Ayurveda is a form of alternative medicine that originates from the Indian subcontinent. The Ayurvedic belief is that the body has three humours known as the vata, the pitta and the kapha. These three elements have to stay in balance for the body to stay healthy. It is also believed that any illness is a result of an imbalance of one or more of the humours.
Asthma is a common respiratory disease that causes inflammation in the lungs which can make it difficult for the sufferer to breathe. In Ayurveda, asthma is known as Swasa Roga. Asthma is most common in children and can take a long time for you to overcome it. In the Ayurvedic approach, however, there is not a single version of asthma, but three. Each is linked directly to the three humours.
The Vata type
A dry cough and wheezing are the main symptoms of Vata asthma. It can attack during the early morning or the early evening, and other symptoms may include thirst, dry skin and constipation. The patient may also show signs of anxiety or desire for warm drinks.
The Pitta type
If you breathe with a rattling sound or suffer from yellow phlegm you could be infected the Pitta version of asthma. Often these symptoms are accompanied by a dry cough and fever. Attacks are likely to happen at night or around noon. Psychological symptoms include irritability and a need for cool air.
The Kapha type
Kapha asthma is known breathing with a whistling sound or coughing up large amounts of white phlegm. Most attacks occur during the morning and the evening.
In conventional medicine it is claimed that asthma is caused by pollen and dust, however, the Ayurvedic tradition would have you believe that these are actually of little relevance to asthma sufferers. In Ayurvedic treatment it is more important to focus on achieving balance between the humours to ensure your health returns.
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