Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Ayurvedic Treatments For Bronchial Asthma

Ayurveda, a system of medicine that originated in India, views asthma as a condition that begins in the digestive system and results in being out of harmony. Because of this view, Ayurveda emphasizes digestive and relaxation therapies.


Treatment Goals


The goals of Ayurvedic asthma treatment are to ease symptoms by reducing distress that can exacerbate asthma, eliminate impurities and improve harmony.








Breathing Exercises


Ayurvedic asthma treatment includes breathing exercises called pranayama, which help you control your breathing and stimulate digestion.


Medications


Two common preparations for treating asthma are Chyawanaprash and Agastya Rasayana. They are slow-acting, and they help increase the amount of time between asthma attacks. In addition to preparations, some herbs help build resistance against respiratory infections, manage allergic conditions, act as anti-inflammatories, and help rejuvenate. These include Piper Lungum, Adhatoda Vasica, Thylophora Asthmatica and Terminalia Chebula.


Diet & Lifestyle


Ayurvedic practitioners advise asthmatics to avoid curd, butter, milk, bananas, guava, and fried and sour foods. Practitioners also advise against smoking, excessive physical exercise, and exposure to cold and damp conditions.


Cautions


Asthma can be life-threatening. Ayurvedic and Western treatments can be combined, but it is important that you do not replace conventional treatment with Ayurvedic treatment. Ayurvedic medications are considered dietary supplements in the United States, and the FDA doesn't regulate them. Talk with your doctor about Ayurvedic medications and treatments you are taking.

Tags: asthma treatment, Ayurvedic asthma, Ayurvedic asthma treatment, Ayurvedic medications