Managing Springtime Allergies with Ayurvedic Tips

Spring is allergy season, and for some of us this means absolutely nothing, yet for others of us, Spring lends itself as a burden and challenge. Enter discomfort and suffering. Ayurveda views allergies as an excess of Kapha (earth + water) dosha. I personally refer to Spring as the mud season. If you enjoy outdoor activities, and or have a four-legged friend or other outdoor-indoor animals, you might just understand.

Springtime rain helps to nurture the rebirthing vegetation. The environment is becoming lush, rich, and abundant. So if we take a closer look at the spring season and its natural elemental attributes, we can better understand the tendencies present (externally and internally). Through this understanding and application, we can then cultivate better balance, ease, and well-being.

Let’s take a closer look. Earth and water have elemental tendencies that are cold, heavy, dense, smooth, and stable. Too much of these qualities may result in congestion, mucus, phlegm, sneezing, and or post-nasal drip. Kapha dosha (spring season) is inherently and often most related to slower digestion/sluggish digestive fire. Our Agni (digestive fire) needs to be re-energized. This is why an Ayurvedic spring cleanse is commonly suggested. But “Like attracts like and opposites heal”, is another wise yet simplistic principle that can really aid in assisting us this time of year. By integrating qualities that are opposite of Kapha dosha (i.e. warm, light, mobile, and clear) we can minimize discomfort and nurture ease.

Thus, our intention should be to incorporate these qualities into everything we do this season. For example, adding warm and light foods to our daily nutrition, choosing pacifying herbs for spicing and flavoring our foods and beverages, adding light and mobile (aka. movement) qualities to our physical bodies, and integrating clarifying practices like pranayama to our dinacharya (daily routines) are simple yet profound ways to combat springtime allergy suffering.

Below are simple Ayurvedic tips for nurturing liberation from allergens this Spring.

Nourish with Warm, Light, and Cooked Foods.

Although we may find ourselves wanting to eat salad and or raw foods this time of year in an effort to prepare for the warmer weather ahead, Ayurveda teaches us that eating warm, light, and cooked foods during this “transitional season” helps to rekindle our Agni. When our Agni is low (heavy/slow), we are unable to access the nutrition stored in raw foods, and as a result, these poorly digested and or undigested foods can create toxic buildup/residue (ama) in our bodies and minds.

Another way to “warm-up” your food is by adding warming spices. Spices are great tools for supporting your digestive fire. In particular, this season try flavoring with ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and black pepper. Tulsi, holy basil, is another supportive herb for spring. Tulsi or holy basil is an Ayurvedic herb known to support and rejuvenate the respiratory system - and who doesn’t need that right now? My personal favorite is Tulsi Masala Chai tea by Organic India. I drink a cup of this spicy & sacred herbal tea every morning!

Neti Pot and Nasya Oil.

In Ayurveda, congested sinuses are linked to fatigue, emotional, and mental imbalances (i.e. poor memory, mood swings, and foggy thinking). The neti pot can help remove congestion as well as allergens that are irritating the nasal passages and sinuses. This will inevitably bring forth clarity, comfort, and perhaps energy! Think of the neti pot as a tool that helps to purify and revitalize.

Nasya is the ancient Ayurvedic practice of nostril oilation. This practice helps to lubricate dry nasal passages, delivers beneficial herbs directly to the nose (and channels), and keeps allergens from directly irritating the nasal lining. Nasya is a practice that can be done following the neti pot so that the neti salts do not dry out the sinuses. Many herbs in most nasya oils are known to help soothe and cleanse the tissues thus promoting awareness, clarity, and concentration. 

Pranayama: Bhastrika Pranayama.

Bhastrika Pranayama, also known as Bellows Breath, is a warming breathing practice that mimics fanning a fire with a steady flow of air. Once again adding in qualities that are warming. Bhastrika is a Sanskrit word meaning “bellows,” and it describes the active filling and emptying of the abdomen and lungs that happens during this practice. Bhastrika pranayama simply stokes the inner fire of the mind and body helping to support proper digestion on all levels.

Note: This pranayama practice is pacifying (balancing) for both kapha and vata, but should be practiced in moderation (and or more gently) if pitta dosha is aggravated.

Lastly, stay calm and spring on!

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