Breathing is the best example of saying that a person is alive. We breathe oxygen and are the essential component in giving energy to our body. Respiratory organs or respiratory system regulates and controls the flow of and exhales or breathes out the carbon dioxide.
Lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system. The oxygen is sent to the heart through lungs and is mixed with blood, sending it to different organs in the body. The same way carbon dioxide that is collected from the various organs of the body to the heart. The heart pumps the carbon dioxide to the lungs, exhaling through the nose.
It also stops toxic gases from entering the body. Respiratory systems also play a vital role in removing blood clots in the body. It also handles the proper functioning of the vocal system.
When the respiratory organs are not functioning at standard levels, it disturbs the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. It results in many health issues.
Below are few of the common diseases that come from improper functioning of respiratory systems.
- Upper respiratory tract infection: Viral infections in the airways of respiratory system like nose and throat.
- Bronchitis: Inflaming the lining of bronchi tubes that carry air to the lungs.
- Pneumonia: Infections inflame lungs and filling them with fluids.
- Tuberculosis: Chronic bacterial infection, mainly lungs.
Maintaining a healthy respiratory system is paramount. These diseases disturb the imbalance the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide damaging other organs in the body.
Following proper healthy diet and lifestyles regulate and enhance proper functioning of the respiratory system.
Dietary measures:
- Eating excess sweet foods increases Kapha levels in the body, which leads to improper functioning of the respiratory system.
- Including healthy fruits and vegetables in the diet. Nutrients and vitamins in fruits and vegetables alleviate inflammation in respiratory systems.
- Drinking standard amounts of water. Luke warm or hot water balances Kapha dosha and stops infections from affecting the body.
- Red bell peppers contain Vitamin C, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthinwhich cut the risk of developing lung cancer.
Physical measures
Physical exercise is highly beneficial. They keep the respiratory system functioning at optimum levels, stimulating the respiratory organs.
Pranayama technique involves deep inhalation and deep exhalation. It opens up and enables the functioning of all the root systems in respiration.
Yoga also betters the operation of our respiratory system. It removes imbalances in the respiratory organs and allows the standard work of the respiratory system. It also helps in proper supplying of oxygen and removal of oxygen from the cells in the body.
Things that cause respiratory problems:
- Smoking.
- Working in industries where toxic chemicals are released.
- Living in toxic environments.
- Obesity.
- Neuromuscular disorders.
Ayurvedic remedies to heal respiratory diseases
- Solanum surattense or Yellow-berried Nightshade stops excess formation or removal of excess Kapha in the body. It also enables the proper functioning of the respiratory organs.
- Glycyrrhizaglabra or sweetwood reduces inflammation and irritation in the respiratory system.
- Trikatu, a blend of three peppers: Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Indian Long Pepper (Piper longum) and Ginger (Zingiberofficinale). It also removes and balances Kapha, promoting breathing and healthy functioning of the lung.
Preparation:
- Take 75 grams of Trikatu and 25 grams of each Yellow-berried Nightshade and sweet wood and mix it.
- Take half teaspoon of the powdered mix, quarter spoon of ghee and half spoon of honey. Stir it into a proper paste.
- Once done, lick small amounts of the dough.
- Take it times in a day.
It helps in treating almost every respiratory disease. Any age group can take this paste and is a great deal to enhance and heal the respiratory system.