Respiratory illnesses and Ayurveda

Prana energy is essential for life. The air that enters the body through the respiratory system enables crucial and life-sustaining activities. Unfortunately, respiratory problems have become very common because of environmental as well as lifestyle factors. Respiratory disorders in Ayurveda have been described as problems arising out of an imbalance in Kapha and Vata. Avlambaka Kapha, a sub-type of Kapha dosha governs the lungs, respiratory system and heart. This controls the flow of Udana Vata and Prana Vayu. An imbalance in these fundamental doshas lead to respiratory problems such as Asthma, Bronchitis, Rhinitis, as well as seasonal allergies.

Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory disease which is characterized by narrowing of the airways. This happens when the body responds to a trigger such as exposure to cold air, allergens in the air, emotional stress or heavy exercise. When the airways narrow, patients show symptoms such as tightness of the chest, wheezing noise while breathing, coughing and shortness of breath. Asthma treatment at St. Pauls Ayurveda is completely personalized with customized medicines, diet and lifestyle.

Asthma is caused because of excessive intake of vata (cold), consuming kapha aggravating food items, weakening of the lung tissues, and problems caused by lung diseases. Environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role in asthma. Consuming cold or stale foods are not easy to digest and lead to the formation of ama (mucus) thereby causing blockage in the respiratory channel and difficulty in breathing. Living in a cold and damp environment is also a reason for asthma.

Bronchial Asthma:

For Bronchial Asthma, treatment focuses on reducing localized inflammations, cleansing and strengthening pranavaha srotas, and balancing aggravated doshas. In addition to herbal medicines, Panchakarma therapies such as snehan (oiling) and swedana (sudation) are also recommended.

Allergic Asthma:

Treatment for Allergic Asthma works towards strengthening the immune system, cleansing of toxins from the respiratory channels, and reducing hypersensitivity to allergens. Panchakarma therapies are also recommended.

Rhinitis:

Rhinitis is a condition in which the soft and sensitive membrane becomes inflamed and it is characterized by headache, itchy eyes and throat, runny nose with watery discharge and sneezing. Rhinitis is of three different types: acute, chronic and allergic. Viral and bacterial infections, dust, pollen, fumes, spices and certain environmental factors are some commonly known triggers of Rhinitis.

Allergies are thought of being caused due to respiratory diseases. Allergic Rhinitis treatment in Ayurveda is personalized according to every patient’s body type, and hence it is effective. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it is caused due to ama (toxins) present in the body and due to low immunity. Accumulated ama aggravates the levels of Kapha (Water) in the body, giving rise to different symptoms of allergies.

Why should you choose St Pauls Ayurveda?

On the root-cause!

Unlike other treatment procedures that jump straight to symptom management, we plan to address the root-cause of the disease. It begins by detoxifying the body so that medicines can work better towards treating the actual root-cause of the disease.

More than just medicines

Other than medicines, the diet and lifestyle play a very important role in complementing the effect of medicines as well as sustaining the benefit of treatment after the medicines have ended. So, the treatment equally focuses on your diet & lifestyle.

Reduces future health risks

Since Ayurveda focuses on the root-cause of the disease, it effectively reduces the risk of severe health complications arising out of the untreated underlying cause. Patients who complete their Ayurveda treatment have a reduced risk of health complications later.

Choosing the right procedure

Allergic:

Treatment for this stage focuses strongly towards enhancing immunity. Panchakarma therapies such as Nasya are recommended to reduce hypersensitivity and detoxify the nasal canal. In addition to that, counselling is provided on how to avoid triggers.

Acute:

Ayurvedic treatment for this type of Rhinitis with customized herbo-mineral and steam inhalation techniques with special ingredients.

Chronic:

At this stage, the problem is chronic due to weak immunity. Hence, treatment works on boosting the immune system by improving digestion and metabolism. Panchakarma therapies are recommended for pacification of aggravated doshas, good results can be achieved with proper diet and lifestyle recommendations.

Our Treatment Philosophy

Every person is unique, hence treatment for the person’s disease must be unique too. Customized treatment including medicines, diet, therapies and home remedies designed by your doctor to compliment the medicines for holistic treatment of the root-cause.

At St Pauls Ayurveda, we use a combination of six medicines, which includes various anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs and those properties are incorporated into different primary and secondary preparations namely Kashaya, Gutika, Oils and fermented preparation.

Among internal medications, Rudradi kwatham stops the histamine induced flare responses by reducing the histamine receptor activity on nerves, vascular smooth muscles, glandular cells, endothelium and mast cells. The immunomodulatory action of the drugs prevent relapses in allergic attacks and strengthens and rejuvenates the respiratory system. Amrutha kasini prevents inflammation of respiratory passages and relieves bronchoconstriction and cough. It is an effective respiratory decongestant in treating coughs of various causes. The fermented preparation, Karpuraka dravakam, easily liquifies the sputum and clears up the airways by mucokinetic action.

Karpoora Dravaka is a unique herbal combination having antioxidant, antitussive, anti inflammatory, anti-secretagogue which helps in the management of respiratory tract afflictions. This formulation helps to loosen the mucus from the respiratory tract and acts as a mucokinetic agent. As a fermented preparation Karpoora Dravakam is more penetrating and spreading thus loosening the Kapha helping its elimination.

External medications, the two oils are the supportive care for the whole respiratory system. Neerjadi keram is an effective decongestant and it reduces irritations caused by rhinitis like itching of nose ears, eyes and throat, rhinorrhea, sneezing by antihistamine effect. It also reduces the turbinate hypertrophy by its anti-inflammatory action. Neerjadi keram modulates and strengthens the neural, vascular and glandular structures in nasal mucosa thus preventing its hypersensitivity reaction towards the allergens.

Astha nivar, is a potent asthma reliever and its dilatory effect on the lower respiratory system relieves chest congestion and makes breathing easier. It also helps to reduce the excess mucus production in the respiratory system thus preventing its accumulation also. Continuous use of Astha nivar strengthens and rejuvenates the respiratory tract and helps to prevent the periodic attack of breathlessness, cough and wheezing.

Treatments