ÂYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF

ALLERGY

Dr. Pawankumar
Asst. Professor,
National Institute of Ayurveda
Jaipur
Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times
 Ayurveda has explained various
types of diseases and or symptoms
that are similar to 'Allergy'.
Altered immune response or
'Ojovyapat' have both intrinsic and
extrinsic causes in Ayurveda.
Allergy

Satmya
Asatmya
Viruddha
nsg/kkrqizR;uhdHkwrkf
u nzO;kf.k
nsg/kkrqfHkfoZj¨/keki|
Urs
¼p-lw-26@11½
Acharya Charaka has described some allergic
disorders e.g.

Udarda under Kaphananatmaja vyadhi

(C.S.Su20/17)
Kotha under Raktapradoshaja vikara.

Acharya Bhava Prakasha and Madhav have

also described Shitapitta under allergic
disorders.
 WHAT IS ALLERGY? -

Allergy is defined as a disorder in which the

body becomes hypersensitive to particular
antigens called allergens, which provoke
characteristic symptoms whenever they are
subsequently encountered, whether inhaled,
ingested, injected, or otherwise contacted.
What is Allergy? - it is an abnormal reaction to substances
that are not normally caustic...

Thus it is not allergy some substances like Some like MTV VJs
if the substance water or most TV Sportcasting, cause
causes irritation or Serials are too bland reactions such as itching,
inflammation to to cause any crying, migraine and
everybody e.g. stimulation or diarrhoea or all of these
sulfuric acid, reaction and thus in sports buffs and not in
Income Tax or can’t be allergic …. others…these are true
Politicians …. allergens !!
The concept of allergen in Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda all the allergens can

be classified under the concept of Viruddha
 Viruddha

mfRDy'; nks"kkUu gjsn~ nzO;a

;Ùkleklr% A
fo#n~/ka rfn~/k /kkrwuka
izR;uhdr;k fLFkre~ AA ¼v-l-lw-
9@25½
The substances which stimulate the
doshas but do not completely eliminate them
are viruddha. They are basically, in
fo#n~/kk/;'kukth.kZ'khfyuks fo"ky{k.ke~
AA ¼v-l-lw-8@13½
Viruddahara, Adhyashama and ajirnashana
produce symptoms similar to Visha.
Ama thereby produced acquires toxic potency and
exhibits toxic symptoms.
Chakrapani explains that the conversion of ama to
visharupa is because of amajanakahetu vishesha
prabhava (idiosyncrasy) as seen in equal quantity
administration of honey and ghee.
(Chakra on Cha.Vi.1/12)
 Classification of Viruddha.
[Charaka 18 types, Vagbhata 9 types]

;Ppkfi
ns'kdkykfXuek=klkRE;kfuykfnfHk%
A
laLdkjrks oh;Zr'p
dks"BkoLFkkØeSjfi AA
ifjgkjksipkjkH;ka ikdkr~
la;ksxrks∙fi p A
Drugs and food articles which are at
variance with place, time, digestive
power, dosage, habit, doshas, mode of
preparation, potency, state of Bowel,
state of health, order, Proscriptions,
prescriptions, Cooking, combination,
Palatability, richness of quality and rules
of eating are all 'viruddha' and thus can
be allergens.
1. Desha Viruddha
a. Bhumi (a) Samudaya
(b) Eka deshaja
b. Atura (a) Samudaya -
sarvadhatu nasha - e.g visha
(b) Ekadeshaja - Punsatva
nashe - Kshara
2. Kala Viruddha
3. Agni Viruddha
4. Matra Viruddha
5. Satmya (Asatmya)
 Concept of Satmya and Asatmya in
relation to Allergy:

lkRE;a uke r|;

RlkrR;suksilsO;ekue~ mi'ksrs A
¼p-fo- 8@118½
vktUe nsga mfpra vH;LrÙokr~
Satmya is the homologation of a substance by the habit of
LokLF;gsrq%
using it for a long period. Satmya can be a hita or an AA
ahita
substance. By corollary it follows that all those substances
which are not homologated or compatible to the body be
they hita or ahita are Asatmya (allergens).
All Samhitas Sushruta Charaka Hemadri
(Su.Su35/39) (Ca.Su.6/4 (AH.Su.7/4)
9-50)

Ajanma Satmya 1. Desha 1. Ritu 1. Kritrima satmya

1. Pravara (i) Bhumi 2. Oka Asatmya
2. Madhyama (ii) Atura 3. Desha 2. Akritrima satmya
3. Avara 2. Jati 4. Roga asatmya
(Cha.Vi.8) 3. Ritu (a) Nirupadhika
4. Roga (b) Sopadhika
5. Vyayama
6. Udaka
7. Divaswapna
All the samhitas have classified satmya
into 3 kinds- The best, the medium and the
poor. Getting accustomed to all the tastes
is best and to only one taste is poor and to
two or more tastes is medium.

;s áfryo.klkRE;k% iq#"kkLrs"kkefi
[kkfyR; ikfyR;kfu oy;'pkdkys
HkofUrA ¼p-fo- 1@18½
lkRE;e~ mi'k;su ijh{ksr A ¼p-fo-
4@8½
 fojks/;fi u ihMk;S lkRE;eYia p
Hkkstue~ AA ¼v-g-lw- 7@4½

Hemadri has classified the concept of

satmya as follows:-

LkkRE;a f}fo/ka
d`f=eed`f=ea p A
vfgrkU;fi
pkU;s"kkeH;klknqi'ksrs AA
Kritrima (artificial) satmya is when the body
grows accustomed to even potentially harmful
substances after prolonged use (Conditioning or
desensitization)
vd`f=ea rq f}fo/ka
fu#ikf/kda lksikf/kda p A
Nirupadhika Satmya:-

r= nks"kkfnfujis{ka
fu#ikf/kdae~ A
Nirupadhika Satmya is
independent of dosha, desha, kala
etc. all sada Pathya substances
come under this- Shashika, Shati,
Mudga, Water, Milk, Ghee etc.
Sopadhika:-

nks"kkfnlkis{ka
lksikf/kde~ AA
Sopadhika Satmya is the
accordance with dosha, Prakriti,
desha etc. All aushadhis come under
this category.
Asatmya is opposite to satmya and is
also classified as :-
1. Kritrima asatmya
2. Nirupadhika
3. Sopadhika
Sopadhika asamya is evident only when dosha,
prakriti, desha etc. are favorable.
Kritrima Satmya may become
Sopadhika asatmya and vice versa for e.g.
Kritrima satmya of a previous season becomes
sopadhika asatmya in the successive season.
Ushna kritrima satmyata in varsha if continued
in sharada ritu also, vitiates pitta as it is
sopadhika asatmya.
 Ritu Sandhi
Transition period

Varsha Sharad

'khr d`f=e vlkRE; 'khr lksikf/kd

lkRE;

m".k d`f=e lkRE; m".k lksikf/kd

vlkRE;
 fgreiF;a lkRE;hHkwra p
nsgkH;klkfno'kkr~
rRdky ,o mfpr
rnfgrQyRokÙ;tsr~ A¼bUnw v-la-
lw-9@15½
incompatible food even if made kritrima
satmya has only temporary comforts and
becomes incompatible in the long run
Nirupadhika satmya Pathya
Sopadhika Satmya Aushadha.
Upashaya

Nirupadhika Asatmya + Sopadhika

Asatmya = Anupashaya.
Asatmya:-
;TtUeu% izHk`fr vH;Lra
lq[kkoga p A
LoYidkykH;Lra lkRE;eso p A
,rf}ijhreRlkRE;e~ AA
The substances to which the body
becomes accustomed to after prolonged
use and which do not cause deleterious
effects are Satmya and the opposite i.e.
those which cause harmful reactions in
According to Sushruta there are eight types of
satmya. Therefore, Asatmya can also be
classified into eight types:
1. Desha
a. Bhumi (i) Samudaya
(ii) Eka deshaja

b. Atura
(i) Samudaya - sarvadhatu nasha - e.g visha
(ii) Ekadeshaja - Punsatva nashe - Kshara
2. Jati asatmya - Gomamsa to Manushya
3. Ritu asatmya - Rituviparita
4. Roga asatmya - curds in Shotha
5. Vyayama asatmya - excessive exercise by
weak person - (Stress test in CCF)
6. Udaka asatmya - water of different places
are unpalatable.
7. Divaswapna asatmya - Shvasa, Timira,
C.C.F.
8. Rasa asatmya - Amla rasa in Amlapitta .
6. Dosha Viruddha:- Utilisation of drugs,
diet and regimen having similar qualities of
dosha but as variance with the habits of the
individual.
7. Sanskara (Mode of Prepararation)
viruddha. Drugs and diet when prepared
in a particular way produce toxic effects. eg.
Peacock flesh roasted in castor pit.
8. Virya (Potency) Viruddha:- Combining
ushna virya with shita virya- e.g.
milk and fish.
9. Koshta (Bowel) Viruddha- Administration of
mild laxative in a small dose to a constipated
individual and strong purgatives in large dosage to
a lax bowel.
10. Awastha (Physical condition) Viruddha:-
Intake of vata aggravating food after exercise.
11. Krama (order) Viruddha- Taking food before
the appearance of hunger.
12. Parihara Upachara Viruddha (proscription
and prescription) - Partaking of diet, drug and
regimen specifically contraindicated in an
individual e.g. sweets in Madhumeha.
13. Paka (Cooking) Viruddha:- Takiang under
cooked, over cooked, Brunt, Spoilt food.
14. Samyoga (Combination) Viruddha:- Sour
substances with milk, etc.
15. Hrid (Palatability) Viruddha:- Unpleasant
in taste, spilt food.
16. Sampad (Richness of quality) Viruddha
-Intake of substance which are of poor
quality, spoilt.
17. Vidhi Viruddha (against the Rules for
eating)-
a. Swabhava (Qualities)
b. Samyoga ( Admixture)
c. Sanskara ( Processing)
d. Matra ( Quantity)
e. Desha (Habitat)
f. Kala (Season)
g. Upayoga Vyavastha (Mode of usage)
h. Upayokta (The individual partaking
food).
 Viruddha
(Unwholesome substances)

Hetu vi¿eÀa Prabhava

DoÀa vitiation Interaction of incompatible

substances with normal doshas and dhatus.
dh¡tu vitiation

DoÀa d£Àya Sammurcchana

(interaction of dosha and dushya)

Ama visha Gara visha

(Ama with toxic potency)

High potency Mild potency

Fatal (Asadhya) Diseases (Krichrasadhya)

Ill effects produced by viruddhahara

dL;fpf}#}kgkjL; fo"koRl|ks
uk'kdRokr~
dL;fpn~xjor~dkykUrj
uk'kdRokr~

jksxtudRokPpksieku};eqDre~ AA
¼gsekfnz v-g-lw- 7@29½
1. Sadhya nasha- Immediate fatality:

Type I Hyper sensitivity Reaction- Anaphylactic shock

IgE antibodies -anaphylactic reactions.
Allergen specific IgE binds to mast cells
subsequent exposure results in reaction.
The toxic effects of the antigen are not completely
neutralised by the antibody, instead gets sensitized and
bind to the mast cells.
This improperly neuralised toxin- Visha when comes in
contact with antigen, produces injurious consequences in
the sensitized host.
Pathological and clinical features of dhatugata Visha or
'dushivisha' in Ayurveda.
2. Kalantara Nasha- Delayed, Latent fatality:
Type-IV Cell mediated (delayed) Hypersensitivity
reactions.
(Type - IV is Main factor in AI disease)
Antigen stimulates the T cell to produce lymphokines.
The antigens are typically intracellular.
e.g. Tuberculin test.

Type - VI Antibody dependent cell mediated

cytotoxicity (ADCC).
Killer (K) cells mediated - initiated through contact of K
cell with Fc portion antibody complex with antigen on the
surface of target cells.
3. Roga janaka -
Type - II Antibody mediated cytotoxic reaction.
Here antigen on the cells prepares combines with
antibody and complement to destroy the cell e.g.
autoimmune haemolytic anemia.
Type-III Immune complex reaction.
These reactions are induced by deposition of
antigen and antibodies in the tissues, causing the
activation of complement, miss results in a polymor
phonuclear inflammatory response and damage the
adjacent cells.e.g Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE etc.
Type - V
Reactions are those mediated by T
lymphocytes and in which free antibody
plays no park.
Diseases- Auto immune disease.
Type - V Stimulating antibody reaction.
IgE sometimes stimulate target cells.
e.g. TSH receptor antibodies: Thyrotoxicosis
Conditions, those interfere with the
viruddha janya ill effects.

1- ukiF;lsfoua l|% izck/kUrs

rnkey% A
izdksia izfrfo?ufUr fHkUuS
nwZ";kfnfHk;Znk AA ¼v-la-lw-
9@60½
 2- vusdnzO;la;ksxkn=
fojksf/kukefojks/k% A
fojksf/kek=la;ksx ,ofojks/kh
Hkofr A
3- nks"kkfn oSijhR;su gjrs
¼p-lw-26@102 jksfx.kka
ij pØikf.k½
#te~ A
,sd/;a nf/knqX/kkfn;kstuk u
fo#/;rs AA
dnkfpf}#)L; iz;qT;ekuL; leqnk;xq.kS
foijhrkA
 4-
O;k;kefLuX/knhIrkfXuo;LFkcy'kkfyuke
~A
fojks/;fi u ihMk;S lkRE;eYia p
Hkkstue~ ¼v-la-lw-9@13½
5- nzO;SjsrSjso ok iwoZa
'kjhjL;kfHklaLd`fre~ A ¼p-lw-
26@104½
7- {khjnzO;L; g~;q".kRoa
rn~xre/kqjjl'kSR;su
fojksf/kuk∙fi u nq";fr A
¼MYg.k lq-lq-20@19½
Various types of Viruddha reactions.

Consumption or exposure to Viruddha

substances like Ama and Dushi visha may lead to
various reactions
1. Allergy - Immunologically mediated
reaction caused by ingestion, inhalation, and
contact
2. Anaphylaxis - IgE mediated reaction.
3. Anaphylactoid reaction- reaction similar to
anaphylaxis.
4. Idiosyncrasy - quantitatively abnormal
response resembles allergy but does not
depend on immune mechanisms.
5. Intolerance - General term describing an
abnormal physiological response that is not of
an immunologic nature. This category can
include idiosyncrasy, Pharmacological
reaction, metabolic reaction, or toxic reaction.
6. Toxicity or poisoning - reaction due to
the direct effects of substance ingested without
the mediation of immune response.
7. Pharmacological reaction- reaction
due to the presence of substances that
induce a pharmacological effect.
8. Metabolic reaction - reaction due to
effect on metabolism. The ingestion of
large quantities of indigestible material
may lead to intestinal camps,
flatulence, diarrhea etc. This is not
allergic.
 Other Allergens
Apart from the Viruddha
allergens, following factors can also be
considered as allergens: Aller-Gen. Musharraf

I. Apathya
II. Ahita
III. Anupashaya
IV. Samashana
V. Adhyashana
VI. Vishamashana
VII. Nidanarthakara
VIII. Manasa.
I. Apathya:-

iF;a iFkks∙uisra ;|PpksDra eul%

fiz;e~ A
;Ppkfiz;eiF;a p fu;ra rUu y{k;sr~
AA ¼p-lw- 25@45½

visre~ & vidkjde~

vuisre~ & vuidkjde~ ¼pؽ

• Inhalants- Pollens, mold spares, animal dander,
aerosols, volatile chemicals.
• Non-immunological contact:- Plant (Nuts), animals -
Cater pillar, Jellyfish,
• Medications- Dimethyl Sulphoxide.
• Immunologic- Uncertain mechanism
contact:- Ammonium per sulphate in hair
bleaches, chemicals, food, textiles, wood, saliva,
cosmetics, Perfumes,
• Physical stimuli -Dermographism, exercise induced
anaphylactic syndrome. Solar, cold, heat, vibrations
and water.
II. Ahita:-
r= vkgkjtkra
le/kkrwuuqoÙkZ;fr fo"kkeka'p
lehdjksfr rRleklrks fgre~]
foijhrefgre~ AA
¼v-la- lw- 10@8½
III. Anupashaya:-
mi'k;ks
gsrqO;kf/kfoijhrSfoZijhrkFkZdkfjfHk'
pkS"k/kkgkjfogkjS% lq[kkuqcU/k% A
rf}ijhrks vuqi'k;% AA
¼v-la-fo-1@10½
IV. Samashana:-
iF;kiF;esd=HkqDra le'kue~ A
¼v-la-lw- 10@34½

V. Adhyashana:-
HkqDrL;ksifj
HkqDre/;'kue~ ¼v-la-lw- 10@34½

VI. Vishamashana:-
vizkIrkrhrdkya rq
HkqDra fo"kek'kue~ AA v-la-lw-
10@34
VII. Nidanarthakara Roga
funkukFkZdjks jksxks
jksxL;kI;qitk;rs A¼p-fp-8@21½
Infections - Chronic bacterial infections, UTI, Fungal -
Candidiasis,Viral – Hepatitis B, Inf. Mononucleosis, Protozoa,
Helminthes - Malaria
Internal disease :- Raktapitta from Jwar, Shotha; Kasa and Kshaya
from Pratishyaya. Serum Sickness, Hyperthyroidism, Rheumatic
fever. Skin disease.
Genetic - Autosomal, familial cold urticaria, hereditary CI
esterase deficiency Angio-oedema. Chromic Idiopatnic Urticaria
- HLA-DR4
In Charaka Samhita (Su.28.7) few things like even unsuitable
sound, touch, vision, taste and smell have been also considered to
produce asatmya (allergic) condition.
VIII.Manasa Bhavas (Mental factors)
Dharaniya Urges.

ek=;k·I;H;oâra iF;a pkUua u th;Zfr

A

fpUrk&'kksd&Hk;&Øks/k&nq%[k
'k;~;kiztkxjS% AA
¼p-fo-2@9½
CONCLUSION:
Ayurveda conceives the idea of allergy
and intolerance (asatmya) is caused by a
variety of unwanted endogenous &
exogenous materials and way of life.
Concept of Ama and Dushivisha in relation
to allergy is very relevant in the present
context.
For management of various allergic problems
one should consider all these points.
Thank you