The Healing Power of Ayurveda: Managing Asthma and Allergies Naturally
Updated: Apr 19
The changing of the seasons can be difficult for people that suffer from asthma or seasonal allergies. As plants begin to bloom, there's more pollen in the air, which can be a major allergy trigger. Thankfully, Ayurveda supports a healthy respiratory system.
Ayurveda is an effective way to treat symptoms like itchy eyes, chronic coughing, and a runny nose. Once your body is balanced, you'll be able to breathe freely in any weather. Now is the ideal time to get your allergies under control.
Explore more on the Saumya Blog, selected top Ayurveda blogs and websites to watch.
What Causes Seasonal Allergies?
Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system has a reaction to a substance. Allergy symptoms may include itching in the nose, eyes, and mouth, sneezing, a stuffy nose, or a cough. These reactions occur because your body is mistaking a substance for something that is dangerous to your body. This causes your body to release antibodies to protect you against the allergen.
In some cases, allergy symptoms may also impact the lungs, which can trigger asthma symptoms. These symptoms include shortness of breath, a tight feeling in the chest, and wheezing. Allergens can also be an asthma trigger.
How Ayurveda Can Help Allergies and Asthma
In many cases, the body has these reactions to harmless substances because there is an imbalance in the body. Allergy symptoms are also more common in people that have digestive toxins in their bodies. With Ayurveda, you can cleanse and balance the body, giving you long-term relief.
Not only can Ayurveda provide long-term relief for people with allergies, but it can offer relief in the short-term as well. Daily Nasya oil treatments can also provide fast relief.
“The nasya drops are keeping me healthy! So far, no allergy symptoms this spring and I did not catch the cold my husband had!”
--Anonymous, Minnesota
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The Importance of Cleansing
Ayurvedic cleansing is the best way to remove toxins (ama in Sanskrit) that have accumulated in your body. A cleanse can help to re-align your body and mind and balance your doshas. A cleanse is essentially an opportunity for your body to reset itself. Not only can a cleanse relieve allergy symptoms, but it can improve digestion, boost immune system function, and leave you feeling energized.
Your needs will vary based on your energy patterns, which is why you'll want to find a cleansing program that's right for your body. It can also be helpful to follow a post-cleanse plan so that you can maintain these results after your cleanse is over. You can detox safely at home with the guidance of an expert.
Ayurvedic cleansing can hit the reset button and tamp down those annoying symptoms. Explore our custom Ayurveda cleansing programs.
Explore More:
Ayurvedic Cleanse: Spring Tips for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha How to Detox Emotionally|10 Ayurvedic Practices for Emotional Cleansing 30 Reasons Why You Need an Ayurveda Emotional Detox Ayurvedic Green Juice Recipes You Can Make At Home
“I am so glad I came across Saumya Ayurveda’s clinic in Corrales. This place is a gem offering holistic treatment and preventive care. I had great results from the natural herbal remedies for seasonal allergies and general well-being. Veena is extremely knowledgeable and takes great care in remedying underlying health issues. Thank you for all your help.” --P.K., Corrales, New Mexico
Building a Healthy Daily Routine
It's easy to fall back into bad habits, which is why you'll want to establish a routine that will promote balance and immune system function. Daily exercise is an excellent way to keep toxins (ama) from accumulating in your body. You should aim to eat natural, nourishing foods that are easy for your body to digest.
Allergens can cling to your mucus membranes, which is why allergy sufferers may want to make a neti pot a part of their daily routine. Establish a daily routine that is easy to stick to and addresses your physical, mental and spiritual needs.
Allergy symptoms can make it difficult for you to live the life you want to lead. Many people with allergies feel trapped indoors when pollen is in the air. If this is a problem for you, you should know that Ayurveda can help asthma and allergies.
Learn how to build easy yet effective morning and evening routines that will support your immune system, nervous system and increase your focus and energy. Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day. 10 Ayurvedic Evening Rituals for a Calming Night.
Ayurveda Strategies to Help Allergies and Asthma
1. Avoid the allergen 2. Shower after exposure 3. Keep allergens (this usually means pets) out of our bedroom so your not face down in it 4. Know how to eat correctly for you (book your consultation and it will be as clear as a crystal and you'll receive a custom food program as part of your Wellness Consultation package.) 5. Tend the fire. Keep your digestive fire balanced. Not too high, not low, just right. 6. Consider an easy-to-do effective at-home cleanse. 7. Do nasya daily. You'll be amazed at how you feel. Our clients love our nasya oil that's shipped to their door. 8. Perform a few minutes of pranayama. 9. Guided practice 11 minutes in the morning and 11 at night as part of your morning and evening routines.
“Even in cold air and elevation, I’m totally off the asthma inhaler. Asthma completely gone.” --S.A., Virginia
Ayurvedic Herbs for Allergies and Asthma
What herbs are correct for you depend on your doshic picture, symptoms, location, and stage of life and prakruti (original constitution) and vikruti (current state).
Nasya, is herablized nose oil and clients love our nasya oil for increasing the flow of prana which supports healthy breathing, and alleviates allergy symptoms and sinus issues. Learn About Nasya: Nasya Oil Benefits | How to Use Nasya Oil for Greater Wellbeing
"The beauty of Ayurveda lies in it's specificity, there's no one size fits all approach. Which herbal allies help one person, do not the other. Why is this? Because nature does not standardize. Everyone is different and there are variables unique to them at play. Consultation provides specific treatment." - Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
Explore More: What is Ayurveda? A Beginner's Guide and Beyond
Develop a Daily Pranayama Breathwork Routine
Bellows Breath Bhastrika Pranayama
Close your eyes and relax your jaw. Quickly inhale and exhale through your nose, keeping your mouth closed. You should feel your ribs flare out and in and as you breathe.
Breathe in and out three times, then allow yourself to breathe normally before repeating this exercise again. Continue this exercise for a total of 15 seconds. Over time, you can gradually increase the duration of this exercise to a full minute.
This type of breathing is highly stimulating and can leave you feeling energized. It can improve digestion and leave you feeling more alert and aware. This exercise can also lift excess kapha and remove congestion from the lungs.
Learn About Breathwork:
Nadi Shodhana or Alternate Nostril Breathing
Once diaphragmatic breathing is established as a habit, then alternate nostril breathing follows. Pranayama practices should not be attempted until diaphragmatic breathing is a well-established habit.
Alternate nostril breathing is one of the most effective pranayama exercises to relieve anxiety. This exercise can restore Vata balance and put your body and mind at ease.
Method:
1. Bring the right hand to the nose, fold the index finger and the middle finger so the right thumb can be used to close the right nostril and the ring finger can be used to close the left nostril (vishnu mudra). Alternatively, you may place the index and middle fingers on the bridge of the nose between the eyes.
2. Close the passive nostril and exhale completely through the active nostril.
3. At the end of the exhalation, close the active nostril and inhale through the passive nostril slowly and completely. Inhalation and exhalation should be of equal duration.
4. Repeat this cycle of exhalation with the active nostril and inhalation with the passive nostril two more times.
5. At the end of the third inhalation with the passive nostril, exhale completely through the same nostril keeping the active nostril closed with the finger.
6. At the end of the exhalation, close the passive nostril and inhale through the active nostril.
7. Repeat two more times the cycle of exhalation through the passive nostril and inhalation through the active nostril.
8. TO SUM UP:
1. Exhale Active
2. Inhale Passive
3. Exhale Active
4. Inhale Passive
5. Exhale Active
6. Inhale Passive
7. Exhale Passive
8. Inhale Active
9. Exhale Passive
10. Inhale Active
11. Exhale Passive
12. Inhale Active
9. Return your hand to your thigh and exhale and inhale through both nostrils evenly for three complete breaths. This completes ONE cycle or round of the nadi shodhanam practice. It is customary to do three cycles or rounds of the practice.
Note: When practicing three rounds in one sitting, the second of the three rounds begins with the opposite nostril, and the pattern of alternation is therefore the reverse of rounds one and three. The third round is exactly the same as the first round.
There is a saying, "The mind is more in the body, than the body is in the mind." The Saumya 3 step meditation process shifts us from fight-flight-freeze mode, to rest-restore-relax mode. Give it a try for forty days and observe the changes. The more grounded and relaxed we are, the smoother life flows.
"The breath is the connection between the mind and body, so by training the breath, we become calm, focused, and grounded, we slow down the aging process by decreasing stress. These practices are so simple and easy to have as part of our daily life. We actually feel and look younger."
- Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
1. Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. When we re-learn to breath diaphragmatically, we move from the flight-fight-freeze mode, to rest, restore, relaxation mode from where we want and need to live.
2. Daily Guided Practices: 11 minutes in the morning and in the evening, as anchors of your daily Ayurveda routine.
3. Ayurveda Daily Routines: --Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day
"Choose a couple of practices from the routines that provide you with the greatest support. Perform them while applying our two minute meditation technique and your mundane tasks, just transformed into a mellifluous meditation. This is meditation applied to daily life." - Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
"Veena was able to help me regain my energy in just a few months and I’m feeling like my “young” self again! I love the food plan she designed for me, and all the supporting practices (am/pm routines, breathing techniques, herbs, and spice mixes) are so enjoyable to incorporate into my day. I highly recommend Saumya Ayurveda if you want to feel better and have more vitality.”
-Molly Rossini, Minnesota
Read and watch our client's stories to learn how Saumya clients create lasting change in their lives.
“Veena has literally changed my life. I was struggling with mental and physical symptoms that my doctor had no answer for. I thought I was going crazy and just making symptoms up.
With Veena’s guidance, with herbs and diet changes, I soon realized that my symptoms were very real. After making the changes, I made small victories along the way, and became better with each appointment with her.
Now almost 6 months later, I am a completely different person. I still have some things to work on, but with Veena’s help, I know I will be able to take control of my health and not leave it to Western medicine that was giving me little to no help and covering up my symptoms with another medication. Working with Veen has been the best decision I have made for my health. You won’t be disappointed!” -- Maria Fumagalli, San Diego, California
“So glad I came across Saumya Ayurveda’s clinic. This is a gem offering holistic preventive care. I had great results with seasonal allergies and general well-being. Veena is extremely knowledgeable and takes great care in remedying underlying health issues. Thank you for all your help and continued services to our community.” --Pawan K., Corrales, New Mexico
How Can Ayurveda Help Asthma and Allergies?
Discover the Saumya Ayurveda Way
We all want to be heard, understood, and cared for as whole beings, not a set of isolated symptoms. True health is more than the absence of disease, which is why Western medicine so often leaves us feeling hopeless and unseen.
Deep down, you already know what you’re searching for: a new framework for living – one that brings your entire being back into balance. With Saumya Ayurveda, you’ll receive individualized guidance to create the physically, mentally, and spiritually vibrant life you crave.
Saumya Ayurveda provides concierge, top-notch, award-winning Ayurveda care. We strive to keep it simple, so you can focus on you! Opt for virtual consultations and we'll come to you.
Our practice model is client focused, we’re not in the retail herb business. We’ll guide you where to order herbs directly online. Our top-shelf Ayurveda oils and herbalized ghees are the best in the land and we’ll ship your care package right to your doorstep.
Our effective multi-appointment consultation packages provide you with experienced Ayurveda care, enthusiastic guidance, and inspiring support.
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Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
These childhood experiences were the seeds of a lifelong passion. For over 30 years, Veena has dedicated her life to the world’s oldest healing system: Ayurveda.
She draws on this ancient wisdom to help others find their compass to a healthy life – and support those left wanting by Western medicine.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually. Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.