Allergy is a reaction shown by the body when the immune system is unable to fight some bacteria and pathogens.
Some people might be allergic to specific food components, while others may be reactive to dust, insects, and even some animals.
This blog specifically discusses the wheat allergy and the cure available in Ayurveda.
What is Wheat Allergy?
Wheat allergy is the response to irregularity in the immune system.
Some people might experience an allergic reaction after consuming it orally. While in some severe cases, it may trigger after inhaling wheat flour.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction might be visible either in some minutes or hours.
Most wheat allergies initiate from childhood. However, some might even trigger during maturity.
The allergy is not towards all the components of wheat and rather a single protein. In allergic people, wheat is assessed as a threat.
The immune system launches antibodies to attack the wheat protein.
The antibodies are generated towards a specific wheat protein. These antibodies are triggered when wheat enters the body and thus, the allergic reaction.
Often the wheat allergy is confused with celiac or gluten allergy.
Gluten is a component of wheat that does not kindle an instant reaction. However, it causes long-term effects on the digestive system.
Causes of Wheat Allergy in Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, wheat allergy causes an increase in pitta (fire and water dosha), especially for the vata body types (light frames).
In Ayurveda, the digestive system is emblematic of “AGNI.” Thus, the main focus is to balance the Agni of the body and cure the digestive system.
Virudhahara (incomplete diet) is another possible reason for wheat allergy. It connotes a poor vitamin and mineral-rich diet.
What Should You Eat?
It is crucial to know if you are allergic to one or more proteins present in wheat. This helps in making a wiser decision.
For wheat allergic people, it is crucial to check the ingredient list before consuming a product. Some of the products contain wheat, which might not even cross our brains.
Some of these products are:
- Dairy products like ice-cream
- Semolina
- Meat products
- Soy sauce
- Beer
- Pasta
- Hard candies
- Modified starch
- Vegetable Gum
- Coffee substitutes
- Bakery items like muffins, bread, and cakes
Cure of Wheat Allergy in Ayurveda
Ayurveda believes in curing wheat allergy using unadulterated methods. This includes herbs, therapies, yoga, and some dietary changes.
- Panchakarma therapy
The Panchakarma therapy is used for complete detoxification of the body. This includes removing the toxins and poison of the body through natural processes.
As the name suggests, Panchakarma therapy undoes in five folds.
- Vamanam
This process removes the toxins from the body with therapeutic vomiting.
- Virechana
This process is executed for colon cleansing with therapeutic purgation.
- Vasti
It is the third step in which contamination is eliminated by undergoing enema therapy.
- Nasya
Clear by the name, it is a nasal therapy to remove germs.
- Raktamokshana
In Sanskrit, “Rakht” means blood. This therapeutic process annihilates the pathogens through blood.
Although it is contemplated to be credible, it should not be done without the proper guidance of an Ayurvedic specialist.
- Yoga
Many yoga poses are believed to be efficient in providing relief from extreme fatigue and bloating.
- Balasana (child’s pose)
- Apanasana (wind-relieving pose)
- Viparita Karani (legs up the wall pose)
- Malasana (deep squat)
- Supta Baddha Konasana (butterfly pose)
- Pranayama
Apanasana yoga, when combined with dynamic movements and inhaling and exhaling of the breath, relieves the bloating immediately.
Pranayama is a rudimentary asana that needs to be included in daily meditation to overcome extreme fatigue.
Summing Up
Ayurveda does not work like any other modern medicine. It depends on the daily diet and exercise.
Ayurveda focuses on the root cause of the allergy rather than suppressing it on the surface level. Thus, it requires a longer time for visible results.