Rhinitis Ayurvedic Treatment

The inflammation of inner lining of nasal cavity is called rhinitis. It may be allergic and non-allergic; seasonal or perennial (throughout a year), and some are infectious.

Rhinitis Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of rhinitis often affect nose, throat and eyes; and they include running nose, itchy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, watering from eyes, itching of eyes, loss of smell or taste, headache etc.

Rhinitis Ayurvedic Analysis

Ayurveda describes ‘Pratishyaya’ or ‘Pinasa’ as a Nasaroga (disease of nose/ nostril). It is of 5 types- vatika (due to vata), paittika (due to pitta), kaphaja (due to kapha), raktaja (due to rakta) and dushta pratishyaya (chronic). Vatika pratishyaya causes dryness of mouth, frequent sneezing, discharge of watery secretion from nose, nasal congestion, pain in nose/ teeth/ temples/ head, weakness of voice etc. Paittika pratishyaya causes fever, thirst, eruptions or ulcerations in nose, giddiness and warm discharge from nose which is yellow or coppery in colour. Kaphaja pratishyaya causes loss of taste/ sweet taste in mouth, breathing difficulty, cough, heaviness of head/ body, vomiting or nausea, itching in nose and sticky white discharge from nose. Raktaja pratishyaya is characterised by redness/ copper colour of eyes, bad smelling breath, itching in ears/ eyes/ nose etc along with the symptoms of paittika pratishyaya. Dushta pratishyaya is actually a complication of all types of pratishyaya, and is characterised by fever, digestive issues, breathing difficulty, chest pain, cough, bad smell from mouth, swelling of face, flank pain, dry nose etc.

Sometimes, pratishyaya may be a prodromal symptom of other serious diseases like kshaya (tuberculosis and other respiratory infections).

Rhinitis Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

The common causes of all type of pratishyaya are exposure to mist/ wind/ dust, speaking loudly for long periods, altered sleep patterns, indulging in water games for long periods, suppressing tear etc.

Possible Complications of Rhinitis Disease

The main complications of rhinitis are irritability, problems with concentration and reduced quality of life. Allergic rhinitis if left untreated may lead to nasal inflammation, sinusitis, inflammation of ear (eg: otitis media), sleep disturbances etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider other health issues like serious respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis etc before planning treatment.

Rhinitis Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Local snehana over face and temples with suitable oil, swedana (eg: steam), vamana (emetic therapy), dhoomapana (inhalation of medicated fumes), gandusha (gargling with medicines in liquid form), lepana (external application of medicines) etc are the treatment options.

Diet

Take more light and semi-solid/ liquid diet. Soup with horse gram/ meat, juice of sour tasting fruits, wheat/ barley etc are good to consume.

Exercise

Avoid exercise during the episodes of rhinitis. Take adequate rest.

Rhinitis Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Avoid the triggering factors like exposure to dust/ cold wind/ allergens etc. ensure adequate sleep. Consume warm and fresh food.

Importance of Diet

Consumption of warm fresh food which digest easily is essential for speedy recovery. Take more sour, salt tasting food.

Lifestyle

Take adequate rest. Consume healthy food and avoid cold, heavy, spicy food. Wear a face mask to prevent spreading of infection. Stay away from triggering factors. Steam inhalation twice or thrice daily is beneficial. Avoid head bath during the period of rhinitis.