Allergies from an Ayurvedic Perspective

2026 January 06

Spring is coming... With the start of the new season, many changes are taking place in nature. Are you looking forward to blooming meadows and sweet scents, or does the thought of contact with nature, pollen & co. fill you with dread because you are an allergy sufferer and fear hay fever, watery and itchy eyes, swollen mucous membranes, or even shortness of breath and bronchitis? Almost every third German is affected by an allergy at some point in their life – to a mild or severe degree.

What exactly is an allergy from an Ayurvedic perspective, how does it develop, and why do some people react defensively to harmless but foreign substances like pollen or animal hair – and others do not? What does Ayurveda recommend for prevention and what can affected individuals do? We spoke with the Indian Vaidya Dr. Saurabh Sharma about these and other questions concerning Ayurveda and allergies.

What is behind allergies from an Ayurvedic perspective?

Even in one of the ancient foundational texts of Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita, allergic symptoms are described in detail. Pollen allergies are most prevalent in spring and early summer, when Kapha predominates in nature. At the same time, allergies such as hay fever, pollen allergy, and allergic asthma are Kapha manifestations, meaning we find an excess of Kapha in the body. Ayurveda does not consider allergies a disease, but rather a physical reaction to a foreign particle. To explain it simply and clearly: If we consume fresh, cooked food, it is optimally processed by the organism – provided our gastrointestinal tract is healthy – and nourishes the various body tissues (Dhatus). But what does our body do if we eat leftovers or things that were prepared two days ago or already contain unrecognized slight mold? It excretes it naturally, it doesn't retain anything harmful. We get diarrhea or vomit. It's similar with allergies. If a foreign particle that is not compatible with our body, for example, a bacterium or an allergen, enters our system, our body reacts to it and wants to expel it. We start to sniffle and cough. But why does this only affect some people and not everyone?

What are the differences between allergy sufferers and non-allergy sufferers?

Ayurveda explains that in unaffected individuals, “Ojas” (the finest metabolic product), defense, and immunity are stronger and protect their body. “Ojas” is formed when we optimally digest food. Healthy Ojas protects the body and strengthens the immune system. In allergies, a weakened digestive fire is usually found, which disturbs the formation of Ojas. Then waste and toxins (Ama) accumulate, which then in the next stage begin to flow through the body channels and can block or even inflame them. In the case of an allergy, this can manifest as itching, accumulation of mucus, drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability. As an important measure, Ayurveda primarily emphasizes restoring “Agni” or healthy digestive and metabolic energy.

What can we do to strengthen our defense mechanism?

Ayurveda recommends a good daily and seasonal routine, i.e., going to bed early, getting up early, morning oil massage of the head and body, high-quality food (organic), a warm, light breakfast, a warm, nutritious main meal at noon, an early, light dinner (preferably also warm). Always eat in peace. Regular exercise is also important and clothing adapted to the season. Try the hot water drinking cure to support natural elimination processes. You can find many more tips on our website, for example

for a successful start to the day
on Ayurvedic oral hygiene
on nutrition in Ayurveda
on nutrition and daily routine in early spring

When there is an accumulation of metabolic waste, an Ayurvedic cleansing cure (Panchakarma) is very valuable. As a measure at home, you should regularly give your digestive system a break before/at the beginning of the Kapha season, i.e., in February/March, to strengthen digestive power and eliminate "Ama". For example, take a "liquid day" once a week – a day on which you consume only (warm) liquid drinks and foods and also reduce animal protein. Here you can find more about "fasting" in Ayurveda and the liquid day. In general, for allergies, you should consume food that rather strengthens your digestive power, eliminates Ama, and prevents the formation of new metabolic waste (see note). Warming spices also play an important role here. If you are already affected, regular facial steam baths with turmeric are beneficial (add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a bowl of hot water, inhale for a few minutes).

An invigorating room fragrance in a diffuser is also very pleasant. Try our Ayurvedic herbal oil with mint, a particularly valuable blend of the purest essential oils, such as camphor tree, cloves, peppermint, fennel, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. Do you have further questions? Perhaps you are considering a personal consultation with an experienced Ayurvedic doctor. At the German Society for Ayurveda (DGA), you can find an overview of Ayurvedic experts near you.

Our special tip

Dr. Saurabh Sharma shared his personal "secret tip" with our readers: Prepare a spice mixture of 50 grams each of ground fenugreek seed powder, turmeric (curcuma), and ginger powder. Fill the mixture into a glass container and stir 1/3 teaspoon twice daily after meals into a Lassi drink (1 part fresh organic yogurt, 2 parts water) or warm water. Lassi is considered "Agni"-strengthening in Ayurveda. Also try our special Lassi recipes:

Your Maharishi Ayurveda team wishes you a good, healthy start to the upcoming Kapha and pollen season.

Vaidya Dr. Saurabh Sharma

is the medical director of the Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital in India and an expert in patient-specific Ayurvedic treatments. Dr. Saurabh Sharma is valued not only for the success and effectiveness of his treatments but also for his great commitment to Maharishi Ayurveda. This commitment earned him the award for best Ayurvedic doctor with the Bhartiya Chikitsak Ratna Award. Dr. Saurabh Sharma has frequently appeared on Indian television and regularly publishes articles in leading magazines, blogs, and on the internet. His areas of expertise include pulse diagnosis, diet and lifestyle, Panchakarma therapies and Rasayanas, and herbal remedies.