Spitting of blood while coughing is called hemoptysis. This is primarily caused by such diseases as tuberculosis and cancer of the lungs. In ayurveda it is included in the group of Urdhavaga rakta pitta. The patient spits blood while coughing. Sometimes blood alone is vomited and at other times it is mixed with mucus.
Treatment
Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. It is given to the patient in the form of juice in a dose of two leaspoonfuls four times a day. It is bitter in taste and is therefore given to the patient mixed with honey.
Pravala pisti (a preparation of coral) is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. It is given in a dose of 15 grains four times a day mixed with honey. If the bleeding is excessive Candrakala rasa is given to the patient in a dose of one tablet four times a day mixed with honey.
Diet
Hot and spicy things should be avoided and the patient should be given pomegranate, amalaki (Emblica officinalis), cow’s milk and water. Old rice, soup of patola, mung, masura and meat soup can be given to the patient.
Other regimens
The patient should not exercise. Complete rest is advised. He should avoid exposure to the sun.