ASTHMA

Asthma, from an Ayurvedic perspective, is primarily a Kapha (water) dosha syndrome.

Kapha-type asthma has symptoms of cough and wheezing with abundant clear or white
phlegm. The lungs will be full of water, producing a crackling or rattling sound. Attacks
occur during morning and evening.
Cardiac asthma is usually associated with the Pitta (fire) dosha.
Pitta-type asthma involves coughing and wheezing with yellow phlegm. Other symptoms
include fever, sweating, irritability, and a need for cool air. Attacks come around noon
and midnight.
A Vata dosha–type of asthma has symptoms of dry cough and wheezing, dry mouth, dry
skin, thirst, constipation, anxiety, and craving for warm drinks. Attacks occur mostly at
dawn and dusk.

Dietary Management for Asthma

 The patient is advised to avoid Kapha aggravating things like - curd, butter, milk,
bananas, guavas, and fried foods. Light food should be taken at night and all sour
substances should be almost restricted. The following dietary guidelines must be
followed in order to reduce asthma:-
 Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum)-Aniseed is useful in the treatment of asthma due to its
expectorant properties.
 Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)-The bark of the arjuna plant has benefits in the treatment
of asthma. It is taken in a powder form sprinkled on the preparation.
 Asafetida (Ferula fetida)-Along with whooping cough and bronchitis, asafetida is also
useful in the treatment of asthma. For better results, its gum is taken in a mixture with
honey.
 Celery (Apium graveolens)-Celery has antispasmodic properties; hence it is beneficial
in the treatment of asthma. Either the herb itself or its seeds can be used for the purpose.
 Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)-Clove has expectorant properties; hence it is effective
in the treatment of asthma.
 Garlic (Allium sativum)-Regular use of garlic can reduce the severity of asthmatic
attacks.
 Ginger (Zingiber officinale)-Ginger is used in treatment of asthma due to its
expectorant properties.
 Agastya rasayana is another popular medicine which is prepared with Chebulic
Myroblan as its main ingredient. Along with Chyavanprasha, it is commonly prescribed
to asthmatic patients.
 There are some specific Ayurvedic preparations that are prescribed in order to reduce
the attacks of asthma immediately. These are Shwasa Kaasa Chintamani rasa, Suwarna
Pushpasuga rasa, Kanakasava, etc.
 Vasaaveleha 3 to 6 gram in a day .
 Talishadi churn 3 gm + Madhuyasthadi churna 3 gm with Honey twice a day
 Svasanandam gulika with warm water 1 tab thrice a day.
 Steam of ajwain good for Asthma attack.
 1 glass of Normal water + 1 TSF Honey is good for Asthma patient soften the phlegm.
 3 to 4 figs overnight soaked to reduce phlegm, Garlic cloves 8 to 10 also good.
 Avoid Rice, Sugar, and Curd like heavy food.
 Include Omega3 fatty acid rich foods like flax seed, walnut, Soya bean.
 Boil 10 garlic cloves in 30 ml of milk and take it once daily. It is an excellent
medicine for the early
stages of asthma.
 Agastya rasayana.
 Shwasa kasa rasa.
 Chintamani rasa.
 Kanakasava.
 When an attack is about to come, then chewing on some leaves of the holy basil mixed
with rock salt.
 For asthma in the early stages, it is beneficial to chew on some black pepper before
going to bed.
 Chewing a single fruit of the Chebulic Myroblan (harad) every night will give
tremendous relief from asthmatic attacks.
 Boil six cloves in half a cup of water. Take a teaspoonful of this decoction with honey
thrice a day.
 A proper diet (restrict the intake of foods that can cause an allergic reaction or
aggravate the condition such as all dairy products except a little ghee, all foods
containing sugar such as pastries and candies, all cold foods and drinks straight from the
refrigerator or freezer.)
 Use Alternative medicines that do not have long-term side affects, as do steroids.
 Yoga for exercising the bronchial pathways. Pranayam breathing exercises is very
helpful to help open up and clear the passages Avoid areas with high pollen
concentrations.
 Sitopaladi churna 1 tsp with honey (3-4 times /day).
 Vasaavalehya , kantkari avalehya (1tsp twice in a day with luke warm water ).
 Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon of dalchini powder (twice in a day).
 Black pepper powder+ dry ginger powder+ pippali powder (1tsp each) with
honey twice in a day.
 Chyavanprash avalehya 1tsp with lukewarm water at bed time.
 Agastya Haritaki 1 tsp after lunch and dinner.
 Make paste of black raisin,dates, long pippli (Piper longum) and honey, in equal
quantity. Take one teaspoonful of it in the morning and evening with warm milk.
 Avoid excessive physical exercise and exposure to cold and damp.
 Avoid food such as rice, curd, buttermilk, sugar, lentils, heavy milk products like
cheese, paneer etc...which has natural tendency to produce the phlegm or to accumulate
the mucus.
 Drink boiled water in plenty.
 Avoid over eating. Take light dinner one hour before going to bed.
 Drink 1-2 glass water (kept in copper vessel overnight) early morning, even before
brushing your teeth. This water contains some minerals of copper from the vessel, which
has the property of decongesting the respiratory tract.
 2-3 dry figs each morning clears the respiratory tract.
 Boil one piece of grated fresh rhizome of turmeric in one glass of milk, take it before
going to bed to prevent asthmatic attack.