Ayurvedic Treatment For Respiratory Diseases

Did you know that you draw in more than 20,000 breaths in a single day? Breathing is such an automatic function that most times, when it is going on normally, we don’t even realise it is happening.
 

With every breath, there is not just air that enters into the lungs but also other potentially harmful substances such as smoke, dust, pollutants in the air and irritants. Our body has amazing natural air filters in our respiratory tract that keep the air clean and healthy, but sometimes they also get sick and need looking after!

Therefore, it is vital to pay attention to respiratory health to make sure you live life to the fullest.
 

Respiratory System Diseases 
 

Respiratory disorders are the conditions where there is some disease affecting any part of the airways right from the nose, the trachea or windpipe, the bronchi to the lungs. Some of the most commonly encountered respiratory disorders include:

• Common cold
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Pneumonia
• Allergies and infections

Symptoms of Respiratory Diseases 
 

Although specific symptoms vary from one condition to another, there are a few commonly encountered symptoms such as:

• Cough
• Production of mucus
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing
• Chest pain on taking deep breath

Lungs Treatment In Ayurveda 
 

Ayurveda considers disorders of the respiratory system or Lungs as Svasa Roga and classifies these into five types – ksudraka, tamaka, mahan, chchinna, urdhava. According to Ayurveda, Svasa Roga is a result of problems or imbalance in two doshas – Vata and Kapha. This problem may be because of several factors such as:

• Contact with dusty air, pollen, irritating gases and smoke
• Using cold water or inhabiting a damp, cold place
• Use of dry, astringent, irritant spicy food
• Irregular dietary habits
• Frequent use of bean, sesame, black gram
• Anxiety and grief and loss of mental peace

Lung Infection Remedies

Ayurveda deals with respiratory diseases in a holistic way through a multistep process that may involve cleansing of toxins through specific therapies, use of herbs, practice of breathing exercises, dietary and lifestyle changes.
 

Panchakarma Therapies for Respiratory Infection In Ayurveda 
 

Depending on the specific cause of a respiratory disorder, the Ayurvedic doctor may recommend one of the following Panchkarma Detox therapies for cleansing of ama/toxins from the body. These therapies should only be prescribed by a qualified aurvedic doctor and should be performed under close supervision of same.
 

Vamana (vomiting): Therapeutic vomiting helps to get rid of the excess mucus in the respiratory tract that causes imbalance in kapha dosha. 
 

Virechana (purgation): This medicated purgation therapy helps to cleanse the toxins from the gall bladder and liver. 
 

Vasti (Herbal Enema): This medicated enema therapy is performed by the introduction of a medicated oil, milk, ghee or a herbal decoction preparation into the rectum. This enema allows the elimination of toxins through the feces.
 

Nasyam (Instillation of Herbal nasal drops): Nasyam is a therapy in which a herbal juice or a medicated oil is administered through the nose. This helps to remove the excessive doshas that may have accumulated in the throat and the sinuses, giving relief from respiratory problems.
 

Ayurvedic Remedies for Respiratory Infection
 

In Ayurveda, some of the following herbal remedies are used traditionally in the treatment of respiratory infection:
 

Vasaka Herb (Adhatoda vasica): The leaves of Adhatoda vasica contain alkaloids, which have strong anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. This herb also has an antitussive effect and helps to soothe the inflamed throat.
 

Turmeric Herb (Curcuma longa): The yellow spice obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa contains the pigment curcumin that has marked anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often administered with hot milk to reduce cough.
 

Tulsi Herb (Ocimum tenuiflorum): The leaves of the Holy Basil plant, Ocimum sanctum, have antioxidant properties and also inhibit the action of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that plays an important role in inflammation. It also has immunomodulatory property, making it good for improving the body’s defense to infection.
 

Black pepper (Piper longum): The seeds of the Piper longum creeper contain an alkaloid called piperine with potent anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps to break down the mucus and dilate the bronchioles, leading to relief from breathing difficulties.

Breathing Exercises or Pranayama for Respiratory Health
 

Breathing exercises, called pranayama, helps to improve the lung function and also reduces the frequency of symptoms in patients with chronic respiratory problems. There are different types of breathing exercises that help in different conditions.
 

For example, Sukha Pranayama or anulom vilom or alternate nostril breathing helps patients with wheezing and hay fever. In this technique, the right nostril is first closed with the right thumb as the person inhales through the left nostril.Now the right nostril is released, the left nostril is closed with the right ring finger as the breath is exhaled through the right nostril.
 

Other types of breathing exercises may also be prescribed such as Bhastrika Pranayama, which works well for congestion, and Ujjayi Pranayama, which help to improve immunity so that respiratory health is maintained.
 

Yoga for Respiratory Problems
 

Some yoga postures may be helpful in people who suffer from chronic respiratory disorders. When these are performed on a regular basis, they help to reduce the frequency as well as the severity of the symptoms. Some of the generally prescribed yogasanas include Surya Namaskara (Sun salutation), Sarvanagasana (Shoulder Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) and Shalabhasana (Grasshopper Pose).
 

Respiratory Health Care – Lifestyle Changes
 

Along with medication, therapy, yogasana and breathing exercises, Ayurveda also recommends certain lifestyle and dietary changes such as:

• Dry foods that are difficult to digest, curds, chillies and fish should be avoided.
• Avoid using cold water and don’t reside in a cold place
• Get enough sleep; avoid staying awake till late at night
• smoking should be avoided
• Keep yourself mentally calm and avoid anxiety provoking situations​