Treatment Of Wheat Allergy In Ayurveda
Dr Gagandeep Sharma
Amrit Ayurvedic Chikitsalya,
Opp.Milan Palace,Nabha,Distt Patiala 09569266659,09465343479 www.herbscancurewheatallergy.blogspot.com drgags.herbalcure@gmail.com
Objective
The food we eat is the source of energy of our body , but today world is growing fast and as the diseases. Wheat ,one of the major part of our diet has become allergic to some individuals. Imagine your life without Wheat..? You can’t enjoy eating Chapatti, biscuits, chocolates, ice-cream, Cakes, sweets and several mouth watering things. You need everything Wheat free. Discovering that there is a wheat allergy in the family can be devastating. Preparing meals and making food selections will mean radical changes in a life style.
Wheat allergy once considered a disease of the West, has been termed an 'Impending Epidemic in India' in an article published in a recent issue of Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR). The disease is not just affecting pediatric patients but adults too. According to the report, celiac disease, commonly known as wheat allergy, is seen more in north India as compared to south India due to high consumption of wheat products that contain gluten - a protein which causes this allergy - in this part of the country. Avoidance of wheat and wheat-containing foods is the only treatment of wheat allergy in modern medicine. However, because wheat is a staple food product, wheat elimination diets are particularly difficult for a patient and his/her family to maintain. Children on wheat-restricted diets are severely limited in their selection of foods
Wheat allergy is characterized by diffuse damage to the small intestine mucosa that results in malabsorption of nutrients. Gluten are storage proteins that are present in certain grains such as wheat,Rye,Barley but absent in rice,oats,and corns.It is hypothesized that in a genetically susceptible host gluten stimulates an inappropriate T cell mediated auto immune response in the intestinal submucosa that results in destruction of mucosal enterocytes.One target of this autoimmune response is tissue transglutaminase(t T G),an enzyme that modifies a component of gluten(gliadin)to a form which more strongly stimulates T cells.
A change in the variety of wheat grown - from ancient or diploid wheat to the modern hexaploid wheat - has also been cited as a reason for an increase in the number of cases. Hexaploid wheat is more antigenic - a substance which stimulates the production of an antibody when introduced in the body. The modern hexaploid wheat has highly antigenic glutens, which are more capable of inducing celiac disease. Excessive use of pesticides has also lead to wheat allergy.Wheat allergy refers specifically to adverse reactions involving immunoglobulin E (IgE antibodies to one or more protein fractions of wheat, including albumin globulin, gliadin and glutenin (gluten).
Concept Of Wheat Allergy In Ayurveda
Ayurveda, the oldest System of medicines in world has several single and polyherbal formulations. In Ancient time our Acharyas has clearly mentioned that “Gramya Ahaar” (Processed food) cause disturbance in digestive system. As Ayurveda wheat allergy can be correlated with the concept that formation of Aam(undigested residue) due to dearranged Agni(Digestive fire) which results in Ann vah sroto dushti .
1In Ayurveda , fasting, eating during digestion, over eating, irregular eating ,intake of unsuitable food, heavy ,cold ,too rough and contaminated food, faulty administration of emesis, purgation and unction, emaciation due to some disease, faulty adaptation to places, time and seasons and suppression of natural urges all these faulty habits dearrange the Agni (Digestive fire) and Aam is formed.
When Aam develops it shows its cardinal symptoms in the patient such as stasis of food, malaise, giddiness, stiffness in back and waist, yawning, body aches, thirst, fever, anorexia .and improper digestion of food.
This agni thus deranged becomes unable to digest even the light food and the food being undigested gets acidified and toxic.
If koshtagni (Digestive fire) is not working properly, it will lead to bad transformation (Vidagdh paak) ,the Rasa (Essence, plasma, chyle which nourishes all the Dhatus(tissues) of our body ) assumes either katu(pungent) or amla(sour) property, it acts like poison and gives rise to several diseases.2
The severe food toxins when combines with pitt dosha it produces burning sensations , thirst, gastritis,tvak vikar(skin diseases) and other paitik disorders. When combined with Kapha it causes phthisis, coryza, malaise, etc.
Symptoms of Wheat Allergy
The Wheat allergies may have a wide variety of symptoms. They include:
- Malabsorption including Abdominal pain, nausea diarrhea and/or vomiting,weight loss.
- Eczema, hives or other skin rashes.
· Abdominal pain, nausea diarrhea and/or vomiting
· Itchy, red, swollen, watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
· Swelling of lips, tongue, or face (Angioedema)
· A severe, systemic allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis)
· Exercise-induced anaphylaxis triggered by eating wheat and exercising
· Bakers who work in restaurants with flour in the air develop an allergy to inhaled wheat particles.
Treatment Of Wheat Allergy In Ayurveda
The concept is to stimulate Agni (Digestive fire). To stimulate it,we need Deepan (appetizer) ,Pachan(digestive), Deepanpachan dravyas and promotive treatment(Rasayan chikitsa) which promotes strength, immunity3 and vitality of body.
Acharya Charak has mentioned ten herbs(Deepaniyamahakshyay),ie
Pippali,pipallimul,chavya,chitrak,sunthi,amalvetas,marcha,ajmoda,bhlatakbeej,hingu.
5Deepan dravyas (Appetizer drugs) are those which do not cook the undigested food(not helping digestion) but only kindle the gastric fire eg Mishri. Pachan5 dravyas(Digestive drugs) are those which cook the undigested food but do not kindle the appetite.eg Nagkesar. Deepanpachan dravyas are those which posses both activity.eg Chitrak5
The digestive fire is stimulated by neither fasting nor over eating . The digestive fire increases with intake of unctuous food, deepan pachan churnas ,arishta, sura, asava prescribed by physician6
Charak samhita has mentioned that this disturbed digestive fire causes disequilibrium in dhatus (tissues) and if intense having little fuel dries up the dhatus.
According to Ayurveda,allergy symbolises imbalance of doshas and lack of energy.
Ayurveda has time tested formulation to counter the imbalance of body functioning where body has become his own enemy(Auto immune )
Panchamrit Parpati, Hingavshtak curna, Abhrak bhasm ,Giloye satv, Bilvadi leha,Dadimashtak avleha,Mukta pischti, Kooshmanda rasayan and several other formulations are available in Ayurveda to treat wheat allergy.
In Ayurveda , each and every patient is an individual entity and the treatment also differs from patient to patient. Rogi Nidaan3 has its different parameters. It’s not as simple as in modern medicines. Prakriti parikshan, Saar, Sahanan(Compactness), vyayam shakti(Exercise), agni (Digestion)all these parameters are studied by an ayurvedic physician An ayurvedist makes a clear picture of the individual by understanding a patient as a whole and also decides what kind of mode of preparation to be used for the patient.So patient suffering from wheat allergy must take the medicine under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician.
Diet Regime for Wheat Allergy
Preferred food items are Eat old rice, ginger,coriander leaves, lentil, green grams soup, black pepper, nutmeg, skimmed milk, buttermilk, hot water. Herbs like ginger, fennel, and cumin that stimulate enzyme secretions will improve digestion, absorption, and clear Aam (undigested material) from the digestive tract.
Buttermilk is digestive, astringent, and light to digest and helps in improving the consistency of the stool. Buttermilk is given along with asafetida, cumin, and rock-salt powder to control the bowel movements. It contains a good amount of lactobacillus bacteria, which helps restore the normal flora of the intestines.Trikatu, a compound containing black pepper, long pepper, and dry ginger, is specific for low enzyme and high enterotoxin. Pungent, bitter, and astringent tasting foods are best. Musta ( Cyperus rotundus) improves intestinal absorption and stops diarrhea. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats, such as olives and olive or canola oil, are more healthy as well as easily digestible.
Bread crumbs, Soya sauce, Vegetable gum, vegetable starch ,Natural flavouring,Modified food starch, modified starch are to be avoided Limit foods that contain ingredients that can stimulate the intestines and cause diarrhea, such as caffeine (tea,coffee).
Conclusion
Ayurveda is giving a new ray of hope for those who are suffering from wheat allergy . Here I’m writing my clinical research experiences while treating wheat allergy. Currently I’m treating 55-60 patients suffering from wheat allergy all over Punjab. The results are encouraging .7 patients have started taking wheat in their diet.
Balanced diet , exercise ,yoga and meditation all are key to good health.Ayurveda is not only focused to cure the patient but also emphasis on the proper life style to keep our selves healthy.
For treatment/advise
Contact
09465343479,09501633991,09569205324.
.
.
references
1.In Charak samhita Chikitsasthan,Grahanidoshchikitsaadyaya(Cpt15,shlok 42-44
2.Sarngadhara Samhita(Chp 6,shlokNo5-6)
3.Saraghdhar,
4.Charak samhita,sutr sthan shadvirechnshatashititya adhyay(chp4,shlok9),
5.SARANGHDHAR
6(cpt 15 charak shlok211-212)
