Caraka Cikitsa Sthana 18 refers to cough and bronchitis as Kasa, there are five types mentioned, vataja, pittaja, kaphaja, kshataja, and kshayaja.
What are the Symptoms of Each Type?
Vataja Kasa is generally located in the upper respiratory tract, symptoms include dry cough with a deep hollow sound, hoarseness of voice, scanty phlegm, pain in the chest, flanks, and head. Symptoms are relieved with sour, salty, oily, warm cooked foods and aggravated by dry, cold astringent foods.
Pittaja Kasa is generally located in the lower respiratory bronchioles, symptoms include fever, inflammation, yellow phlegm, loss of voice, cough feels like the heat is expelling out, dizziness, bitter taste in the mouth, and increased thirst. Symptoms are relieved with light, moist, cooling foods and aggravated by dry, hot, spicy foods, as well as exposure to heat from the sun.
Kaphaja Kasa is also generally located in the lower respiratory bronchioles, symptoms include thick white sticky mucus, chronic cough with no pain, loss of appetite, nausea, sweet taste in the mouth, nasal discharge, and lethargy. Symptoms are relieved with light spicy warm cooked foods and aggravated by cold, heavy, oily, sweet foods, as well as excessive sleep and laziness.
Kshyaja Kasa is a chronic cough with emaciation, symptoms include greenish-red phlegm, fever, painful flanks, nasal congestion, and strained voice. This type is difficult to treat and is caused by improper lifestyle habits.
Kshataja Kasa is a chronic dry cough with blood-stained sputum, symptoms include pain in the throat, chest, and joints, labored breathing, thirst, and a strained voice. This type is difficult to treat and is caused by great stress put on the body.
Careful assessment by an Ayurvedic Doctor will determine the underlying cause and help to recommend the most effective herbal products.
Herbal Highlight for Kasa
Talisa Pathra (abies webbiana)
A well-known herb Talisa Pathra (abies webbiana) also known as Himalayan Silver Fir is a conifer tree from the Himalayan regions of India. This is one of the main ingredients used in Ayurvedic formulas for managing coughs and opening respiratory airways.
Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal has a large number of products that are useful in managing Coughs and Bronchitis
Some of them are:
Mridwikadi Leham is useful for relieving cough, breathlessness, anemia, loss of appetite, and liver disorders.
Talisapatradi Vatakam effective for all types of cough and respiratory disorders also relieves vomiting, indigestion, dyspepsia, and balances vata and kapha.
Vyoshadi Vatakam is useful for cough, asthma, rhinitis, allergies, and hoarseness of voice.
Vidaryadi Kwatham is effective in chronic bronchitis, phthisis, emaciation, spasmodic dyspepsia, and disorders of vata and pitta.
Nirgundyadi Gulika – is useful for cough and fever in both adults and children.
Nostricap Inhalant Capsules – effectively clears nasal tract in cold and rhinitis, congestion, coryza, and bronchitis, the ideal remedy for stuffy nose, irritated nose, and heaviness in the head due to cold.
Useful Massage Oils:
Asanavilwadi Oil is useful for disorders of the head, eyes, ears, and more effective in catarrh.
Rasnadi Oil is a useful massage oil for the head, nose and ear, and problems caused by cold and phlegm.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and this information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at mailto:contact@kottakkal.shop and we will provide you with one of our affiliated Ayurvedic professionals. Check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.