Treatment for Asthma in Ayurveda
In today’s stressful modern urbanized living, incidence of Asthma is considerably increasing. The rapid industrialization , excessive crowding , Increasing pollution are some of the factors responsible for this increase in incidence of Bronchial Asthma.
Ayurvedic view of Asthma
According to Ayurveda, Asthma is mainly caused by imbalanced Kapha Dosha while Pitta Dosha causes cardiac Asthma. Cardiac Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, fever, irritability and yellow phlegm. Asthma caused by Vata Dosha can be identified by wheezing, dry mouth, thirst, dry cough, dry skin, anxiety and constipation.
Types of Asthma: Five types of ‘Swas Roga’ are described in Ayurvedic texts
1]Maha-shwas
2]Urdhva-shwas
3]Chinna-shwas
4]Tamak-shwas
5]Kshudra-shwas
Cause of Asthma :
A] Factors related to diet:
Excessive indulgence in lablab beans ,black grams, raw milk, soar curd, excess salt, flesh of aquatic and wet land animals.
Excessive use of ‘Ruksha'(dry) and ‘Guru'(heavy) diet, excessive use of cold water and cold drinks.
Excessive use of ‘Abhishandi'(Kapha producing) diet, Excessive use of not easily digestible and irritant food.
B] Factors related to work :
Excessive exposure to dust and smoke.
Excessive wind, cold, cold bath or excessive heat, sun bath.
Exhaustive exercise, walking, excessive sexual activities.
Supression of natural urges
Psychological factors
C] Other Factors :
Trauma to vital organs viz. – chest, throat
Asthma may be as a sequaelae in other diseases like –
Fever, Long standing common cold, Tuberculosis , Anaemia, Heart disease, Poisoning etc.
Ayurveda as an alternative treatment for Asthma
Ayurveda has been widely accepted as an alternative treatment for Asthma. The type of ayurvedic therapy prescribed for Asthma depends on the Dosha; the patient is suffering from. The ayurvedic medicines are produced from herbs, vitamins, minerals and proteins that improve immunity.
Virechana and Vamana – These are two most common Panchakarma procedures that form very effective natural treatments for Asthma.
In Vamana, herbs like liquorice, sweet flag and emetic nut are given to the patient. These herbs induce therapeutic vomiting that eliminates the imbalanced Dosha through upper gastro-intestinal tract.
In Virechana, the patient is made to consume herbal purgative preparations that induce toxin elimination through the anal route ensuring the well-being of the patient.
Rasayana Therapy – Followed after the Panchakarma treatments, Rasayana therapy rejuvenates mind and body. In this therapy, oral medicines are given to the patient along with diet regulation. Rasayana restores the normal functions of the body and maintains overall health.