Asthma - Ayurvedic Treatment For It!

The most common respiratory disorder, asthma, is an allergy. Allergy is when the body’s immune system recognizes something in the system as foreign (or antigen) and produces what are known as antibodies. These antibodies cause allergic symptoms ranging from skin skin rashes to breathing issues to even anaphylaxis.

People who have asthma dread the spring season when the air is full of pollen, and they have severe attacks. In simple terms, what happens during asthma is the air pipes narrow down, leading to symptoms of chest congestion, breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing.

Ayurvedic belief is that asthma is caused due to some triggers like stress, exercise, cold air, and excessive pollen. These increase the Kapha component or dosha, which leads to mucus formation in the air passages leading to narrowing of the airways. Some causes include:

• Weak lung tissues
• Damp environment
• Cold and/or stale food
• Increased ama (mucus) formation

Strange as it may sound, Ayurveda believes that impaired digestion causes asthma.

Management: Ayurvedic belief is that managing asthma requires effort aimed at various things including food changes, exercise, and airway management. Some of the significant tips are listed below.

• Increase consumption of honey and warm liquids like herbal teas
• Eat a lot of old cereals and whole grains (rice, barley, oats, green grams, etc.)
• Reduce dairy products as they are difficult to digest and hard on the stomach
• Avoid white flour, oily foods, sugary foods, cold-stored foods, processed foods, and fried foods. These again are hard on the stomach and not easily digested.
• Exercise should be done in moderation, as too much exercise can add to the shortness of breath and congestion
• Try various home remedies and repeat what works for you well. Black pepper powder in warm milk can help relieve the congestion.
• Ginger root can be powdered along with black pepper and stored as a powder. This can be mixed in warm water or milk and consumed 3 to 4 times a day
• Steam inhalation where cumin seeds can also be added to the water is found to be very beneficial.
• A concoction of guava leaves, black pepper, milk, and water can be boiled. This, when consumed for over 6 to 8 months, helps improve immunity.
• Neti therapy where the nasal passages are cleared of mucus is also a very effective way to improve breathing and keep the airways clear.
• Stress management either through meditation or mild exercise is very important, as asthma is known to worsen during periods of stress.
• Herbal oil massages also help improve circulation and nerve supply and therefore improve immunity.

Ayurveda believes these improve immunity and thereby control asthma. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!