Respiratory Health and Ayurveda
Greetings,
Scott Allan here from the Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy Clinic in Buderim.
Over the past 17 years, I’ve successfully treated many medical conditions from the simple to the complex.
A common complaint I often come across, especially this time of year on the Sunshine Coast is respiratory health. With clients asking what they can do when one is afflicted by a respiratory illness. This can be ranging from the common cold, viruses, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, or just unable to treat a lingering cough.
Another common question I hear is, how can I improve my immune system, where people find themselves getting sick multiple times per year and finding it hard to bounce back.
Let us begin by looking at respiratory health from an Ayurvedic perspective, to explain in brief;
Pranavaha Srota:
- Definition: In Ayurveda, the respiratory system is referred to as Pranavaha Srota, where “Prana” signifies life force or vital energy, and “Srota” means channel or pathway.
- Components: This channel begins at the nostrils, moving through the nasal chambers, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, and ends at the alveolar sacs. These sacs are surrounded by capillaries and veins, enabling the exchange of gases.
- Function: The primary function of Pranavaha Srota is to facilitate the movement and exchange of Prana (oxygen) and Apana (carbon dioxide), ensuring proper respiration and maintaining life.
Components:
- Nasal Passages: Filter, warm, and humidify the air we breathe.
- Pharynx and Larynx: Serve as pathways for air to reach the lungs, with the larynx housing the vocal cords.
- Trachea: A tube that transports air to the bronchi.
- Bronchi and Bronchioles: Branches that carry air from the trachea to the lungs.
- Alveoli: Tiny sacs where gas exchange occurs. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries, facilitating the transfer of oxygen into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood.
As most of you are aware the respiratory system is closely interlinked with the cardiovascular system.
Those who are consistent with their ayurvedic regimes will correlate the importance of these, such as nasal drops, tongue scraping and morning drink, which facilitate keeping these channels and airways open and clear of mucous buildup.
Referring to the Ayurvedic texts Hikka, shwasaandkasa(Hiccups, dyspnea, and cough) are the three main diseases of the respiratory system (pranavaha srota).
In Ayurveda Cough is categorized into five types based on its dominance of dosha and aetiology. The vata-dominant, pitta-dominant, and kapha-dominant cough are curable with proper medication. The other two types, originating due to injury and depletion of body constituents (kshaya).
Avoiding etiological factors (Nidana parivarjana), purification therapy (shodhana), pacification therapy (shamana), and disease-specific treatment (vyadhiahara rasayana) are principles of management for all types of coughs.
Administration of shodhana therapy is important. The reduction in the persistent nature of illness with episodic exacerbation and severity is possible if all modalities are followed in sequence.
Immune health is incorporated into this discussion/blog.
What you can do:
Work to avoid the cause (etiological factors):
Ayurveda excels at teaching us how to apply preventative measures with our health educating us for better resilience and independence. Even if we do become unwell our symptoms will be greatly reduced with improved recovery time.
- When we balance all aspects of our lives following individualised advice, that is specific for you is the ultimate approach. This is detailed in your Ayurvedic program (with Ayurvedic Practitioner Scott Allan). Even if you have a similar complaint to someone you know, Ayurvedic advice is not always the same for everyone.
- The principle of accumulation that happens with poor diet and lifestyle choices/factors will present itself at some stage as a health ailment. By understanding how to live well we reduce the impact of accumulation of ama (toxins) in the body thus setting us up for better health.
- If respiratory illness does happen perhaps, you need a refresh on your Ayurvedic program. Reach out and ask all you have to do is email or call and we can tailor your program to suit your needs.
- Too often due to a lack of patience or a notion of a wonder cure the mind reaches for the quickest thing always, convenience being the best seller to the consumer but not producing the desired result.
- If ongoing respiratory illness is due to stress and emotions then ask about Ayurveda psychology and the Ayurvedic emotional healing program available at the clinic.
In the meantime, some suggestions you can start to include:
- Out of bed before 6am
- Spit
- Brush teeth
- Scape tongue with a copper tongue scrapper
- Drink warm water with ½ tsp lemon, honey, grated ginger and fenugreek powder
- Snort 4-5 drops of warm nasal oil then massage the sinus area for a few minutes
- Steam inhalation add 6-8 drops of warm eucalyptus oil to boiling water and inhale steam while covering the head with a towel. When symptoms are bad do morning and evening.
- Gargle – Take 1 cup of warm water and dissolve ¼ tsp of turmeric powder and ¼ tsp of black salt
- Drink 3-4 cup of Cough Tea (order via email or buy at the clinic) a good respiratory tonic for the cooler months
- Avoid heavy, dry, sticky and cold foods such as: Banana, cold food and drinks, cakes, muffins, yellow and aged cheese, bread with yeast, ice cream, coffee and sweets
- If you do suffer from any respiratory disorder book a consultation or follow up consultation.
- Kitchen herbs to include: Garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, pippali, fresh curry leaves, fenugreek, black pepper and cardamom both black and green.
- Go out and buy a Tulsi plant and garnish your meals with fresh coriander and tulsi leaves
- Major herbs to look out for are arishtas, asavas, churnas and gritams that help treat the respiratory system based on prescription available with Scott at Buderim.
Kim and I have applied this science for over 17 years and overall are very disciplined, but there is always room for improvement and refinement. We feel the difference as we get older that Ayurveda has made to our health and how we can support our kids when they needed in times of sickness or health.
Contrary to what is sold on various podcasts and social media posts,when Ayurveda is applied in its entirety it requires effort, focus and discipline. Especially when it comes to stubborn ailments such as coughs and respiratory illness.
What we can say is with concerted effort the results will come along with better health for the long term. There are no shortcuts to sustained good health.
Why not reach out and feel the real difference that Ayurveda can make.
I look forward to seeing you in the clinic please reach out if you require support with your respiratory or other health concerns always happy to assist.
Yours in good health,
Scott
