Ayurveda for Asthma

Asthma Ayurveda 

 

Bronchial asthma, a common respiratory disorder affects 10 million people in the Australia. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways, which leads to shortness of breath, chest congestion, coughing and wheezing. If someone is searching for best ayurvedic medincine for asthma, then its better to understand that, before that an proper ayurvedic consultation is required to know the factors like emotional factors, digestive factors, immune system strength etc, which could be the triggers behind chronic asthma disease in Ayurveda. 

 

Bronchial Asthma Causes

 

The underlying cause is yet unknown, but following factors may trigger the asthma attacks:

 

1. Dust
2. Pollens
3. Allergic rhinitis
4. Climate change
5. Excess humidity
6. Hair or dander of pets
7. Food additives
8. Perfumes
9. Cigarette smoke
10. Air pollution
11. Aspirin
12. Stress
13. Anxiety
14. Paint odor

 

Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma

 

The following symptoms may appear in patients with bronchial asthma:

 

1. Wheezing
2. Coughing
3. Shortness of breath
4. Tightness in chest
5. Changes in breathing pattern

 

Ayurvedic Medicine For Allergy and Asthma 

 

"Tamaka Swasa" is a term used in Ayurvedic medicine for allergy and asthma. However, it is caused by vitiation all three humors or doshas, but Vata and kapha are predominant in bronchial asthma in ayurveda.

 

According to ayurveda, the common causes may include but not limited to, excessive use of beans, raw milk, black grams, sour curd, excess salt and aquatic animal food. Dry and heavy diet may also a cause of bronchial asthma. Other factors are excess cold, cold bath, excess sunbath, excessive exercise, etc.

 

Ayurvedic Medicine For Asthma Bronchitis

 

Ayurvedic texts have mentioned numerous natural remedies and ayurvedic medicine for asthma bronnchitis, which are used traditionally.

 

Natural Ayurvedic treatment of Asthma Bronchitis involves the use of ayurvedic classical traditional medicines, organic herbs and dietary & lifestyle changes to inhance the immune system.

 

Ayurvedic Remedy for Asthma 

 

These are some of the commonly used ayurvedic remedy for asthma used traditionally:

 

 

Puskarmool (Inula racemosa)

 

Inula racemosa or Puskarmool is helpful herb in pleurisy, chronic cold and cough. It is known for its anti-tubercular properties.  It is a febrifuge, an aromatic tonic and an expectorant with several carminative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and diuretic properties. This herb can also helpful in relieving pain in chest.

 

According to a research done by Pooja Khurana et al, Pushkarmool may be a useful herb in the treatment of asthma. It has anti-histaminic  and bronchodilator action. The main alkaloid in the oil derived from the root of this plant is alantolactone, that has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Pushkarmool  has  ushna, virya and vatakaphahara  properties which is  the  main dosha  in  bronchial  asthma.

 

Long Pepper

 

Pippali or long pepper is mentioned as a powerful rejuvenative herb in ayurveda. Pippali or long pepper acts as a stimulant for respiratory and digestive systems and may offer rejuvenating effects on lungs. The roots of this herb can be used to treat respiratory infections. Consumption of this powdered herb along with honey can provide relief from cough and cold.

 

Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra)

 

It helps in eliminating kapha from stomach and chest and helps to clear out the phlegm in bronchial tubes and lungs. However, you should not use this herb, if you are having hypertension.

 

Findings of a research done by Ladde Shivakumar and Shalam enlist the uses of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabraradix) in treating asthma. The herb’s active compounds, glycyrrhetinic acid and carbenoxolone, are potent inhibitors of cortisol metabolism, thereby enhancing endogenous and exogenous steroid benefits.

 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

 

Ginger acts as a natural expectorant. It is used since ancient times to treat several respiratory infections and helps control bronchial asthma attacks. Freshly grated ginger, along with little turmeric can be added in milk while boiling. You may have it twice every day to get some relief from the asthma.

 

As per the research done by Ranjita Prasad et al, the dried rhizome of ginger contains approximately 1–4% volatile oils. It is considered to be a powerful natural anti-allergy agent specially acting on respiratory system. It has powerful expectorant properties that are very helpful in asthma.

 

 

Cinnamon

 

It helps clear kapha from stomach and chest and clear phlegm from lungs. Half spoon of cinnamon powder and a little honey can be consumed twice a day may help to move the phlegm.

 

Nagar (Nut grass, Cyperus rotundus)

 

Prolonged use of this herb can help relieve bronchial asthma. It provides relief from blocked phlegm. 2gms of nagar powder and bharangi (Clerodendrum indicum) can be mixed in water to make a fine paste and can be taken along with lukewarm water to treat bronchial asthma in ayurveda.

 

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

 

Roots of ashwagandha have several medicinal properties. It acts as an adaptogen and helps reduce stress. It is known as a rasayana (rejuvenating) herb. This herb helps to boost body immunity and hence may help in asthma and cough.

 

Turmeric

 

Turmeric has medicinal properties, which may help treat respiratory disorders. Anti- purulent as well as anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric may help treat cough, cold and other respiratory infections. It may play an adjuvant role in clearing air blockage due to bronchial asthma. Turmeric can be used in several ways to treat bronchial asthma. You can add little pinch of turmeric in your milk and drink it daily. Inhaling the vapors of hot water and turmeric can also help clear nose blockage.

 

Black Pepper

 

It is yet another spice which helps to treat cough and cold. Add a pinch of black pepper, turmeric and ginger in milk and boil it for few minutes. You can drink it twice a day to reduce the phlegm in lungs as well as in cold and cough.

 

Bharangi (Clerodendrum indicum)

 

It is also known as blue fountain brush. This herb helps balance vata and kapha disorders. Bharangi has anti-histamine properties and can helps treat bronchial asthma in an effective way by stabilizing mast cells. Few grams of nagar along with bharangi when mixed with water can be consumed in lukewarm water.

 

Garlic

 

Garlic has been used for ages to treat several diseases. You can add freshly grated ginger along with few garlic cloves in the milk you drink. This is an incredible ayurvedic treatment to treat asthma.

 

Wheezing Ayurvedic Medicine

 

Below are the list of classical or traditional products are are used as wheezing ayurvedic Medicine:

 

1. Aswagandharishtam- Herbal Tonic 
2. Dasamoolarishtam- Herbal Tonic 
3. Kanakasavam- Herbal Tonic 
4. Pippalyasavam- Herbal Tonic
5. Vasarishtam- Herbal Tonic 
6. Dasamoola kashayam- Herbal Tablet 
7. Panchakola choornam- Herbal Powder
8. Hinguvachadi Choornam- Herbal Powder
9. Aswagandhadi lehyam- Herbal Paste 
10. Brahma rasayanam- Herbal Paste 
11. Chyavana prasam- Herbal Paste
12. Dasamoolahareethaki Lehyam- Herbal Paste
13. Haridrakhandam- Herbal Powder Recipe
14. Vyoshadi vatakam- Herbal Powder Recipe

 

Asthma Treatment In Ayurveda and Yoga 

 

In addition to ayurvedic treatment, yoga can also help in bronchial asthma for improving lung capacity. Breathing exercises can help promote optimum health of lungs and strengthen respiratory system.

 

Asthma treatment in ayurveda and yoga includes yoga posture and breathing exercises that may be beneficial in asthma. Name of such yoga posture are, Nadi Shodhan pranayama (Alternate nostril breathing technique), Kapal Bhati pranayama (Skull shining breathing technique), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting half spinal twist), Pavanamuktasana (Wind relieving pose), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing dog pose), Badhakonasana (Butterfly pose), Poorvottanasana (Upward plank pose) and Shavasana (Corpse pose).

 

Ayurvedic Medicine for Allergic Asthma 

 

Most of the people only rely on medications to get relief from the symptoms of  asthma. You can also make few changes in your lifestyle to maintain your health by lessening the possibilities of asthma attack. These healthy changes in the diet and life style works together with right ayurvedic medicine for Allergic, bronchial and dry cough asthma

 

Avoid exposure to asthma triggering elements

 

1. Using an air conditioner can reduce exposure towards pollen. Air conditioning can also reduce indoor humidity and exposure towards dust mites.
2. Vacuuming  your decor
3. Cover nose and mouth, when exposed to colder air.

 

Stay Healthy

 

1. Exercise regularly. However, consulting a trainer or physician is recommended to know which kind of exercise suits the best.
2. Maintain healthy weight. Overweight or Obesity can increase the severity of asthma symptoms.
3. Eat healthy foods. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, which are abundant in antioxidants.

 

 

If you wish to enquire more information on Asthma Ayurvedic Natural Treatment in Melbourne, you may contact us at our ayurvedic clinic, called Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic, which is based in Northcote and Wantrina South in Victoria. People can opt for online line ayurvedic consultation anywhere from Australia or out side Australia.

 

 

 

 

References

 

1. Pooja Khurana, Vikas Saroch, Amitabh Singh, ‘ROLE OF PUSHKARMOOL IN THE ASTHMA MANAGEMENT: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY’, Research Gate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281366533_ROLE_OF_PUSHKARMOOL_IN_THE_ASTHMA_MANAGEMENT_A_CONCEPTUAL_STUDY_PG_scholar_2_HOD_Kayachikitsa_department

 

 

2. Ladde Shivakumar, Shalam, ‘A SHORT REVIEW ON MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA THROUGH ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES’, International Journal of Life Sciences Biotechnology and Pharma Research, Int. J. LifeSc. Bt & Pharm. Res. 2012, https://www.ijlbpr.com/papers/ijlbpr_02.pdf

 

 

3. Ranjita Prasad, Rahul Dev Lavania, Manvi, Rajiv Gupta, ‘Role of Herbs in the Management of Asthma’, Research Gate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/202282426_Role_of_Herbs_in_the_Management_of_Asthma