All World
Gayatri Pariwar

In this article of yoga therapy series, we shall consider the ailments of respiratory system and discuss their treatment through yoga. The various organs that come within the respiratory system are – nasal cavity, pharynx, epiglottis, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Respiratory system is usually divided into two parts – upper respiratory track and lower respiratory track. An approximate dividing line for these two is taken to pass through the throat, where an external projection is visible. But this division is only imaginary. Actually all the diseases of the nose and throat have a very intimate connection with diseases of trachea, bronchi and lungs.

Infections of upper respiratory track like common cold and sinusitis etc under certain conditions can descend to lungs and cause diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia. Upper respiratory track includes the nasal cavity, sinus, pharynx, epiglottis etc. Among the regular ailments of this track, the most prominent are common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, tonsillitis and swelling of adenoid etc. The lower respiratory track includes trachea, bronchi and lungs. The prominent ailments that occur here are bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, pneumonia, emphysema, cancer, tuberculosis, pleurisy, pneumothorax etc.

Among the ailments of respiratory track we shall discuss here about common cold – how it spreads in human body and how it can be countered using yogic therapy. Medical science calls common cold by several names. It is a short-term ailment which shows up as a simple, normal disorder of the body. If it continues for a long time it can lead to flu or influenza. It is an infectious disease. Usually people with low immunity fall victims to its strong attacks. Primarily common cold occurs only when life-force (pr³ö) is weak within the body. Exposure to cold temperature also causes this ailment. At the time of change of seasons like at the end of winter and onset of spring, when the internal temperature of the body does not harmonize well with the external temperature, it becomes susceptible to common cold. Poisonous elements that accumulate in a healthy body are periodically discarded by the body and this also causes common cold.

Symptoms of common cold

Common cold normally occurs untold and suddenly. In the beginning irritation and sensitivity develops within the nose and the throat which causes sneezing. Dryness and irritation of throat result in coughing tendency. In addition, mild headache, irritation in eyes, running nose are the other symptoms that show up. Some people right at the beginning develop fever with shivering. Skin feels dry and warm, patient feels thirsty, the tongue feels dry; and loss of appetite is other common symptom. Urine colour turns deeper and its quantity reduces. Constipation is another common complaint.

When infection increases further then pain in the back and other organs develops. This pain often keeps migrating from one organ to the other. Skin lining inside the nose swells making it necessary for the patient to breathe through the mouth. As water keeps running through the nose and is wiped again and again, the skin around the nostrils develops rashes. Tear glands (lachrymal glands) develop swelling resulting in constant flow of tears and redness in the eyes. Food seems distasteful and the sense of smell becomes very weak. If the voice box (larynges) gets infected then in addition to irritation in throat the voice becomes hoarse too. Commonly the swelling spreads further to the ears and then even the sense of hearing deteriorates. If the condition worsens further and swelling spreads to the lower respiratory track then trachea could develop increased sensitivity and coughing becomes more pronounced.

Serious forms of cold and its ill-effects

Common cold normally gets cured in a short course if essential dietary restrictions and medical treatments are properly adhered to. However, if the patient maintains a low immunity then the cold can get further complicated and its ill effects can turn extremely harmful for the health. Very serious ill-effects of influenza can be seen on young children and adults.

Some of the complications that arise out of common cold are –
1.Secondary bacterial infection – this causes discharge to become thick and full of pus.
2.Sinusitis – this stands for swelling and obstruction in the sinus cavity and yellow coloured phlegm with pus is discharged.
3.Middle ear infection – when infection spreads to ears from the nose then symptoms like fever, inability to hear and shooting pain in the ears develop.
4.Lower respiratory track infection – Swelling of trachea, pneumonia and other lung diseases can occur.

Allopathic treatment of serious forms of common cold

Doctors normally prescribe antibiotic, antacid, anti-allergic and vitamin tablets as medicines for common cold. If cold is accompanied with fever then antipyretics are prescribed too. In case of body ache analgesics are prescribed. All these help in symptomatic relief and controlling of the common cold. However, it is not possible to completely cure common cold and regain perfect health with these medicines. They also have several side effects.

Ayurvedic treatment

Ayurvedic treatment acts a little slowly but is more effective. One tablet of Lakshmivilas Ras taken with honey and juice of ginger is very beneficial for the patient. This should be taken in empty stomach in the morning and evening. Kafketu Ras can also be taken in the morning and evening. Among Bhasm based medicines, Shrung Bhasm can be taken in two ‘ratti’ quantity, twice a day. Sitopaladi churn and Trikatu Churn help cure the cold. Any one of Khadiradi tablet or Aladi tablet or Marichyadi tablet can be sucked for relief from throat pain. It is beneficial to put a few drops of Shadbindu oil in the nose with the help of cotton for opening blocked nose. Lukewarm water should be drunk. It helps suppress phlegm formation and reduces the intensity of cold. Drops of lemon juice can also be added to the warm water.

Yogic treatment

Yoga therapy can completely cure common cold and reinstate good health.

1.    Âsan – Among Âsans, S¿rya Namask³r, shash³nk³san, bhujang³san, gomukh³san, etc can be practiced. Shash³nk³san and bhujang³san have a beneficial effect on stomach, abdomen, liver etc and can help cure common cold. S¿rya Namask³r is the best cure. These ³sans should be practiced carefully in a proper manner.
2.    Kriy³ – These have a quick and efficient effect in curing common cold. Neti, vaman, kap³lbh³ti and shankh-praksh³lan are the most beneficial among kriy³s. Neti and vaman can be done two to three times a day during common cold. These help in clearing the nasal obstructions and regularizing the irregularities of the body. In case of fever kunjal and neti are prohibited. Other than Yog-nidr³ and Antarmoun all other yogic s³dhan³s must be stopped.
3.    Pr³ö³y³m – Pr³ö³yams are extremely helpful and beneficial in curing cold. N³di shodhan and Bhastrik³ are highly recommended. The increased life-force (pr³ö) acquired through pr³ö³y³m helps in curing diseases.

Other suggestions
1.    Excess food intake must be completely stopped
2.    Complete fast or eating only once a day can help suppress common cold. Sour and food rich in fats should be avoided.
3.    Ginger, black pepper and cinnamon can be boiled in water and then strained. The resulting solution is a very beneficial drink. Sufficient rest must be taken.
4.    One must not completely stop physical activities when suffering from cold. Normal activities should be continued with medicines.
5.    Liquid diet, khichdi, easily digestible food and fruits should be included in diet. However avoid fruits which are cold in nature and which increase phlegm.
6.    In case of nasal congestion steam inhalation is very beneficial. Gargling with warm water mixed with salt helps in curing cough and soothing the throat irritation.

Thus with proper diet, fasting and adopting creative daily routine along with yogic practice helps regaining health from common cold. In the next article in this series we shall throw light upon some other diseases of respiratory system and their treatment through yoga therapy.