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.

"तामकश्वासमाश्वस्तं लघ्वापतां हरति । सप्त च पिताशीतानां च बन्धनं च न कर्तवन् ॥"
(चरक संहिता, सूत्रस्थान १४/२०)
Transliteration: Tamakaśvāsa-māśvasthaṃ laghv-āpatāṃ harati | Sapta ca pitāśītānāṃ ca bandhanaṃ ca na kartavan ||
Translation: Tamaka Shvāsa is a type of asthma characterized by chronic cough and dyspnea, associated with imbalances of multiple doṣas, and is not to be restricted forcibly by treatment.

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.

"तामकश्वासमश्वासस्तामरुजगतान्मनः । श्वासघ्नं कफवातग्रस्तं खल्वं च न तिष्ठति ॥"
(सुश्रुत संहिता, उत्तरस्थान ४२/४८)
Translation: Tamaka Shvāsa, associated with Kapha and Vata dosha, causes persistent breathlessness and is difficult to cure.

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.

Dietary causes of Tamaka Shvāsa:

• Ati-snigdha, guru, abhishyandi ahara (milk, curd, fried/oily foods, heavy sweets).

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

• Cold and heavy foods, chilled drinks, ice-cream, bananas increase Kapha and clog channels.
• Dairy products: Milk, cheese, curd aggravate Kapha and mucus.
• Viruddha āhāra: milk + fish, fruit + milk.
• Refined & processed foods: Excess sugar, fried snacks, preservatives.
• Irregular eating: Skipping meals, overeating, eating before digestion complete.

Lifestyle/Behavioral causes of Tamaka Shvāsa:

• Diwaswapna (day sleep) and Avyayama (lack of exercise) → Kapha vriddhi.
• Ati-vyayama (overexertion), ratrijagarana (night vigil) → Vata prakopa.

  "अतिव्यायामाच्च वातः प्रकोपं लभते ध्रुवम्"
  (अष्टाङ्गहृदय, सूत्रस्थान १२/४)

• Exposure to dust, smoke, pollen, damp & cold climate worsens Kapha.
• Mental stress, fear, anxiety trigger acute episodes.
• Suppression of natural urges (cough, sneeze) causes srotorodha.
• Neglect of seasonal regimen (ṛtucharya) increases relapse risk.

Pathogenesis (Samprapti): Nidana sevana → Kapha vriddhi + Vata prakopa → obstruction in prāṇavaha srotas. Ama from agnimandya clogs srotas. Vata attempts to move prana but is obstructed by sticky Kapha → paroxysmal dyspnea, wheezing. Secondary involvement: Pitta (inflammatory asthma).

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

Ayurveda: Detailed history (nidana), dosha analysis (Kapha-Vata predominance), nadi pariksha, tongue exam, agni bala.
Modern: Spirometry, peak flow, allergy test (IgE), CBC (eosinophils), chest X-ray, CT.

• Slight cough, nasal congestion
• Occasional breathlessness
• Fatigue, weakness
• Throat dryness, irritation
• Sensitivity 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

• Dyspnea, wheezing
• Chest tightness, orthopnea (relief in sitting)
• Paroxysmal cough with mucus
• Nocturnal aggravation
• Allergic rhinitis features: sneezing, watery discharge, itchy eyes

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

• Kaphaja Tamaka Shvāsa: Excess mucus, congestion, aggravated in damp/cold weather.
• Vataja Tamaka Shvāsa: Dry cough, chest constriction, anxiety.
• Pittaja Tamaka Shvāsa: Burning chest, yellow sputum.
• Sannipataja Tamaka Shvāsa: Involvement of all three doshas.
• Modern: Allergic, exercise-induced, chronic asthma types.

• Chronic bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory failure
• Cardiac strain
• Anxiety, depression

Prognosis: Acute/early cases — sadhya with proper management. Chronic/recurrent — yapya (manageable with continuous care). Severe/terminal — asadhya.

चिकित्सा (Treatment of Asthma / Tamaka Śvāsa)

1. सिद्धान्त (Therapeutic Principles)

Primary aims include Kapha-śamana, Vāta-anulomana, Agni-dīpana, Āma-pācana, Srotoshodhana, and Rasāyana to strengthen Prāṇavaha srotas.

लङ्घनं स्वेदनं तिक्तं कफवातहरं परम् ॥
(चरक संहिता, चिकीसा १७/६५)

2. शोधन चिकित्सा (Purification Therapies)

• वमन (Vamana – Therapeutic Emesis): Best for Kaphaja Tamaka Śvāsa with phlegm and congestion.

श्लेष्मश्वासे वमनं श्रेष्ठम् ॥
(चरक संहिता, चिकीसा १७/७०)

• विरेचन (Virechana – Purgation): Indicated if Pitta association (burning chest, yellow sputum).

• बस्ति (Basti – Enema): Niruha basti with Daśamūla, Bala, Rasna; Anuvāsana basti with Eranda taila.

बस्तिः श्रेष्ठो हि वातानां श्वासकासप्रशान्तये ॥
(चरक सिद्धिस्थान १/३९)

• नस्य (Nasya): Anu taila, Śadbindu taila to clear Kapha from head and airways.

3. शमन चिकित्सा (Palliative Therapies)

Herbal Formulations:

• Sitopalādi churna, Talisādi churna
• Trikaṭu churna with honey
• Śvāsa-kuthāra rasa, Abhraka bhasma
• Vāsāvaleha, Cyavanaprāśa avaleha
• Guggulu kalpa – Śvāsa-hara guggulu

4. बाह्य उपचार (External Therapies)

• धूमपान (Dhuma Pāna): Medicated smoking with Haridrā, Vacha, Ajwain.
• स्वेदन (Swedana): Dashamoola kwatha steam inhalation.
• लेप / उपनाह (Poultice): Mustard oil + Dashamoola churna on chest.

5. आहार (Dietary Pathya–Apathya)

Pathya (Do’s):

• Warm water, ginger tea, black pepper decoction
• Old rice, yava (barley), mudga (green gram)
• Tulsi, turmeric, garlic

Apathya (Don’ts):

• Cold drinks, ice cream, banana, curd
• Heavy fried/oily foods
• Exposure to dust, smoke, cold wind

6. योग, प्राणायाम, मुद्रा (Yoga, Prāṇāyāma, Mudrā)

• Āsana: Bhujangasana, Matsyasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Gomukhasana
• Prāṇāyāma: Anuloma-Viloma, Kapālabhāti (mild), Bhrāmarī
• Mudrā: Prāṇa mudrā, Vāyu mudrā
• Mantra: ॐ chanting, Dhanvantari mantra for healing

7. आधुनिक दृष्टीकोण (Modern Correlation)

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease. Modern management uses inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and allergen avoidance. Ayurveda adds Panchakarma, herbal rasāyana, and holistic lifestyle for long-term control.

• Warm water, ginger tea
• Laghu, ushna, non-mucus forming foods
• Steam inhalation with ajwain/tulsi

• Ice cream, cold drinks
• Excess banana, curd
• Exposure to dust/smoke

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions mediated by IgE and histamine. Modern management: inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, leukotriene antagonists. Ayurveda emphasizes nidana parivarjana, Panchakarma, rasayana, yoga, and lifestyle balance for long-term relief.

• Spirometry
• Peak flow
• Allergy tests
• CBC with eosinophils
• Chest X-ray / CT scan