms and soles of feet
- Feeling faint
- Nausea
- Fast pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome
Symptoms of Food Allergy – According to Various Dosha Predominance:
- Vata Related Food Allergy symptoms-Fast pulse, pain, raised bumps, cramps, and hoarseness of voice.
- Pitta Related Food Allergy symptoms -Feeling faint, Loss of consciousness, diarrhea.
- Kapha Related Food Allergy symptoms – Swelling, Itching, Troubled breathing, nausea.
Ayurvedic Reference
Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatana – There are 8 types of factors affecting the food we eat those are:–
1. Prakriti / Swabhava – Nature of food / Quality of food. Food added with preservatives decreases its potency and may lead to food additive allergies.
2. Karan – Processing of food. How do we make food for eg Food made with iron utensils is rich in iron.
3. Samyoga – Combination of food. There are certain races acc. to ayurveda which are to be taken in combinations i.e
- Madhur, Amal, and Lavana rasa foods should not be used in combination.
- Astringent, Bitter, and Pungent should not be used in combination.
- But these two categories can be combined with each other.
4. Rashi – Quantity of food. We should never overeat and should always leave ¼ the space for air.
5. Desha – Habitat of food. Foods that are grown underground increase vata in the body.
6. Kala – Time and seasonal variation. Eating and sleeping leads to undigested food.
7. Upayoga Samstha – Rules for dieting.
8. Upayukta – The person who consumes the food.
Ancient Eating Principles of Ayurveda
Ayurvedic concepts of food eating principles include the Ahara Vidhi Vidhana i.e. guidelines of how to eat the foods.
Ahara vidhi vidhana
- Ushnamashniyat (consuming warm food)
- Snigdhamashniyat (Diet should include fat)
- Matravatashniyat ( Balanced Diet )
- Jeerneashniyat (Meal taken after digestion of previous meal)
- Veerya Viruddhamashniyat (To eat acc. to the potency of food)
- Ishtadeshe ishtasarvopkarnam chashniyat (Meal taken at proper place and with proper instruments)
- Naatidrutamashniyat (Not eating too fast)
- Naativilambitamashniyat (Not eating too slowly)
- Ajalpan Hassan tanmanabhunjeet (Eating without talking or laughing, Mindful eating)
- Tmanamabhisamikshya bhunjeet samyak (Eating after analyzing one’s needs)
Ayurvedic Treatment for food allergies will include the use of these basic ayurvedic principles.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Food Allergies
Food Allergies Treatment mainly includes internal and external applications.
Internal Medicines
The following medicines can be advised to patients:-
- Aahar Amrutham Chai
- Aahar Amrutam Rasa
- Anthra Mithram Gulika
- Aahar Amrutham Gulika
Various Single herbs are also efficient in Food Allergies Treatment.
- Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia)
- Haridra (Curcumin Longa)
- Khadira (Acacia Catechu)
- Raktachandan (Pterocarpus Santilius)
- Changeri (Oxalis corniculata)
- Bhoomi Amla (Phyllanthus Niruri)
- Curcumin (Curcumin Longa)
You can also consult with Ayurvedic Allergy Specialists of IAFA Ayurveda®. Contact us now to book your appointment for consultation. Our health experts can guide you safe and effective herbal remedies for as per your health concerns.