Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Ayurvedic Management of Bronchial Asthma with Home Remedies

Abstract

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory disorders in recent times. It is also one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in children. The advancement in technology and research techniques, the diagnosis of asthma is easier than in the past. Modern medicinal science manages the condition of asthma through various corticosteroids, etc. The ayurvedic approach of managing asthma is unique and uses medicinal herbs to improve the respiratory health of the individual. The condition of bronchial asthma along with its symptoms and management according to Ayurveda will be discussed in the following article.

Bronchial Asthma

Introduction

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that causes inflammation in the airways for a prolonged period of time and presents various symptoms. The air pathways become narrower and are observed to be filled with mucus. Bronchial asthma is a chronic, intermittent, inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by episodes of wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and chest tightness. It is usually reversible but can be severe or even fatal in some cases. This will lead to the obstruction in the normal pathway of air and will lead to the presentation of various respiratory and systemic difficulties. There can be various causes or factors that may trigger the attack of asthma which will be discussed as follows.

Causes of Bronchial Asthma

The exact cause underlying the condition of bronchial asthma is not known yet. There could be various factors that may trigger the asthma attack. Usually, environmental and genetic factors are responsible for the attack of asthma. Some of the most common trigger factors are anxiety, stress, perfumes or strong smells, extreme weather conditions (extreme hot, extreme cold, etc.), strenuous physical activity, pollutants, chemicals, etc. The exposure to these factors may lead to the asthmatic attack and lead to the presentation of various symptoms which will be described as follows.

Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma

The symptoms of bronchial asthma differ from patient to patient. The common symptoms that may be seen are cough, wheezing, breathlessness, pain in chest, tightness in chest, trouble or difficulty in sleeping due to breathlessness, whistling sound in the chest while breathing. These symptoms may worsen over time if not treated properly. The modern and ayurvedic management will be described in the following content as follows.

Treatment of Bronchial Asthma As Per The Modern Science Perspective

The management of bronchial asthma will depend on the symptoms faced by the patient as well as the state of the body. The usual line of treatment of bronchial asthma includes different types of medicines such as inhalation of steroids, administration of bronchodilators, corticosteroids, anticholinergics and oxygen therapy etc. The patient is advised to practice some precautionary measures such as avoidance of the aggravating factors, avoid strenuous activity, practice breathing exercises, drink plenty of fluids, etc.

Treatment of Bronchial Asthma As Per The Perspective of Ayurveda

In the ayurvedic perspective, the balance between the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) is known to establish the health of the body, and any imbalance in the levels of these doshas will result in depletion of health. In the ayurvedic literature, bronchial asthma can be correlated with tamak shwas. The tamak shwas is caused mainly due to the aggravation of kapha dosha. The aggravation of kapha dosha leads to the obstruction of the air channels and blocks the normal flow of air. This leads to spasms in the bronchial tree and gets accumulated in the respiratory tract, choking the natural flow of air resulting in asthma and wheezing. The condition of bronchial asthma is considered a vata kaphaja disease and the main aim of the management is to remove the excessive mucus and inflammation. The treatment protocol will include panchakarma procedures along with the administration of ayurvedic herbal medicines. The panchkarma will include swedana karma (sudation), vamana karma (therapeutic emesis), Virechana karma (therapeutic purgation), etc. There are a variety of herbs useful in managing the condition of bronchial asthma such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, licorice, pippali, etc. There are numerous home remedies that can help to manage the condition of bronchial asthma which will be described as follows.

Home Remedies For Bronchial Asthma

  1. Ginger – Half a cup of ginger tea mixed with 2-3 crushed garlic cloves can be taken to reduce the inflammation and mucus accumulation in the airways. Ginger helps in managing the inflammation of the mucosal lining of the respiratory tract, hence improves the condition of bronchial asthma.
  2. Cinnamon – Mix one teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon trikatu into a cup of boiling water and drink it twice a day. Cinnamon helps in decreasing inflammation and loosening the mucus of the bronchial tree and thus helps in managing asthma.
  3. Licorice – Add half a teaspoon of licorice and half teaspoon of ginger to prepare a herbal tea which is very good for improving asthma. Licorice has anti – inflammatory and mucolytic properties that help in restoring the normal breathing in the patients suffering from bronchial asthma.
  4. Pippali – Pippali powder can be consumed along with honey regularly to prevent recurrent attacks. Pipali shows effective improvement in health of the patients suffering from bronchial asthma as it contains anti inflammatory properties.
  5. Turmeric – Turmeric helps to prevent asthma attacks and keeps allergies at the bay. It is a natural component that helps to boost the immune system of the body and makes it more resistant to various types of allergies. It contains natural anti-inflammatory properties It helps to reduce the inflammation caused by allergens. It is helpful in managing the condition of bronchial asthma.

Ayurvedic Formulations Useful in Bronchial Asthma

There are various ayurvedic formulations that are known to improve the health of the respiratory system of the body. The ayurvedic preparations useful in the condition of bronchial asthma (tamak shwas) are Vasavaleha, Kantakari Avaleha, Vyaghriharitaki, Kanakasava, Talisadi churna, Sitopaladi churna, Shwas kuthar ras, mahalakshmi vilas ras, etc.

Conclusion

The principles of Ayurveda emphasise on removing the disease right from the roots and not merely suppressing the symptoms. This can be done using ayurvedic preparations and following a healthy diet and lifestyle. Bronchial asthma can be managed effectively through ayurvedic remedies and formulations. For more detail of our products check out our website www.PlanetAyurveda.com and for queries you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.

Thyroid Disorders and Its Herbal Management

Abstract

In today’s world, there are many disorders from which human kind is suffering. So this is the need of the hour, to get active about our physical and mental health. One of the trending disorders these days is thyroid related. It can be hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Both are troublesome. Thus it becomes important to set the levels of the thyroid hormone in limits. There is allopathic and ayurvedic management for the same. We shall discuss it in some detail.

Thyroid Disorders

Introduction

In the human body, there are many metabolic activities going on every second. So this needs to be maintained.  God has manufactured the human body with so much complexity. There are certain organs or glands that release or secrete hormones that are required for the well being of a person. One of them is thyroid gland, which secretes T3, T4, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which are essential for normal body function. It has a certain limit for its normal secretion level. Above and below the normal value will cause some symptoms which hinders the overall functions of the human body. Thus it becomes important to keep these values in normal range. Let’s discuss!!

How can Thyroid be related to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, doshas are the primary causes of health and disease. According to ayurveda, proper balance of vata, pitta and kapha results in a healthy mind, body and soul and imbalance or instability will result in some disease. Usually thyroid gland is related to Avtu/Chullika granthi which weighs around 20-30 grams. T3, which is known as Triiodothyronine which controls metabolism. T4, known as Thyroxine, responsible for body temperature, metabolism and mood.

All hormonal secretions are related to pitta. Ayurveda correlation about thyroid disorders can be made with kapha vitiation and pitta vitiation. As vitiated kapha blocks micro channels thus blockage leads to vata and pitta hindrance, which results in some disorder. This can be related with hypothyroidism. In another case, that is hyperthyroidism, pitta dosha dominates, which leads to over secretion of hormones, thus causing fast metabolism.

Normal Functions of Thyroid Hormones

  • It is required for growth.
  • It regulates metabolism at a regular pace.
  • It regulates enzyme synthesis and catabolism of the same.
  • It regulates blood sugar levels by affecting the liver.
  • Hormone thyroxine stimulates protein synthesis and catabolism.
  • Hormone thyroxine excrete excessive calcium by urine.
  • It regulates the normal rhythm of the heart.
  • In infants, it is required for proper growth of the nervous system.
  • It is needed in proper growth and ossification of the bone.
  • It is required for a proper menstrual cycle in women.

Hyperthyroidism

Increased secretion of the thyroid hormones leads to hyperthyroidism. It is five times more found in females. It affects all the systems in the body. It manifests itself with a number of symptoms. Grave’s disease, goitre and thyroiditis are some basic reasons for hyperthyroidism. There are some medications that result in hyperthyroidism too.
In ayurveda, pitta dosha imbalance can cause hyperthyroidism. Increased pitta dosha leads to increased digestive fire. That further increases metabolism (dhatu agni and bhutagni are increased). Increased agni leads to dhatu paka at a fast rate, which ultimately results in emaciation. It leads to weight loss but digestive fire remains unchanged or increased.

Signs & Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

  • Nodular goitre
  • Weight loss despite normal/increased appetite
  • Excessive defecation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Exophthalmos
  • Foreign body sensation in eyes
  • Thirst
  • Palpitations and sinus tachycardia
  • Increased pulse pressure
  • Ankle edema (without cardiac condition)
  • Angina
  • Dyspnoea on exertion
  • Dyspnea, irritability, emotional conflicts
  • Psychosis , anxiety
  • Heat intolerance, sweating
  • Lid lag
  • Fatigue
  • Osteoporosis
  • Apathy
  • Loss of libido, impotence
  • Excessive lacrimation
  • Muscle weakness
  • Pruritus
  • Alopecia
  • Gynaecomastia
  • Infertility, spontaneous abortion
  • Amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhoea

Investigation

  • Thyroid function test, T3 and T4 are both elevated but T4 is in the upper part of the normal range and T3 is raised in 5%.
  • Isotope scanning.
  • ECG demonstrated sinus tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.
  • Serum alanine aminotransferase, y-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase from liver and bone are raised.
  • Raised bilirubin.
  • Mild hypocalcemia.
  • Glycosuria.

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

In the modern system of medicine, Thionamides are used like Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil. Beta blockers are used. Radioactive iodine is used. Thyroidectomy is considered in some cases.

Herbal Management

There are herbs that can be used in hyperthyroid conditions. Shankhpushpi helps in alleviating  symptoms. Amalaki is effective in controlling both t3 and t4 levels. Shirish is helpful in maintaining levels of T3 and T4. Fenugreek acts as a miracle and particularly in balancing T3 levels.

Hyperthyroid Care Pack by Planet Ayurveda

Planet ayurveda is a GMP certified herbal manufacturing unit which provides lots of herbal formulations for numerous health disorders. For hyperthyroidism they  provide hyperthyroid care pack which  includes following herbal formulations:

  1. Immune Booster
  2. Weight Gain Formula
  3. Shatavari Capsules

hyperthyroid-care-pack

Product’s Description

1. Immune Booster

As the name suggests, it helps in elevating immunity that is required to fight infections, moreover it has herbs which provide many health benefits. It has Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri) and bovine colostrum. All the ingredients help in maintaining good health. Amalaki is used in various disorders but also maintains T3 and T4 levels. Bhumi amla is great for the liver thus maintaining digestion. Bovine colostrum is rich in nutrients. Draksha pacifies pitta dosha thus helpful in hyperthyroidism. Hence immune booster is helpful in curing hyperthyroidism.

Dosage :2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

2. Weight Gain Formula

Prepared with many weight gaining herbs, this formula is going to help in gaining weight who are looking to look fit into some bigger sizes and are not achieving the weight goals. The weight gain formula has Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Triphala, Pippali (Piper longum) etc. All the ingredients are tridosha balancing. Hence helpful in promoting well being. Also helps in weight gaining.

Dosage : 2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

3. Shatavari Capsules

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is useful in brain issues like memory related problems. It relaxes the mind. It is beneficial in reproduction related issues. It has good results in infertility problems. It is also useful in oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. Thus it is helpful in providing relief in symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Dosage :  2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

So we have seen how Hyperthyroid care pack is helpful in curing hyperthyroidism. Thus prolonged use of the same can totally terminate the hyperthyroid condition.

Hypothyroidism

Improper functioning of the thyroid gland leads to hypothyroidism. The vast majority of cases of hypothyroidism are due to an intrinsic disorder of the thyroid gland (primary hypothyroidism). T4 levels decrease from the normal limit. And TSH levels are raised in this condition. Women are affected approximately sex times more than men.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

  • Autoimmune Cause – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Spontaneous atrophic hypothyroidism.
  • Iatrogenic – Radioactive iodine ablation, thyroidectomy.
  • Drugs – carbimazole, methimazole, propylthiouracil Amiodarone Lithium.
  • Transient thyroiditis – subacute thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis.
  • Iodine deficiency – in mountainous regions.
  • Congenital – dyshormonogenesis, thyroid aplasia.
  • Infiltrative – amyloidosis, riedel’s thyroiditis, sarcoidosis etc

It can lead to Cretinism (infants) and Myxoedema (in adults).

Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

  • Weight Gain
  • Cold intolerance
  • Fatigue, somnolence
  • Dry skin
  • Dry Hair
  • Menorrhagia
  • Constipation
  • Hoarse voice
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Alopecia
  • Aches and pains
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Deafness
  • Depression
  • Infertility
  • Periorbital edema/myxedema
  • Anaemia
  • Bradycardia
  • Myxedema madness
  • Galactorrhea
  • Impotence etc

Investigations

  • Serum T4 is low and TSH is elevated.
  • Serum enzymes raise creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
  • Hypercholesterolaemia
  • Anaemia (normocytic or  macrocytic)
  • Hyponatremia
  • ECG shows sinus bradycardia with low voltage complexes and ST segment and T wave abnormalities.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism

In allopathic medicine, Levothyroxine is used. In Ayurveda, there are various herbs that can help in achieving the goal to cure hypothyroidism. Herbs include Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) etc.

According to Ayurveda, Hypothyroidism is due to kapha dosha vitiation. Hence it can be treated with pitta elevating drugs that elevates digestion and cleanse blocked channels that results in activating metabolism that leads to proper secretions from the endocrine glands.

Hyporthyroid Care Pack by Planet Ayurveda

Planet ayurveda is a GMP certified herbal manufacturing unit which provides lots of herbal formulations for numerous health disorders. For hypothyroidism they provide hypothyroid care pack which  includes following herbal formulations:

  1. Gotukola Capsules
  2. Chandraprabha Vati
  3. Guggulipid Capsules
  4. Hakam Churna


Hypothyroidism Care Pack

Product’s Description

1. Gotukola Capsules

Gotukola (Centella asiatica) is known to be a stress reliever. And also helps in anxiety disorder. It enhances cognitive function thus acts as a brain tonic. It also helps in depression. It detoxifies the body. Thus it is beneficial in mind related hypothyroidism symptoms.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

2. Chandraprabha Vati

It is a blend of so many herbs, which are enriched with so many healthy ingredients. That it is indicated in various disorders. It is indicated in the reproductive and urinary system. It has Guggulu (Comiphora mukul), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Shilajit (Asphaltum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) etc. it is thus used in hypothyroidism related infertility.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water after meals.

3. Guggulipid Capsules

It is the formulation best for endocrine health, heart health and blood disorders. It acts on the endocrine system thus keeping it under normal values. It has Guggulu resin (Camiphora mukul), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Bhumi amalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum) etc.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

4. Hakam Churna

It is blended with the herbs that maintain metabolic health. Thus also is beneficial in hypothyroidism as it stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete hormones. Further it aids the digestive health results in increased digestive fire. Thus beneficial in indigestion. It includes Kalonji (Nigella sativa),Methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) etc.

Dosage: Take 3-5 gm of powder with hot water twice daily after meals.

Conclusion

So from the above discussion, it is clear that due to improper diet and deeds, the doshas get vitiated, thus hampering proper secretions from the various glands. The most commonly affected gland is the thyroid gland. In the modern system of medicine, there are drugs that are needed to be consumed regularly. Whereas in Ayurveda, drugs act on the basis of imbalanced doshas. Thus as soon as the doshas get into the normal range (balanced), symptoms of the thyroid dysfunction get diminished and ultimately vanished. Planet Ayurveda’s Hyperthyroid Care Pack and Hypothyroid Care Pack are enriched in those herbs that focus on the imbalance dosha. And rectify the vitiated doshas to achieve a life free from endocrine abnormalities. For more detail of our products check out our website www.PlanetAyurveda.com and for queries you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com