Asthma is a chronic illness which mainly affects your lungs and makes breathing hard. If you have asthma, you might feel tightness in your chest, a wheezy or dry cough, feel short of breath, or trouble speaking during an asthma attack. These symptoms can come and go, or stay for long periods based on how your body responds to dust, pollution, stress or weather changes.
Modern medicine treats asthma with inhalers and steroids but these only control the symptoms temporarily. If you want an organic method to control your asthma, Ayurvedic treatment for asthma could be your solution.
In Ayurveda, asthma is called ‘Tamaka Shwasa’. It's not just considered a lung issue but an imbalance in all your three doshas, i.e., Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These 3 energies control your body. Whenever they get out of balance because of improper food, poor lifestyle or pollution, asthma symptoms begin. This can happen to adults as well as children, also known as child asthma.
Asthma Treatment in Ayurveda seeks to balance these disturbed doshas. This is accomplished by using natural herbs, detox therapies like Panchakarma, certain breathing exercises and lifestyle modifications.
If you have asthma, you might have noticed that your symptoms may not necessarily be the same as other people. That is because asthma affects individuals differently. Some people might cough once in a while and others may experience breathlessness throughout their day. Let us understand the kinds of Asthma to help you choose the right Ayurvedic treatment for asthma.
Intermittent Asthma: This kind of asthma comes and goes. You might have no symptoms for days or maybe weeks but then you might start coughing or feeling breathless due to something like cool air or dust. If your symptoms aren't regular but still affect you, Asthma treatment in Ayurveda can help improve your lung capacity and reduce such flare-ups.
Persistent Asthma: If you suffer from this kind of asthma, your symptoms follow you a lot more frequently. You might feel tightness in the chest, wheezing, or perhaps shortness of breath almost daily. For this type, doctors generally suggest a more regular system of Ayurvedic medicine for asthma, organic teas and detox therapies to handle it naturally.
Allergic Asthma: If pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander trigger your symptoms, you might have Allergic asthma. In Ayurveda, this is linked to Kapha imbalance, leading to excessive mucus. Herbs like Tulsi, Vasaka and Pippali can help with allergic reactions and better breathing.
Non-Allergic Asthma: Sometimes stress, strong smells, pollution, and changing weather can cause an asthma attack. Ayurveda calms your mind and balances your doshas via balanced diet, yoga and herbal support.
Exercise-Induced Asthma: If your Asthma symptoms show up after physical exercise, it might be due to weak lungs or cold air affecting your system. Breathing methods and gentle strengthening herbs are part of Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma here.
Occupational Asthma: This happens if you are employed in a location where you come in contact with chemicals, dirt, or gases. For this kind, detox treatments and immune boosting herbs are particularly beneficial.
Asthma does not happen overnight. It often builds up due to your habits, certain health conditions, or things around you that cause irritation in your lungs. Each person is unique, but many of the root causes are similar, and identifying them helps you control your asthma with personalised Ayurvedic treatment for asthma.
The most common causes of asthma are outlined below :
Family history: If someone in your family has asthma, allergies or breathing issues, you might be more likely to have it too.
Allergies: You may react to dust, pollen, mold, pet hair (dander) or some foods. These allergic reactions may cause asthma attacks.
Air pollution: Smoke coming from factories, cars or burning trash can harm your lungs and result in asthma symptoms if you live in a crowded city.
Weather changes: Sudden changes in weather, especially with cold or humid air, can make your airways tighten and make you breathless.
Respiratory infections: Frequent colds, coughs or infection including bronchitis can weaken your lungs and result in asthma in the long run.
Smoking or second hand smoke: If you smoke or somebody close to you smokes, tobacco smoke is one of the leading reasons for asthma.
Chemical exposures: If you work near chemicals or cleaning agents that are strong or dusty (such as flour or wood), it can irritate your airways.
Stress and anxiety: Mental stress affects your breathing and can worsen asthma symptoms as well.
By treating the root cause and not just the symptoms, you get long-term relief from asthma and stronger lungs.
For different people, asthma may appear in different ways. You may not always get all the symptoms at once, and sometimes they may come and go. But noticing these early signs may help you to start your Ayurvedic treatment for asthma before it gets worse.
The most common symptoms of asthma include :
Tightness in chest: You might feel like something is pressing on your chest, especially in cold weather or after exercise.
Shortness of breath: You may have trouble breathing deeply, going up or down the stairs, and speaking for long without gasping for air.
Coughing: A wheezy or dry cough, typically at early morning or night, is another common symptom of asthma. It may worsen after exercise or if you go to dusty places.
Wheezing: This is basically a whistling or squeaky sound that you breathe out. It usually happens when your airways are blocked or tight.
Fatigue or tiredness: Because your lungs aren't receiving enough air, you may feel tired very easily without having done much.
Sleeping problems: Asthma symptoms like coughing or breathlessness could keep you awake throughout the night and keep you from getting adequate rest.
Increased mucus: You may experience more phlegm in your throat or chest if your asthma is related to a Kapha imbalance.
Most people find that with the proper Ayurvedic medicines for asthma, their breathing, sleeping and fatigue generally improves significantly with time.
Jiva Ayurveda offers a holistic approach for Ayurvedic treatment of Asthma. The treatment plans are customised in a way to target the root cause of Asthma, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on complete and natural healing, balance and stability.
HACCP Certified Ayurvedic Medicines: Safe & HACCP certified herbal formulas to cleanse your system, heal & keep your mind balanced.
Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness: Simple practices to relax, lower stress, and also improve your physical and psychological health.
Personalised Ayurvedic Therapies: Conventional treatments like Panchakarma, warm oil massages and detox therapies to flush toxins and bring your body back to balance.
Personalised Diet & Lifestyle Tips: Expert advice on what you should eat and how to live daily to develop better strength, be in good health and stay away from future health issues.
If you are tired of inhalers and want a natural way to manage your asthma, Ayurveda has time-tested herbs and cures to strengthen your lungs and prevent asthma attacks. Asthma treatment in Ayurveda aims not only at preventing the symptoms for now but also to improve your entire body for treating the root cause.
These Ayurvedic medicines for asthma help to open up your airways, reduce inflammation, clear mucus and balance your doshas. Let us now consider the best herbs used for Asthma treatment in Ayurveda.
Vasaka (Adulsa / Adhatoda Vasica): Strong bronchodilator to clear lungs & reduce coughing. Helpful for persistent bronchitis / phlegmy asthma.
Tulsi (Holy Basil): Known to improve lung immunity and clear congestion. Also decreases allergic reactions.
Liquorice (Mulethi / Yashtimadhu): Soothes your throat and also decreases inflammation in your airways. Ideal for dry cough and irritation.
Pippali (Long Pepper): Works as a natural expectorant. Helps clear mucus and also improves lung function as time passes.
Cardamom: Light and aromatic, cardamom opens up your lungs and also removes blockages in the chest.
Cinnamon: A warming spice which controls Kapha and eases chest tightness and inflammation.
Honey: It's a natural cough cure which works best when taken with hot water or other herbs to alleviate symptoms and calm the throat.
Ginger: Contains anti-inflammatory properties and aids in clearing airways. Helpful for dry and wet cough both.
Honey, Cloves and Banana: Soak 7-8 cloves in a banana overnight. Eat it in the morning and drink warm water with honey after an hour. Good for chronic bronchial asthma.
Kantakari (Nightshade/Yellow-berried Nightshade): Juice made from the whole plant or its fruits, twice a day eases asthma symptoms and clears phlegm.
Herbal Tea Mix: Take Ajwain, tulsi, pepper & ginger and boil in water to make a herbal tea. It acts as an expectorant herbal mix and is easy to make at home.
Adulsa (Malabar Nut Tree): Believed to cure asthma and coughs. Helps with wet and dry asthma both.
Curcumin (from Turmeric): The active component in turmeric (curcumin) combats inflammation and reduces the intensity of asthma attacks.
Black Raisin Paste: Equal parts black raisin, dates, Pippali and honey mix. Take 1 teaspoon of this paste with warm milk each morning and evening to improve your breathing.
Mustard Oil: Take some warm brown mustard oil and massage it onto your chest. It helps during an asthma attack by allowing increased airflow and reducing tightness.
These herbs and remedies are considered effective for Asthma Treatment in Ayurveda. They can reduce your dependence on chemical inhalers when used regularly and under supervision of an Ayurvedic doctor.
1. Can asthma be cured entirely?
Many people believe that asthma can not be treated completely. However, with proper care and a long-term strategy, you can lower your risk of asthma attacks and ease symptoms. Ayurvedic Treatment for asthma focuses on the root cause and helps build lung strength with time.
2. How do you quickly relieve asthma symptoms?
For natural and quick assistance, warm herbal teas (Tulsi, ajwain), ginger, mustard oil massage and steam inhalation can ease your symptoms. But when symptoms are serious, always see an Ayurvedic doctor. Ayurveda offers gradual relief with long lasting results.
3. Which treatment is best for asthma, Ayurvedic or Allopathic?
Both have their own advantages. Allopathic medications provide instant relief during an asthma attack whereas asthma treatment in Ayurveda targets long-term control and prevention of future attacks. To treat the root cause and lower inhaler dependency, Ayurveda might be a better alternative.
4. What is the best asthma treatment?
In Ayurveda, the best asthma treatment is done via Panchakarma therapies, dosha-based herbs and lifestyle corrections. These do not provide instant relief but build your body more stronger and more resistant to asthma triggers.
5. Is Ayurveda better compared to Allopathy for asthma?
It completely depends upon what you want. Allopathy treats the signs and symptoms quickly, but Ayurveda treats asthma naturally from the inside out. For fewer unwanted side effects and more holistic care, Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma might be the better long-term choice.
6. How is asthma diagnosed in Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, your asthma is diagnosed as per your prakriti (body type), symptoms, dosha imbalance, triggers and lifestyle. An Ayurvedic expert might examine your heartbeat, tongue, breathing pattern and digestion before treatment. This helps them offer a customised approach as per your body’s specific needs.
7. Can Ayurveda prevent asthma attacks?
Yes, Ayurveda can prevent asthma attacks by strengthening your lung muscles, clearing mucus and balancing your doshas. Herbs like Tulsi, Vasaka and Pippali, when used regularly with detox therapies can lessen the frequency of attacks and reduce sensitivity to triggers.
8. What are some early warning signs of asthma?
Some early signs of asthma include feeling breathless, a wheezy cough at night or feeling tightness in your chest after climbing stairs or in winter. Timely Ayurvedic treatment of asthma could prevent symptoms from getting worse with time.
9. Can children take Ayurvedic medicine for asthma?
Yes, kids can also take Ayurvedic medicines for asthma, but only if recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. The dosage and herbs used are adjusted for their age and body type. Ayurvedic care for children usually involves mild herbs, dietary changes and simple breathing techniques.
10. How does Ayurveda look at asthma triggers?
Ayurveda considers asthma triggers to be factors that disturb your doshas. Cold weather increases Vata, pollution increases Pitta and dampness increases Kapha. Identifying the dosha that is affected in your case helps Ayurveda avoid the right triggers and live comfortably.
11. Is digestion connected with asthma in Ayurveda?
Yes, Ayurveda believes that poor digestion produces toxins (ama) that block your body’s channels including the lungs. This causes breathing problems. That's why one component of Asthma treatment in Ayurveda is correcting digestion with light food and warm water along with spices like ginger and cumin.
12. Can stress worsen asthma?
Yes. Stress and anxiety can tighten your chest and make breathing harder. Dosha balance is associated with mental peace in Ayurveda. Meditation, pranayama and calming herbs such as Brahmi or Ashwagandha are common asthma care practices to help you relax.
