Spring type allergies such as hay fever and congestion, cough, sore throat, sinus congestion, all have a tendency to be Kapha imbalances in nature. Kapha is primarily made up of water and earth and is associated with qualities of being cool, slimy, slow, cloudy, heavy, dense, soft, and stable.
Spring is a Kapha season and is associated with Kapha types of activities, such as birth, lubrication (of the earth through rain for instance), and growth. As the new plants begin to flourish, we may experience intolerance to things we are exposed to through congestion.
Some people may have a greater susceptibility because of their constitutional make up and because their metabolic fire and immunity may be low on even a cellular level.
At the session at Yoga Fair, we mentioned many ways to help boost that metabolic fire and immunity. These suggestions follow:
1. Remove the cause if possible.
2. Food combining: Fruits - Do not combine fruits with anything other than fruit. Do not combine in a smoothie, with yogurt or with any other foods. If you are going to eat the fruit, eat it 15 or more minutes before the other food or have it as a snack.
Dairy - Do not combine dairy products with meat, beans, or eggs. Some say eggs are dairy, so specifically - do not combine cheese, sour cream, milk or yogurt with eggs.
3. Avoid over-eating in general. Do not over do sweets. Make sure your food as medicine is a high quality - organic, local etc.
4. Avoid iced beverages and frozen foods. Avoid cold foods. Room temperature is good - as in salads or warm foods are a priority.
5. Specific substances to consider:
Honey (raw only) with lemon in tea - to break up stagnant congestion and to move it out.
Hot teas in general, but especially with warming spices and herbs, such as ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.
To boost immunity - incorporate 1/2 - 1 tsp of turmeric in your diet every day.
Cook with garlic and onions.
Warm salt water gargles work for sore throats so do it if you are getting itchy or sore in the throat.
Ginger - teas and cook with it - it boosts the metabolism.
Neti Pot
Celery juice - good for hay fever.
Flax seed tea - cuts through congestion.
Licorice tea also is an expectorant and is an ingredient in many cold care teas.
Special preparations that can be ordered from the Ayurvedic institute:
Sitopaladi - (congestion) 1/2 tsp with 1 tsp of raw honey either straight off the spoon or in a tea.
Talisadi - (congestion and cough) 1/2 tsp with 1 tsp of raw honey either straight off the spoon or in a tea.
Trikatu - to boost the digestion and metabolism.
Super nasya - daily but not within 12 hours of neti pot.
If a person is starting to get signs of heat, such as a fever, mahasudarshan would be an herb from the Ayurvedic institute or Banyan.
Essential oils: Lemon, peppermint, lavender are used to help; if infection sets in - oregano oil.
6. Kapha season is a time for more vigorous exercise (unless you are sick) and back bending practices. Pranayama (breath work practices) will also protect you from getting congested in Kapha season.
For fullness and liquid itchiness in the ears, asafetida (hing) powder can either be ordered or purchased from Patels on Nolensville Road. Take a cotton ball - make it in a tube like shape, then slightly dampen it. Dip it in the acefetida/hing so that the powder sticks to the cotton ball and then place it in your ear before bed. In a couple of nights, if you are catching it early, it should help significantly. This is for people without significant ear troubles or surgical history in the ear.
Banyan Botanicals web site https://www.banyanbotanicals.com has a great Ayurveda Dosha quiz that I think is the best one I have ever seen. There are also lots of great suggestions for cold care and self care on the website and they sell lots of great herbs and etc.
If all else fails, go to your primary care provider and get some medical help.
https://www.nashvilleayurveda.com/
