Urticaria Ayurvedic Treatment / Hives: Types, Symptoms, Remedies

Medically Reviewed Ayurvedic Content

This blog on Ayurvedic Treatment for Urticaria is written and medically reviewed by senior Ayurvedic physicians with 24–28+ years of clinical experience in treating allergic and chronic skin disorders such as Urticaria (Sheetapitta). Treatment approaches are derived from classical Ayurvedic texts, validated through clinical experience, and aligned with modern medical understanding, while strictly prioritizing patient safety, ethical practice, and individualized care.

Overview: Ayurvedic Treatment for Urticaria (Sheetapitta)

Ayurvedic treatment for Urticaria (Sheetapitta) focuses on addressing the root cause rather than only suppressing symptoms. The approach includes:

• Balancing aggravated Pitta and Vata doshas
• Eliminating accumulated toxins (Ama) from the blood and tissues
• Modulating abnormal immune and allergic responses
• Strengthening digestion (Agni) and liver detoxification
• Preventing recurrence through diet, lifestyle regulation, and seasonal detox

Unlike antihistamines or steroids that provide temporary relief, Ayurveda aims to restore long-term skin stability and immune tolerance under physician supervision.

Understanding Urticaria (Hives)

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, presents as:

• Raised, itchy red or skin-colored welts
• Burning or stinging sensation
• Sudden onset and resolution
• Occasional deep swelling (angioedema)

Common Triggers

• Food and drug allergies
• Emotional stress and anxiety
• Insect bites
• Cold, heat, pressure, or sweating
• Autoimmune reactions (chronic cases)

Medical Classification of Urticaria

From a modern medical perspective, urticaria is classified as:

• Acute Urticaria: Lasts less than 6 weeks
• Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU): Persists beyond 6 weeks
• Inducible Urticaria: Triggered by cold, heat, pressure, exercise, or sunlight

Ayurveda treats each type differently based on dosha dominance and chronicity.

Autoimmune & Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)

Chronic spontaneous urticaria often has an autoimmune background, where the immune system overreacts without an identifiable external trigger.

Ayurvedic View

In Ayurveda, autoimmune urticaria reflects:

• Long-standing Rakta Dushti
• Deep-seated Ama accumulation
• Persistent Pitta–Vata imbalance

Treatment Focus

• Immune modulation using Rasayana herbs
• Gentle detoxification instead of aggressive cleansing
• Long-term digestive and liver correction
• Stress and nervous system regulation

This approach helps reduce unpredictable flare-ups and dependency on long-term medication.

🚨 When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Urticaria may indicate serious allergic reactions.

👉 Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Swelling of lips, tongue, throat, or face
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Sudden dizziness or fainting
• Rapid spread of hives with fever
• Severe abdominal pain or vomiting

⚠️ These may indicate anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical treatment.

Ayurveda is supportive and preventive, not an emergency substitute.

Ayurvedic Understanding of Urticaria (Sheetapitta)

In Ayurveda, urticaria is known as Sheetapitta, Udarda, or Kotha.

Ayurvedic Pathogenesis (Samprapti)

Sheetapitta develops when:

• Pitta is aggravated by heat, spicy foods, alcohol, and stress
• Vata causes a sudden onset and spreading
• Kapha leads to swelling and recurrence
• Accumulated Ama (toxins) circulate through Rakta Dhatu (blood) and manifest on the skin

If untreated, this leads to chronic and relapsing urticaria.

Ayurveda & Modern Medicine: Root Cause Correlation

This explains why digestive correction and detoxification are central to Ayurvedic management.

Classical Ayurvedic References

• Charaka Samhita: Vata–Pitta aggravation causes Sheetapitta
• Sushruta Samhita: Advises Raktamokshana for recurrent skin allergies
• Ashtanga Hridayam: Recommends Virechana for Pitta-related skin disorders

Scientific Perspective & Evidence Hierarchy

Research suggests:

• Guduchi: Immunomodulatory and anti-allergic activity
• Neem: Reduces inflammatory skin reactions
• Curcumin: Helps regulate histamine-mediated responses
• Virechana: Improves inflammatory markers in chronic skin disorders

🔬 Evidence includes classical texts, clinical experience, and emerging studies. Results vary individually.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Urticaria (Sheetapitta)

In Ayurveda, urticaria is called Sheetapitta. It usually happens when Pitta and Vata dosha become imbalanced and toxins build up in the body. This leads to itching, red rashes, burning, or swelling.

At Adyant Ayurveda, we suggest simple home remedies for mild cases:

1. Neem Water: Boil 7–8 neem leaves in water. Strain and drink once daily. It helps purify the blood and reduce itching.
2. Amla Powder: Take 1 teaspoon amla powder with water in the morning. It cools the body and balances Pitta.
3. Coriander Water: Soak 1 teaspoon coriander seeds overnight. Drink the water in the morning. It reduces burning sensation.
4. Sandalwood Paste: Apply sandalwood powder mixed with rose water on rashes. It gives a cooling effect and reduces redness.
5. Buttermilk with Cumin: Add a pinch of roasted cumin powder to fresh buttermilk after lunch. It improves digestion and prevents toxin formation.

Avoid spicy food, curd at night, and packaged items. If urticaria keeps coming back or lasts long, proper Ayurvedic treatment is needed to correct the root cause.

🌿 Ayurvedic Medicines & Herbal Formulations for Urticaria

For mild cases, simple home remedies such as applying a turmeric or neem leaf paste to the skin can help ease symptoms. However, persistent or severe urticaria needs proper, supervised medical treatment rather than home remedies alone. Here are some herbal remedies for urticaria treatment:

Core Internal Medicines – How They Help

1. Triphala Churna
• Improves digestion and bowel cleansing
• Reduces Ama formation, preventing toxin-related flare-ups

2. Gandhaka Rasayana
• Acts as an anti-allergic and antimicrobial agent
• Purifies blood and reduces recurrent itching

3. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
• Modulates immune overactivity
• Reduces hypersensitivity and inflammatory skin reactions

4. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia)
• Deep blood purifier
• Improves lymphatic drainage and reduces redness

5. Neem (Azadirachta indica)
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic in action
• Reduces itching and allergic skin eruptions

6. Haridra (Turmeric)
• Regulates histamine release
• Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress

7. Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus)
• Cooling herb that calms Pitta
• Reduces burning sensation and itching

8. Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa)
• Astringent and anti-inflammatory
• Helps reduce skin swelling and irritation

9. Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
• Balances Pitta–Kapha
• Supports digestion and reduces allergic flare-ups

⚠️ All medicines must be taken only under qualified Ayurvedic supervision.

Advanced & Supportive Ayurvedic Medicines

1. Arogyavardhini Vati
• Supports liver detoxification
• Corrects metabolic imbalance contributing to allergies

2. Khadirarishta
• Traditionally used in chronic skin allergies
• Reduces recurrence and improves skin resistance

3. Mahamanjishthadi Kwath
• Strong blood-purifying decoction
• Reduces deep-seated toxins in chronic urticaria

4. Pancha Tikta Ghrita Guggulu
• Addresses chronic inflammatory skin disorders
• Helps in long-standing or autoimmune urticaria

5. Kaishore Guggulu
• Useful in Pitta-dominant skin conditions
• Reduces inflammation and supports detox

6. Avipattikar Churna
• Corrects hyperacidity and Pitta imbalance
• Prevents digestive triggers of urticaria

7. Patola Katurohinyadi Kashayam
• Reduces Pitta and liver inflammation
• Commonly used in allergic skin diseases

8. Sukshma Triphala
• Enhances detoxification
• Supports gut–skin axis

External Applications

• Chandana paste: Cools skin and reduces burning
• Neem–Turmeric paste: Controls itching and inflammation
• Medicated coconut oil: Restores skin barrier and soothes irritation

Panchakarma Therapies for Urticaria

Acute vs Chronic Management

• Acute urticaria: Cooling and Pitta-pacifying therapies
• Chronic urticaria: Detoxification + immune modulation

Key Panchakarma Procedures

A. Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation)
• Eliminates excess Pitta and toxins from the liver and blood
• Reduces recurrence in chronic urticaria

B. Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis)
• Removes Kapha dominance
• Useful in Kapha-related swelling and heaviness

C. Raktamokshana (Bloodletting)
• Removes vitiated blood contributing to allergic reactions
• Provides rapid relief in selected chronic cases

Seasonal detox during spring and early summer helps reduce relapse.

 Diet & Digestive Correction 

Importance of Diet in Urticaria

Diet plays a central role in urticaria management, as improper food intake directly increases Ama and histamine release.

Key Dietary Principles

• Eat freshly prepared, warm meals
• Follow fixed meal timings
• Avoid overeating and late-night meals
• Prefer cooling and Pitta-pacifying foods

Foods That Commonly Trigger Flare-Ups

• Fermented foods (curd at night, vinegar, pickles)
• Bakery and packaged foods
• Excess sour, spicy, or fried items
• Alcohol and carbonated drinks

Correcting digestion alone significantly reduces urticaria recurrence in many patients.

Lifestyle Measures

• Regular sleep routine
• Stress management (yoga, pranayama)
• Avoid excess heat and sun exposure
• Cooling oil massage (Abhyanga)

Special Considerations

Pediatric & Elderly Patients

• Require lower dosages
• Strong detox avoided unless essential
• Close monitoring required

Drug–Herb Interaction Notice

Some Ayurvedic medicines may interact with:

• Antihistamines
• Steroids
• Immunosuppressants

Always inform your Ayurvedic doctor about ongoing medications.

Prognosis & Factors Affecting Outcome

Treatment success depends on:

• Duration and chronicity
• Dietary compliance
• Stress levels
• Autoimmune background
• Seasonal influence

Ayurveda works gradually but sustainably, not instantly.

Expected Treatment Journey

• Weeks 1–2: Reduced itching, digestion improves
• Weeks 3–4: Fewer flare-ups and better skin comfort
• 2–3 months: 60–80% reduction in recurrence (individual variation)

Why Choose Adyant Ayurveda?

• ✅ 28+ years of clinical expertise
• 🌿 Evidence-based Ayurvedic protocols
• 🏥 5 Bangalore locations
• 👩‍⚕️ Senior doctors & trained Panchakarma therapists
• Adyant Ayurveda Jayanagar & Bannerghatta Road Branch are ROHINI (Registry of Hospitals in Network of Insurance) registered

📞 Call: +91 9972541009

📱 AyurCare App: Free consultation

Clinical Outcome Patterns at Adyant Ayurveda

While results vary individually, clinical experience shows:

• Early-stage urticaria: Faster symptom control
• Chronic urticaria (1–5 years): Gradual but sustained improvement
• Steroid-dependent cases: Reduced reliance over time
• Autoimmune cases: Require longer treatment and maintenance therapy

Ayurveda emphasizes long-term disease control rather than temporary relief.

 Safety & Effectiveness of Ayurvedic Treatment for Urticaria

Safety of Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurvedic treatment for urticaria is safe and well-tolerated when administered under a qualified Ayurvedic physician. Treatment is always individualized based on:

• Age and body constitution (Prakriti)
• Severity and chronicity of urticaria
• Digestive strength (Agni)
• Existing medical conditions
• Current use of antihistamines, steroids, or immunosuppressive drugs

⚠️ Self-medication is strictly discouraged, as improper use of herbs or detox therapies may worsen symptoms.

Effectiveness & Urticaria Treatment Expectations

Ayurveda does not aim for instant suppression of hives. Instead, it works to:

• Reduce frequency and intensity of flare-ups
• Correct digestive and liver dysfunction
• Normalize immune hypersensitivity
• Improve long-term skin stability

Gradual improvement with sustained relief is the goal, making Ayurveda suitable for recurrent and steroid-dependent urticaria.

Adyant Ayurveda – Urticaria Treatment Cost

Conclusion

Ayurvedic treatment for Urticaria (Sheetapitta) provides a root-cause-based, holistic, and sustainable approach when guided by experienced physicians. By correcting digestion, detoxifying blood, calming doshas, and regulating immune responses, Ayurveda addresses not just symptoms—but why urticaria recurs.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or emergency care. Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma therapies must be undertaken only after consultation with a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

🖋️ Author & Review Credits

Author:
Dr. Sumana Patvardhana, BAMS, MD

24+ years experience | Ayurvedic Skin Specialist
Adyant Ayurveda, Indiranagar, Bangalore

Reviewed by:
Dr. Shree Lakshmi, BAMS
Senior Ayurvedic Consultant – Panchakarma
28+ years clinical experience
Adyant Ayurveda, Jayanagar, Bangalore