Health is in the palm of our hands and at the tips of our fingers. If we make the choices that support it, then the body and mind will support us back with the feeling of well-being. When we deviate from ourselves, when we allow ourselves to let our lifestyles take us away, we are on some level even responsible for this through the choices we make or don't make. We will experience this as a rippling effect of consequences or benefits. The body is an amazing indicator of whether we are in balance or imbalanced. By listening to it and taking time for it, loving it can ensure less health issues.

Seasonal allergies are deeply rooted and not a simple issue to be addressed. According to ayurveda, allergies generally are a condition of poor digestion, poor diet or poor lifestyle. Even with the understanding that there may be a genetic predisposition to allergies, ayurveda says that it is generally through diet and lifestyle that determines whether a gene is expressed or not. Similarly, a modern scientific approach to this concept is through epigenetics. Ayurveda defines allergies as the body's response to allergens that are perceived as harmful, and the body reacts to them by producing antibodies. This is the allergic reaction, and symptoms are then produced.

Often, the reaction can vary based on an individual's inherent constitution and whether there is already pre-existing toxicity in the body. If our digestion (agni) is balanced, our toxins (ama) are low or not present, and our immunity (ojas) is healthy and strong, then health issues are least likely to occur.

Food can be either medicinal or poisonous, depending on how and when it is eaten. Lifestyle can be a part of how we live or it can be that dynamic that shortchanges our health. Ayurveda teaches us to use our health as a guide to determine our overall well-being and how it aligns with lifestyle. There is no blaming, only the opportunity to take a look at how we are feeling right now and how we would like to feel. It is up to us to make the choices and stick with them as much as possible.

As far as seasonal allergies are concerned, this falls into the category of respiratory/upper respiratory ailments. Food sensitivities/allergies and other types of allergies are still influenced by the quality of digestion, as well as genetic factors and stress. Ayurveda looks at the state of mind and digestion as being key components to understanding the nature of such conditions.

Dr. Antonio Aragona, AD, AYT, LMT, is the owner of Still Point Ayurveda. For more information, visit StillPointAyurveda.com.