IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR! SEASONAL ALLERGIES : FOOD FOR THOUGHT
/Are you noticing your sinus’ getting dry? Does the throat have a tickle? Itchy eyes? Do your ears have an itch? Are you noticing the quality of your digestion changing slowly as we progress each day into the warmer weather?
These are all indications that something is going on in your physiology and as a response to the external causes. Within the context of Ayurveda, we learn to develop a more refined sense of self, on various levels. We learn to tune in more and to follow the cues of the body that can direct us into an optimal state if we know what to provide for our sustenance.
Seasonal allergies tend to occur and Ayurveda automatically wonders what the current state of digestion is like. Digestion is the key component to health or illness depending on where on the spectrum you are. Seasonal allergies are an indicator of something being off. It’s not just about why the sinus’ may be sensitive to dust and pollen, but why is the body not producing the necessary inherently designed lubrication to maintain the integrity of the sinus’? If you’re experiencing indigestion, sometimes subtle and sometimes overt, this is like the main street of a city that is backed up and traffic is building upon the side streets creating stress of sorts. The central channel (koshta) of the body is an essential pillar of health. As the pressure of the central channel of the body becomes compromised in any way it will proceed to the extremities of the body through various pathways and symptoms, this external pathway is known as Shaka in Ayurveda.
What are you eating? How are you digesting it? What is the quality of your digestion? What are your portions of food intake? What time are you eating your meals? Are you eating per your constitution? Are you eating at appropriate times? Are you consistent with your patterns? What is your state of mind while eating? What are you focused on while eating? Where are you eating? As Ayurvedic clinicians, we assess all this and more in order to support you in your healthcare needs. We are not only about addressing what issues may be in the present moment but we are also simultaneously possessing a foresight to prevent conditions not just tomorrow, but years and years from today.
Within the platform of Ayurveda, the acute considerations of Ahara (diet) and lifestyle (Vihara) are fundamental in creating a foundation to establish health. These two factors are what can either maintain health, return one to health, and prevent disease. The proper integration and adaptation of such instruction is pivotal and will have long-term, as well as short-term benefits to health and well-being. Sometimes certain sacrifices have to be made now in order to invest in the long-term goal to prevent suffering as much as possible when it comes to health. The internal causes of the disease begin with the doshas and what afflicts them is what happens with Ahara and Vihara, including ritu sandhi protocols. This falls under the heading of Nija Rogas (internal causes of disease.) Diseases that arise due to external causes are called Agantuja (such as accidents, traumas, seasons/seasonal transitions.) Therefore, understanding seasonal allergies are not that difficult but can require some complex steps to remediate the situation.
As we transition through Spring into Summer, which will be occurring over the next several weeks it is important to understand that these are the windows through which many people can experience symptoms of various types. In order to minimize this from occurring Ayurveda absolutely encourages us to make more mindful choices each day and under the umbrella of the seasonal transition. Additionally, the body is a historical system and requires consistency for health. It holds in its memory not only mentally/emotionally but also physically with regard to what we ate a week ago, 40 days ago, 6 months ago. This memory capacity is what the body keeps track of and affects us in the present and what we do in the present affects how our tomorrow will be. Ayurveda strongly encourages proper cleansing, such as Panchakarma, to occur during seasonal transitions. This is called Shodhana in Ayurveda. Palliative therapies are generally implemented in between or in cases where Shodhana Chikitsa is not possible. This intermediary step is known as Shamana Chikitsa. Shodhana is a major reset for health, whereas shamana is a minor reset. Shodhana is aggressive and can be longer-lasting, whereas shamana can also be long-term but not as deep. Shodhana uproots the tree stump and roots that can be the basis for disease, and shamana just keeps cutting the offshoots of the stump, and is less aggressive. Both are serving either way and depend on where you are currently at and what your capacity for deep cleansing or light cleaning and management is.
The body is in “Spring Cleaning” mode and proper palliative or cleaning protocols must but in place precisely in order to ensure a successful outcome. It is understood in Ayurveda that during ritu sandhi (seasonal transitions) this has a certain significant impact on your health and the contribution to diseases or the lack thereof moving forward. But it is not that easy for many people to jump either into a gentle cleanse or a major purificatory process. It is contraindicated to cleanse'/”detox”/purify while engaging fully in normal daily duties, responsibilities, and tasks. The digestive system requires focus to direct its attention to its own internal resources to integrate and metabolize appropriately. If you are cleansing while working your full-time job, etc. you will not experience the full benefits of the cleanse. It is like eating your lunch while on your laptop. The body is meant to externally handle one thing at a time. Hence, when you’re eating, just eat. When you’re working, just work. Don’t work and eat at the same time. This causes indigestion, which can lead to malabsorption which would also indicate that the cells, tissues, and systems of the body will not receive the essential matter required for its formation and maintenance.
Symptoms are the body's way of saying something is not aligned properly per constitution, diet, and lifestyle. To not heed these indications would only further perpetuate the cycle of suffering. The physiological design of some will either make it easier to push through, while others may feel the immediate ramifications of ignoring such signs. Another important awareness to have is the busy-ness of people’s lifestyles that time is made or available to slow down and address “the little things“ which will sometimes seem to resolve on their own but are really getting quieter and pushing deeper into the physiology only to return with a vengeance later. This is the pandora’s box. Time passes and then something “suddenly appears” but it was hidden as a result of previous choices and actions that took time for this “bomb” to go off, causing chaos and pain. With regard to Agantuja rogas, pain is imposed from the outside in and affects the doshas. Similarly, with Nija roga causes, when from inside and the doshas are afflicted they then progress and create pain.
Health is wealth! Life is meant to be lived fully and ideally as happily as possible. Can you set things up in a way to support this, rather than sacrifice your health by being “too busy"? Are you worried about money in your self-care? If so, what is your health worth to you? What you do each day to maintain your health is an investment in your future and everyone and everything you interact with on a day-to-day basis. Would you want to fall apart as time progresses and your age? Why wait until later when you can address what is in front of you now? Can you take the time to address the slight dryness in the back of your throat or that indigestion? Can you get your sleep, exercise, and eating habits better aligned with the daily rhythm and cycles? Can you align better with the seasonal fluctuations and transitions? Can you make time to take care of yourself even amidst daily duties/responsibilities? These are some thoughts to ponder.
RESOURCES:
NIJA AND AGANTUJA ROGA (DISEASES)
DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only and is not considered medical advice. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and/or primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.