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Ayurvedic Herbs For Asthma As An Alternate To Nebulizer

Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease of lungs in which airways become narrow, leading to difficulty in breathing. It can affect people of any age group but mainly starts in childhood. It is characterized by – difficulty in breathing, cough, and wheezing. It can also be related to an allergic condition where there is

Presence of any allergen in the air. Asthma requires proper medication in association with some preventive measures.

asthma symptoms

Nebulizer in Asthma

If Asthma is not relieved by medications then nebulizer is the next option. In an acute asthmatic attack, a nebulizer can be used but its effect is for a short period of time so it is only for temporary treatment. Nebulizer is a type of inhaler that contains asthma medications in the form of mist, which is having a mouthpiece through which the medicine directly goes into your lungs.

Nebulizer mainly contains bronchodilators in the form of – Albuterol, Ipratropium bromide and Levalbuterol are beta-2 agonists that are used for temporary relief and their long term use can result in various complications. Budesonide is a steroidal medicine used in a nebulizer, It can cause hoarseness of voice and fungal infection of mouth called oral thrush. Long term use of Steroids can result in organ damage like liver failure, kidney failure. So Steroids used in Nebulizer are very harmful to our bodies.

Complications Due To Long Term Use of Nebulizer

A nebulizer is only for short time relief, its long term use can result in organ damage. Because we need to adjust the doses of the medicines used in Nebulizer, according to the patient’s need. Sometimes high doses are needed which can be very harmful. So Nebulizer should be used only for temporary relief.

Its long term use can result in the following complications

Weight gain mainly puffiness of face is seen
Osteoporosis, muscle weakness, hair loss, easy bruising
Blood in sputum, Cataract, Glucauma
Mood changes, Headache
High Blood pressure, Diabetes, suppression of adrenal glands

Ayurvedic Perspective of Asthma

According to Ayurveda, asthma is a “Swas rog” which occurs due to imbalance between vata, and kapha dosha and it mainly occurs due to our improper diet, Deranged kapha and vitiated Pranvayu. When vitiated Pranvayu and deranged kapha gets combine, they result in respiratory system obstruction, which is called “Pranvahasrotasa”, resulting in “Swas Rog”.

Ayurvedic Herbs by Planet Ayurveda for Asthma as an Alternate to Nebulizer

Planet Ayurveda offers Asthma care Pack for the Treatment of Asthma. These herbal remedies are prepared by using best quality herbs and are prepared under direct supervision of MD Ayurvedic Doctors by strictly following the principles of Ayurveda. These all remedies are natural, pure and vegetarian in nature. They do not contain any chemical or preservative and are safe to use for prolonged period of time and not having any side effect.

herbal supplements for asthma

Asthma Care Pack By Planet Ayurveda

Asthma care pack is powerful natural combination of products by Planet Ayurveda for Asthma. It contains mainly three ingredients – Aller-G Care, Tulsi capsules and Praanrakshak churna.

Product description is as follows

1. Aller-G-Care

These are in the form of capsules. These capsules are the combination of best known herbs like – Ashwagandha, Neem, Shirish and Haridra.

DOSAGE – 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals

BENEFITS – Each component serves individual benefit

A. Ashwagandha

It is very potent herb used in Ayurvedic system.

Ancient Verse about Ashwagandha

Reference – Bhavprakash nighantu, edition of 2010: Verse 189-190, Page no- 393-394.

Meaning – Ashwagandha, Balda, Varda, Hyahriya, Vrahkarni, Baji and Kushtgandhini. Two synonyms of Ashwagandha are – Hyagandha and Bajigandha. Its potency is hot with astringent and bitter taste. It is a good energy provider. It enhances the spermatogenesis. It is very useful in leucoderma, inflammation, manages vata and kapha doshas and is very helpful in treating emaciation.

It has anti-ageing property.
It has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory property
It helps in reducing stress and cholesterol.
It is beneficial in allergies, heart problems, inflammation and infections due to its natural rejuvenating property .

B. Neem

It is very useful in allergies and infections.
It is a powerful disinfectant
It is a very good gum cleaner so useful in halitosis and oral infections
It is anti-bacterial in nature.

C. Shirish

in Ayurveda, Shirish is called as “Vish-ghan” which means removing toxins from the body. Here the word toxin stands for accumulation of toxins in the body due to imbalanced vata, pitta and kapha doshas.

D. Haridra

It is also called Turmeric, very useful in allergies and rhinitis.
It has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and antiseptic property
It is useful in Skin problems like pimples, acne, inflammation and skin rashes.

2. TULSI CAPSULES

This is a powerful natural product by Planet Ayurveda in the form of capsules. They are combination of pure herb Tulsi.

Dosage – 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals

Benefits

It has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory property
is useful in respiratory conditions like Rhinitis and Sinusitis
It is very useful in decreasing stress and emotional imbalance.
It is known as “Holy Basil” which means it is a very Holy plant in India.

3. Praanrakshak Churna

It is a powerful natural product by Planet Ayurveda which is a combination of various herbs like – Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylinca) 20gm, Shirish (Albezzia lebbok) 40gm, kantkari (Solanum xanthocarpum) 40gm, Mulethi (Glycerrhiza glabra) 10mg, Annathmool (Typhlora Asthmatica) 40mg, Bharangi (Clerodandrum Serritum) 10mg and Vaasa (Adhtoda vasica) 40gm.

DOSAGE – 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water after meals.

BENEFITS – The herbs kantakri, Bharangi and Shirish have anti-histaminic property so are useful in acute and chronic asthmatic attacks

4. Shwas Kuthar Ras

Shwash Kuthar Ras is a Herbo mineral classical formulation. This formulation is really effective in almost all the respiratory problems but has it’s best result in Asthma.

Dose – 1 tablet twice daily with warm water after meals.

Note

All these herbs are very useful in treating allergy and asthma
Mucous plugs are formed in respiratory diseases, so these herbs break those mucous plugs thus help in curing respiratory diseases.

How can Ayurveda kick allergy out of the body naturally?

Allergy and Ayurveda:Overview

‘ALLERGY’ is an overreaction of the body’s immune system to certain substances which it misidentifies as harmful. This overreaction of the immune system is called an ‘allergic reaction,’ and the substances which trigger such a reaction are called ‘allergens.’

An allergy or allergic reaction generally manifests itself in the form of some commonly-occurring disorders of the skin and respiratory system. These disorders include eczema, hives, asthma, hay fever, and food allergies.

‘AYURVEDA’ is an ancient, holistic (whole body) system of medicine, which is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The core concept of Ayurveda is that an equilibrium of the body’s three fundamental bio-elements or ‘Doshas’ —Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — leads to good health.

The main aim of Ayurvedic medicine system is to prevent the occurrence of diseases and to promote health and well-being. To achieve this aim, Ayurvedic experts mainly depend on the use of herbal formulations to treat diseases naturally, and also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to patients suffering from different disorders.

Ayurvedic Perspective of Allergies

According to Ayurveda, allergies are generally a result of an excess of the Kapha and Pitta dosha, or the earth and fire elements. Ayurveda believes that the main causes behind the occurrence of allergies are accumulation of toxins and low immunity.

More specifically, the Ayurvedic viewpoint of allergies is that ‘genetics’ is the primary reason that causes an individual to suffer from allergies. These are considered to be a result of the one or all of the following conditions:

Weak agni (digestive fire)
An individual’s state of vykruti (imbalance)
The presence of ama (undigested or poorly digested food which turns toxic and interferes with the bodily processes).

The management of allergies naturally with the help of Ayurveda involves the diagnosis of the root-cause of allergy for every individual patient, and its subsequent treatment.

How Ayurveda can treat allergy naturally?

Ayurveda can effectively kick allergy out of the body naturally with the help of herbal formulations which can cure different types of allergies by:

Detoxifying the body by eliminating toxins.
Strengthening the immune system.

In addition, Ayurveda practitioners also suggest some necessary modifications in the diet of patients suffering from allergies.

More specifically, Ayurveda is beneficial in treating Vata, Pitta and Kapha types of allergies in the following ways:

Vata allergies

According to Ayurveda, Vata allergies are caused because of dryness, and their symptoms mostly include dry cough with, insomnia and anxiety.
To cure Vata allergies,Ayurvedic practitioners recommend that patients should drink tea made from ginger root (Zingiber officinale) 4-5 times a day, and also inhale sesame oil.

Pitta Allergies

These allergies cause excessive heat in the body, and are associated with symptoms like burning eyes, rashes and loose stools.
Ayurvedic cure of these allergies involves the consumption of tea prepared from Neem leaves (Azadirachta Indica), and also a mixture of warm milk and half a teaspoon of turmeric (Curcuma Longa) powder. Moreover, patients are also asked to inhale coconut oil 2-3 times a day.

Kapha allergies

These allergies are developed due to moist, humid conditions and their symptoms include slow digestion, and mucus production.

Management and Treatment of Allergies

For relief from these allergies, Ayurvedic experts recommend that patients should drink one glass of warm water with half teaspoon of liquorice (Mulethi or Glycyrrhiza glabra), after every meal. Another method of treatment is to take half a teaspoon of ‘Sitopaladi’ churna with honey, three times a day.
Other than the above-mentioned Ayurvedic treatments for different types of allergies, there are some excellent herbs which are considered to be extremely beneficial for relief from allergy in general

The widely-known anti-allergy herbs include:

Haridra (Turmeric Rhizome -Curcuma Longa)
Neem (Azadirachta Indica)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
Shirish (Albezzia lebbock)
Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica)
Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Bharangi (Clerodandrum serratum)
Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)
Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia)
Vaasa (Adhatoda vasica)
Anantmool (Tylphora asthmatica)

Ayurveda can effectively treat allergies in a natural manner if the patients follow some strict guidelines with regard to changes in diet and lifestyle habits, along with taking herbal formulations. In specific, patients suffering from allergies can gain benefits from Ayurvedic treatment if they remember that:

Heavy foods — like meats, nuts, sugar, dairy products, and processed foods — should be avoided
Iced beverages should be avoided
Plenty of warm water should be consumed throughout the day
Eating habits should be altered, so that the lunch is a hearty meal while the dinner is a light meal
Exercise should be made a part of daily routine, for stimulating agni and eliminating ama
Yoga breathing practices should be tried in order to relax the body and the mind
Adequate sleep should be ensured
Intense stress should be avoided because it can aggravate allergies
Herbal oil massage should be done to improve blood circulation and eliminate allergy-causing chemical toxins.

In addition to the above-mentioned guidelines for allergy management, there are also some other Ayurvedic approaches to treat allergies. These approaches are listed below:

Use a Neti pot once or twice a day, with a weak saline solution and distilled water, to reduce the heaviness of Kapha.
Practice ‘Nasya’ (nearly one hour after using Neti pot) by dabbing some sesame oil spiked with eucalyptus/camphor in both nostrils
Practice a daily ‘Pranayama’ routine which should include Kapalabhati (skull-polishing breath), Dirgha (three-part breath), Ujjayi (ocean-sounding breath), and Bastrika (bellows breath)
Take a Kapha-reducing diet that includes warm, light, natural, and cooked foods which can be easily digested
Increase the use of ‘warming’ spices — like ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, and cumin — in cooking

Conclusion:

Ayurveda can kick out allergies from the body in a safe and natural manner. However, it is advisable that people suffering from allergies should have their allergy diagnosed properly, and should consult a registered Ayurveda practitioner for guidance related to the best diet plan for them, as well as the use of the most suitable herbal formulations to cure the allergy.