Ayurvedic medicine, treatment and remedies for Phlegm

As per Ayurveda, exposure to cold weather, suppression of natural urges, sleeping during the day and eating certain foods such as curd cause vitiation of kapha dosha, leading to increased production of phlegm in the body.

Disease conditions such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, bronchiectasis, cough with expectoration, allergies, rajyakshma (tuberculosis), tamaka shwasa (asthma), smoking, postnasal drip, sinusitis and microbial infections are some other causative factors for excess phlegm production.

Along with excess phlegm production, most people also experience headache, lethargy and a feeling of heaviness in the body. Coughing, wheezing and presence of a thick coating of mucous in oral cavity are some other associated symptoms of phlegm. 

Nidana parivarjana, that is, avoiding the causative factors of disease is usually recommended as the first line of treatment for phlegm associated with cough and asthma. 

• Nasya karma (nasal insufflation/errhine therapy)
  • Nasya therapy involves instillation of herbs and medicinal formulations through nose.
  • It is beneficial in toning and strengthening throat, neck and head muscles.
  • This therapy also provides relief from stiffness in head, neck disorders, migraine, goitre, speech disorders and eyelid disorders.
  • Bala (country mallow), vidanga (false black pepper) and musta (nutgrass) are some herbs that are commonly used for nasya therapy.
  • Nasya therapy is indicated for the treatment of kaphaja shiroroga (sinusitis) to eliminate the vitiated kapha in the body and clear the sinuses located in the face and skull. This therapy is also helpful in the treatment of tamaka shwasa.
• Vamana
  • Vamana therapy helps eliminate the excess pitta and kapha from body via the oral route.
  • This method is mainly indicated for the treatment of sinusitis, respiratory conditions, rhinitis and heart conditions.
  • Before performing vamana, snehana (oleation) and swedana (sudation or sweat therapy) are performed to loosen the phlegm in body channels and bring it into the digestive tract. The individual may be given fatty and greasy foods mixed with ghee (clarified butter) as internal oleation.
  • As it helps in the expulsion of phlegm, vamana is an excellent choice of treatment for kapha-dominant diseases such as bronchial asthma and bronchitis.
• Virechana (purgation therapy)
  • Virechana is used to eliminate excess pitta and toxins from the body via the rectal route.
  • This therapy is useful in the treatment of many health conditions including gastrointestinal disturbances, jaundice, skin conditions, bleeding from the upper body parts, chronic jaundice, epilepsy and insanity.
  • Virechana also provides relief from respiratory conditions like asthma and sinusitis, which are usually associated with phlegm.
  • Internal oleation may need to be performed before administering virechana therapy.
  • Improvement in appetite and a feeling of lightness is usually noted after purgation.

Ayurvedic herbs for phlegm

• Haridra (turmeric)
  • Haridra has tonic, aromatic, and stimulant properties. It helps treat many health conditions including oedema, diabetes, cough, jaundice, skin disorders and urinary diseases.
  • Being an antibacterial herb, it is useful in preventing bacterial infections like tuberculosis, which increase the production of phlegm.
  • Turmeric also expels mucous thus providing relief from congestion and cough.
  • You can take turmeric in the form of a decoction, infusion, paste, milk decoction or as per your physician’s direction.
• Vacha
  • Vacha is a pungent-tasting herb that has rejuvenating and stimulant properties.
  • It is a natural decongestant and expectorant, which reduces phlegm, clear congestion and promote tranquillity of the mind.
  • Vacha acts on the nervous, respiratory, circulatory and reproductive systems.
  • This herb is effective in the management of various diseases including arthritis, deafness, insomnia, neuralgia, headaches and sinusitis.
  • You can take vacha in the form of a powder, decoction, paste, milk decoction or as per your physician’s direction.
• Vasa
  • Vasa acts on the respiratory, nervous, excretory and circulatory systems and.has antioxidant, immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • It is used to treat epilepsy, insanity, hysteria, bleeding gums, dysentery, swelling, skin conditions and neuralgia.
  • Vasa is traditionally used for suppressing cough. It is effective in treating bronchitis, asthma, cough, tuberculosis and bronchial asthma.
  • You can take vasa in the form of an extract, infusion, poultice, decoction or as per your physician’s direction.
• Khadira
  • Khadira has tikta (bitter) and kasaya (astringent) properties.
  • It is a is krimighna (worm-destroying) and kushthaghna (skin disease–destroying) herb and is helpful in reducing kapha and pitta doshas.
  • Khadira also cleanses rakta dhatu and reduces fat.
  • It is primarily indicated for the treatment of bronchitis, common cold, pulmonary affections and cough, most of which have excess phlegm as one of the major symptoms.
  • When given in the form of gargles or mouthwash, khadira can treat pharyngitis, throat infections and laryngitis.
• Adraka (ginger)
  • Adraka has aromatic, expectorant (expels phlegm), stimulant, digestive and pain-relieving properties.
  • When taken in juice form, it provides relief from ardra kasa or cough with expectoration.
  • Ginger also provides relief from sore throat, laryngitis, diarrhoea, delirium, nausea and vomiting.
  • It cleanses throat and tongue, which helps eliminate phlegm from both these areas.
  • Dry ginger helps reduce phlegm produced due to aggravated kapha.
  • You can take ginger in the form of an infusion, paste, decoction, fresh juice, pill, powder or as per your physician’s direction.
• Pippali (long pepper)
  • Pippali has pain-relieving and expectorant properties and it acts on the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems.
  • It increases digestive fire and is used in the treatment of gout, sciatica, paralysis, epilepsy, laryngitis, rheumatic pain and flatulence.
  • Pippali also reduces kapha dosha, which assists in clearing out the phlegm associated with asthma, tuberculosis and bronchitis.
  • You can take pippali in the form of an oil, infusion, powder or as per your physician’s direction.
• Yashtimadhu (mulethi)
  • Yashtimadhu is a bittersweet herb with expectorant, tonic and rejuvenating properties. It acts on the excretory and respiratory systems.
  • This herb is used to treat sore throat, abdominal pain, ulcers, inflammation and general debility.
  • When mixed with ginger, it assists the treatment of flu, colds and laryngitis.
  • Mulethi removes excess kapha from stomach and lungs and liquifies mucous, which makes it beneficial for eliminating phlegm from the body.
  • You can take yashtimadhu in the form of a powder with ghee, decoction, milk decoction or as per your physician’s direction.

Ayurvedic medicines for phlegm

• Pippalyadi kwatha
  • Pippalyadi kwatha is prepared using shunthi (dried ginger), nirgundi (five-leaved chaste tree), chitraka (leadwort), maricha (black pepper), bharangi (bleeding-heart plant), pippali, vasa and other herbs.
  • This formulation is primarily indicated for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, particularly kaphaja kasa (chronic bronchitis caused due to kapha) and is helpful in eliminating excess phlegm produced in this condition.
• Shatyadi leha
  • This Ayurvedic formulation is prepared from shunthi, musta, ativisha (Indian atees), shati (spiked ginger lily), haritaki (chebulic myrobalan), hingu (asafoetida) and various other herbs.
  • You can take this medicine with takrodaka (buttermilk) or as per your physician’s direction.
  • It is mainly indicated for removing excess phlegm in case of chronic bronchitis.
• Dhanwantaram gutika
  • Dhanwantaram gutika is prepared using 17 herbs including ela (cardamom), camphor, haritaki, cumin, rose water and shunthi.
  • This medication is used for reducing vomiting and hiccups. It also reduces phlegm in body and is hence recommended for the treatment of dyspnoea, rheumatic conditions, cough and tuberculosis.
  • You can take dhanwantaram gutika with jiraka (cumin) decoction or as per your physician’s direction.
• Dashamoola kwatha
  • Dashamoola kwatha is a decoction, prepared from gokshura (small caltrops), bel (golden apple), agnimantha (headache tree) and various other herbs.
  • This medicine is indicated for hikka (hiccups), vatavyadhi (diseases caused due to aggravation of vata), ardita (facial palsy) and pakshaghata (paralysis).
  • Dashamoola kwatha is also helpful in reducing excess phlegm production in case of asthma. 

As treatments vary according to numerous factors and an individual’s prakriti, consult a qualified Ayurvedic doctor for the appropriate medications and treatments for your specific complaints.

Do’s

• Include cereals like barley, old rice, and wheat; pulses like green grams; vegetables and fruits like grapes, brinjal, and patola (pointed gourd) in your diet.
• Consume sasthika rice, dry ginger, garlic, goat’s milk, honey, black pepper, jaggery, radish, drumstick, kulattha (horse gram) and cardamom.
• Exercise regularly.

Don’ts

• Do not consume tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes,
• Avoid curd, maize, besan (chickpea flour) and mustard leaves.
• Do not consume fish and dry foods.
• Do not have cold water.
• Avoid smoking
• Do not suppress your natural urges such as urination and evacuation of bowels.
• Do not consume buffalo milk, curd and black gram.
• Do not sleep during the day.
• Do not sleep on the ground
•  Avoid exposure to cold weather.

In a clinical study, 50 patients with chronic bronchitis were given pippalyadi kwatha along with shatyadi leha and vasa swarasa (juice) for 48 days. Results were collected on the first, 15th, 30th and 48th day. Over the course of the study, significant relief was observed in 22 patients, and 26 patients reported moderate relief.

• People with haematemesis, cachexia and heart diseases should not undergo emesis therapy. This therapy should not be performed in children and older people.
• Excess purgation during virechana therapy can cause weakness, syncope, abdominal pain, expulsion of blood-mixed discharge from anus and drowsiness.
• Excess nasya therapy can cause complications like increased salivation, headache and confusion.
• People with hepatitis, acute jaundice and excess pitta in their body should avoid haridra.
• Pippali can produce excess pitta in the body.
• Excess vacha consumption may cause rashes, nausea and vomiting.

Phlegm develops in the body due to multiple reasons like respiratory diseases, smoking, vitiated doshas, allergies and infections. Ayurvedic treatment for phlegm comprises administration of herbs and medications along with various therapies to suppress or eliminate phlegm from the body along with treating the underlying condition.

Quitting smoking, drinking lukewarm water, eating healthy foods, and taking preventive measures to avoid respiratory conditions also helps avoid excess phlegm production. Unlike conventional medications, Ayurvedic herbs and medicines show less or no side effects. They ensure improvement in overall health while treating diseases.