BRONCHIAL ASTHMA (ZEEQUN NAFS)

ASTHMA is characterised by paroxysms of breathlessness which is accompanied with wheezing, as a result of the narrowing of the airways or accumulation of viscid secretions. Unani specialists attribute this desease to the disorder with the balgham (phlegm). Avicenna described it as a phlegmatic chronic disorder with occurs with frequently. It may be aggravated by internal or external factors.

A person may be afflicted at any age and both the sexes are equally affected. In the prodromal stage the person can feel the congestion building up in his chest. During the attack the patient feels breathless. The attack, which would be aggravated by external factors like pollen dust, grass, feather dust, smoke, and tobacco among other things, may last 2 to 3 hours. It would also be triggered by psychological factors and indigestion.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT:

• 5 ml. of ginger juice taken before sleep helps in preventing an attack.
• 1 teaspoonful turmeric powder mixed with a glass of milk keeps the phlegm away, and prevents the attack.
• Ajwayin (Trachyspermum ammi,Linn)seeds 50 gms are to be mixed with little ginger and 5 gms. taken twice daily.
• Abhal (Juniperus communis,Linn) 10gms, Maghz Amaltas (Cassia fistula,Linn) 10 gms, Zanjabeel (Zingiber officinale,Rose) 5 gms.
  These are to be mixed and 1 gram taken twice daily.