In Ayurveda Asthma is considered to originate from the affliction of the stomach and other parts of gastro intestinal tract.There fore ,in most of the cases,the patient suffers from constipation,indigestion or diarrhoea.
The point of the disease is lungs,Because of pressure,the heart also gets involved,usually before the attacks,the patient gets nasal congestion,even obstruction and sneezing.
In Ayurveda,therefore,for both the prevention and cure of this disease,primary attention is given to stomach.bowels,nose and lungs.In chronic cases the special care is taken to strenghten the heart.
Asthma and bronchial asthma are similar diseases and the remedies for both of them are common.Bronchial asthma is known as Tomak Shvasa in Ayurveda ans is supposed to originate from afflictions of the stomach and the gastro intestinal tract.That is why the preliminary stage of the disease the patient complains of indigestion,constipation and even of diarrhoa.
An attack of asthma comes on early in morning whenhe patient suddenly wakes up with a feeling apprehension and alarm.
Sudenly breathing becomes impossible in a recumbent position.The attack may last for few days before it subsides.
In early stages of the disease,It leaves the patient normal.When it becomes chronic then the patient acquires a typical asthmatic look -i.e,a pale face and an emaciated body.
Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma is characterised by difficulty in breathing,a sense of tightness,constriction around the chest ans a wheezing noise as the breath is expelled.The small bronchial tubes which connect with the lungs are constricted due to swelling or accumulation of viscid phlegm in the main bronchi ,hence the difficulty in inspiration and expiration .
Patient suffering from asthma appear to be gasping for breath.Actually,they have small bronchi become clogged and constricted with mucus,thus making it difficult to the patient to breathe out.All asthmatics have more difficulty at night,especially during sleep.
The onset of asthma is either gradual or abrupt.Sudden insets are often preceded by a spell of coughing which may be associated with itching of the chin,the back of the neck or chest.When the onset is gradual,the attack is usually brought on by respiratory infection.A severe attack is usually brought on by respiratory infection.A severe attack causes an restless and fatigued.There may bee coughing,tightness in the chest,profuse sweating and vomiting .There may also be abdominal pain,especially if coughing is severe.Foggy whether aggravates the symptoms.
An asthmatic attack begins when the bronchial tubes in the lungs become onstricted. .The tubes having become narrow the inhaled air becomes trapped in the tiny air sacs at the end of the tubes,making the release of breath difficult.The wheezing sound identified with asthma is produced by the air being pushed through the narrowed bronchi.
Causes for Astham
Mainly bronchial in its symptoms,asthma is caused by a variety of factors.For many it is an allergic condition resulting from the reaction of the system to th weather,food,drugs,perfumes,and other irritants which vary with different persons are sensitive to the various forms of dust like cotton dust,wheat dust and paper dust,some pollens,animal hair,fungi and insects,eespecially cockroaches.Food which generally cuase allergic reactions are wheat,eggs,milk,chocolates,beans,potato,pork and beaf.
Ayurveda treatment to cure Asthma
Medicines for asthma in ayurveda are Agastya rasayana and Chavan prash.Both trhese medicines are composed by many drugs.But the chief ingredient of Chyavana prash is the fruit of Amalaki(Indian gooseberry).This is one of the important sorce of Vitamin C.
Both these drugs can be taken in a dose of up to two teaspoonfuls three times a day. Care should be taken to see that normal appetite of the patient is maintained.
Agastya rasayana,if taken in heavy dose,may cause loose motions and in that case of the medicine should be reduced.
Mudra treatment to cure astma
Mudras are non medical ,no cost and en effective way of treatment for asthma. Linga mudra,Prithvi-shamak,Aakaash vardhak,Asthama mudras are very effective in the treatment of astma.
Yoga treatment to cure asthma
Yogic kriyas like jalneti,vamanadhouti are very useful in the treatment of asthma.
Yoga asanas like ekpaduttanasana,yogamudra,sarvangasana,padmasana,bhujangasana,dhanurasana,vakrasana,ardh-matsyendrasan,shalabhasana,paschittanasana,shavasana are very beneficial.
Pranayamas like kapalbhatianuloma,ujjayi,suryabhedana,bhramari are effective in the treatment of asthma.
Natural home remedies to cure asthma
Honey and garlic is very beneficial in the treatment of asthma.In can be taken in any form is very beneficial.Garlic can be taken wtih milk,one clove of galic boil in 100 ml of milk for five minutes should be taken daily.
Juice fasting to cure asthma
Five to ten days juice fasting will give quick relief. The patient should fast for few days on lemon juice with honey and thereafter resort to fruit juice diet to nourish the system and eliminate toxins.Juices of cucumber,lemon,beet,orange,tomato and carrot are highly beneficial
The patient should strictly avoid curd,butter milk,banana,guva, and other fried things.At night ,he should take light food,Dry grapes are useful in this condition.Smoking and intake of tea and coffee should be reduced.The patient should not expose himself to rain and severe cold-wind. He should not also indulge in hard work.
Fasting Therapy for Asthma: Essentially a disease of over-nourishment that in intake of food much in excess of one’s ability to digest & metabolize. Therefore, patients of asthma should generally be serve periodic fasts. Instead of a heavy meal, the patient should take very light meals. Particularly very light food at night or even avoid taking any food at all.
Asthma patient should fast for three to five days on lemon juice with honey. During this period the bowels should be cleaned daily with warm water enema. After the fast the patient may resort to an all fruit diet for a further 5 to 7 days to nourish the system and eliminate the toxins. Therefore, other foods may be gradually added to diet. Further short fasts and period on all fruit diet may be required in certain cases at intervals of 2 or months depending upon the progress being made.
II. Wheat Grass Juice Therapy:Wheat grass juice is considered beneficial in treatment of asthma. By furnishing body with minerals, vitamins, & chlorophyll. An exclusive diet of wheat grass juice is mentioned in separate chapter please refer it.
III. Diet-Cure Chart for Asthma:Adopt a well balanced diet as given below after fasting Therapy. A vegetarian diet is best for asthma.
A) UPON ARISING (6am): Juice of one lemon with 2 teaspoons of honey and a teaspoon ginger juice in a glass of warm water.
B) BREAKFAST (8am): Carrot juice or any seasonal fruit juice. In carrot juice of ginger, mint, tomatoes, beets can be added to make a delicious & nutritions drink. A handful of germinated gram & wheat bread & dried fruit.
C) LUNCH (10-11 am): Being with salad (raw vegetable such as cucumber, lettuce, tomato, carrot, beet) mixed with pepper & lemon juice. After eating salad, eat vegetable soup or a bowl of boiled vegetables, 2 table spoons sprouted grain with whole wheat bread or chappatis.
D) MID AFTERNOON (4 pm): Fresh fruits, or salted biscuits.
E) DINNER (7 pm): Any seasonal fruits and sprouted grains one bowl.
F) BED TIME (9-10 pm): 1 teaspoon powder of haritaki or har given bed times along with one fourth quantity of rock salt every month. This will enable the body to build up its resistance & strengthen the vital organs to carry out its function in the normal way.
Avoid: Rice, Sugar, Curd, Yoghurt, Ripe banana, Cold Drinks, Ice Cream & Sour fruit & its juice, meat of any type for a period of 3 months, fried food, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic, beverages, condiments, pickle sauces & all refined and processed foods. Initially milk & milk products should be totally avoided. Avoid taking water with meals. He should not eat very hot very cold, very spicy, very bland, very pungent, very sweet, very scar & very bitter. Avoid food which is known to be allergic. Avoid Elephant foot (Suran) potatoes.
Highly Beneficial Foods: Baked food, Honey, Vitamin B6, Aniseed (Saunf), Wing, Ajwan, Laun Garlic, Ginger, Holy Basil (Tulsi), Black Pepper, Turmeric, Amla, Jung Elyaz, Anjeer (Fig), Grape, Orange, Chauli Ka Saag, Karela, Pudina (Min Spinach (Palak), Almond, Til (Sesame), Jawar & Bajre cow & goat milk.
IV. Selective Home Remedies:
1. Turmeric: 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with 2 tsp. of honey twice daily on an empty stomach or 1 tsp. with a cup of warm milk twice a day.
2. Amaranth: Drink fresh juice of chaulai Ka saag with honey.
3. Bitter Gourd (Karela): A teaspoon of root paste mixed with small amount of honey or tulsi leaf juice, given on every night for month.
4. Garlic: 3 cloves of garlic boiled in milk, can be used every night.
5. Ginger: Teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with a cup full fenugreets (Methi) decoction & honey.
6. Spinach (Palak): Infusion of fresh leave of spinach prepared with 2 tsp. of methi seeds mixed with honey. It should be taken in doses of 30ml 3 times daily.
7. Tomato: A glassful of fresh tomato juice mixed with honey, a pinch of powdered cardamon (Chhoti Elaichi) seeds, taken after swallowing 3 peeled cloves of garlic every night before going to bed.
8. Sesame (Til): An infusion of sesame seed, mixed with a teaspoon of linseed (Alsi), a pinch of common salt & teaspoon honey, should be given once at night.
9. Clove (Laung): Chewing a burnt clove or 3 to 5 drops of clove oil mixed with honey & clove of garlic before going to bed.
10. Tulsi: A decoction of leaves with honey and ginger.
11. Linseed (Alsi): Linseed emulsion or tea can be made by heating a teaspoon of the powdered seeds in about 360ml of water. The liquid is reduced to half its quantity by boiling & sweetened with sugar.
Note: Do not use any home remedies continuously. At least keep a gap of 10 days then again restart same.
V. Hydro-Therapy for Asthma:
A. Enema,
B. Hot Fermentation to back
C. Chest Pack
D. Steam Inhalation
E. Sponge Bath for fever
F. Hot Food & Arm Bath
G. Hot & Cold lung compress.
VI. Mudra Therapy for Asthma:This mudra can be made by entangling the finger among themselves & keeping either of the thumbs erect. Practice of this mudra increase heat in our body. So it is benefit to practice in winter & any time of the day but as only as when required. It should not practice for a longer time as this generates heat in the body. It destroys cough and chronic cold.
VI. Auto suggestion for Asthma:
1. Every day in every way I am getting better and better.
2. It is safe now for me to take charge of my own life. Choose to be free.
Repeat these affirmations as many times as you can. Especially early morning when you get up and while going to bed.
Yogic diet plan for asthma and Lung disease patients:
One or two chapaties having brawn and leafy vegetable. boiled vegetables and salad should form the meal. Take lime warm water with honey. Soaked raisins, tea of cardamom, ginger&pepper , tulasi leaves and may also replace tea etc.
Yoga asanas to overcome asthma and lung diseases:
Yoga asanas like Suptavajrasana, Ushtrasana, Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Makarasna, Jalneti, effectiveSutraneti & Kunjal useful in this condition, regular practice of this asanas will give permanent cure. Pranayamas like kapalbhati& bhastrika are also beneficial in the treatment of asthma and lung diseases.
Abdominal breathing, Bow pose, Corpse pose, Fish head stand, Locusts, Lotus, Mountain, Shoulderstand, This asanas and pranayam are useful to overcome Asthma.
It is better you practice yoga asanas with an expert yoga instructor. Before doing any yoga practices please consult your personal doctor first.
Mudra For Asthma
Aakash-vardhak
Prithvi-shaamak
Mudras are also a part of Ayurvedic treatment for asthma. It is very effective and easy to practice anyone can practice it anytime. 45 minutes of regular practice is enough to get good results. To know more about these mudras click on the links.
Juice fasting for Asthma
Juices of Apricot, Lemon, Pineapple, Peach, Carrot, Radish and Celery are the useful in the treatment of Asthma.
Apricot Juice for Asthma
Lemon Juice for Asthma
Pineapple Juice for Asthma
Peach Juice for Asthma
Carrot Juice for Asthma
Radish for Asthma
Celery Juice for Asthma
If you are in a juice fasting, then you have to take these juices in every three hours.You may take juices five to six times a day. 300 ml of water with 30 grams of honey may be taken the first thing in the morning on arising. After that, the prescribed juice may be taken at three-hourly intervals. The quantity of juice on each time should be 300 ml, and you can increase it to 600 ml gradually. The juice fasting may continue up to forty days without any ill-effects. You should take adequate rest during the raw juice fasting.
