Most Effective Ayurvedic Herbs For Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory illness. Respiratory disorders are the pathological conditions which affect the organs and tissues of the lungs or organs or tissues that make gas exchange. These disorders affect trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and muscles of the respiration. This makes it difficult to breathe. Respiratory disorders range from mild to severe. These disorders are caused by viruses or bacteria. Some of the respiratory diseases are COPD, Bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, Asthma etc. But in this article we are going to discuss Asthma and most effective herbs for Asthma in detail.

Introduction

Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways of the lungs or it is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. It is a condition in which airways narrow and swell up. In this condition there is excessive production of mucus. This can make breathing difficult. This is an allergic condition and thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These environmental factors include Allergens and other pollutant particles. This disease may lead to life threatening conditions.

Etiology/Causes

There is no clear explanation as to why some people get asthma and some don’t. This disease may be caused by the combination of factors such as genetic, environmental and other medical causes.
Clinical features/Signs and symptoms

The asthma patient present with following complaints:

• Breathlessness
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing sound
• Trouble sleeping
• Coughing
• Production of sputum but often hard to bring up

Risk Factors

Following person is at risk of asthma:

• Smokers
• Overweight
• Family history
• Exposure of exhaust fumes and smoke
• Exposure to chemicals

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by the following tests:

• Spirometry
• Peak flow
• Chest X-ray

Treatment

There is no cure in allopathic medicine. They just manage this disease symptomatically. They just identify the triggering factor of this disease. Bronchodilators are the treatment of choice for this disease.

• But Ayurvedic herbs show great results in treating this life threatening disease. They are effective enough to treat this chronic inflammatory disease.

Most Effective Herbs For Asthma Are:

• Vasaka
• Curcumin
• Tulsi
• Kantakari
• Somalata

1. Vasaka

This is a very potent herb for fighting against respiratory ailments. Botanically it is known as Adhatoda vasica. It is a very effective herb for asthma. It acts as an expectorant which means it helps in clearing the respiratory tract by mucus. In this disease there is a production of excessive mucus. So Vasaka helps in clearing the mucus and gives relief from Breathlessness.

Its Ayurvedic Properties Are:

• Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter) and Kashay (Astringent)
• Guna (Property) – Ruksha (dry) and Laghu (Light)
• Virya (Potency) – Sheet (Cold)
• Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
• Dosha Shamak – It pacifies Pitta and kapha dosha
• karma (uses) – cough, asthma, skin disorders, sore throat

2. Curcumin

This is botanically identified as Curcuma longa. It is also called Haridra. This herb has very good results in treating respiratory disorders and also it contains anti-allergic properties. It helps in pacifying symptoms of asthma like cough and breathlessness. As asthma is a chronic allergic disease, haridra gives effective benefits to manage allergies.

Its Ayurvedic Properties Are:

• Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter) and Katu (Pungent)
• Guna (Property) – Ruksha (dry) and Laghu (Light)
• Virya (Potency) – Ushan (Hot)
• Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
• Dosha Shamak – It pacifies Pitta dosha and also vata and kapha at some extent
• karma (uses) – Asthma, Wounds, Cancer, digestive ailments, skin disorders

3. Tulsi

Tulsi is an effective herb for respiratory ailments and also good for low immunity. Scientifically it is known as Ocimum sanctum. It is useful in respiratory tract infection as it has antimicrobial properties. It also contains anti-allergic properties so helpful in Asthma by clearing the mucus from the respiratory tract. It is also effective in enhancing the immunity of the person.

Its Ayurvedic Properties Are:

• Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter) and Katu (Pungent)
• Guna (Property) – Ruksha (dry) and Laghu (Light)
• Virya (Potency) – Ushan (Hot)
• Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
• Dosha Shamak – It pacifies vata and kapha dosha
• karma (uses) – Asthma, Cancer, blood disorders, sore throat, cough

4. Kantakari

This is a very useful Ayurvedic herb in the treatment of cough, cold, asthma and other respiratory disorders. Kantakari is a Sanskrit name which means useful for the throat. It is useful in hoarseness of voice, laryngitis etc. It is botanically identified as Solanum xanthocarpum. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

Its Ayurvedic Properties Are:

• Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitpter) and Katu (Pungent)
• Guna (Property) – Ruksha (dry), Laghu (Light) and Tikshan (Sharp)
• Virya (Potency) – Ushan (Hot)
• Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
• Dosha Shamak – It pacifies Vata and kapha dosha
• karma (uses) – Asthma, cough, fever, sore throat

5. Somalata

This is an Ayurvedic herb which is widely used in the treatment of Respiratory disorders such as cough, cold, asthma, chest pain etc. It is also helpful in fever, urinary problems and muscular pains. It also helps in cardiac ailments. Botanically it is known as Ephedra gerardiana.

Its Ayurvedic Properties Are:

• Ras (Taste) – Kashay (Astringent)
• Guna (Property) – Ruksha (dry) and Laghu (Light)
• Virya (Potency) – Ushan (Hot)
• Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
• Dosha Shamak – It pacifies Vata and kapha dosha
• karma (uses) – Asthma, cough, fever, sore throat, Swelling, gastric problems

Conclusion

At last we concluded that Ayurvedic herbs are very effective against Asthma. In modern science it is not curable as we say above. But in Ayurveda we can manage this disease easily by following Ayurvedic herbs. Above mentioned 5 herbs are very effective for treating this disease.