RUNNY NOSE

INTRODUCTION

A runny nose is the thin, clear mucus discharge from the nose. It is known as rhinorrhea in medical terminology. It is caused by flu, common cold, colder temperatures or some kind of allergies. It can be very annoying or uncomfortable. When any of the viruses, bacteria or allergens such as dust, pollen grains enter the body, it starts irritation of the nasal mucosa and causes inflammation of the mucosa. This leads to increased production of mucus which helps in trapping of bacteria, virus or allergens and helps in flushing them out of the nose and nasal sinuses. The color of mucus changes after two to three days. It becomes white, yellow or greenish. However, it is perfectly normal and doesn’t represent any infection.

The treatment includes intake of plenty of water and rest. Saline nasal spray and steam can be used for getting relief from nasal spray.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF RUNNY NOSE?

There are several causes of runny nose which lead to inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Following are the different reasons of runny nose:

• Common cold
• Certain allergies
• Acute and chronic sinusitis
• Deviated nasal septum
• Cold and dry air
• Influenza
• Weakened immune system
• Hormonal imbalance
• Overuse of nasal spray
• Nasal polyps
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Asthma
• Pregnancy
• Tobacco smoking
• Alcohol intake
• Leakage of spinal fluid
• Certain medicines such as medications of hypertension, depression, erectile dysfunctioning, etc

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RUNNY NOSE?

The common signs and symptoms of runny nose are:

• Shortness of breath
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Difficulty in breathing
• Headache
• Fever or chills
• Feeling tired
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loose stools
• Pain in muscles
• Loss of taste or smell
• Infection of the middle ear

AYURVEDIC VIEWPOINT OF RUNNY NOSE

In Ayurveda, runny nose comes under category of pratishyaya. It is mostly caused by the vitiation of vata and kapha doshas. The imbalance of these doshas occurs because of the ama formation and viruddha aahar-vihar. Ama formation occurs due to disturbed body metabolism and indigestion. This leads to dushti of rasa and rakta dhatu. This leads to manifestation of pratishyaya.

Some of the home remedies for management of runny nose:

PEPPERMINT OIL

• Peppermint is used in balms, beverages, toothpastes. It has a mint fragrance and flavor. It has various health and beauty benefits. It contains several types of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial compounds. It reduces inflammation and opens up the nasal passage. Use the peppermint oil in the steaming process.

HONEY

• Honey has good absorbent properties. It is used in the kitchen, as a medicine and as a beauty care agent. It reduces the release of histamine in the blood, thus helps in curing allergic rhinitis. Its regular consumption is very good for keeping allergies at bay.

GINGER

• Ginger is a very effective herb. It is used in food items as well as in medicines also. It is a good antiviral agent and also a natural antihistamine. It helps in alleviating nasal congestion and headache. Drink a cup of ginger tea regularly for increasing immunity of body.

STINGING NETTLE

• It is a good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and astringent. It reduces inflammation and swelling of the nasal tract, thus helpful in treating allergic rhinitis.

CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTER’S MEDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF RUNNY NOSE

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh Ayurved center which are used for the treatment of runny nose:

1. Kapha Sachet

The powder contains a mixture of herbal ingredients which are mainly made for the treatment of asthma. Their properties generally balance the vata and kapha dosha. The sachet contains ingredients like – Sitopladi churna, Laxmi vilas ras, etc. It is used mainly in chronic cough, whooping cough and trouble breathing. It also relieves congestion of chest, sore throat. The ingredients loosen the mucus accumulated in the chest thus making it easy to cough it out. Its main therapeutic effects appear on lungs, pleura, and airways.

Recommended Dosage– Take1 Sachet twice a day with normal water.

2. Kas Shwas Hari Rasa      

Kas Shwas hari rasa is an excellent medicine for entire Pranavaha srotas. It acts as a vata-kaphaghna. These tablets contain ingredients like– Shwas kasa chintamani rasa, Laxmivilas nardiya rasa, Sutashekhar rasa, Talisadi churna processed in Bhawana Vasa Kwath. The tablet has best result in recurrent cough, cold, asthma, and sinusitis. It is effective in recurrence of Pranavaha Srotas related vikar developed due to low immunity & give effective results to asthma patients.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

3. Anu Tailam

Anu tailam is herbal and ayurvedic oil used for the nasal instillation for curing the various diseases.  It is administrated through the nasal passage to lubricate, protect and calm the mind. It includes – Sesame oil, Bael tree root, Solanum root, Cinnamon stem bark, Holostemma tuber, cardamom fruit, etc. It mainly balances the Kapha dosha and is beneficial in diseases of head, brain, face, nose, and eyes. Its use is generally recommended in chronic headache, problem of migraine, sinusitis, improves the voice, and vocal cords. Anu tailam gives effective results to asthma patients.

Recommended Dosage– Put 2-3 drops of Anu tailam in each nostril.

4. Broncho care syrup

Broncho care is ayurvedic syrup containing ingredients such as Vasa patra (Adhatoda vasica), Kantkari (Solanum surattense), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), etc. It is mainly used in chronic cough, bronchitis, whooping cough, common cold, etc.
Recommended Dosage– Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day.

5. Cough Go Tablets

These herbal tablets are beneficial in cough, cold, bronchitis, & other respiratory disorders. Cough Go Tablets are ayurvedic formulation containing Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), etc. All these ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, & expectorant properties.
Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

6. Kantha Sudharak Vati

The ingredients used for the preparation of the Kantha sudharak vati are Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Lavang (Syzygium aromaticum), Javitri (Myristica fragrans), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi).This is prepared from soothing and expectorant herbs thus relief all throat problems. It gives very effective results in chronic laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma.
Recommended Dosage– Take 2 tablets thrice a day.

7. Shwaskas Chintamani rasa

These tablets are pure Ayurvedic preparatipon  which contains pure herbal ingredients like shuddha parad, shuddha gandhak, yashtimadhu, kantakari, etc. It is used in the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchitis.

Recommended Dosage–Take one tablet twice daily.