Bronchial Asthma Treatment in Ayurveda: Causes, Types & Remedies

Bronchial Asthma: An Ayurvedic and Modern Perspective

Introduction
Bronchial asthma, known as Shwasa Roga in Ayurveda, is a chronic yet episodic respiratory disorder. It causes difficulty in breathing, especially during exhalation, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening.

Causes According to Modern Medicine:

• Disruption in the Respiratory Center: Imbalance in the brain’s respiratory control center.

• Obstruction in the Bronchial Tubes: Narrowing of the airways causes breathing difficulties.

• Impaired Respiratory Muscles: Fatigue or weakness in muscles assisting respiration.

Causes According to Ayurveda:

Shwasa Roga primarily arises due to the aggravation of Vata and Kapha doshas. These doshas obstruct the air passages, making breathing difficult.

Causes that Aggravate Vata Dosha:

• Exposure to smoke

• Excessive exercise

• Living in cold places

• Fasting, physical weakness

• Irregular meals, dry and rough food

Causes that Aggravate Kapha Dosha:

• Sleeping during the day

• Bathing with cold water

• Heavy foods like curd, sesame, meat, aquatic meat

• Excessive intake of oily and heavy substances

Other Contributing Factors:

• Injury to chest or throat

• Infections like TB, cough, fever, cold

• Other gastrointestinal, liver, or cardiac diseases

Pathogenesis of Asthma (According to Ayurveda):

When Kapha combines with Vata and blocks the Pranavaha Srotas (respiratory channels), breathing becomes difficult. Poor digestion leads to the formation of Ama (toxins), worsening the condition.

Step-by-Step Development:

1. Increase in Kapha

2. Weak digestion (Agnimandya)

3. Formation of Ama (toxins)

4. Blockage in the channels (Srotas)

5. Aggravation of Vata

6. Obstruction in pathways

7. Misdirected flow of air

8. Breathlessness

9. Bronchial Asthma

Types of Shwasa Roga (As per Charaka Samhita):

1. Maha Shwasa – Severe Vata dominant, life-threatening

2. Urdhva Shwasa – Breath gets trapped upward

3. Chhinna Shwasa – Interrupted or broken breathing

4. Tamak Shwasa – Kapha dominant (main form of asthma)

5. Shudra Shwasa – Mild breathlessness due to weakness

Among these, Tamak Shwasa is the most common form.

Symptoms of Tamak Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma):

• Recurrent coughing

• Relief after expelling phlegm

• Throat irritation, difficulty speaking

• Symptoms worsen while lying down, improve when sitting

• Warm beverages like tea/coffee provide relief

• Symptoms aggravate in cold weather, rainy season, and early mornings

• Sweating, dry face, bulging eyes

Special Types:

• Pratamak Shwasa – Infection-associated asthma

• Santamak Shwasa – Tropical asthma (related to eosinophilia)

Ayurvedic Treatment:

• Avoiding the Root Causes: Correct diet and lifestyle habits.

• Snehana & Swedana: Oil massage and steam therapy to liquefy Kapha.

• Vamana Therapy: Induced emesis to expel Kapha (e.g., Kunjal Kriya)

Home Remedies:

• Mixture of Pippali (long pepper), Amla (Indian gooseberry), and Dry Ginger, taken with honey.

• Dhoomapana (Herbal Smoke Therapy) using Ayurvedic herbs.

Herbal Medicines:

• Shwasa Kas Chintamani Ras, Abhrak Bhasma, Vasarishta, Kanakasava, Chyawanprash

Pranayama:

• Regular breathing exercises to strengthen the respiratory system.

Modern Medical Treatment:

Use of inhalers, bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics is common, providing instant relief. However, long-term dependency may have adverse effects.

Conclusion:

Asthma is a serious yet manageable disorder. If the root causes are identified in time and Ayurvedic lifestyle is followed, it can be effectively controlled. Natural remedies, regular pranayama, and a balanced diet form the core of asthma prevention and treatment.