Modern treatments and medicines mostly focus on curbing Asthma symptoms but fail to rectify them by root. On the contrary, Ayurveda has a different approach to this disease. It treats the condition by working on its root cause which not only subdues the symptoms but also ensures permanent relief from the problem. This write-up discusses this approach in detail and answers all the whats and whys of it.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by inflammation of the airways. It is a default reaction of the body to otherwise harmless triggers like heavy exercise, emotional stress, and a cold environment. The follow-up reaction of the body is highly discomforting and concerning one. The patient experiences tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing noise while breathing.
The Ayurvedic Definition of Asthma
Ayurveda defines Asthma as ‘Swasa roga’ which basically means a breathing disease. The Charaka Samhita categorises swasa roga into five categories:
- Mahashwas
- Urdhshwas
- Chinashwas
- Tamakshwas
- Kshudrashwas
The first three categories cannot be cured, the fourth one can be managed while the fifth one is completely curable. Asthma and its symptoms are closely related to the fifth in e in the list.
Ayurvedic Causes of Asthma
Ayurvedic texts define poor digestion as the root cause of asthma. When food isn’t digested properly, its toxins start building up in the body. When these toxins reach the respiratory system the air passages get affected. The causative factors are thus divided into three types:
- Vata Kapha Prakopaka: Food and lifestyle (aahar and vihar) vitiating the kapha and vata doshas.
- Endogenous Causes: Respiratory disorders and toxins.
- Exogenous Causes: chest injuries, pollens, allergens, dander, and dust.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Asthma
Modern science mostly focuses on the management of symptoms and treatment with corticosteroids. The process goes on for years where a patient needs to keep the medicines and inhalers every day to keep asthma under control. These medicines ease the swelling in the airways and direct the body to produce less mucus. Inhalers are the tools used to send the medicine into the lungs.
The Ayurvedic treatment for Asthma, on the other hand, includes medications, therapies, diet, and lifestyle changes. Panchakarma therapies, herbal medications, and a restricted diet are used to remove the accumulated toxins from the human body. The Panchakarma therapies and medications regulate the body to produce less mucus and toxins. The restricted diet and lifestyle boost the overall immunity of the body and thus increase its resistance to asthma triggers.
The Panchakarma therapies are to be performed under expert supervision. So it is better to reach out to a proper Ayurvedic facility like ours for supervised treatment. The therapies used in this process include:
- Snehana (Oleation therapy): The process includes both external and internal forms of oil treatment. Herbs with ghee and oils like mahanarayan oils are massaged into the skin for toxin removal.
- Virechana: (Laxative Therapy): It involves the administration of herbs that are discharged from the anal route.
- Swedana (Sweat Therapy): It involves the removal of toxins through sweat.
- Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting Therapy): It works on purification through the gastro enteral track.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
- The patient needs to stay away from kapha-producing food items.
- Grains like wheat, barley, beans, and rice should be compulsorily included in the diet.
- The patient must avoid excessive exposure to outdoor and indoor pollution, allergens, pollens, and smoke.
- Try to replace sugar with honey wherever possible.
- Heavy food items that are difficult to digest should be avoided.
- Refrigerated and cold foods are also a no-no for asthma patients.
- If the patient is going in a cold climate then they must cover their mouth and nose.
- Processes of food items with white sugar, additives, and artificial sweeteners should be avoided.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Management of Asthma Symptoms
- Garlic and Ginger Cloves: Ginger is a boon for asthma patients as it can easily pacify the inflammation of air passages. Just prepare a cup of ginger tea and add 2-3 crushed cloves of garlic to it, it will remove the accumulated Kapha from the airways and prevent asthma attacks.
- Ginger and Turmeric Powder: Instead of garlic cloves, you can also add turmeric powder to your regular ginger tea. Just boil a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in a glass of milk along with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder. It can really help in reducing the frequency of asthma attacks.
- Honey and Cinnamon: Mix ¼ teaspoon of trikatu and one teaspoon of honey in a cup of boiling water. Let it boil for 10 minutes and finally, add 1 teaspoon of honey after serving in the cup. It will have the same effect as that of ginger and garlic tea.
- Regular Exercise: Regular breathing exercises, pranayama, and yoga can really help boost the immunity and strength of your respiratory system. However, if your asthma is triggered by heavy workouts then you must start the regime under excerpt supervision.
- Bay Leaf: Bay leaf is as useful as cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger in controlling asthma symptoms and boosting the overall immunity of the respiratory system. Ask your doctor about how it can be incorporated into your diet.
