Prolonged use of anti-allergic medicines can cause serious psychosomatic disorders, says Yogi Ashwin

Human body is designed to perfection and hence, when a person adheres to principles of nature, all the physical systems perform their duties perfectly, knowing what is good and what is not. One should observe the reactions of the body and try to eliminate the cause rather than suppress the effect!

An allergy is caused when the body is exposed to a nonconforming pranic force (energy). The response of the body to this foreign non-conforming prana is in the form of a violent reaction like a cold, swelling of the pleura (lung covering) membranes, a rise in body temperature, eruptions on the skin etc. When we take an anti-allergy tablet we actually confuse the brain - on one hand, the brain knows that the invading prana is nonconforming and dangerous while on the other hand, the medicine that we take blocks its reaction and suppresses it. This does not allow the body to react to the presence of a foreign body and gives a false sense of well being. Prolonged use of such suppressing medicines can cause serious psychosomatic disorders.

Ayurvedic science is not a symptom based, medicinal therapy as it works on the principal of balance and prevention of ailments, simultaneously strengthening the immunity of the body. The only way to avoid allergic reactions is by maintaining a hygienic lifestyle and strengthening the body enabling it to fight of dangerous and foreign prana. Synchronizing the body clock with the rhythm of the sun is essential to bring about balance. This means that one should wake up early in the morning and get rest by sleeping in the night. Apart from this the food that we eat should be fresh and clean, and natural products should be used for specific needs of the body.

In this regard, Herbal teas serve a dual purpose: Firstly, they protect against allergies and secondly they rejuvenate by releasing prana which is easily absorbed by the body. Here are some very effective herbal teas to fight off allergies.

Rose petals when boiled, strained and mixed with khand (unrefined sugar), and taken as a sherbet strengthen the immunity levels of the body. This sherbet also acts as a tonic for the heart. Rose hip (the bottom part of a rose which is green in colour) tea is very beneficial. Steep 3 to 5 rose hips in warm water with honey (that is at least a year old). This can be taken 3-4 times a day. Regular intake will strengthen the body’s immunity and develop the body's ability to absorb more prana.

A very effective tea for respiratory allergies that Dhyan Foundation practitioners use is a mixture of herbs found in our kitchens. Take 250 gms of green tea leaves, 50 gms Banapsha, 25 gms Mulethi (licorice), 12.5 gms Black pepper, 12.5 gms Cinnamon, 25 gms green tulsi leaves, 12.5 gms saunth (dry ginger powder). Mix all of the above in a copper or earthen utensil ensuring that there is no concentration of a specific herb in one part i.e the mixture should be well mixed and an even distribution is essential. Store this in a glass jar, take one teaspoon of this mixture in a ceramic or glass cup and pour boiling hot water on it. Keep this covered for five minutes then sip it without sugar or milk. This mixture remains effective for sixty days.

Thyme tea is also a very effective immunity booster especially for viral, fungal and bacterial infections and can be taken at any time of the day. Take eight to ten leaves of fresh thyme plant and steep as given above, no additives are to be added. You can use the dry herb also but then the quantity should be doubled.