About Ayurveda and Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways to the lungs. It makes breathing difficult and can make some physical activities challenging or even impossible. Asthma symptoms occur when the lining of your airways swell and the muscles around them tighten. Mucus then fills the airways, further reducing the amount of air that can pass through.

This is why asthma patients get attacks and suffer from the coughing and tightness in your chest.

Symptoms of Asthma

The most common symptom of asthma is wheezing, a squealing or whistling sound made when you breathe.

Other asthma symptoms may include:

coughing, especially at night, when laughing, or during exercise
tightness in the chest
shortness of breath
difficulty talking
anxiousness or panic
fatigue

The type of asthma that you have can determine which symptoms you experience.

What are The Causes?

There are no specific symptoms but you could point out some of the symptoms of asthma:

Genetics

If a parent or sibling has asthma, you’re more likely to develop it.

History of viral infections

People with a history of severe viral infections during childhood (e.g. RSV) may be more likely to develop the condition.

Hygiene hypothesis.

This theory explains that when babies aren’t exposed to enough bacteria in their early months and years, their immune systems don’t become strong enough to fight off asthma and other allergic conditions.

Ayurvedic treatment and asthma

According to Ayurveda, Asthma is caused due to imbalanced Kapha ,Pitta Dosha causes with symptoms like wheezing, coughing, fever and irritability. Asthma caused by Vata Dosha can be acknowledged by wheezing, dry mouth, thirst, dry cough, dry skin, anxiety and constipation.

Virechana and Vamana are the two most common Panchakarma procedures that for very effective treatments for Asthma in Ayurveda.

Vamana

Vamana herbs such as liquorice, sweet flag and emetic nut were consumed by the patient. These herbs induce therapeutic vomiting that removes the imbalanced Dosha over upper gastro-intestinal tract.

Virechana

Patient is made to consume herbal cleansing preparations that bring toxin elimination through the anal route make sure for well-being of the patient.

Rasayana Therapy

After the Panchakarma treatments, patients are provided with oral medicines along with diet regulation. Rasayana therapy builds immunity, avoids recurrence, re-establishes the normal functioning of the body and helps to fight disease for long time.

Ayurvedic practitioners also focus on diet, exercise, and deep breathing techniques to help reduce asthma symptoms. Ayurvedic practitioners use multiple techniques to bring the body into a balanced, disease-free state. They include:

saying mantras
massage
yoga
oral and topical use of herbs
dietary and lifestyle changes
breathing exercises

Some Useful Herbs

For the treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic asthma, Ayurvedic practitioners have reported on the successful use of several herbal treatments. These include:

Argemone Mexicana
Cassia sophera
Piper betel
holy basil (tulsi)
Euphorbia hirta, often referred to as asthma weed

These and other herbs may have antihistamine, bronchodilating, and anti-asthmatic properties.

Helpful Home Remedies

1.Ginger and Garlic Cloves

Ginger is one of the most trusted herbs when it comes to deal with inflammation. Half cup of ginger tea mixed with 2-3 crushed garlic cloves could prove to be an effective remedy to release the kapha. accumulation in the airways, thereby preventing asthmatic attacks.

2. Ginger and Turmeric Powder

You can also make yourself a quick ginger and turmeric tea too. Boil a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in a glass of milk and add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder to it. If taken twice a day, this Ayurvedic remedy could reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.

3. Cinnamon and Honey

“Mix one teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4th teaspoon trikatu into a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes and add 1 teaspoon of honey before drinking,” suggests Dr. Vasant Lad in his book on Ayurvedic remedies. Take this twice a day for maximum benefits.

4. Licorice and Ginger

Licorice also known as mulethi in Hindi is also loaded with anti- inflammatory properties. Dr. Lad in his book also suggests drinking a tea made with half teaspoon licorice and half teaspoon of ginger for managing asthma and it’s symptoms.

5. Bay leaf

Half teaspoon of bay leaf and 1/4th teaspoon of pippali mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey taken two to three times a day may also help prevent chronic symptoms of asthma.