SCOPE OF AYURVEDA IN PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANT INDUCED RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Abstract

In this era of modernisation and stressful life, people are getting more civilized which resulted in lifestyle changes. Along with these changes, environmental pollution is a major threat and is one of the greatest problems that the whole world is facing. Environmental toxicants- induced respiratory disease has increased gradually all over the world including in India. The toxicant emitted from air pollution is affecting human beings and causes many health hazards. The air pollutant like particulate matter, ground-level ozone, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, lead, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and carbofuran, etc. causes severe health consequences including respiratory problems like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, etc. Ayurveda mentioned air pollutants like Raja-dhooma and Dushit vayu as causative factors of respiratory disease including allergic bronchitis (Shawasa), allergic rhinitis (Pratishyaya), cough (Kasa) and hiccough (Hikka). This study throws some light on the prevention and management of environmental toxicants that cause respiratory diseases.

Keywords: Environmental, Toxins, Respiratory, Diseases, Janapadhotwamsa, Ayurveda.