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

“Dr. Gupta’s IAFATM aspires to be the destination of choice for people seeking authentic Ayurveda healthcare. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® ensures that our health care system better meets the needs of all about your health”.
Uncompromising Excellence. Commitment to Care...!!! Dr. Gupta’s IAFA for your future health.
– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)
Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®
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.)