KASA

KĀSA VEGA (COUGH URGE)

• Kāsa (cough) is a natural reflex to expel irritants or obstructions from the respiratory tract.

• It is governed primarily by Udāna Vāta, which facilitates upward movement and is responsible for actions like speaking, respiration, and coughing.

• Suppressing the urge to cough interferes with this natural mechanism, leading to dosha imbalance and multiple diseases, especially in the respiratory system.

REFERENCE SHLOKA – SUPPRESSION OF KĀSA VEGA

“कासवेगधारणात् हृद्ग्रहः स्तम्भः कण्ठस्य वाचा व्यवधारणं
रोम्णां संहरणं च, चेष्टासंरोधश्च जायते।”

DISEASES CAUSED BY SUPPRESSION OF KĀSA (COUGH) VEGA

• Hṛidgraha (Heart/Chest stiffness or discomfort):

  • Due to trapped vāta and kapha in the chest region, leading to heaviness, constriction, and breathlessness.

• Kaṇṭhasya Stambha (Stiffness or constriction of throat):

  • Suppressed kapha leads to blockage in throat, making speech and breathing difficult.

• Vācā Vyavadhāraṇam (Speech impairment):

  • Disruption of Udāna vāta causes difficulty in articulation, hoarseness, or loss of voice.

• Romṇām Saṁharaṇam (Obstruction in movement of muscles):

  • Indicates general body stiffness, especially in upper body due to disturbed vāta.

• Ceṣṭā-Saṁrodha (Suppression of physical activity or movement):

  • Overall weakness, sluggishness, and lack of energy due to vitiated vāta and kapha.

PATHOGENESIS (SAMPRAPTI) OF DISORDERS DUE TO KĀSA VEGA DHĀRAṆA

• Kapha, which is the natural controller of the respiratory tract, is disturbed and accumulated.

• Vāta, due to obstruction, gets vitiated and changes its normal pathway (gati-vighāta).

• This leads to obstruction in prāṇa-vaha srotas, resulting in multiple respiratory, vocal and neuromuscular complications.

PRINCIPLE OF MANAGEMENT (CHIKITSA SIDDHĀNTA)

• Vāta-Kapha shāmaka chikitsā is adopted.

• Treatment focuses on:

  • Expelling obstructed Kapha.

  • Pacifying Vāta.

  • Supporting Udāna Vāta for proper respiration and speech.

  • Rejuvenating Prāṇa vaha srotas.

TREATMENT OF DISORDERS DUE TO KĀSA VEGA DHĀRAṆA

1. SNEHANA (OLEATION THERAPY)

• Internal and external oleation helps to pacify vāta and liquefy kapha.

• Use of medicated ghee or oils like:

  • Yashtimadhu ghrita, Vasa ghrita, Pippalyadi ghrita.

2. SWEDANA (SUDATION THERAPY)

• Relieves stiffness in chest, throat, and muscles.

• Useful to mobilize kapha and reduce vāta.

• Use of Nadi sweda (tube steam), Patra pinda sweda (leaf bolus fomentation).

3. VĀMAN (EMESIS THERAPY – IF INDICATED)

• Especially effective if kapha is predominant.

• Helps to clear upper respiratory tract and balance Kapha.

4. NASYA (NASAL ADMINISTRATION)

• Clears head and neck region.

• Improves function of Udāna Vāta.

• Medications like:

  • Anu taila, Shadbindu taila, or Medicated powders.

5. HERBAL AND AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS

• Sitopaladi Churna – For kapha-vāta cough, hoarseness.

• Talisadi Churna – Improves Agni, clears phlegm.

• Vasavaleha – Excellent for chronic cough, breathlessness.

• Pippalyasava, Dashamoola kvatha – Reduces vāta-kapha imbalance.

• Kantakari ghrita, Haridrakhanda – Effective in vāta-kapha kāsa and sore throat.

6. AAHARA AND VIHĀRA (DIET AND LIFESTYLE)

• Light, warm, and easily digestible food.

• Avoid cold, heavy, and oily items.

• Avoid suppression of cough and other urges.

• Maintain proper voice rest, adequate hydration, and gentle breathing exercises.

PREVENTION (NIDĀNA PARIVARJANA)

• Never suppress natural urge to cough.

• Early signs of cough should be addressed with soothing herbs and warm liquids.

• Practice daily oil application (Abhyanga) and Nasya in preventive mode.