What
is Bronchitis (Shwasa Pranali Shoth) ?
A
serious variety of kasa roga, bronchitis is characterised by inflammation
of the bronchial tubes which carry air to the lungs. This disease
is endemic to cold damp climates but may strike anywhere.
What
are Causes and Symptoms ?
Even
though it is caused by certain germs, the susceptibility of certain
constitutions cannot be denied. Ayurveda ascribes it to impairment
of the digestive processes, and the remedies selected for its cure
are those which help restore the digestive balance too.
There
is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi to which phlegm
adheres, and there is difficulty in expelling it. The phlegm, when
expelled, is found to be viscid and may be purulent. Due to the tendency
of the viscid phlegm to stick to the bronchi, there is difficulty
in breathing and the lungs are starved of air. A fit of coughing may
turn the face of the patient blue. Bronchitis patients are thin and
emaciated. In its acute form, bronchitis may result in a rise of temperature,
breathlessness, and loss of appetite. If proper care is not taken
and the disease becomes chronic, it may deteriorate into continuous
breathlessness.
Home
Remedies:
The
simplest treatment for bronchitis is administration of one teaspoonful
of turmeric powder (haridra) with a glass of milk, twice or thrice
daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach. A powder of equal
quantities of dried ginger, black pepper, and long pepper (pippali)
can be Oven thrice daily. It may be mixed with honey or infused with
your daily tea. Its anti-pyretic qualities deal with the fever attendant
upon bronchitis and also tone up the metabolism of the patient Juice
of vasa (Adhatoda vasica) may be taken thrice daily, in two teaspoonful
doses. Two teaspoonfuls of honey taken daily are also helpful in bronchitis.
Medicines
& Prescriptions:
Some
well-known Ayurvedic preparations for bronchitis, both acute and chronic,
are given below:
1.)
120 mg Rasa Sindur, 240 mg Pravala Pisthi and 3 gm Sitopaladi Churna
to be taken thrice daily with ghee.
2.) 120 mg each of Kapha chintamani and Kaphaketu, and 2 gm of Shringyadi
Churna to be taken thrice daily.
In
case of a congested throat that accompanies bronchitis in many cases,
Khadiradi Vati should be sucked as a lozenge five times a day. The
main ingredient of the drug, catechu, helps relieve the congestion.
Diet
and Other Regimen:
Curds
and sour substances should be avoided. Banana and guava are fruits
which are contraindicated in this malady.
Smoking
is contraindicated and consumption of liquor should be reduced to
the minimum, Excessive physical exercise and exposure to cold and
damp should be avoided.
