Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the lungs where the airways are inflamed and become hypersensitive to a variety of microscopic or external stimuli - dust mites, animal dander, pollen, air pollution, cigarette smoke, medications, weather conditions, stress, and exercise. The airway thus tends to constrict, and this causes episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness, ranging in severity, and which may be mild or even life-threatening. Though asthma is a chronic disorder, it does not manifest itself all the time.

Symptoms of asthma include:

• An irritated throat, and feelings of dryness therein, which affects bronchial tubes leading to less air in the lungs.
• Excessive lubrication, leading to over-production of mucus.
• Over-reactive bronchi, leading to difficulty in breathing and excessive thirst.

Asthma in Ayurvedic Literature

In Ayruveda, asthma is known as roga. It is believed that roga is caused by a vitiation of the doshas, and roga can appear in a variety of forms:

• When the Vata is overly dominant, the throat is aggravated, and dryness ensues.
• When the Kapha is overly dominant, the balance of lubrication and moisture (shleshaka kapha) is disturbed, which generates mucus when it interacts with impurities (ama) in the system.
• When the Pitta is overly dominant, the bronchia becomes very reactive, which creates toxins (amavisha), clogs the bronchia, and generates excessive thirst and interior body heat. Breathing becomes difficult.

How Ayurvedic Principles Will Help You

Ayurveda looks at the buildup of toxins and treats it with natural herbal remedies, a healthier diet and proper digestion methods; it gives regards to poor digestion, diet and nutrition, and chemical imbalances altogether.

The Ayurvedic approach uses natural herbs such as licorice, tumeric, thyme, and clove, among others. Then, there are following herbs; bishop's weed, an expectorant, which relieves dried up phlegm within the respiratory tract; celery, both its plant and seeds, which possesses antispasmodic properties; and garlic, the regular use of which reduces the severity of asthmatic attacks.

All of the above are readily available and easily accessible to combat excessive phlegm and mucus effectively, and they can also rejuvenate the lungs.

One should also remember to eat properly, as poor digestion produces toxins that trigger asthmatic attacks. The following dietary guidelines ought to be followed in order to curb the effects of asthma:

• Avoid sour foods -- such as curd and buttermilk; avoid cold fruits – such as bananas, guavas, watermelons and papayas; and avoid fried and pungent foods.
• Dry grapes are highly recommended for asthmatic patients.

Avoid from smoking, consuming alcohol, engaging in excessive physical exercise and exposing oneself to cold and damp places.

Treatment

We highly recommend Nasyam and Shiro Dhara, which are rather effective treatments against asthma.