Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Allergies in Ayurveda are primarily described under the conditions of Sheetapitta Udarda and Kotha manifesting as skin reactions like urticaria. These conditions arise from the aggravation of Vata and Kapha doshas which subsequently vitiate Pitta and the blood tissue. The root causes are often attributed to Asatmya or intolerance and the consumption of Viruddha Ahara such as incompatible food combinations like fish and milk or exposure to cold wind. Symptoms include raised red patches resembling wasp stings accompanied by severe itching and prickling pain. Management focuses on eliminating toxins through Panchakarma therapies like Virechana and Vamana alongside internal medications to purify the blood and pacify the aggravated bio energies.
Allergy is a condition where the body’s immune system responds abnormally to an external substance. In Ayurveda, allergic reactions—particularly those manifesting on the skin like Urticaria (Hives)—are described under the disease entities Sheetapitta, Udarda, and Kotha. These conditions are characterized by the sudden appearance of red, elevated patches on the skin accompanied by severe itching and prickling pain, caused by the vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas reacting to factors like cold wind or incompatible foods.
Modern medicine defines allergies as abnormal immune responses. In Ayurveda, allergic skin manifestations are defined as Sheetapitta or Udarda. These occur when the aggravated Vata and Kapha doshas mix with Pitta, spreading internally and externally to lodge in the skin, resulting in rashes that resemble the sting of a wasp (Varati).
Sheetapitta: Derived from Sheeta (Cold) and Pitta (Fire/Heat).
Udarda: Refers to elevated or rising patches on the skin.
Kotha: Refers to eruptive rashes.
Conceptual Interpretation: Ayurveda links allergy closely to Asatmya (intolerance/unsuitability) and Viruddha Ahara (incompatible diet). Consuming foods that are antagonistic to the body's tissues acts as a toxin, triggering inflammatory responses.
Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible Foods)
Excessive intake of pungent (Katu), sour (Amla), and salty (Lavana) foods
Formation of Ama (metabolic toxins)
Exposure to cold wind (Sheetamaruta)
Divaswapna (Day Sleep)
Suppression of vomiting
Dosha: Vata, Kapha, and Pitta
Dushya: Twak (Skin) and Rakta
Srotas: Rasavaha and Raktavaha Srotas
Agni: Impaired digestive fire leading to Ama formation
Severe itching (Kandu)
Prickling pain (Toda)
Fever (Jwara)
Vomiting (Chardi)
Burning sensation (Vidaha)
• Ayurvedic Diagnosis:
◦ Darshana (Observation): Inspecting the skin for the characteristic "wasp-sting" appearance and redness.
◦ Prashna (Questioning): Assessing history of exposure to cold wind, intake of incompatible foods (like fish and milk), or insect bites.
• Differential Diagnosis: Differentiating between Sheetapitta (Vata-predominant, painful) and Udarda (Kapha-predominant, itchy).
Udarda-prashamana herbs
Vamana (Emesis)
Abhyanga
• Curable: Most cases of Sheetapitta and Udarda are curable with proper avoidance of triggers and treatment.
• Chronic: Utkotha (chronic hives) can be more difficult to manage and requires long-term purification therapy.
• Complications: If untreated, it can lead to severe burning, fever, and digestive disturbances.
Angioedema
Cold Urticaria
Food Allergies
A clinical immunology research article explaining how allergies occur when the immune system abnormally reacts to harmless substances — central to understanding allergic mechanisms. (Allied Academies)
A systematic review on the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives), including allergic mechanisms and therapies such as antihistamines and biologics. (internationalmedicaljournal.org)
Updated evidence-based guideline for diagnosis and treatment of urticaria, integrating clinical signs and triggers relevant to allergic reactions. (PMC)
An open-access article summarizing acute and chronic urticaria, with clinical features, epidemiology, and management relevant to allergic conditions. (SpringerLink)
A comprehensive review on IgE-mediated food allergy, covering clinical manifestations like urticaria/angioedema, diagnosis, emergency treatment, and evolving therapies. (Indian Journal of Medical Research)
Although focused on methodology, this paper provides context for research standards in allergy and immunology studies, useful for academic rigor. (PubMed)
Q: What is the Ayurvedic name for hives or skin allergy?
A: Hives are referred to as Sheetapitta or Udarda in Ayurveda. They are characterized by red, itchy, elevated patches on the skin.
Q: Can specific foods cause allergies according to Ayurveda?
A: Yes. Ayurveda identifies Viruddha Ahara (incompatible foods), such as eating fish with milk, as a potent cause of blood impurities and allergic reactions.
Q: Are there specific Ayurvedic herbs for allergies?
A: Yes. Charaka Samhita lists a specific group of herbs called Udarda-prashamana (pacifiers of hives), which includes herbs like Khadira, Saptaparna, and Arjuna. Turmeric (Haridra) is also widely used.
Q: Is Panchakarma useful for allergies?
A: Yes. Virechana (therapeutic purgation) is specifically indicated for allergic dermatitis and skin conditions to expel toxins from the body. Vamana (emesis) is used for Kapha-dominant allergies.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
Oct 22, 2026 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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Allergy symptoms depend on where the allergen lands - nose, skin, gut, or the whole body. Most reactions are miserable but harmless.
Allergies have stages in two senses: what happens inside a single reaction (minutes), and how allergic disease unfolds across a life (years).
You cannot always prevent the allergic tendency - it is largely inherited - but you can prevent most reactions, reduce sensitisation risks, and keep mild...
Keep the two separate - and be suspicious of anyone who blames all allergy on one food group.
The sneezing, itching, and swelling are that defence, not the substance itself.
Allergy treatment is a ladder, climbed only as high as the symptoms require. Most people live comfortably on the lower rungs; a few need the top ones.
