Urticaria

Urticaria or hives is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes raised red skin-welts. Urticaria is also known as nettle rash or uredo. These welts may be 5 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter or more, they itch severely, and often have a pale border. It is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen. Hives can also be caused by stress.

Urticaria Types:

Acute Urticaria: refers to hives that usually show up a few minutes after contact with the allergen and may last for a few hours to several weeks. Food/contact allergy reactions typically, fit in this category. Common causes of reaction include consumption of shell fish, nuts, eggs, fish, acid derivatives and food dye.

Chronic Urticaria: refers to hives that persist for 6 weeks or more. There are no visual differences between acute and chronic urticaria (chronic hives). Some of the more severe chronic hives cases have lasted more than 20 years. Often, chronic urticaria may be idiopathic urticaria, where there is no known cause.

Drug-induced Urticaria: has been known to result in severe cardiorespiratory failure. The anti-diabetic drug suphonylurea glimepiride (trade name Amaryl®), in particular, has been documented to induce allergic reactions manifesting as urticaria. Penicillin administered 2 to 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms can be responsible for serum sickness presenting with urticaria. Other drugs like aspirin, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, sulfonamides and anticonvulsants can exacerbate and/or cause chronic urticaria and/or angioedema.

Physical Urticaria is often categorized into the following, depending on the hives’ causes:

• Aquagenic Urticaria: Aquagenic urticaria is a reaction to water (rare)
• Cholinergic Urticaria: Reaction to body heat, such as when exercising or after a hot shower
• Cold Urticaria: Reaction to cold, such as ice, cold air or water
• Delayed Pressure Urticaria: Reaction to standing for long periods, bra-straps, belts
• Dermographism Urticaria: Reaction when skin is scratched (very common)
• Heat Urticaria: Reaction to hot food or objects (rare)
• Solar Urticaria: Reaction to direct sunlight (rare)
• Vibration Urticaria: Reaction to vibration (rare)
• Adrenergic Urticaria: Reaction to adrenaline / noradrenalin (extremely rare)

Urticaria Symptoms

Depending on the causes of urticaria, symptoms are as follows:

Intense itching is the typical symptom of urticaria, though stinging and burning sensations are also experienced.

Objectively, urticaria manifests clinically as transient, elevated, erythematous or pale papules, plaques or linear streaks, generally surrounded by a halo or flare. The intensely edematous lesions have a balanced pale center.

Individual lesions vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.

In cholinergic urticaria, induced by acetylcholine and triggered by emotions, heat, exercise or changes in temperature, the lesions are morphologically different and disappear in 30-60 minutes.

Dermographic lesions, induced by brisk scratching or trauma, are linear streaks with a surrounding flare.

Angio-edema is recognized clinically as pale areas of deep non-pitting edema with diffused borders, chiefly affecting the face or any other part of the body. Involvement of the larynx may lead to hoarseness, stridor and dyspnea, and may be fatal.

Diagnosis of Urticaria

The presence of wheals is diagnostic of urticaria. The history is important in an attempt to identify the cause, which is different in different people.

Investigations should include identification of any focus of infection, or provocation and withdrawal of the suspected agent.

Allopathic treatments for Urticaria include antihistamines like Cetrizine, Levocetrizine, Benadryl and Steroids. These Urticaria treatments may incur side effects and fail to provide permanent relief from Urticaria. These side effects may range from mild: Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness, to severe: dark urine; difficulty urinating or an inability to urinate; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental changes; pale stools; seizures; persistent trouble sleeping; tremors; vision changes and yellowing of skin or eyes.

These Allopathic solutions merely deal with the issue on a symptomatic level, as they fail to address the release of histamines, which is the root cause of the issue.

Complementary Natural Care

Natural and herbal preparations have been thoroughly tried and tested by our ancestors, long before the advent of modern medicine. Until recently, they have just existed in the form of traditional knowledge and handed down from generation to generation.

However, in recent years, extensive research and formally conducted clinical trials have highlighted many Natural therapies including Advanced Resonance Homeopathic, Ayurvedic herbal and modern Bio-energetic preparations that are believed to work by: **

• Regulating your immune system.
• Supporting the structure and functions of the skin.
• Making the skin resistant to allergic reactions and guiding the skin follicles for optimum functionality.

Every single ingredient in every Biogetica kit has huge amounts of traditional use data from Ayurveda and Homeopathy and is supported by modern studies and trials. However, people and governments today tend to have varying opinions and laws regarding natural supplements and complementary therapies. We, therefore, prefer not to make any claims, but instead, point all patients and Doctors to independent research and clinical studies that support their effects in a scientific manner. In some cases, we compare the results of these studies to those of pharmaceutical medicines, in order to show that natural products can provide just as much or may be more, when compared to drugs that often have side effects.

In order to present this information in an unbiased and up to date manner, we simply show you Google Scholar search results of all scientific articles available on a certain product or an ingredient. If you do so much as read the synopsis of the research, the choice becomes clear. You can read and compare the results of drug studies and the results of studies on which Biogetica relies. We support you in your right to know and choose natural supplements!

Resonance Homeopathic Research

• Fagopyrum: Clinical research has highlighted that Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) potentially inhibits histamine release and cytokine gene expression in mast cells thus exhibiting anti-allergic properties.¹
• Urtica Urens: An In Vivo evaluation demonstrated that a U. urens extract possessed significant pain relieving and anti-inflammatory activities when tested on lab subjects.²

Herbal Research

• Azadirachta indica: Popularly known as Neem, this plant has a wide range of health benefits. It is traditionally used in the treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, skin diseases and dental disorders. Clinical reviews have highlighted that azadirachta indica exhibits immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycaemic, antiulcer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.³
• Tinospora cordifolia: This herb is a widely used plant in folk and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Growing scientific research has also highlighted that Tinospora potentially possesses antipyretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-stress, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative properties.⁴

Conventional treatments for Urticaria

Oral Antihistamines are usually used for acute Urticaria treatment. They reduce itching, treat welts and reduce sensitivity. However, they are not without their fair share of side-effects. Short-term side-effects of Antihistamines include drowsiness and long-term side-effects may include a less responsive immune system. In case of chronic Urticaria, a combination of H1 (i.e., Zyrtec, Allegra, etc) and H2 (i.e. Zantac) antihistamines are usually prescribed.

• Side effects of Zyrtec in Urticaria⁵

If you have read the research above, you are now in a position to make an intelligent decision. We suggest you discuss this research with your Doctor or one of our Doctors available online.

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General Tips to Manage Hives

Oatmeal baths and anti-pruritic lotions can also be used to relieve itching, as part of Urticaria treatment.

Detoxifying baths, which usually consist of aromatherapy remedies, such as Epsom salts in combination with body oil and water can also be opted for. The method essentially forces the skin to perspire and excrete potential toxins. It is not recommended for anyone with a heart condition.

Frequent use of moisturizers on the skin will add an extra layer of protection.

Biogetica’s mission is to provide you with integrated natural solutions that target root issues across the physical, energetic and informational spectrum of your life. Our Doctors research all possible ingredients and combine them synergistically into kits to potentially lead you back to health and freedom.

The proof of our methods is evident from the Groundbreaking results we have seen in independent clinical trials, and more importantly, in the lives we’ve helped uplift!

Our natural products have been developed after years of research and contain natural ingredients that address the tendency of your body to overreact to stimuli that should be harmless. Biogetica therapies are traditionally believed to work by: **

• Teaching your skin how to function optimally.
• Using advanced bioenergetic techniques to teach your immune system how to deal with allergy causing substances without overreacting.
• Regulating your Immunity.
• Purifying your blood.

Recommended Foods

– Eat plenty of organic, green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.
– Turmeric, coriander, curry leaves are excellent to balance the immune system.
– Consume histamine restricted foods like wheat, oats, puffed rice, apple, banana, cantaloupe (rock melon), figs, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemon, mango, pear and watermelons.

Foods for Moderate Consumption:

– Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, millet, nuts and seeds, lentils, beans and fermented soy.
– Avoid or limit food that contains gluten.

Foods to Avoid:

– Avoid acidic food such as pickles.
– Avoid food or substance that you are sensitive to.
– Avoid hot, fried food and spices such as anise, cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, hot paprika and nutmeg.
– Avoid all fermented foodstuffs that contain histamine such as cheese, fermented soy products, other fermented foods (e.g. sauerkraut), alcoholic beverages, and vinegars, shellfish, fish, egg, nuts, chocolate, berries, tomatoes, cheese, milk, strawberries, chocolate, pineapple, apricot, cherry, cranberry, date, orange, papaya (pawpaw), peach, prunes, plums, raisins and raspberries
– Avoid artificial colors.

Prana’ stands for life force, and as the name suggests, it is instrumental in keeping us alive. ‘Pranayama’ is the process that helps us control ‘Prana’, and thus in a way, control our life. On careful observation, it is clear that there exists an intimate connection between the breath and energy-currents. Proper coordination of the breathing process leads to the control of vital inner-currents and energies. It ultimately results in the control of the body, mind and soul continuum. Over the millenia yogis have understood how each pranayama affects the energy meridians of the body and therefore these yogis recommend particular pranayamas for particular conditions and constitutions.

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1. Tandem Breathing (‘Sahita Kumbhaka’)

It has 2 types, based on whether or not there is any concomitant chanting of Mantras with the Pranayama exercise.

Steps:

1. Comfortable aasana like Padma-asana or Swastika-asana.
2. Slow inhalation; with concomitant chants of the mantra ‘OM AARAH’, if possible.
3. Hold the breath for a short period of time.
4. Slow Exhalation.

Significance: It’s a daily and constant process, which we seldom appreciate.

Benefits: It encourages concentration with closed eyes while we inhale and exhale.

2. Awakening breath (‘Surya Bheda’)

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana / Swastika asana / Siddhasana. Concentrate with eyes closed.
2. Rest the right thumb on the right nostril (Avoid applying any pressure or blocking the nostril). At the same time, rest the right index finger on the space between 2 eyebrows and close the left nostril with the right ring and little finger.
3. Slow inhalation through the right nostril is pursued, till comfortable.
4. With the thumb applied to the right nostril, retain the breath firmly pressing the chin against the chest. There is no specific limit to this and it can be pursued till there is discomfort.
5. Slow and silent exhalation through the left nostril. It is followed by a short gap wherein inhalation is avoided. This same procedure is to be repeated again.

Time limit: Hold your breath till you perspire. This point cannot be reached at the very outset. The period of retention of breath needs to be gradually increased.

Advantages:

• It cures the diseases caused by excess of Vata & Kapha
• Improves digestion
• Awakens ‘Kundalini Shakti’

Indications:

• Intestinal worms
• Arthritis
• Sinusitis

3. Hissing breath (‘Ujjayi’)

Steps:

1. Sit comfortably in Padma-asana / Swastika asana / Siddhasana. Close the mouth.
2. Fold the tip of the tongue and rest it on the palate. The tongue will appear to be ‘twisted’.
3. Inhale air slowly through both the nostrils in a uniform manner till the breath fills the chest. This results in a peculiar sound uniform in pitch and continuous in nature.
4. Retain the breath as long as you can, till there is any discomfort.
5. Close the right nostril with the right thumb.
6. Exhale slowly through the left nostril.

Time limit: 3 min to hr

Advantages:

• Strengthens the nervous system
• Improves the tone of voice
• Relieves stress
• Increases lung capacity

Indications:

• Indigestion
• Koch’s
• Bronchitis
• Pharyngitis
• Spleen disorders
• Tonsillitis
• Cough
• Ascites

4. Serpent’s Breath (Sheetali)

It is an imitation of the respiration of a serpent.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana/Swastika-asana/ Siddhasana/Vajrasana.
2. Rest the hands on the knees.
3. Fold the edges of an outward-extended tongue to resemble a round hollow tube.
4. Draw in the air through the mouth with a hissing sound ‘Si’ and feel the air touching the tongue while inhaling.
5. Retain the breath as long as you can till there is any discomfort.
6. Slowly exhale through both the nostrils.

Time limit: 1 – 5 minutes. Practice regularly in the morning, 15 to 30 times.

Advantages:

• Purifies the blood
• Quenches thirst and appeases hunger

Indications:

• Spleen disorders
• Chronic dyspepsia
• Indigestion
• Bilious disorders

5. Cooling Breath (Shitkari)

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Fold the tongue so that its tip is brought to rest over the upper palate. Inhale air through the mouth accompanied by a hissing sound ‘Si’/ ‘C’.
3. Retain the breath as long as you can, till there is any discomfort.
4. Slowly exhale through both the nostrils.

Time limit: Gradually increase by 1 minute every week, till 5 minutes.

Advantages:

• Helps to keep the body cool in summer
• Improves vigor & beauty
• Helps quench thirst when thirsty

Indications:

• Dental carries
• Bleeding and inflammation of gums
• Ulcers
• Colitis
• Throat infection
• Hypertension patients can practice this type of Pranayama to decrease blood pressure.

6. Bellow Breath (Bhastrika)

It draws similarity with the bellows of a blacksmith. It involves rapid expulsion of breath and is a powerful exercise. It can be termed as a combination of Kapalabhati and Ujjayi.

Steps:

1. Upright position (with a straight neck) in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Body, head and neck in erect posture. Close the mouth.
3. Inhale air (chest expands and abdominal muscles are pulled in) and quickly exhale 10 times (1 set). While doing so a hissing sound is produced.
4. When 1 set is on the verge of completion the final expulsion should be followed by a deepest possible inhalation.
5. Retain breath as long as you can till there is some any discomfort.
6. Follow it with a complete slow exhalation. This marks the end of one round.
7. After a short rest (with normal breathing pattern) begin the next round.

Time limit: Practice three rounds daily in the morning and evening.

Advantages:

• Decreases anxiety and depression
• Stimulates appetite
• Improves resistance power
• Gives warmth to the body
• Purifies ‘Nadi’ and awakens the ‘Kundalini’ quickly

Indications:

• Abdominal disorders
• Throat and chest infection

Note:

• In case you encounter any giddiness, stop the practice and take a few normal breaths. Continue after the giddiness has subsided.
• In summer, practice it in the morning only during cool hours.
• Those wishing to practice it in the long-term and in an intense manner, should live on ‘Khichdi’, and take an Enema (‘Bhasti’) in the morning before starting the practice.
• People suffering from heart or lung disorders should do it slowly.

7. Humming Breath (Bhramari)

Its name is derived from the fact that a sound like that of ‘humming of bees’ is produced when it is practiced.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana or Swastika-asana. Keep the neck and back erect.
2. Place your thumbs on the ears, index fingers just above the eyebrows (near the sinuses) and the remaining three fingers on the eyes. The finger-tips should slightly press the ridge of the nose on each side.
3. Inhale and exhale air rapidly through both the nostrils, making a humming sound resembling that of a Bee (‘Bhramara’). Concomitantly chant ‘Om’.
4. The process can be continued till you perspire profusely.
5. Next inhale through both the nostrils and retain the breath as long as you can, till there is some discomfort.
6. Exhale slowly through both the nostrils.

Time limit: Beginners may practice it 3 times, and advanced practitioners 11-21 times.

Advantages:

• Improves speech and voice-quality
• Helps in the achievement of ultimate peace (‘Samadhi’)

Indications:

• Sinusitis
• Hypertension
• Depression
• Stress

Contraindications:

• Epilepsy
• Head injury
• Brain tumor
• Migraine
• Severe or persistent headaches

8. Supreme Breath (‘Murcha Pranayama’)

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana
2. Close the eyes and concentrate on the space between the 2 eyebrows (‘Trikuti’).
3. Inhale slowly through the mouth and retain the breath till you feel faint.
4. Sever off your connection with the surroundings and focus on the center-point between the 2 eyebrows.
5. Apply the chin on the chest and then exhale slowly.

Time limit:

Advantages:

• Practice without distraction endows divine happiness
• Makes you feel pleasant and relaxed

Indications:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mental disorders

9. Unconditioned Breath (‘Kevala Kumbhaka’)

Perfection in Tandem breathing (mentioned earlier) paves the way for Kevala Kumbhaka. Thus, an existence devoid of inhalation and exhalation and unconditioned by space, time and number is unconditioned breath.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. It involves the sudden stopping of the breath without resorting to inhalation or exhalation.

Advantages:

• Attainment of Raja Yoga and perfection in Hath Yoga
• Arousal of Kundalini Shakti
• Cures diseases and promotes longevity

10. Alternate Breath

A simple, yet scientific exercise that can be practiced virtually anywhere. It is based on the fact that we alternate between the two nostrils when we breathe.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana. Tilt your head slightly forward.
2. First half round:
   1. Fold the index and middle fingers of the right hand into its palm. The other fingers should be extended.
   2. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
   3. Inhale through the left nostril for a definite period of time – say 5 seconds.
   4. Close the left nostril with the right ring-finger and little-finger.
   5. Concurrently remove your thumb from the right nostril, and exhale.
   6. This is to be done for twice the inhalation period, i.e. for 10 seconds.
   7. This completes the first half of one round. 3. Second half round
   8. Inhale through the right nostril for a definite period say 5 seconds.
   9. Close the right nostril with the right thumb.
   10. Exhale through the left nostril for a period that is twice that of inhalation i.e. 10 seconds.
   11. This completes the other half of one round.
3. Second half round:
   1. Inhale through the right nostril for a definite period – say 5 seconds.
   2. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
   3. Exhale through the left nostril for a period that is twice that of inhalation i.e. 10 seconds.
   4. This completes the other half of one round.

Time limit: If there is no discomfort of any kind after practicing as instructed above, increase the inhalation period gradually second-by-second. Correspondingly change the exhalation period.

Number of Rounds: Begin with 3 rounds. If there is no discomfort, 1 round can be added every week, until you are doing 7 rounds. This exercise can be practiced as often as you wish, but do remember to do it at least once a day.

Advantages:

• Cleanses/detoxifies the Pranic channels
• Regulates Prana
• Imparts relaxation
• Improves mental functioning and alertness
• Imparts optimum creativity and optimum logical, verbal activity of the brain
• Improves sleep

Indications:

• Stress and related disorders
• Physical and mental fatigue
• Tension headaches

Contraindications: Cold/ Nasal block (Stuffed nose). Forced breathing is not advocated and can lead to complications.

The mind is a tool developed for our survival. You are not the mind, nor the body but rather one that can perceive the mind and the body. However, one is now constantly wagged around by the mind and its fears and desires. Often we find ourselves trampled in a parade of thoughts and washed around in a flood of emotions. Meditation is simply the process of returning Home to our true nature as the witnessing consciousness in which arise all thoughts and emotions. It is merely the fragrance of Being Human.

Meditation cannot be done, it will happen once we stop doing everything and anything. Now is all that exists, all else is merely grasping at the wind hoping to change things that are generally way beyond our control.

Talking about meditation and whether you believe you can do it or not, is pointless. When we rise above our mind, emotions and body, meditation will happen. Simply listening and following is enough. Meditation is in our very nature, and it happens for us all. Behind all those thoughts is a Witness. You are that Witness.

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So please, let it happen.

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Advaita self discovering meditation with Apurve”I AM THAT I AM”meditation with Dr Stephen Wollinsky

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Heart Chakra Tone (Music composed by Satya Hinduja)

Guided meditation with our founder Apurve

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