Pleurisy and Its Ayurvedic Remedies – Natural Healing for Chest Inflammation
Pleurisy, also known as Pleuritis, is a painful condition in which the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs) becomes inflamed, causing sharp chest pain during breathing or coughing. This inflammation often results from infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, injury or autoimmune disorders. In Ayurveda, pleurisy is correlated with “Parshva Shoola” and is mainly due to aggravation of the Vata and Kapha doshas. Ayurveda offers gentle and effective herbal solutions, diet, and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, clear mucus, strengthen lungs, and relieve pain naturally.
The inflammation of the pleura which is the covering membrane over the lungs is known as pleurisy. It is normally classified into three categories, depending upon the effects produced by this inflammation. If this inflamma¬tory process leads to fibrinose deposit it is described as dry pleurisy; if however, lot of fluid is exudated during the process of inflammation and gets deposited in the pleural cavity, then this condition is known as pleurisy with effusion. If however, there is pus formation then the condition is described as purulent pleurisy.
It is usually associated with pain in the chest during movement, coughing, difficulty in breathing and high temperature. The patient feels difficulty in lying down. In Ayurveda, this condition is called parshva shula and it is caused primarily by the aggravation of vayu and kapha.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Pleurisy: Shringa bhasma is considered to be specific for the treatment of pleurisy. It is the deer's horn which is cut into small pieces, processed, and burnt to ashes. This is made into a fine powder and then used in medicine. Half a gm. of this is to be given to the patient, three or four times a day, depending upon the acuteness and seriousness of the condition. This is to be mixed with honey and given to the patient.
If there is pleurisy with infusion, then 0.250 gm. of Naradiya Lakshmivilas should be added to this powder and taken four times a day. If there is cough and phlegm, then to the two medicines mentioned above, 0.125 gm. of Rasa sindoora should be added to each one of these doses. Rasasindoora is prepared by specially processing mercury and sulphur over fire. Care should be taken not to use this medicine for a long time. As soon as cough and pain subside, this medicine should be withdrawn and the remaining two should be continued.
If there is pus formation in this fluid and if as a consequence, the patient is suffering from fever, then it is always better to add 0.125 gm. of Suvama vasanta malati and the whole thing given to the patient four times a day, mixed with honey.
Diet to taken by pleurisy patients: The patient is strictly prohibited from taking any fried stuff. He should also not take iced food. Bitter gourd, patola, brinjal, lady's finger, cauliflower, cabbage and potato can be given to the patient. The patient loses his appetite normally and then he gets constipation. If it is there, then efforts should be made to relieve the patient of constipation. This will give lot of comfort to the patient.
Other regimens: The pleurisy patient should refrain from any physical exercise, sex indulgence, exposure to cold wind or rain. Bed rest is essential for such type of patients; but during winter season, he should not be permitted to sleep during daytime.
Ayurvedic Causes (Dosha Imbalance)
Vata aggravation → causes pain, dryness and pricking sensations in chest
Kapha aggravation → leads to mucus congestion, heaviness and swelling
Weak digestion (Agni) → causes toxins (Ama) to accumulate in the pleural region
Symptoms of Pleurisy
Sharp, stabbing chest pain while inhaling
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Dry cough or painful cough
Fever, chills, shivering
Shoulder or back pain on one side
Ayurvedic Remedies for Pleurisy
1. Herbal Formulations
Kantakari Avaleha – reduces chest congestion and inflammation
Dashamoola Kwath – powerful anti-inflammatory decoction to balance aggravated Vata and Kapha
Trikatu Churna (ginger, black pepper, long pepper) – helps clear mucus and improves digestion
Tulsi + Vasa Juice – soothes lungs, eases cough, clears airways
Sitopaladi Churna – acts as expectorant, reduces cough and chest pain
2. Single Herbs
Ginger (Sunthi) – relieves inflammation and boosts immunity
Garlic (Lahsun) – natural antibiotic to fight lung infection
Turmeric (Haldi) – anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial
Licorice (Mulethi) – soothes mucus membranes and reduces irritation
3. Diet & Lifestyle Tips
Eat warm, light, easily digestible foods like khichdi, soups, vegetable stews
Avoid cold drinks, oily, fried and mucus-forming foods such as curd, cheese and sweets
Sip warm water infused with ginger or tulsi throughout the day
Gentle steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil to relieve chest congestion
Moderate breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom and Bhramari Pranayama to improve lung capacity
Ensure good ventilation and maintain warmth in the chest region
4. Panchakarma Therapies (under Ayurvedic supervision)
Snehana (Internal Oleation) – to balance Vata and soften toxins
Swedana (Herbal Steam) – helps liquify Kapha & relieve pain
Virechana (Herbal Purgation) – expels toxins & purifies body
The inflammation of the pleura which is the covering membrane over the lungs is known as pleurisy. It is normally classified into three categories, depending upon the effects produced by this inflammation. If this inflamma¬tory process leads to fibrinose deposit it is described as dry pleurisy; if however, lot of fluid is exudated during the process of inflammation and gets deposited in the pleural cavity, then this condition is known as pleurisy with effusion. If however, there is pus formation then the condition is described as purulent pleurisy.
It is usually associated with pain in the chest during movement, coughing, difficulty in breathing and high temperature. The patient feels difficulty in lying down. In Ayurveda, this condition is called parshva shula and it is caused primarily by the aggravation of vayu and kapha.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Pleurisy: Shringa bhasma is considered to be specific for the treatment of pleurisy. It is the deer's horn which is cut into small pieces, processed, and burnt to ashes. This is made into a fine powder and then used in medicine. Half a gm. of this is to be given to the patient, three or four times a day, depending upon the acuteness and seriousness of the condition. This is to be mixed with honey and given to the patient.
If there is pleurisy with infusion, then 0.250 gm. of Naradiya Lakshmivilas should be added to this powder and taken four times a day. If there is cough and phlegm, then to the two medicines mentioned above, 0.125 gm. of Rasa sindoora should be added to each one of these doses. Rasasindoora is prepared by specially processing mercury and sulphur over fire. Care should be taken not to use this medicine for a long time. As soon as cough and pain subside, this medicine should be withdrawn and the remaining two should be continued.
If there is pus formation in this fluid and if as a consequence, the patient is suffering from fever, then it is always better to add 0.125 gm. of Suvama vasanta malati and the whole thing given to the patient four times a day, mixed with honey.
Diet to taken by pleurisy patients: The patient is strictly prohibited from taking any fried stuff. He should also not take iced food. Bitter gourd, patola, brinjal, lady's finger, cauliflower, cabbage and potato can be given to the patient. The patient loses his appetite normally and then he gets constipation. If it is there, then efforts should be made to relieve the patient of constipation. This will give lot of comfort to the patient.
Other regimens: The pleurisy patient should refrain from any physical exercise, sex indulgence, exposure to cold wind or rain. Bed rest is essential for such type of patients; but during winter season, he should not be permitted to sleep during daytime.
Ayurvedic Causes (Dosha Imbalance)
Vata aggravation → causes pain, dryness and pricking sensations in chest
Kapha aggravation → leads to mucus congestion, heaviness and swelling
Weak digestion (Agni) → causes toxins (Ama) to accumulate in the pleural region
Symptoms of Pleurisy
Sharp, stabbing chest pain while inhaling
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Dry cough or painful cough
Fever, chills, shivering
Shoulder or back pain on one side
Ayurvedic Remedies for Pleurisy
1. Herbal Formulations
Kantakari Avaleha – reduces chest congestion and inflammation
Dashamoola Kwath – powerful anti-inflammatory decoction to balance aggravated Vata and Kapha
Trikatu Churna (ginger, black pepper, long pepper) – helps clear mucus and improves digestion
Tulsi + Vasa Juice – soothes lungs, eases cough, clears airways
Sitopaladi Churna – acts as expectorant, reduces cough and chest pain
2. Single Herbs
Ginger (Sunthi) – relieves inflammation and boosts immunity
Garlic (Lahsun) – natural antibiotic to fight lung infection
Turmeric (Haldi) – anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial
Licorice (Mulethi) – soothes mucus membranes and reduces irritation
3. Diet & Lifestyle Tips
Eat warm, light, easily digestible foods like khichdi, soups, vegetable stews
Avoid cold drinks, oily, fried and mucus-forming foods such as curd, cheese and sweets
Sip warm water infused with ginger or tulsi throughout the day
Gentle steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil to relieve chest congestion
Moderate breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom and Bhramari Pranayama to improve lung capacity
Ensure good ventilation and maintain warmth in the chest region
4. Panchakarma Therapies (under Ayurvedic supervision)
Snehana (Internal Oleation) – to balance Vata and soften toxins
Swedana (Herbal Steam) – helps liquify Kapha & relieve pain
Virechana (Herbal Purgation) – expels toxins & purifies body
