5 Ways To Improve Your Lung Capacity With Ayurveda

Most of us strive to get healthier and stay fit. But seldom we think about safeguarding our lungs and supporting the health of the lungs. Our lungs work 24/7 efficiently for us to live and survive healthily. We usually don’t think about the critical function our lungs play in retaining us stable and sound. But the truth is, our lungs necessitate regular care and attention. Dr Kausthub Desikachar says, let us take time and prioritise our lung health. In this article, Dr Kausthub Desikachar discusses ways to improve your lung capacity with Ayurveda.

Role Of Lungs

Do we remind our lungs to inhale air and exhale air? No, right? That just happens without our notice. These are known as involuntary activities and are the crucial ones that help us sustain life, just like the heart that pumps blood. The lungs’ primary mission is to help inhale/breathe in oxygen from the environment and transport them to the red cells in the bloodstream. The red blood cells then carry oxygen throughout the cells found in our body and give us energy. Each cell found in our body requires oxygen to stay bustling and healthful. The lungs further help the body get discarded of the toxic Carbon dioxide gas from our body when we exhale/breathe out.

Considering how fundamental and imperative the role of the lungs are, it’s no blow that our body’s health as a whole suffers when there are persistent lung problems. Ayuveda, pranayama-s and yoga-asanas provide ways to help your lungs become more efficient at managing airflow and oxygen levels.

Lung Disorders And Illnesses

Any respiratory disorder may be temporary or chronic (long term). Common lung conditions include:

Asthma

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic lung condition. Allergic asthma typically begins in childhood. Asthma attacks comprise an obstructive contraction and swelling of the airways and excess mucus production, slowing down the airflow. During an asthma attack, the lungs also become puffed and inflamed. Common asthma triggers are an allergic reaction, air pollution, intensive workout, cold air and other respiratory illness. Asthma triggers depend upon each person’s immunity and allergic resistance.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a swelling of the wall of your bronchial tubes, which transport air to and from your lungs—recurrent events of nagging cough with thickened mucus. Chest congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath, wheezing are common symptoms of bronchitis. Bronchitis is triggered by breathing in air pollution, dust, smoking or second-hand smoking, or bacterial infection.

Emphysema

Emphysema is one classification of lung disease that destroys the alveoli— air sacs in the lungs. These air sacs undermine and eventually collapse, which reduces the volume of oxygen that enters the bloodstream. Some people have emphysema for ages without comprehending it. Some of the early symptoms are shortness of breath, fast heartbeat and coughing, particularly during any activity or physical exertion.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This condition is a combination of lung diseases, often chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Chest tightness, shortness of breath, high pitched noise with wheezing, cough with mucus are some COPD symptoms and worsen over time. COPD can influence a more accelerated progression of the disease, heart problems, and worsening respiratory infections when left untreated.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a chest infection rooted in the bronchioles and alveoli. Pus and mucus build up in the alveoli making it difficult to breathe. A mixture of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
Pneumonia varies in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It can become serious for infants, people older than 65 years of age, and people with impaired immune systems.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a transmittable infection that attacks your lungs typically. This bacterial contagion is circulated through air contamination from coughs and sneezes. Tuberculosis can be severe and lead to lung scarring. It can also radiate to other elements of your body, like your brain and spine.

Causes Of Respiratory Illness

The below listed are the most common causes of any respiratory disease. Every individual is triggered by different causes of respiratory attacks according to their immunity and allergen resistance in their body.

  1. bacteria, microorganisms
  2. fungus
  3. contaminated air
  4. intolerant chemical elements
  5. inert filthy indoor air
  6. smoke from cigarette, tobacco
  7. second-hand smoke
  8. allergies, such as:
    a. pollen
    b. dust
    c. food allergens (dairy, nuts, seafood, etc.)
    d. pet fur
    e. dust mites

Breathing Life Into Your Lungs

People with a jeopardised respiratory system get triggered easily by sniffing toxins and air pollutants, ending up showing immediate symptoms like coughing, gasping for breath, and itchy, watery eyes. With the wildfire spreading of new coronavirus, we need to safeguard our lungs and boost the respiratory system. Dr Kausthub Desikachar says, with Ayurveda and Yoga-asanas, it is undoubtedly possible to shield your lungs and improve your lungs’ capacity.

5 Ways To Improve Your Lung Capacity With Ayurveda

1.Gandhusha Karma (Oil Pulling)

Oil pulling, also perceived as Gandhusha or Kavala, has been practised for thousands of years as an Ayurvedic remedy. This practice disinfects the throat of the mucus, unblocks the sinuses and lessens the risk of allergic reactions in the respiratory system. Oil pulling requires swishing oil throughout the mouth, utilising it as a mouthwash.

How To Practice Oil Pulling
Sip one tablespoon of oil in your mouth, and then swish it throughout your mouth for 15 minutes and splutter it out. Typically, coconut oil and sesame oil are used for this practice.

2.Ayurvedic Tea

Take 3-4 tulsi leaves, a small quantity of liquorice and Indian long pepper. Blend the ingredients together and boil them in water until it reduces to half. Strain and drink while it is warm. You can add cane sugar or jaggery as per your choice. Avoid white sugar. Drinking this tea will melt and liquify your mucus and cleanse the lungs.

3.Nasya(Apply Ghee in The Nostrils)

Dip your little finger in pure desi ghee, massage your nostrils, and inhale intensely, allowing the ghee to enter the nasal passages. Doing this practice will enable you to clear the nasal congestion and makes you breathe adequately.

4.Vasp Swedana (Steam Inhalation)

Inhalation of steam adds warmth and moisture to the airways, which helps extricate congestion and phlegm from your airways, effecting it easier to breathe. Vasp Swedana is an Ayurvedic practice that retains the mucosal layer salubrious.

How To Inhale Steam?
Take 2-3 drops of Eucalyptus or peppermint oil to 1 litre of boiling water and inhale the steam; let it reach until the end of your nasal passage.

5.Pranayama And Yoga-asanas

Pranayama and Yoga-Asanas help in increasing your lung capacity and boosts your immunity to fight diseases. Practising pranayama and yoga will help open and stretch the chest, relieve shortness of breath, congestion in the chest, clear mucus from the air passage, and even be therapeutic for asthma.

Pranayama-s To Practice

  1. Nāḍiśodhana Prāṇāyāma
  2. Ujjāyī Prāṇāyāma
  3. Śītalī Prāṇāyāma

Yoga-Asanas To Practice

  1. Sukhāsana
  2. Bhujaṅgāsana
  3. Matsyāsana
  4. Vīrabhadrāsana
  5. Dvipādapīṭham

Conclusion

If you endure a sudden new cough, restlessness, fever, or shortness of breath, Dr Kausthub Desikachar requests you to visit your nearest doctor to discuss the symptoms and get tested to know whether it might be COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

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Dr Kausthub Desikachar

Dr Kausthub Desikachar

Dr. Kausthub Desikachar is the successor and current lineage holder of the classical Viniyoga tradition of T Krishnamacharya & TKV Desikachar. He is an acclaimed yoga teacher, yoga therapist, healer and spiritual adviser. He is also an avid photographer, inspirational writer and poet.

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