A Clinical Study on the Efficacy of Mahaswasari Loham in Tamaka Swasa with special reference to Bronchial Asthma

Bronchial Asthma is a major non-communicable disease (NCD) & most common chronic obstructive lung disease affecting all age groups, which is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and increased airway hyper-responsiveness leading to symptoms of wheeze, cough, chest tightness and dyspnea.   It is characterized functionally by the presence of airflow obstruction which is variable over short periods of time or is reversible with treatment. Asthma is included in the WHO Global action plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to make progress towards Universal Health coverage.  Bronchial Asthma is correlated with “Tamaka Swasa” based on the clinical features described in Ayurvedic Samhitas. â€œSwasati anena iti Swasah”(Shabda Kalpa Druma). In general, the word Swasa denotes respiration during physiological and pathologic conditions with normal and abnormal breathing pattern.***‘Tamaka swasa’***is one among the five types of SWASA ROGA, it is described as Vata Kaphaja vikara mainly originating from Pittasthana and then manifested through Pranavaha Srotas.  Due to nidanas (causative factors) Vata and Kapha gets prakopa in the Uras leading to vitiation of Pranavaha, Annavaha, Udakavaha srotas, later the obstructed Vayu travels in Pratiloma gati (reverse direction) and produces signs and symptoms of *Tamaka swasa.*During initial stages it is Sadhya (curable) and later it turns into Yapya vyadhi (palliable) if not treated properly.