An Evidence Based Review on Ayurvedic Management of Kaphaja kasa (Chronic Bronchitis)

Ayurvedic texts have described 'Kasa' as an independent Vyadhi and a symptom of various debilitating diseases with its separate types, signs, symptoms, pathogenesis, and treatment. If treatment of Kasa Vyadhi is not done in time it can give rise to critical conditions like Swasa, Shosa, Rajyakshama, Urakshata, Rakttapitta, Granthi, Arbuda of respiratory tract etc. So to avoid the above complications it is essential to prevent and manage Kasa Vyadhi. Kasa is of five types; Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Kshayaja and Kshataja. Among all, Kaphaja Kasa is prevalent in these days originated due to the exposure to active and passive smoking, air pollution, occupational hazards. Kaphaja Kasa is a disease described in Ayurvedic texts that shows close resemblance with chronic bronchitis on the basis of clinical manifestations. However, according to WHO chronic bronchitis and emphysema are now included within the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a major cause of health care burden worldwide and the only leading cause of death among respiratory diseases that is increasing in prevalence. So in this article, critical analysis was done on the Ayurvedic management of Kaphaja Kasa vis-à-vis chronic bronchitis.