Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (Tamaka Swasa)

प्रतिलोमंसिरागच्छन्नुदीर्यपवन: कफम् l
परिग्रह्यशिरोग्रीवमुर: पार्श्वेचपीडयन् l l (अ.हृ.नि.४/६) l l

Ayurvedic Treatment of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease. It can cause breathing difficulties and can result in irreversible injury to lung tissue. It is caused by the breathing of certain environmental allergens that lead to allergic reactions in the body. These allergens can be present at home, at the workplace, or in surroundings. Animal fur, bird feathers, and droppings, pollen, and molds are examples of common allergens. In Ayurveda, a similar condition is explained as Tamaka Shwasa. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is working on various ailments caused by allergies. IAFA is the leading institution that provides the best Ayurvedic management for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

Causes of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is more easily affected by people having some specific occupations. These occupations include:

Those working with animals like farmers, veterinarians, bird or poultry handlers, etc.
People are involved in the processing of grains, vegetables, etc.
People employed in wood mills.
People working in electronics, plastic manufacturing, and painting industries.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is caused by inhalation of certain allergens into the lungs that result in inflammation of the lungs. HP is usually caused suddenly about 4-6 hours after inhalation of allergens. The causative allergens include:

Bacteria
Molds and fungi
Some chemicals
Certain proteins

Repeated exposure to the above allergens may keep the lungs inflamed. If exposed to low levels of allergens continuously for a longer period can also result in chronic HP.

In Ayurveda, the reasons for Tamaka Swasa include exposure to cold wind, humid climate, rain, and other Kapha aggravating factors.

Ayurvedic Reference of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Symptoms of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

The symptoms of acute HP may last between 12 hours and several days. It includes:

The cough usually without sputum
Tightness of chest
Shortness of breath

Chills
Fever
Fatigue

In chronic HP, rarely there occur irreversible and permanent damage to the lung tissue, known as pulmonary fibrosis. Due to reduced oxygen supply to body tissues following symptoms are seen in pulmonary fibrosis:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Weight loss

Fast and shallow breathing
Rounding and widening of fingers

Symptoms of Tamaka Swasa as explained in Ayurveda include cough, fatigue, tastelessness, hoarseness of voice, runny nose, etc.

“Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is dedicated to the genuine Ayurvedic management of various allergic illnesses including Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the most reliable institution for all your concerns about allergies”.

Reach IAFA and be free from your allergies!!!

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Do’s (Pathya) in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Vegetarian diet
Fresh & warm food
Fruits and salads with a sour taste
Hot & sour veg soup
Hot gruel
Green gram preparations
Use of well-ventilated rooms especially during working & sleeping
Drink warm water intermittently
Steam inhalation with appropriate herbal medicines
Light exercise preferably brisk walking

Don’ts (Apathya) in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Milk & milk products
Non-vegetarian diet
Deep-fried food
Refrigerated food & drinks
Smoking
Travel and working in polluted areas
Use of A/C rooms for working and sleeping
Travel to high altitude places
Suppression of natural urges
Exposure to humid atmosphere

Yoga and Pranayama for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

The practice of Yoga is very effective in boosting the functionality of the body along with the mind. Following asanas (postures) can be practiced:

Trikonasana
Gomukhasana
Paripurna Navasana
Matsyasana
Bhujangasana
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Phalakasana

Pranayama is also very effective in the management of Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It enhances the performance of the respiratory system.

Treatment of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Vata and Kapha doshas are directly involved in the manifestation of Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. So Ayurveda emphasizes normalizing Vata dosha and Kapha dosha.

Ayurveda suggests internal medicines, purification therapy, and other ayurvedic treatment procedures to treat hypersensitivity pneumonitis (interstitial lung disease) permanently.

Internal Medicines for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Indukantham Kashayam
Dasamoolakaduthrayam Kashayam
Amruthotharam Kashayam
Elakanadi Kashayam
Dasamoola Rasayanam
Kushmanda Rasayana

Agastya Rasayanam
Chyavanaprasa Lehya
Swasanandam Gulika
Dasamoolarishtam
Kanakasava

Purification Therapy in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Purification therapies are advised after analyzing the strength of the disease as well as the patient. It includes:

Vamana (Vomiting)
Virechana (Purgation)
Vasti (Enema)
Nasya (Administering Nasal Drop)

Treatment Procedures in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Dhoomapanam (Inhalation of Medicated Smoke)
Swedana (Local Steaming)

Single Herb Used in the Management of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Haridra (Curcuma longa)
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)
Amruta (Tinospora cordifolia)

Karpooravalli (Coleus amboinicus)
Pippali (Piper longum)
Maricha (Piper nigrum)
Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)

References

Ashtanga Hrudaya by Vagbhata, Nidanasthana, Swasahidhma Nidana (Chapter 4), Sloka 6.
Chakrapani. Charak Samhita of Charaka with Ayurvedic Commentary Chikitsasthana 17/55-60. Delhi: Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan; 2006. p. 533, 535.
Acharya Jadavji Trikamji. Sushruta Samhita with Nibandhasangraha commentary of Dalhanacharya, Uttaratantra, 51/39. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2009. p. 764.
Pandey R. Bhavaprakash Nighantu of Bhavmishra, Haritakyadi Varga, 252. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashan; 2003. p. 34.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Chapter No. 09, Page No. 55-60.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Answer: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is the inflammation of lung tissues caused by inhalation of different allergens.

Question: What are the main allergens causing Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Answer: The main allergens responsible for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis include various bacteria, molds, and fungi, certain proteins and chemicals.

Question: Is Ayurvedic management effective in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Answer: Yes. Ayurvedic management of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis includes overall therapy with internal medicines, external medicines, purification of body channels, and external therapies. This can ensure a complete and tremendous cure from Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

Question: What is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Answer: In Ayurveda, hypersensitivity pneumonitis is known as Tamak Shwasa which is a type of Shwasa Roga (respiratory disease) which affects Pranavaha Srotas. The description of Tamaka Shwasa, in Ayurvedic texts seems to be identical with the description of bronchial asthma in modern medicine.

Question: What is the cause of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Answer: The causative factors of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis according to Ayurveda is as a result of exposure to specific Vata and Kapha vitiating factors.

Question: What is the treatment of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Answer: Ayurveda can provide promising results in Tamaka Shwasa through a set of various types of treatment modalities.

Question: What is the role of Pranayama in Tamaka Shwasa?

Answer: Pranayama causes non-functional or closed airways to work. It also promotes abdominal respiration thus providing relief to the main muscle of respiration i.e., the diaphragm. Various Pranayama that are helpful are: Kapalbhati, Anulom- Vilom etc.