Category: Ayurveda

April 26, 2018

Natural Treatment of Asthma – Diet and Home Remedies

Introduction

Asthma is a one of the most commonly occurring respiratory tract diseases which is characterized by an obstructed flow of air in lungs. In this disease, bronchial tubes are obstructed, inflamed and there is swelling in the inner surface of the tubes.

Asthma is of 2 types – Atopic and Non-Atopic

  • Atopic- symptoms occurs due to allergens.
  • Non-atopic- the cause of symptoms is not allergens.

According to Ayurveda, Asthma is of 2 Types which are as follows

  • Pratamak – Occurs due to physiological factors.
  • Santamak- Aggravates during night and associated with fever.

Natural Treatment of Asthma

What are the Causes of Asthma?

There are various factors which can lead to asthma:

  • Allergens
  • Patient having aspirin for prolonged period of time
  • Exertion or exercise
  • Alcoholism is also one of the cause of asthma in some patients
  • Air irritants
  • Smoking is also another cause for the asthma
  • Sudden climate changes, trauma to throat and chest
  • Hereditary- about 40% of patients suffer from asthma due to this reason

What are the Symptoms of Asthma?

  • The most common symptoms of asthma are dyspnoea (shortness of breath), coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.

Natural Treatment of Asthma With Diet

  • People are turning towards Natural Treatment and also getting good results with it. It is also believed that changes in diet can also lead to better condition.

Diet for Asthma Patients

  • Keep it in mind that food will not help in eradication of asthma but at least helps in non-worsening of this condition.
  • Apples- according to some studies, it is believed that if you eat 2-5 apples per week, the risk of asthma decreases by 32% because apples have flavonoids in it which helps in opening up of airways.
  • Cantaloupe- it may ward off lung damage by fighting free radicals because it contains vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant.
  • Carrots- it is also another antioxidant which reduces the incidence of exercise induced asthma.
  • Coffee- daily have at least 2 cups of coffee a day because caffeine is a potent bronchodilator which helps in improving airflow.
  • Flax seeds- it contains magnesium which helps in relaxing the muscles surrounding the bronchi and ultimately open up the airways.
  • Garlic- it is also another powerful antioxidant and have anti-inflammatory properties which helps in fighting with the inflammation in the asthma.
  • Do not add peanuts, salt, shellfish, wine in your diet as these products can worsen the condition.

Top 10 Home Remedies for Asthma

Top 10 Home Remedies for Asthma

Here are the Most Effective Top 10 Home Remedies for Asthma that you should follow Every Time.

Ginger

  • It is very effective Natural Treatment for Asthma. It helps in inhibition of airway contraction and also helps in reduction of airway inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Take

  • Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger in half cup of water and take 1 tablespoon of this drink before sleeping.
  • Another option, Mix ginger juice, pomegranate juice and honey. Have 1 tablespoon of this mixture twice or thrice daily.
  • You can also eat a piece of raw ginger mixed with a pinch of salt.
  • Alternatively, add one inch of ginger into boiling water. Steep it for 5 minutes and then allow it to cool, then have this drink on regular basis.

Mustard oil

  • Massage mustard oil on to the respiratory passages which helps in clearing respiratory passages and helps in restoring normal breathing in case of attack of asthma.

How to Take

  • Heat some amount of mustard oil along with small amount of camphor in it. Allow it to cool and then rub and massage it on the upper back and chest. Repeat this process several times until the symptoms of asthma subside.

Figs

  • Its nutritional properties helps in drainage of phlegm and getting rid of breathing difficulties. It also helps in promoting respiratory health and fitness.

How to Take

  • Soak 3 dried figs in water for 8 hours. Next morning, eat the soaked figs and drink fig water on an empty stomach. Follow this treatment for few months.

Garlic

  • During the early stages of asthma, garlic helps in clearing the congestion in your lungs.

How to Take

  • Add 2-3 cloves of garlic in a cup of milk and boil it. Allow this milk to cool for 5 minutes and drink it at least once a day for better results.

Coffee

  • Its bronchodilating properties helps in controlling asthma attacks. It also helps in relaxing the airways as well as clearing the airways.

How to Take

  • Have at least 2-3 cups of coffee daily. Coffee should be strong .Stronger will be the coffee, better will be the results.

Eucalyptus oil

  • The decongestant properties of this oil helps in the treatment of symptoms of asthma. It also helps in breakdown of mucus because it contains a compound which is called as eucalyptol.

How to Take

  • Add 2-3 drops of this oil in a pot of boiling water and breathe in the steam which will help in the treatment of the symptoms of asthma.
  • Add few drops of this oil on the paper towel and breathe in the aroma of it for better results.

Honey

  • It helps in the treatment of asthma symptoms due to presence of ethereal and alcohol oils in it. It is one of the oldest and effective cure of asthma.

How to Take

  • Eat 1 teaspoon of honey along with half teaspoon of cinnamon powder, before sleeping which will helps in the removal of phlegm from your chest and clear the airways.
  • Alternatively, you can simply inhale the smell of honey which shows positive results.

Onions

  • Onion helps in reducing the airway constriction due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Onion also consists of sulphur which helps in reduction of inflammation.

How to Take

  • You can eat raw onion and get the results.
  • You can add onion in salads and in meals also.

Lemon

  • People with asthma suffers from deficiency of vitamin C. Lemons help in reducing the asthma symptoms as it is rich in antioxidants and vitamins.

How to Take

  • Add juice of lemon in a glass of water and add honey to it. Drink this regularly so as to prevent asthma attacks.

Carom seeds

  • Another name of carom seeds is Bishop’s weed and ajwain. It acts as a bronchodilator by dilating the bronchial tubes in the lungs, so in this way it helps in treatment of asthma.

How to Take

  • Boil 1 tablespoon of carom seeds in the water and then inhale the steam for better results.
Continue Reading

April 23, 2018

Top 7 Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Ashwagandha is very well known in the world of medicine. It is also called Withania Somnifera or Indian ginseng. This herb has been used for years in Ayurveda which is an ancient science of medicine, as well as Chinese medicine.

Withania Somnifera is a perennial shrub from the nightshade or Solanaceae family. The herbal root has been traditionally used as a tonic as well as a sedative but recent studies shows that the leaf extract contains a compound which is known as Withanolides which have been found to carry regenerative properties on brain-cell synapses in mice and in human cell lines.Withania Somnifera can easily be found in India (especially Madhya Pradesh), Bangla Desh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and in some parts of northern Africa.

  • Height: It can grow beyond 170 cm but is usually 30-60 cm.
  • Shape: It has a central stem and is a stout and upright shrub.
  • Branches: Star-shaped branching and all the branches are covered in fine hairs.
  • Leaves: Ovate and alternate, up to 5cm wide and up to 10cm long.
  • Flowers: Green outer-covering layer along with yellow petals on the inner side.
  • Fruit: Red berries enclosed in papery protective covering (calyx).
  • Roots: Long and fleshy tubers.

Ashwagandha has huge range of health benefits. It has immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-stress, sleep-inducing and anticonvulsant properties. The known biologically active components in Ashwagandha are alkaloids, saponins, iron steroidal lactones and choline. It also rich in fatty acids which are of 18 different types and several phytosterols and polyphenols.

The roots, berries and leaves of ashwagandha are being used from several years for medicinal purpose. Ashwagandha is also available in the powdered form or in the form of capsules.

1) Relieves Stress

  • According to a study which was carried out in 2012, it is proved that ashwagandha is highly beneficial in reducing stress and its side effects. People suffering from stress disorders who took ashwagandha had lower levels of stress hormones [cortisol].
  • Ashwagandha give wonderful results in both acute as well as chronic stress. It acts as a tonic and helps your body to adapt to stressful conditions and strengthens the nervous system as well as the adrenals. It refreshes the body as well as mind and also improves the quality of sleep. It is believed that it is doing wonders nowadays.

benefits-of-ashwagandha

2) Stimulates Brain Power

  • According to a study carried out in 2012, it is proved that ashwagandha is effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. There are several chemicals present in ashwagandha which help in improving the production of the main transmitter of neural signals i.e., acetylcholine. This in turn improves the cognitive abilities which includes concentration, thinking and memory.
  • It helps in stimulating the growth of parts of the neural cells which are already damaged due to some reasons and thus helps in reducing the risk of age-related mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
  • Start taking an ashwagandha supplement so as to protect your brain from degeneration but only after consulting your doctor. Do not take it without consulting a doctor.

3) Protects Against Cancer

  • According to some studies, it is proved that ashwagandha helps in prevention of cancer. It also helps in preventing or stopping the growth of cancer. It is high in antioxidants. Its anticancer properties helps in treating almost all types of cancer, it acts by restricting the growth of cancer cells which make it beneficial for the cancer treatment.
  • Its components are doing wonders in preventing the growth of many types of cancer cells like colon, breast, leukemia, melanoma, lung, prostate and sarcoma.
  • Along with this, it also enhances the effects of chemotherapy and radiations against cancer cells. It also protects the healthy cells against damage from several cancer therapies.

4) Improves Immunity

  • Another wonderful benefit of ashwagandha is that it helps in boosting the immune system. It helps in increasing the white blood cell production, as it is rich in antioxidants. It also improves the functioning of the immune system so helps in the treatment of several autoimmune disorders.
  • It gives better overall health and decreases the chances of getting sick more frequently. Plus, when you feel weak and sick, ashwagandha can give you more energy and helps in recovery after illness.
  • Intake of at least 1 cup of ashwagandha tea regularly will keep your immune system strong.
  • Ashwagandha tea is not recommended to patients who are suffering from high blood pressure.

5) Fights Depression

  • Its antidepressant properties make it wonderful for the treatment of depression and stress related disorders, Ashwagandha has stress relieving properties which make it more effective to treat anxiety and depression.
  • According to a study carried out by researchers at the Institute of Medical Sciences at Banaras Hindu University in India, it is found that ashwagandha stabilizes the moods in patients with behavioral disturbances and anxiety.
  • Ashwagandha does not leads to drowsiness, which is a major adverse effect of many other prescribed medicines. It should be taken through orally but under the guidance of a doctor so as to control depression and anxiety.

6) Works as a Natural Aphrodisiac

  • Ashwagandha acts as a powerful aphrodisiac. According to a study carried out in 2013, it is believed that ashwagandha has spermatogenic properties and it can increase sperm count along with semen volume and sperm motility. Ashwagandha can be also taken in the form of capsules.
  • Add half teaspoon of ashwagandha powder into a glass of warm milk and drink it two times a day.
  • Another option, take 300-500 mg capsules, twice daily for at least about a month.

7) Treats Arthritis

  • Ashwagandha is also very effective in treating rheumatism and osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties are because of the alkaloids, saponins and steroidal lactones present in the ashwagandha.
  • It is beneficial in inflammation as well as pain in the joints and especially morning joint stiffness. It also promotes energy, strength and vitality that are essential factors so as to lead a normal life when suffering from health problems especially like arthritis.

Continue Reading

Click the CROSS button to close