Treating Asthma the holistic way: 4 treatments Ayurveda prescribes

Bronchial asthma, known in Ayurveda as Tamaka Swasa, is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the lungs and airways. It causes difficulty in breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath, especially during the night or early morning.
With the rise in pollution, poor lifestyle choices, and stress, the number of asthma cases has been steadily increasing.
And as Ayurveda helps people treat the root cause of the problem or disease, more and more people are turning to Ayurveda to treat and cure the long-term effects and the immediate symptoms of Bronchial asthma.

Asthma in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, asthma is classified under Swasa Roga, or a group of diseases related to the respiratory system. It is said to occur because of an imbalance in the Vata and Kapha doshas, and arises from the reverse flow of Vata in the respiratory channels, which leads to obstruction due to the accumulation of mucus, resulting in breathlessness and wheezing.

Causes and symptoms of Asthma today

The causes of Asthma today are both internal and external, and start with our plates. Eating dry, cold, heavy, or incompatible foods, being exposed to dust, smoke, wind, or cold weather for prolonged periods, excessive physical exercise or exhaustion, especially overdoing certain things, stress, anxiety, or emotional distress can also lead to asthma.
And the most common symptoms people will see is wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing, prolonged dry cough and recurrent bouts of breathlessness, throat choking, dry mouth, excessive sweating, and chest tightness, especially when you try to sleep.

Chikitsa for Asthma
One of the most common Ayurveda treatments for Asthma is Fomentation, or sweat-inducing therapies. Some Ayurvedic practitioners advise people to take sessions of oil massage using sesame oil mixed with rock salt, followed by steam.
This is believed to help in breaking down the sticky mucus from the airways, and allows people to breathe freely.

Another treatment mentioned in the book ‘Holistic Health: Law and Facts’ by Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, involves preparing a decoction of Nidigdhika, Bilva fruit pulp, Karkatshringi, Duralabha, Guduci, Kulattha, and more, and this decoction is made with pepper, dry ginger, and rock salt.

The book also mentions that patients can mix equal parts of powdered jaggery and dry ginger powder, and consume this to get relief from respiratory problems.

Another treatment for Asthma, according to the book and findings, is Padmapatradi yoga , a herbal formulation, that helps in increased expiratory flow, and helps patients have relief from breathlessness and congestion.

Why choose Ayurveda for Asthma ?

One of the many reasons why people are moving to Ayurveda for certain diseases, is that it does not manage a single problem, but rather looks at the root causes and works to eliminate them.
It is made from herbs and is safe for long-term use, unlike certain steroids or inhalers, Ayurvedic medicines do not suppress the immune system and are safe to use under guidance of experts, and also that the treatment in Ayurveda is unique to every person.