Manage Childhood Asthma (Bronchial Asthma) With Ayurveda

Introduction

Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath may be simply termed as Swasa (Asthma). Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It is a lung disease characterized by difficulty in breathing, cough with sputum, and sometimes fever. Children with asthma typically cough, wheeze, and experience chest tightness and shortness of breath.

As per Ayurveda, Swasa is mainly caused by the Vata and Kapha doshas. Swasa is broadly classified into five types in Mahaswasa (Dyspnoea major), Urdhawaswasa (Expiratory Dyspnoea), Chinna Swasa (Cheyne Stoke respiration), Kshudra Swasa (Dyspnoea minor), Tamaka Swasa (Bronchial Asthma)

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic lung disease in children which strongly affects the health of the growing child. Condition is described as "Tamaka-Shwas" in Ayurveda. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway. It leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, tightness of the chest, and cough particularly at night or early morning. Tamaka Shwasa, in Ayurvedic classics, seems to be identical with the description of bronchial asthma in modern medicine.

In the present scenario, Ayurveda is the best way to effectively and safely manage the symptoms of childhood Asthma. Ayurveda prescribes various shodhana procedures and the use of internal medication not only detoxifies the body but also provides nutrition and increases the elasticity of lung tissue and develops natural immunity of the body. Thus it helps to decrease episodic recurrence of the disease and provides long-term relief to the patient.

Symptoms Of Childhood Asthma

Signs and symptoms of asthma in children include

• A cough that doesn’t go away.
• Coughing spells that happen often, especially during play or exercise, at night, in cold air, or while laughing or crying.
• A cough that gets worse after a viral infection.
• Less energy during play, and stopping to catch their breath during activities.
• Avoiding sports or social activities.
• Trouble sleeping because of coughing or breathing problems.
• Rapid breathing.
• Chest tightness or pain.
• Wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing in or out.
• Seesaw motions in their chest (retractions).
• Shortness of breath.
• Tight neck and chest muscles.
• Feeling weak or tired.
• Trouble eating, or grunting while eating (in infants).

In Children under 5 years of age, the most common cause of asthma-like symptoms is upper respiratory viral infections like common cold and influenza.

Causes Of Childhood Asthma

As per Ayurveda, the causes of Tamaka Swasa(Childhood Asthma) are as follows

• Intake of dry, cold, heavy, incompatible food and irregular intake of food.
• Excessive Intake of black gram, beans, sesame, the meat of aquatic animals.
• Intake of cold water and exposure to cold climate.
• Exposure to dust, smoke, and wind.
• Excessive exercise.
• Trauma to throat, chest, and vital organs.
• Suppression of natural urges.

Treatment Modalities In Ayurveda

As per the Ayurveda Bronchial Asthma is Vata kaphaja disease, it begins in the stomach, progresses to the lungs and bronchi. Hence treatment aims to move the excess Kapha back to the stomach and then eliminate it. For this purpose following methods are adopted.

In Ayurveda, there are two types of treatment for Bronchial Asthma.

1. Shodhana Therapy

The elimination of vitiated dosha from the body

• Swedana (Sudation)

  Swedana or Sudation Therapy is a prerequisite for Panchakarma. This process involves inducing sweat in the patient. Swedana gives relief from health problems like asthma and many other diseases caused by Vata disorders. .

• Vamana (Therapeutic emesis)

  Vamana treatment is targeted to expel increased Kapha Dosha out of the body. Vamana is a procedure in which Doshas (waste products or toxins) are eliminated through upper channels i.e. mouth. Especially the Kapha and Pitta Dosha brought to Amashaya (stomach and duodenum) from all over the body by the specific preoperative procedures and then eliminated out by inducing the emesis. .

• Virechana (Therapeutic purgation)

  Virechana is one of the Panchakarma therapies wherein purgation is induced by drugs and it specifically aims at the elimination of excessive Pitta Dosha from the body. It is the main treatment of Tamakshwas. But in children below ten years, Virechana cannot be subjected; hence Mridu shodhana (by the means of mild laxatives) should be done. In children aged above ten years, classical Virechana therapy along with Shaman Chikitsa helps reduce the frequency of episodes of asthma.

2. Shamana Therapy

(Treatment with Drugs) Shamana therapy involves suppression of vitiated senses of humor (doshas). The process by which disturbed humor subsides or returns to normal without creating an imbalance of other touches of humor is known as shamana. This treatment is achieved by the use of appetizers, digestives, exercise, and exposure to the sun, fresh air, etc. The treatment restores the balance of three doshas and thus reduces the symptoms and eliminates the causes of the disease in their initial stage.

Along with these treatments Practice of Pranayama, laxatives, a light diet at night and the use of warm water will help in the treatment of Asthma.

Summary

Ayurveda prescribes effective treatment for childhood Asthma is Shodhana Therapy and Shamana Therapy. Shodhana Therapy includes Swedana, Vamana, and Virechana.

Pathya-Apathya (diet And Lifestyle)

Ayurveda suggests some Pathya and Apathya control the symptoms of childhood Asthma. They are as follows

Do’s (Pathya)

• Godhuma (wheat), Old rice, Mudga (green gram), Kulattha (Horse gram), Yava (barley), Patola (snake gourd).
• Use of Garlic, Turmeric, Ginger, Black pepper.
• Lukewarm water, Goat Milk, Honey.
• Respiratory exercise, Pranayama, Yoga.

Don’ts (Apathya)

• Heavy, cold diet, Masha (black gram), Deep-fried items, Mustard leaves, Fish.
• Exposure to Cold and Humid atmosphere.
• Sweets, Chilled water, Stored food items, Curd.
• Suppression of natural urges.
• Excessive physical exertion.
• Exposure to Smoke, Dust and fumes, Pollutants, and Pollens.

Preventive Measures To Cure Childhood Asthma

To prevent asthma attacks it is better to follow careful planning and avoiding asthma triggers. Some of them are

• Limit exposure to asthma triggers. Help your child avoid the allergens and irritants that trigger asthma symptoms.
• Don't allow smoking around your child. Exposure to tobacco smoke during infancy is a strong risk factor for childhood asthma, as well as a common trigger of asthma attacks.
• Encourage your child to be active. As long as your child's asthma is well-controlled, regular physical activity can help the lungs to work more efficiently.
• See the doctor when necessary. Check-in regularly. Don't ignore signs that your child's asthma might not be under control, such as needing to use a quick-relief inhaler too often.
• Help your child maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, and it puts your child at risk of other health problems.
• Keep heartburn under control. Acid reflux or severe heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) might worsen your child's asthma symptoms. He or she might need over-the-counter or prescription medications to control acid reflux.

Effective Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Childhood Asthma:

Ayurvedic home remedies that could help in reducing the symptoms of asthma and controlling the frequency of asthma attacks are:

• Ginger and Garlic Cloves

  Ginger is one of the most trusted herbs when it comes to deal with inflammation. Half a cup of ginger tea mixed with 2-3 crushed garlic cloves could prove to be an effective remedy to release the Kapha accumulation in the airways, thereby preventing asthmatic attacks.

• Ginger and Turmeric Powder

  You can make yourself a quick ginger and turmeric tea too. Boil a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in a glass of milk and add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder to it. If taken twice a day, this Ayurvedic remedy could reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.

• Cinnamon

  Mix one teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4th teaspoon trikatu into a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes and add 1 teaspoon of honey before drinking. Take this twice a day for maximum benefits.

• Licorice and Ginger

  Licorice is also loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking a tea made with half teaspoon licorice and half teaspoon of ginger for managing asthma and its symptoms. .

• Bay leaf

  A half teaspoon of bay leaf and 1/4th teaspoon of pippali mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey taken two to three times a day may also help prevent chronic symptoms of asthma.

Ayurvedic Herbs To Treat Childhood Asthma

Ayurveda, the ancient healthcare system of India has described many herbs useful in asthma. These asthma herbal remedies are unique as they are very effective even in acute conditions of asthma. Some of them are mentioned below.

• Bharangi

  Bharangi is one of the common herbs used in the treatment of common cold, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, cough, and other chronic respiratory problems. It is also an excellent dry cough home remedy. It is also used by Ayurveda for relief from fever and hyper-pyrexia. It Pacifies Vata and Kapha, and promotes pitta.

• Adhatoda Vasica

  Adhatoda Vasica (also called Vasaka) is an ayurvedic medicinal plant used for cough, asthma, breathing trouble, nasal congestion, bleeding disorders, allergic conditions, upper respiratory infections, excessive uterine bleeding, heavy menstruation, etc. Adhatoda Vasica has mucolytic, expectorant, and bronchodilator action, so it is greatly used in respiratory troubles. It relieves cough, fights off respiratory infections, and helps in the management of asthma.

• Shirish (Albizia Lubbock)

  Use of Shireesha has been extensively recommended to neutralize toxins in the body. It has also been used in the treatment of respiratory afflictions like bronchial asthma. Shirish is excellent to remove toxins from within as well as fight allergic chemicals, pollen grains or chemicals causing allergy or irritation to the lungs.

• Kantkari or Solanum xanthocarpum

  The herb kantakari or Solanum xanthocarpum is a small shrub and the yellow berries are excellent antihistamine. The powder of these berries is a very effective natural remedy for asthma and helps to ease out an attack of asthma. .

Summary

The prevalence of Bronchial Asthma is increasing alarmingly due to excessive pollution, overcrowding, occupational conditions, stress and poor hygiene, etc. Some of the Ayurvedic herbs which are useful for childhood asthma are Bharangi, Adhatoda Vasica, Shirish, kantkara, etc.

Conclusion

The information related to Bronchial Asthma (Tamaka-Shwas) is based on various Ayurvedic resources. Always seek the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any Diet or Ayurvedic herbs for the treatment of Childhood Asthma.