Tamaka Shvāsa is described as a chronic, recurrent Vāta–Kapha disorder affecting Prāṇavaha Srotas, characterized by dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, and recurrent cough. Allergic conditions (dust/pollen, food allergy, rhinitis) are correlated with Pratishyaya (nasal allergy), Vishama Jvara (immune dysregulation), and Kapha-dominant immune hypersensitivity. Modern science identifies it as chronic inflammatory disease of airways with hyperreactivity to allergens, infections, or environmental triggers.

"कासश्वासप्रसेकाभिः कफवातसमन्वितः । तमकः श्वास इत्युक्तः क्रिच्छ्रश्वासो निशासुखः ॥"
(चरक संहिता, चिकीसा १७/५५)

Classical view: Tamaka Shvāsa is Kapha-avṛta Vāta disorder. Obstruction of vāta gati in prāṇavaha srotas leads to wheezing, difficulty breathing, and aggravation at night/cold/dust exposure. Pratishyaya (allergic rhinitis) is a nasal counterpart, progressing to shvāsa roga when unmanaged.
Modern view: Asthma = chronic airway inflammation with hyperreactivity. Allergies = immune hypersensitivity involving IgE, mast cells, histamine release. Common triggers: dust, pollen, mold, animal dander, cold weather, stress, food items.

• Ati-snigdha, guru, abhishyandi ahara (milk, curd, fried/oily foods, heavy sweets) — cause Kapha vriddhi and srotorodha.

  "दधिमाक्षिकनवनीतानुपानं श्वासकारणम्।"
  (अष्टाङ्गहृदय, सूत्रस्थान ४/२)

• Ati-sevana of sheeta, madhura, abhishyandi foods — cold drinks, ice cream, excessive banana, curd.
• Viruddha ahara — milk + fish, fruit + milk combinations.
• Allergen-rich foods (rajasic/tamasic) — seafood, peanuts, preservatives, processed foods (modern view).

• Diwaswapna (day sleep) and Avyayama (lack of exercise) → Kapha vriddhi.
• Ati-vyayama, ratrijagarana — Vata vitiation worsening shvāsa.
• Exposure to dust, pollen, smoke, cold wind — direct aggravators (Charaka, modern triggers).
• Manasika hetu — anxiety, fear, stress precipitate asthmatic attacks.
• Vegavidharana (suppression of sneezing, coughing, urges) — srotorodha leading to shvāsa roga.

Nidana sevana → Kapha vriddhi + Vata prakopa → avarana of prāṇa-vaha srotas. Srotorodha + vāta gati vighna → dyspnea, wheeze, cough. In allergies, āma formation + hypersensitive immune system = exaggerated Kapha-Pitta reaction to allergens.

"कफावृतं यदा वायुः श्वासकृन्मूर्ध्नि रोहति।"
(चरक संहिता, चिकीसा १७/५८)

Ayurveda: Clinical diagnosis through lakṣaṇa, prāṇavaha srotas dushti, agni bala, kapha predominance.
Modern: Spirometry, Peak flow meter, Allergy testing (IgE, skin prick), Chest X-ray, CBC (eosinophilia).

• Frequent sneezing
• Heaviness in chest
• Nasal congestion
• Mild cough
• Intolerance to dust/pollen

• Breathlessness (dyspnea, shortness of breath)
• Wheezing sound in chest
• Cough with phlegm
• Chest tightness or heaviness
• Sneezing with nasal discharge
• Watery eyes, itching (allergy sign)
• Relief in sitting posture (orthopnea)
• Worsening at night or in cold weather

• Paroxysmal dyspnea, wheezing
• Chest tightness, breathlessness at night
• Excessive phlegm
• Relief in sitting posture (orthopnea)
• Nasal allergy: sneezing, watery discharge, itchy eyes

"निशासुखः श्वासकृच्छ्रः श्लेष्मवातसमन्वितः।"
(चरक संहिता, चिकीसा १७/५५)

• Kaphaja Tamaka Shvāsa — Kapha dominance, cough, phlegm.
• Vataja Tamaka Shvāsa — more dyspnea, wheezing, anxiety.
• Mixed (Kapha-Vata) — classical Tamaka Shvāsa.
• Allergic Asthma — dust/pollen induced.
• Intrinsic Asthma — non-allergic, infection/stress-induced.

• Chronic bronchitis
• Respiratory failure (rare)
• Sleep disturbance
• Cardiac strain (cor pulmonale)

Controlled by removing nidana, panchakarma, herbal therapy. Early/mild asthma = sadhya. Severe chronic asthma with frequent attacks = yapya. Terminal with respiratory failure = asadhya.

• Principles: Kapha-shamana, Vata-anulomana, srotoshodhana, agni-deepana.
• Panchakarma:
  • Vamana — best for Kaphaja Tamaka Shvāsa.
  • Virechana — for Pitta association.
  • Basti — Niruha/Anuvasana basti with Dashamoola/Eranda taila.
  • Nasya — Anu taila, Shadbindu taila.
• Herbal Medicines:
  • Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica)
  • Kantakari, Pippali, Haridra
  • Trikatu churna, Sitopaladi churna
  • Shvasakuthar rasa, Talisadi churna
• External therapies: Dhoomapana (medicated herbal smoke), Swedana with Dashamoola kwatha.
• Pathya: Laghu, ushna, non-mucus forming foods; ginger water; tulsi tea.
• Apathya: Cold drinks, curd, ice cream, banana, smoking, dust exposure.
• Yoga/Pranayama: Anuloma-viloma, Kapalabhati (mild), Bhastrika, Bhramari.
• Asana: Sukhasana, Bhujangasana, Matsyasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana.
• Mudra: Prana mudra, Vayu mudra.
• Mantra: Dhanvantari mantra, Om chanting during pranayama.

• Ginger, black pepper, tulsi
• Warm water
• Steam inhalation with ajwain

• Cold, heavy foods
• Excess curd, banana
• Exposure to dust/pollution

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease; allergies are hypersensitivity reactions. Triggers include allergens, pollution, cold air, stress. Management includes inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, leukotriene antagonists. Ayurveda emphasizes nidana parivarjana, Panchakarma, herbal formulations, and lifestyle changes to strengthen prāṇavaha srotas and immunity.

• Spirometry
• Peak flow meter
• Allergy tests (IgE, skin prick)
• CBC with eosinophils
• Chest X-ray