Riim Lagerwerf 
Why Asthma and Bronchitis Flare Up More in This Season — and How Ayurveda Looks Beyond Symptom Relief
Many people notice that breathing issues, coughing, wheezing or chest congestion tend to worsen during certain times of the year — especially in the transition from warmer to colder weather. In autumn and winter, several aggravating factors accumulate:
- Cold, dry air that irritates the airways
- Increased mold spores, dust, and indoor allergens
- Weakened digestive fire (agni), which contributes to mucus and Ama buildup
- Lowered immunity due to seasonal stress and fatigue
- More time spent indoors with recirculated air
For individuals who are constitutionally sensitive — particularly those with a Vata-Kapha tendency, autoimmune vulnerability, children, elders, or those with a history of respiratory weakness — asthma and bronchitis can become more persistent or reactive during this time.
This is precisely where Ayurveda becomes valuable: not only to reduce acute symptoms, but to strengthen the system, reduce mucus, calm inflammation, improve immunity, and make the respiratory tract less reactive.
In this article you will find:
- The difference between asthma and bronchitis
- Why treating only the symptoms is not enough
- Ayurvedic home remedies for both conditions
- The deeper causes behind chronic respiratory issues
- Insights from Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum
- Relevance for clients, students of Ayurveda, and health professionals
Asthma and Bronchitis: Related but Not the Same
Even though both conditions can involve coughing, mucus, and breathing difficulties, they originate in different processes within the respiratory system.
Asthma
A chronic condition characterized by inflammation and hyperreactivity of the airways. Triggers such as allergens, cold air, stress, exertion or toxins can cause narrowing of the bronchi.
Key features:
- Constricted airways
- Wheezing or tightness
- Dry or obstructive coughing
- Flare-ups triggered by irritants
Bronchitis
Bronchitis specifically involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes, with increased mucus production. It may be acute (often after a virus) or chronic if the system is not cleared.
Key features:
- Persistent or productive cough
- Mucus congestion and heaviness in the chest
- Sometimes fever or fatigue
- Triggered by infection, smoke, pollutants, or cold damp weather
Why the distinction matters
Asthma is largely tied to immune reactivity and airway sensitivity, while bronchitis often involves acute or chronic inflammation with mucus buildup. However, both can overlap, and untreated bronchial inflammation can contribute to asthma-like symptoms over time.
For theoretical understanding, treatment planning, and client education, knowing the difference helps determine whether the primary focus should be on Kapha-clearing, Vata-calming, detoxification, or airway support.
Why Treating the Root Cause Matters
In both asthma and bronchitis, many people rely on inhalers, steroids, or cough suppressants. While these may bring short-term relief, they often do not address the underlying vulnerability of the respiratory system.
Ayurveda — as well as practitioners like Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum — emphasizes that recurring lung issues are rarely isolated problems. They usually stem from deeper imbalances, such as:
- Disturbed digestion and weak agni
- Accumulated Ama (toxicity) and Kapha congestion
- Compromised gut flora and lowered immunity
- Overloaded liver and sluggish detoxification
- Nervous system overactivation
- Autoimmune responses or chronic inflammation
Marianne Teitelbaum’s clinical approach highlights that real healing begins with restoring gut health, liver function, lymphatic flow, and immune regulation — not just relaxing tight airways. She explains that when the channels (srotas) are congested or inflamed, the body cannot fully recover until the bigger system is brought back into balance. This philosophy aligns strongly with classical Ayurvedic principles.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Asthma
These remedies help reduce airway inflammation, clear stagnation, and support lung function gently:
1. Ginger with honey
A small piece of fresh ginger mixed with honey.
Anti-inflammatory and soothing for the respiratory tract.
2. Warm water with ginger powder
Sip lukewarm water with a pinch of dry ginger throughout the day.
Helps break down Kapha and mucus.
3. Herbal decoction
Boil in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes:
- 15 basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 10 mint leaves
- ¼ teaspoon crushed ajwain
Drink the liquid throughout the day to help open the respiratory channels.
4. Vasa oil or castor oil at night
Take 1 teaspoon of vasa oil, or 1 teaspoon of castor oil mixed with 2 pinches of ginger powder in warm water.
Supports mucus clearance and reduces inflammation.
5. Deep breathing exercises
Daily practice of diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana), or gentle pranayama helps strengthen lung capacity and calm reactivity.
Ayurvedic Support for Bronchitis
Many remedies overlap with asthma care, but the emphasis is slightly different: clearing mucus, reducing bronchial inflammation, and protecting the chest.
Helpful approaches include:
- Ginger with honey
- Warm water with ginger powder
- The same herbal decoction listed above
- Vasa or castor oil
- Warm, non-mucus-forming foods
- Avoidance of dairy, fermented foods, cold meals, and damp environments
Lifestyle guidance can include rest, steam inhalation, appropriate diet, and protection from cold and allergens.
For chronic bronchitis, supporting digestion, detoxification and circulation is critical to prevent the condition from hardening into long-term airway damage.
The Contribution of Marianne Teitelbaum
Marianne Teitelbaum is known for combining classical Ayurvedic knowledge with clinical practicality. Her approach to asthma and bronchitis includes:
- Balancing the gut-brain-lung axis
- Healing the microbiome and liver before addressing the lungs directly
- Using herbal therapies that are potent yet non-suppressive
- Clearing the lymph and opening blocked srotas (channels)
- Reducing toxin exposure and inflammatory triggers
- Preventing dependence on symptom-managing medication
Her work aligns with the Ayurvedic understanding that the lungs do not heal in isolation; the entire system must be supported.
Who Is This Information For?
This article is relevant for:
- Individuals suffering from asthma or bronchitis
- Those seeking natural or integrative approaches
- Ayurvedic students and practitioners
- Health professionals exploring holistic respiratory care
- Therapists focused on immunity, detoxification, or chronic inflammation
Conclusion
Asthma and bronchitis may share symptoms, but they emerge from different patterns of dysfunction. While seasonal triggers can cause flare-ups, the susceptibility often lies deeper in the immune system, the digestive fire, the channels, and detox capacity.
Ayurvedic remedies can offer meaningful relief, but long-term improvement comes from treating the underlying cause — not only the reaction in the lungs. The teachings of Ayurveda and the clinical insights of Marianne Teitelbaum both emphasize rebuilding the body’s resilience through digestion, immunity, detoxification and neural calm.
For students, practitioners, and individuals seeking sustainable respiratory health, this root-based approach provides a roadmap for true transformation.
