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Respiratory Health • Ayurveda

Asthma (Tamaka Shwasa)

Asthma is recurrent airway narrowing with wheeze, chest tightness, cough, and breathlessness—often triggered by allergens, cold air, exertion, or stress. Ayurveda describes Tamaka Shwasa with prominent Kapha–Vata involvement, recommending channel-clearing, Kapha-pacifying care and steady routines.

Definition

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways with episodic narrowing in response to triggers such as allergens, respiratory infections, cold/dry air, smoke, exertion, or strong emotions. Symptoms include wheeze, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough (often worse at night/early morning).

Common Triggers

  • Dust, pollen, mold, pet dander; smoke/air pollution; strong odours
  • Viral colds/flu; weather shifts (cold/dry); strenuous exercise
  • Stress and poor sleep; exposure to damp/cold environments
  • Heavy, oily, cold foods that increase Kapha; irregular meals

Symptoms

  • Wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness
  • Persistent cough (often nocturnal), difficulty speaking during attacks
  • Fatigue after exertion; anxiety related to breathing difficulty

Ayurvedic View

Clear channels (srotoshodhana) → pacify Kapha & Vata → kindle digestive fire (agni) → support lungs & immunity.

Ayurveda relates asthma (Tamaka Shwasa) to Kapha accumulation and Vata obstruction in the airways, aggravated by weak agni and ama (mucus/toxins). Care emphasizes light, warm diet; expectorant and warming spices; steam/heat where appropriate; and routine that stabilizes Vata.

Diet & Lifestyle

  • Prefer warm, freshly cooked meals; soups, stews, mung dal–rice (kitchari) on heavy days.
  • Favor spices that aid expectoration and digestion: ginger, black pepper, pippali (long pepper), ajwain, cumin.
  • Limit dairy (curd/cheese), bananas, cold drinks, ice-creams, oily/fried/heavy meals that increase Kapha.
  • Keep regular meal and sleep times; avoid late nights; maintain a clean, dust-minimized home.
  • During cold weather: keep chest/neck warm; consider saline nasal rinse as appropriate.

Home Remedies

Warm drink

Ginger–Turmeric Milk

½ tsp fresh grated ginger simmered in milk (or suitable alternative) + ¼ tsp turmeric; take warm, once or twice daily as appropriate.

Tea

Ginger–Garlic Tea

Ginger tea with 2–3 lightly crushed garlic cloves can help loosen chest congestion.

Topical

Chest Massage

Warm sesame oil with a pinch of salt; gentle chest/back massage followed by steam inhalation to aid expectoration.

Breathing & Yoga

  • Pranayama: Gentle Nadi Shodhana, Bhramari; avoid forceful breathing during active wheeze.
  • Postures: restorative chest opening (supported fish), child’s pose, gentle forward bends; stay warm.
  • Pacing: resume activity gradually after exacerbations; keep an inhaler plan from your clinician.

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When to seek medical care

Seek urgent care if you experience:

  • Severe breathlessness, difficulty speaking, bluish lips/nails, or confusion
  • No relief from your rescue inhaler, or symptoms rapidly worsening
  • High fever with chest pain or bloody sputum