asthma

[Guest guest]

dear Sraboni

 

asthma can be difficult to treat, especially when it is severe

usually i recommend that you see a practitioner

you may be able to find a Kam Po practitioner that can provide your son

with local herbs, and to this end I have made mention of Chinese herbs,

since Kam Po and Chinese medicine are very similar

 

in Ayurvedic medicine asthma is caused by the dysfunctional movement of

apana vayu, which invades the chest and aggravates kapha - treatment is

thus orientated to correcting apana as well as removing other

etiological factors such as exposure to poisons, noxious fumes and

dust, anemia, chronic fever, wind, injury or drinking very cold water

 

in Chinese medicine asthma is caused by pathogenic Cold, Heat or Qi

deficiency. Cold-type asthma is more frequent attacks in winter and

exposure to cold, identified by a white, moist and glossy coating on

the tongue, and taut and tight pulse. Heat-type asthma is identified by

its occurrence in hot weather, a yellowish mucoid sputum, thirst, a red

tongue with yellow greasy coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse.

Deficiency-type asthma is caused by a deficiency of Lung and Spleen Qi

and manifests as the chronic form of asthma, with a weak, fragile

cough, aversion to wind, debility, a pale tongue a dry coating, and a

deep fine, weak pulse. Essentially Cold = Kapha, Heat = Pitta and Qi

deficiency = Vata

 

in a place like Tokyo, i expect that air quality may be a major issue,

apart from seasonal factors like pollen release

 

here is an overview of my approach to treating asthma - please note -

all doses given are adult doses

 

to determine a child's dose divide the child's weight into 68 kg (150

lb), eg. for 40 kg (88 lb) child the dose would be 40/68 = 0.58, or

between one half and two-thirds of the adult dose, e.g. if the dose is

5 g, the child's dose would be 5 g X 0.58 = 3 g

 

also, please note that I am providing detailed information which is

probably overload for you, but when I post to the list I like to make

sure that I am helping to educate others as well - so you can probably

ignore much of the herbs, follow the supplement recommendations, the

dietary recommendations, and a couple of the formulas in section 8 -

but you should still see a practitioner in my opinion

 

ok, here is my protocol for asthma (svasa)

 

1. Open the airways. This is the most obvious treatment for asthma,

and can consist of both short and long term strategies. Generally

speaking, botanicals hold no special advantage over beta-adrenergic

inhalers, but can be used when such medications are unavailable, e.g.

Lobelia, Toothpick weed (Ammi visnaga), or Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica),

with antispasmodics, expectorants and demulcents listed below.

Practitioners might consider Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) as well,

which used to be sold in pharmacies as an incense or cigarettes for

smoking (dhuma). Allergy-type asthma attacks may respond to

freeze-dried Nettle (Urtica dioica), two capsules every five minutes.

In a pinch very strong black coffee or black tea given in small sips

may be life-saving.

 

2. Eliminate bronchial congestion and inflammation. A variety of

methods are used, including those which ease muscular spasm, promote

vasoconstriction of the mucosa, assist in the expectoration mucus, and

soothe irritation and inflammation. These should be used in preference

to corticosteroid inhalers, which suppress the immune response and

facilitate secondary infection. Herbal approaches include:

•Respiratory antispasmodics, specifically used in cold and dry (Vata)

conditions, e.g. Lobelia, Sundew, Skunk Cabbage, Grindelia, Wild Yam,

Thyme, Wild Cherry bark, Mullein, Colstfoot, Elecampane, Balm of

Gilead, Wild Lettuce, Sanguinaria Hing, Vasaka, Tai Zi Shen

(Pseudostellaria heterophylla), Xing Ren (Prunus armeniaca)

•Stimulating expectorants, used in highly congestive conditions with a

thick profuse catarrh (Kapha), e.g. Heartsease, Squill, Stillingia,

Cowslip, Bellis, Euphorbia, Guggulu, Balm of Gilead, Grindelia,

Vibhitaki, Tulasi, Ban Xia (Pinellia ternate), Jie Geng (Platycodon

grandiflorum)

•Mucolytics, digestive stimulants to enhance digestion and decrease

viscosity of mucus (Vata-Kapha), e.g. Ginger, Cinnamon, Anise, Cayenne,

Prickly Ash, Garlic, Angelica, Ela, Maricha, Pippali

•Astringing expectorants, to dry up excessive mucus secretions and

constrict mucosal capillaries (Pitta-Kapha), e.g. Bayberry, Eyebright,

Fir bark, Goldenrod, Mullein, Goldenseal, Vibhitaki

•Antiinflammatory expectorants, for symptoms of symptoms of heat

(Pitta), e.g. Vasaka, Vamsarochana, Bhumyamalaki, Chuan Bei Mu

(Fritillaria cirrhosa), Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria thunbergii), Gua Lou

Ren/Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes kirilowii)

•Demulcents and vulneraries, used in acute inflammation, heat and

dryness (Vata-Pitta), and not in profound catarrh, e.g. Licorice, St.

Johns Wort, Comfrey, Plantain, Marshmallow, Chickweed, Mai Men Dong

(Ophiopogon japonicus), Shi Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa), Shi Hu

(Dendrobium nobile)

•Avoid dairy, flour, sugar and other mucus-forming foods

 

3. Correct dysfunctional breathing patterns. Assess for dysfunctional

breathing patterns. Emphasize meditation, relaxation and

stress-reduction techniques. Nervine relaxants and trophoretoratives

may be indicated, including Wild Oats, Passionflower, Valerian, Wood

Betony, Bugleweed, Motherwort, Chamomile, St. Johns Wort, Skullcap,

Ashvagandha, Brahmi, Ling zhi (Ganoderma spp.)

 

4. Support immune function.

•Lymphagogues as supportive, and specifically with lymphadenopathy

(swollen lymph nodes), e.g. Echinacea, Red root, Poke root, Red Cedar,

Cleaver, Red Clover

•Immunomodulants in chronic or recurring conditions, e.g. Echinacea,

Pau D'Arco, Amalaki, Ling zhi (Ganoderma spp.), Huang qi (Astragalus

membranaceus), Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra chinense), Dong Chong Xia Cao

(Cordyceps chinensis)

oImmunosupportive nutrients, including vitamins A (25,000 IU daily), B

complex (50 mg daily), C (to bowel tolerance) and E (800 IU daily), as

well as zinc (50 mg daily) and selenium (100 mcg daily)

 

5. Correct inflammatory tendency by addressing nutrient deficiencies.

•Decrease consumption of feed-lot, grain-fed meat and animal products,

including beef, pork, chicken and eggs.

•Increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, equivalent of 1000 mg of

EPA/DHA daily

•Flavonoids and anthocyanidins-rich compounds and foods, e.g.

quercitin, grape seed extract, turmeric, berries (e.g. blueberries,

strawberries), Rubus, Rosa (hips), Hibiscus, Gingko, Amalaki (Emblica

officinalis)

•Magnesium and calcium, 800-1000 mg each daily

 

6. Detoxification.

•Cholagogues and hepatotrophorestoratives to enhance liver

detoxification with cholagogues and supportive nutrients, e.g.

Barberry, Boldo, Milk Thistle, Haritaki, Haridra, Guduchi,

Bhumyamalaki, Katuka, Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis),

•Diuretics and lymphagogues, e.g. Shatapushpi, Cleavers, Nettle,

Goldenrod, Horsetail, Poke root, Red Cedar, Cleavers, Red root

•Hydration and heat: showers, baths, steam baths, sweating under

blankets; drinking 2 liters of water daily

 

7. Eliminate environmental triggers. Patients should be assessed for

possible allergens (e.g. dust mites, pollen, animal dander), and then

placed on an elimination-challenge diet to determine food allergens.

Attention must be directed to the removal of noxious agents including

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemical irritants and

toxins found in building materials including paints, flooring, carpets,

pressed wood (e.g. fiberboard, plywood), and urban pollution.

Cessation of smoking (tobacco, cannabis) is highly recommended.

Workplace hazards include recycled air and dust.

 

8. Specific formulae:

•Compound Tincture of Lobelia (King's American Dispensatory, 1898), 5 -

10 mL, up to five times daily.

•Nayopayam kvatha, 48 g 2-3 x daily

•Balajirakadi kvatha, 48 g 2-3 x daily

•Dashamula kvatha, 48 g 2-3 x daily

•Eladi churna, 2-4 g 2-3x daily, with honey

•Chaturdasangha churna, 3-6 g 2-3 x daily

•Shiva gutika, 3 g 2 x daily, on an empty stomach, and don't eat for

several hours after

•Agastyaharitaki rasayana, 6-12 g 2x daily, with water

•Bilvadi lehya, 6-12 g 2x daily, with water

•Chyavanaprash, 6-12 g 2x daily, with water

•Draksharistha, 15-25 mL, 2-3 x daily

•Ma Xing Shi gan Tang (Ephedra Apricot, Gypsum and Licorice decotion),

1 cup thrice daily

•Ren Shen Ge Jie San (Ginseng and Gecko powder), 3-6 g 2-3 x daily

•Ding Chuan Tang (Arrest Wheezing decoction), 1 cup 2-3 x daily

•Chuan Ke Ling, 4 pills 2-3 x daily

•Ping Chuan Wan, 10 pills 2-3 x daily

 

 

best... todd caldecott

 

> Hello,

>

> My 5 year old son has got asthma, which really gets worse, during the

> seasonal changes. I have tried so many things - allopathy - for 2

> years he had broncho dilator and anti allergic medicine twice a day

> apart from inhalers and nebulisers during the time of attack, then I

> tried some aromatherapy and now I am giving him Homeopathy medicine.

> When the attack comes, nothing seems to work.

> During his attack, he coughs a lot , sometimes at a stretch for 2 hrs

> - it is so difficult to see a child suffering like that and I always

> have a fear that this might affect his lungs too..

> I know going for steroids will be one option , but I just don't want

> to go for it.

>

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

 

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public

relations, for Nature cannot be fooled."

-Richard P. Feynman

[Guest guest]

Dear

 

Thank you so much ... for writing such a detailed report of asthma. It is very

informative. I will definitely try to look for some Kanpo medicines here.

 

Regards,

Sraboni