Allergic Bronchitis (Swasa Roga)

कफोपरुद्ध-गमनःपवनोविष्वग्-आस्थितः।
प्राणोदकान्न-वाहीनिदुष्टःस्रोतांसिदूषयन्॥
उरः-स्थःकुरुतेश्वासम्आमाशय-समुद्भवम्।

Allergic Bronchitis - Causes, Symptoms & Ayurvedic Treatment

Bronchitis is inflammation or swelling of the bronchial tubes (bronchi), the air passages between the nose and the lungs. More specifically, bronchitis is when the lining of the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed or infected. Bronchitis is caused by viruses, bacteria, and other particles that irritate the bronchial tubes. Acute bronchitis is a shorter illness that commonly follows a cold or viral infection, such as the flu Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a persistent, mucus-producing cough on most days of the month, three months of a year for two successive years in absence of a secondary cause of the cough. Allergic bronchitis is chronic i.e. the chronic bronchitis and may be caused by exposure to allergy triggers like tobacco smoke, pollution, or dust.

In Ayurveda, Bronchitis may be included in Swasa roga mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. As per the Ayurvedic principles, respiratory diseases have the predominance of Vata dosha (one among the functional pillars of body) along with vitiation of Kapha dosha and Pranavaha srotas (cardio-respiratory system).

Causes of Allergic Bronchitis

Main causes include,

Smokers
People who are exposed to a lot of second hand smoke
People with weakened immune systems
The elderly and infants
People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
People who are exposed to air pollution

Ayurvedic Reference of Bronchitis

Symptoms of Allergic Bronchitis

Symptoms include,

Inflammation or swelling of the bronchial tube
Coughing
Production of clear, white, yellow, grey, or green mucus (sputum)
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Fatigue
Fever and chills
Chest pain or discomfort
Blocked or runny nose

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Diet Management in Allergic Bronchitis

Do’s (Pathya) in Allergic Bronchitis

A yearly vaccination for influenza virus is recommended for everyone older than six months, especially for household contacts of children younger than five years,
Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially before touching an infant. Hands should ideally be wet with water and plain or antimicrobial soap, and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch
Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Then throw away the tissue and wash your hands
Staying home when sick
Godhuma (wheat), Old rice, Mudga (green gram), Kulattha (Horse gram), Yava (barley), Patola (snake gourd)
Use of Garlic, Turmeric, Ginger, Black pepper

Don’ts (Apathya) in Allergic Bronchitis

Avoid smoking in the child’s home because this increases the risk of respiratory illness.
Avoid other adults and children with upper respiratory infection.
Avoiding touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
Avoiding close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others if you are sick or they are sick
Deep fried items, Mustard leaves, Fish
Exposure to Cold & Humid atmosphere
Sweets, Chilled water, Stored food items, Curd
Heavy, cold diet, Masha (black gram)
Exposure to Smoke, Dust and fumes, Pollutants and Pollens

Yoga Therapy for Allergic Bronchitis

Postures include,

Ustrasana
Dhanurasana
Baddha konasana

Pranayama include,

Nadi-shodhana Pranayama leads to marked improvement in the lung functions by strengthening the respiratory muscles and decreasing the resistance to the air flow in the lungs.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergic Bronchitis

As per Ayurveda, treatment principle for respiratory disorders is to balance both vata and kapha, so the drugs used for these diseases should possess qualities like vata kapha samana (alleviating vata & kapha dosha), ushna (hot by potency) and vatanulomana (carminative). Ayurveda has also potent single drugs and compound formulations for breaking the pathology of these respiratory ailments.

Internal Medicines for Allergic Bronchitis

Talisadi churna
Sitopaladi churna
Shringyadi churna
Vyaghri haritaki
Vasavleha
Kantkaryavleha
Vasa ghrita
Kantakari ghrita
Dashmoola Katutraya Kashaya
Bharangyadi Kashaya

Vasa Vyaghri Kashaya
Pathyashadanga Kashaya
Elakanadi Kashaya
Baraka bhasma
Sameerpannaga rasa
Swasa kuthara rasa
Swasnanda gutika
Haridra khanda
Kankasava

External Therapies for Allergic Bronchitis

Abhyanga (massage) with Sarsapa taila (mixed with saindhava lavana) on chest
Swedana (hot fomentation)

Purificatory Therapies

Vamana (emesis therapy),
Virechna (purgation therapy)

Single Drugs Used in Allergic Bronchitis

Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)
Madhuyasti (Glycirrhiza glabra)
Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum)
Pushkarmoola (Inula racemosa)
Vibhitaka (Terminalia bellerica)

Shati (Hedychium spicatium)
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck)
Haridra (Curcuma longa)

References

Ashtanga Hridaya Nidana Sthana, Swasahidma Nidana, Chapter No. 4, Sloka 3.
Anonymous. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part – II. 1st ed. I. New Delhi: Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; 2008. Pp. 35-7.
Acharaya VJ. Reprinted ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2011. Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Chikitsa Sthana; Vatavyadhi Chikitsa: Chapter 28, Verse 4; p.616.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Allergic Bronchitis Chapter No. 12, Page No. 72-79.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Allergic Bronchitis?

Answer: Allergic Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi), the air passages that extend from the trachea into the small airways and alveoli.

Question: What are the causes of Allergic Bronchitis?

Answer: Allergic Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, typically the same viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza).

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Allergic Bronchitis?

Answer: Ayurvedic classics have dealt with various procedures and medications including palliative and purificatory treatments to manage the disease Bronchitis.

Question: Can Ayurveda treat Allergic Bronchitis?

Answer: Ayurveda can treat allergic bronchitis effectively as Ayurvedic treatment is laden with umpteen powerful herbs that restore the normal tridoshic balance.

Question: How Ayurveda treats Allergic Bronchitis?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment of Allergic Bronchitis includes herbs and herbal remedies that have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, bronchodilatory, expectorant and anti-allergic properties that ameliorate inflamed or infected bronchial passages and increase lung power.

Question: What is the cause of Bronchial Asthma according to Ayurveda?

Answer: In Ayurveda, Bronchial Asthma is known as Tamak Shwasa. It is caused due to the formation of Ama visha, environmental factors, psychological stress etc.