How to Get Rid of Asthma Naturally?

Meaning- When air travels in the respiratory tract in opposite direction in vitiated form then it grasps neck and head causes cough and cold. Due to the aggravation of Vata dosha there occurs disturbances in vocal cords.

Ref. Charak Samhita, Shloka no. 55 and 56

Bronchial asthma is a respiratory disease which is described as chronic inflammation of the airways which is reversible. In this disease, there are recurrent episodes of the wheezing, cough, chest congestion and breathless, typically on early morning or at night. All these symptoms appear when the body responds to a particular allergen or trigger, for example, emotional stress, cold air, allergens present in the air (Pollen), dust, fumes, smoke, and heavy physical exercise. If these acute asthmatic attacks are not monitored and controlled timely it can result in severe breathlessness, leaving a patient for gasping.

Asthma is known as ‘Svasa roga’ in Sanskrit where svasa stands for ‘breathing in and out’ and roga for ‘disease’. In ancient literature of Ayurveda, i.e. Charak Samhita there is written about 5 types of asthma. They are, urdhva svasa, maha svasa, tamaka svasa, chinna svasa and ksudra svasa.

According to Ayurveda asthma is caused due to increased Kapha Dosha. It increases in the stomach and then moves to the bronchi, trachea, and lungs. This increased dosha hinders the flow of air, blocking the normal respiration process. Due to this blockage there occurs spasm in the bronchial tree causing breathlessness and wheezing.

Kapha dosha is one of the three humors, i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Dosha. These three doshas are responsible for the maintenance of normal bodily functions. When there is any disturbance in the balance of any of the doshas, it is expressed through various signs and symptoms. Hence Ayurvedic treatment for any disease focuses on the balancing of it. doshas.

Similarly, Ayurvedic treatment for asthma is also based on balancing Kapha dosha by using herbs, herbal remedies and some natural therapies. There are various reasons due to which this Kapha dosha aggravates and results in asthma-like

• Imbalance in metabolism, either too fast or too slow
• Dryness inside the body
• Doing exercise beyond capacity
• Intake of an improper combination of foods
• Unhealthy foods
• Intake of either too much food or too less food
• Dense foods
• Drinking milk without boiling
• Curd
• Specific kind of meats

Also, besides all this, the origin of all the diseases start from the mind when there is some kind of disturbance of mental peace and tranquility due to some emotional disturbances.

What Herbs Can Be Taken to Manage and Treat Asthma?

1. Ginger

It is packed up with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which relieve the inflammation of the bronchial tree and prevents wheezing and cough.  It can be taken by boiling it in the tea or mix ginger tea with 1-2 cloves of garlic in the crushed form. This combination will help to loosen the mucus deposited in the airways and eliminate it.

2. Ginger with Turmeric Powder

Add a half teaspoon of turmeric to one cup of ginger tea, this will help to relieve inflammation and eases the symptoms. Or you can also add some grated ginger and some turmeric powder in a glass of water and have it after boiling. This also works effectively in asthma.

3. Cinnamon

You can also take a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and boil it. Let it cool for 10 minutes and add one teaspoon of honey. Have it, as it will help to clear the airways and eases the breathing.

4. Mulethi

It is full of anti-inflammatory properties and helps relieve symptoms of asthma. You can take it by boiling in the tea, add some ginger too. It will help to manage the symptoms of asthma.

5. Aloe Vera

It possesses anti-inflammatory properties, hence used for the treatment of asthma. This natural herb also consists of cleansing properties which prevent the building up of the mucus in the airways.

6. Bay Leaf

Chronic asthma can be relieved by taking half a teaspoon of bay leaf. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and take it for 2-3 times daily.

7. Talispatra

Its leaves are used since ancient times to treat various health ailments and when taken in the form of decoction, helps to relieve symptoms of asthma.

8. Amla

This fruit is full of medicinal properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc. These help to combat asthma and its troubling symptoms.

What Are the Benefits of Yoga and Meditation in Asthma?

Asthma can also be managed and relieved with the help of Yoga as well as Meditation. Yoga helps to increase the strength, capacity, and flexibility of the respiratory tract. It has been found through the studies that yoga decreases the instances of asthma and improves overall health condition. Secondly, meditation has been proved to be for maintaining mental health and psyche. As we discussed above, mental stress is the underlying cause behind asthma, hence if stress is removed and mental health is maintained by doing meditation, ultimately asthma will be relieved.

Both meditation and yoga are to be done only after learning them from an expert. As if done in the wrong ways, can have bad effects on health. So, do it in the right way.