NEW DEHLI: Indigenous herbal medicine combined with the Indian exercise system of yoga and emotional support can help control asthma and cure it completely especially in initial stages says recent study.
The research conducted by Dr. V.N Pandey director India’s central council for research in Ayurveda and Sidha (Indian medicine and transcendental yoga) shows that certain commonly found herbs like Pippali (Piper Longum) Elea lettaria Cardamomum) Shirish (Albizia Lebbek) and Vansha (Bambusa Bambos) can cure asthma completely more so in children.
The medical value of Pippali and Ela lies in its fruit while that of Shirish and Vansa in the bark of the plan the study says.
As asthmatic attack stars by a “trigger factor” which can include Pollens House dust Polluting fumes Fungi and some infections. Excessive emotions such as laughter crying and excitement can also precipitate an attack.
These herbs develop resistance in the individual by blocking the trigger factor and increasing the self defence: mechanism of the body.
They also act as bronco-dilators clear the airway and increase the Gamma-Globulin fraction of the blood to develop general immunity Dr. Pandey told PTI.
Injections usually given to asthma patients can lead to change in the gene structure. They develop specific immunity in the body the cost of general immunity Dr. Pandey said.
But these herbs develop general immunity in the patient so that the body can combat any disease on its own. “The body gets a chance to fight its own problems” Dr. Pandey said.
After two to three years of regular administration the patient develops permanent immunity to asthma. The fruits and bark of these herbs are not taken in the form of medicinal preparations but directly as milk preparations he says.
Shirish has been found to be quite effective in patients with allergic asthma a condition which results in people who are quite sensitive to pollens feathers and house dust.
Dr. Pandey said as asthma attacks are extremely distressing it is essential to give as much emotional support to the patient as possible. The ancient Ayurveda system gives equal importance to the role of a physician in curing the patient says a doctor should have a proper insight into the psychic component of the patient.
Another study shows that meditation and relaxation techniques combined with certain yogic exercises can provide a non-drug therapy to asthma.
The techniques to be practiced morning and evening relax the nervous system and chest muscles: thus improving the blood circulation and oxygen intake of the lungs he says.
The yoga therapy works on the principle that the air passage gets absolutely cleared of all infections so that the patient develops general immunity.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 21, 1992
