Managing food and drug hypersensitivity with AYUSH treatment methods
In many cases, certain food causes an adverse or toxic reaction which is harmful to health. Most common food-based allergies include milk, seafood, food additives, wheat, meat, eggs, peanut, and some vegetables. In many cases, food combinations or uncooked food also lead to negative reactions and cause food hypersensitivities. Similarly, certain drugs like antibiotics, serums, carbamazepine, and
AYUSH treatment methods for food hypersensitivities
In Ayurveda, food-based allergy is a hypersensitive reaction towards an irritant leading to discomfort or in the extreme case leading to shock which can be life-threatening. A common instance is
On the other hand, food sensitivity treatment using homoeopathy mainly includes dietary plans. Homoeopathic medicine for food allergies focuses not only to treat the condition but to address its underlying causes too (University of Michigan, 2012). Subsequently, treatment of food allergy by Unani system includes removal of the allergens or its toxic materials from the human body system. Accordingly, the National Health Portal, 2018, Government of India, Unani system implied drinking plenty of fluids, fresh fruit and vegetable juices to get rid of the allergen and reduce the recovery period. Siddha follows a similar path of ayurveda for treatment of food allergies and uses various herbal compounds as a management method (Kanakavalli et al., 2014).
List of AYUSH methods and medicinal plants used for the management of food allergies.
Type of treatment | Plants or herbs scientific name | Commercial name |
---|---|---|
Ayurveda | Tinospora Cordifolia, Plumbago zeylanica, Piper Chaba, Piper longum, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Andrographis paniculata, Phyllanthus niruri, Cuminum cyminum, Acorus calamus, Embelia ribes, Andrographis paniculata, Bambusa arundinacea. | Arogyam DFA, Patanjali Lakshadi Gugglu, Kerala Ayurveda Histantin Tablet |
Homeopathy | Carbo vegetabilis, Lycopodium clavatum, Nux vomica, Cinchona officinalis, Tinospora cordifolia, Kali bichromicum, Colocynth, Sulphur, Aethusa cynapium, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium, Bacillinum. | SBL Aethusa Cynapium LM, B Jain Aethusa Cynapium LM, SBL Nux Vomica Dilution 30 CH |
Siddha | Abrus precatorius, Acalypha indica, Curcuma longa, Taxus baccata, Dolichos biflorus, Aristolochia bracteolata, Cyperus rotundus, Allium cepa, Leucas aspera, Solanum xanthocarpum. | NA |
AYUSH treatment methods for drug hypersensitivities
According to Ayurveda drug-based allergies or adverse drug reactions lead to irritation of the skin, heart problems, and respiratory problems (Jadav, Ghetiya, & Prashanth, 2013). Jadav et al., 2013 observed mild adverse drug reactions in ayurvedic medication ‘Shvitrahara Varti’ due to the presence of Psoralea
Drug-based hypersensitivity is common in the case of allopathic drugs. However, Endrizzi et al., (2005) indicated hypersensitivity or adverse reactions from homoeopathic drugs. In particular, hypersensitivities from homoeopathic medications arise from overdosage or combination of allopathic and homoeopathic drugs. Furthermore, homoeopathy mainly uses noxious components for the elimination of toxic elements from drugs causing adverse drug reactions (Chirumbolo, 2014). Subsequently, Mueller, (2011) identified the ‘tautopathy methods’ or homoeopathic clearing remedies for removing and detoxifying the side effects of drugs.
Accordingly, the Unani system implicates that drug toxicity can be reduced by ‘Tadbir’. In fact, drug-based side effects are named as ‘Abdal al Advia’ and the treatment method follows the strategy of use of substitutes or ‘Abdal al Advia’ (Rahman, Khan, & Latif, 2008). In this method, the Unani system suggests the use of substitute drugs made from natural and mineral compounds.
List of AYUSH methods used for the management of drug allergies.
Type of treatment | Plants or herbs scientific name | Drug name | Commercial name |
---|---|---|---|
Ayurveda | Vateria indica resin, Sesame, Zingiber officinale, Cuminum cyminum, Boerhavia diffusa Linn, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Trichosanthes sp., Berberis sp., Terminalia chebula, Embelia ribes, Pterocarpus sp., Berberis aristata, Clematis triloba, Streblus asper, Operculina turpethum, Citrullus colocynthis, Acorus calamus. | Panchavalkala Kwatha, Sarjarasa Malahara, Punarnavashtaka Kwatha, Manjishtadi Kwatha, Kaishora Guggulu, Malahara. | Baidyanath Mahamanjisthadi Kadha, Swadeshi Punarnavadi Kwath, Baidyanath Swarna Mahayog Guggulu |
Homeopathy | Atrax robustus, Hydrophys cyanocincta, Bryonia alba, Strychnos nux-vomica, Sulphur, Arsenicum album, Hydrophobinum pasteurianum, Thuja occidentalis | Tautopathy remedy | SBL Bryonia Alba Dilution 6 CH, Nux Vomica Globules, Dr. Reckeweg Arsenic Album Dilution 30 CH, Dr. Reckeweg Thuja Occ Dilution 200 CH |
Unani | NA | Abdal al Advia | NA |
Food and drug hypersensitivity management
Hypersensitivity from food and drugs are two different sensitivities that
References
- Ajanal, M., Nayak, S., Prasad, B. S., & Kadam, A. (2013). Adverse drug reaction and concepts of drug safety in Ayurveda: An overview. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 5(4), 116-120.
- Ayogram. (2012). Ayurvedic Treatment of Food Allergy. Available online: https://www.arogyamallergy.com/food-allergy-treatment/ (accessed on 22-2-2019).
- Chirumbolo, S. (2014). Adverse effects and homeopathy: may remedies yet contain noxious or toxic molecules?. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 78(1), 184-185.
- Endrizzi, C., Rossi, E., Crudeli, L., & Garibaldi, D. (2005). Harm in homeopathy: aggravations, adverse drug events or medication errors?. Homeopathy, 94(04), 233-240.
- Jadav, H. R., Ghetiya, H., & Prashanth, B. (2013). Ayurvedic management of adverse drug reactions with Shvitrahara Varti. Ayu, 34(2), 189.
- Kanakavalli, K., Parthibhan, P., Geetha, V., Chithradevi, R., Latharani, M., Thillaivanan, S. (2014). A Review On Anti Allergic Herbs In Siddha System Of Medicine. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Research And Bio-Science. 3(6), 312-320.
- Mueller, M. (2011). The Practice of Tautopathy During the Classical Era of Homeopathy: A Review of the Literature. The American Homeopath, 17.
- National Health Portal. (2018). Shara (Urticaria). Available online: https://www.nhp.gov.in/shara-urticaria_mtl (accessed on 25-2-2019).
- Prasad, R., & Kumar, R. (2013). Allergy situation in India: what is being done?. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 55, 7-8.
- Rahman, S. Z., Khan, R. A., & Latif, A. (2008). Importance of pharmacovigilance in Unani system of medicine. Indian journal of pharmacology, 40(Suppl1), S17.
- University of Michigan. (2012). Food Intolerance (Allergies and Sensitivities) (Homeopathy). Available online: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2194000 (accessed on 25-2-2019).
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