The Science of Ah-choo! & The Ayurveda of a Sneeze: A Complete Guide

Introduction 

• And you’ve probably heard from many sources that stopping a sneeze can cause major health concerns.

You might have read, heard, or seen this in modern 21st-century science. But did you know that even before modern science existed—say, over 5000 years ago or even earlier—our ancestors also had something to say about suppressing sneezes?

I’m talking about Ayurvedic science.

It’s an ancient Indian science that has gained global recognition.

We will go further and talk about the exact Sanskrit references for what they said about their understanding of stopping a sneeze. 

– What kind of complications can it cause in the body? 

– And we will also see how all those complications match up with the latest modern science.

So, Namaste friends!

My name is Dhananjay. I am a student of Ayurveda.

Let’s talk about sneezing from the Ayurvedic point of view and relate it to the modern perspective to understand it better.

Understanding Sneezing 

• Ayurveda is a vast science. 

•It’s not just about physical health, but also other aspects like the mental aspect, spiritual aspect, how one should live life, from the philosophy of life to the act of living itself.

• It’s not just capable of curing illnesses but also of providing all the knowledge needed to maintain that health.

For now, we will talk about a small part of it: sneezing.

We’ll explore what the Aacharyas (the equivalent of doctors in that time) had to say about it.

So, let’s begin this short journey

The reference to sneezing is found in Ayurveda within the Sutrasthana (Section on Fundamental Principles) of the Charak Samhita, specifically in the 7th chapter.

The original author of this text is Maharishi Agnivesha, and it was later compiled and edited by Acharya Charaka.

The name of the chapter is “Na Vega Dharaniya” (Vega Dharana Adhyaya). In English, its exact meaning is “The Chapter on Non-Suppression of Natural Urges“.

A similar reference can be found in the Sutrasthana of the Ashtanga Hridayam, a classical text whose author is Acharya Vagbhata.

There, instructions regarding sneezing are mentioned in the Roganutpadaniya Adhyaya (The Chapter on the Prevention of Diseases)

The Ancient Blueprint: What Happens When You Hold That Sneeze?

Alright, guys, let’s get straight to the source. This is directly from Acharya Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 4: Roganutpadaniya Adhyaya (The Chapter on Preventing Diseases).

Here’s the original shloka that lists the consequences:

क्षवथुवेगधारणात् शिरोर्तीन्द्रियदौर्बल्यमन्यास्तम्भार्दितं च।

(Kshavathu Vega Dharanaat Shiro-arti-Indriyadaurbalyam-Manya-stambha-Arditam Cha)

Let’s break it down, word by word:

· क्षवथु वेग धारणात् (Kshavathu Vega Dharanaat): From the suppression of the sneeze impulse.

· शिरः अर्तिः (Shirah Artih): Pain in the head (Headache).

· इन्द्रिय दौर्बल्यम् (Indriya Daurbalyam): Weakness or debility of the senses (like blurred vision, reduced smell).

· मन्या स्तम्भः (Manya Stambhah): Stiffness in the neck (rigidity of the trapezius and neck muscles).

· अर्दितम् (Arditam): Facial paralysis or hemifacial spasm (like Bell’s Palsy).

Simple Translation: 

Suppressing a sneeze leads to 

-headaches, 

-sensory dysfunction,

-neck stiffness,

-and facial paralysis.

The Ayurvedic Explanation (The “Why”):

• Our Acharyas believed that a sneeze is a powerful,natural expulsion driven by Prana Vayu (the sub-dosha of Vata that governs the head, respiration, and sensory functions).

• When you forcefully block this intense upward and outward surge of energy, it disrupts the flow of Vata in the head and neck region.

• This disruption (“Vata Prakopa”) manifests as pain, stiffness, weakness, and loss of function in the areas governed by these nerves and muscles.

The Modern Science Comparison (Spot-On, as Always): 

– It’s insane how accurate this ancient description is! 

– Modern medicine confirms that holding in a sneeze can force pressurized air into places it shouldn’t go:

· Headache: The sudden increase in intracranial pressure can cause vascular headaches.

· Sensory Debility: Pressure on the optical nerves can temporarily affect vision. The Eustachian tube can be damaged, affecting hearing.

· Neck Stiffness: The violent, restrained muscular contraction can strain the neck muscles.

· Facial Paralysis (Arditam):

– This is the big one. 

– The extreme pressure can potentially injure the Trigeminal Nerve or the Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII), leading to conditions like trigeminal neuralgia (excruciating facial pain) or even a temporary Bell’s Palsy (facial drooping). 

In rare, extreme cases, it can even lead to a ruptured aneurysm.

See the connection?

What Acharya Vagbhata called “Vata disturbance,” modern science calls “damage from a sudden spike in internal pressure.” The symptoms described are clinically precise.

The Ayurvedic First-Aid: How to Get That Stuck Sneeze Out

• Now, what if a sneeze gets stuck and you feel these symptoms coming on? 

• Don’t worry, our Acharyas had a first-aid protocol for that too. Here’s the Chikitsa shloka:

तीक्ष्णधूमाञ्जनाघ्राणनावनार्कवILOKANAIH: । प्रवर्तयेत् क्षुतिं सक्तां स्नेहस्वेदौ च शीलयेत् ॥

(Teekshna-Dhooma-Anjana-Aghrana-Navana-Arka-Vilokanaih | Pravartayet Kshutim Saktam Sneha-Svedau Cha Sheelayet ||)

Let’s decode this medical advice:

· तीक्ष्ण (Teekshna): Strong, sharp, or stimulating.

· धूम (Dhooma): Medicated smoking/herbal smoke.

· अञ्जन (Anjana): Application of collyrium (like medicated kajal).

· घ्राण (Aghrana): Inhalation of strong aromas/spices.

· नावन (Navana): Nasal administration of drops (Nasya).

· अर्क विलोकन (Arka Vilokan): Looking directly at the bright sun.

· प्रवर्तयेत् क्षुतिं सक्ताम् (Pravartayet Kshutim Saktam): (Use these methods) to provoke the stuck sneeze.

· स्नेह स्वेदौ च शीलयेत् (Sneha Svedau Cha Sheelayet): And one should consistently practice oleation (Snehana) and fomentation (Svedana) therapies.

Simple Translation:

 To provoke a stuck sneeze, use strong smoke, medicated kajal, inhalation of spices, nasal drops, or looking at the sun. Furthermore, one should undergo oleation and fomentation therapies.

The Ayurvedic Explanation (The “How”):

• The logic is brilliant.

• All these methods—

strong smoke,

pepper,

looking at bright light

—are stimulants.

• They irritate or stimulate the nasal passages and the trigeminal nerve, essentially “kick-starting” the stalled sneezing reflex.

• Once the sneeze is released, the underlying Vata imbalance that caused it to get stuck in the first place is treated with Snehana (oil massage/internal oleation) and Svedana (steam therapy) to pacify Vata, loosen the channels, and restore movement.

The Modern Science Comparison (The Proof is in the Pepper):

This is pure genius.

Modern triggers for sneezing (photic sneeze reflex, irritants like pepper/dust) are exactly what Acharya Vagbhata prescribed centuries ago!

· Looking at the sun (Arka Vilokan): Science calls this the Photic Sneeze Reflex, where bright light causes some people to sneeze.

· Pepper/Strong Smells (Aghrana): Piperine in pepper irritates the nasal nerve endings, triggering a sneeze.

· Nasal stimulants: Anything that tickles the trigeminal nerve can provoke a sneeze.

The treatment?

– Modern physiotherapy for neck stiffness often involves heat therapy (like Svedana) and massage.

– So, while the terminology differs, the core physiological principles—stimulate the nerve to trigger the reflex and use heat/oil to relax the muscles—are identical.

Visualizing the Wisdom: A Bridge Between Ancient Ayurveda and Modern Science