Hello I can imagine how scary that must’ve felt—being up in the air, suddenly struggling to breathe, panicking, and then just lying awake at night replaying it all in your head.
It’s rough. But let me reassure you: what you went through points to anxiety or a panic episode, not some hidden physical problem. You’re not alone; lots of people actually face something like this on long flights for the first time.
Here’s the good news: you can totally handle this. With a bit of preparation, you’ll be fine flying back to Mumbai.
YOUR CONCERN
- Long-haul flight (9.5 hours) from India to Netherlands - Around 6 hours in, you suddenly felt like you couldn’t breathe—panic kicked in for about half an hour - Since then, the fear keeps coming back - Waking up anxious at night, can’t sleep well - No other physical symptoms - Return flight’s on 12.02.26 - You’ve tried deep breathing, which helps a little
WHY THIS HAPPENS (AYURVEDA + MODERN MEDICINE)
Ayurveda sees this as: - Vata getting out of balance (especially Prana Vata) - Stress and being in a new place - Disturbed Manovaha Srotas - Something like Chittodvega, Bhaya, or Udavarta
From a modern angle, it’s a panic attack or flight anxiety. Triggers?
- Sitting for hours - Changes in cabin pressure - Exhaustion - Feeling “trapped” in the air
Important: Oxygen levels on planes are safe. You feel like you can’t breathe, but your body’s getting all the oxygen it needs.
MOST IMPORTANT THING
Panic makes you feel like you’re suffocating, but you’re not. Your body is actually fine.
This is NOT: - A heart problem - A lung disease - Dangerous or life-threatening
You can travel safely—you just need a plan.
AYURVEDIC SUPPORT (SAFE & EFFECTIVE)
1. Brahmi Vati (plain): 1 tablet twice daily after food. Calms the mind, eases fear, helps sleep. 2. Ashwagandha Churna or Capsule: ½ tsp powder or 1 capsule at bedtime with warm milk. Reduces anxiety, steadies the nerves. 3. Jatamansi Churna or Capsule (really important): 250 mg at bedtime. Great for panic, fear, and night-time waking.
Stick with these at least until you’re back home.
BEFORE & DURING THE FLIGHT: WHAT TO DO
Before boarding: - Skip coffee, tea, and alcohol - Eat something light - Take 1 Brahmi Vati
During the flight:
- If fear hits, sit upright - Put one hand on your chest, the other on your belly - Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 2, breathe out for 6 - Tell yourself: “This is anxiety. I am safe.” - Get up and walk every hour or two - Sip warm water
Try not to:
- Overthink things - Keep checking the oxygen mask - Google symptoms mid-flight
AT NIGHT:
- Drink warm milk before bed - No phone after 9 pm - Soft lighting, gentle music or a mantra - Jatamansi + Ashwagandha really help
WHERE TO GET AYURVEDIC MEDICINES IN THE NETHERLANDS:
- Indian grocery or Ayurvedic shops in big cities - Online Indian Ayurveda sites that deliver internationally - Local Indian community groups - Look for brands like Baidyanath, Himalaya, Dabur, Arya Vaidya Sala
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR (JUST IN CASE):
- Chest pain - Fainting - Ongoing breathlessness, even at rest
Otherwise, what you’re dealing with is anxiety—not something dangerous.
WHEN WILL YOU START TO FEEL BETTER?
- Sleep: 7–10 days - Fear: 2–3 weeks - Confidence flying: gets better as you prepare
You’re not weak. You’re not sick. You’re not unsafe to travel. Your mind just had a panic response, and now it needs some kindness and steadying. With these steps, you’ll be able to fly home calmly and safely.
Take care, Dr Snehal Vidhate
Symptoms related to the mind can only be treated when you make up ur mind to get rid of them.
❌ Try and avoid the trigger factors as much possible. Anxiety is a state of mind which you can surely control by altering your thoughts…
Just note the patterns n timings of the feeling and make yourself busy in that time… If you have nothing to do at that time simple do some physical activity or go for a walk or if it is possible for you concentrate on your breath
🧘♀️ Anulomvilom and Bhramari Pranayam will help. But you have to do it early in the morning only.
❌ Donot get yourself into any addictions.
❌ Donot drink tea or coffee or aerated drinks.
❌ Reduce screen time… No screen in darkness and 1 hour before you sleep. Consume audio form of data rather than visuals before you sleep.
✔️ Drink a glass of buffalo milk daily before you sleep; it will help you get a sound sleep.
✔️ 100 steps after both meals are must.
✔️ Eat only home cooked food… Avoid outside food, packed and processed food.
✔️ Prefer natural liquids like fruit juice, coconut water, lemon juice, kokum sharbat over packed ones.
💊 Medication: 💊
Panchendriya Vardhan Tailam 2 drops in each nostril early in the morning empty stomach.
Cap. Memorin(S.G.Phytopharma) 2 caps twice a day before food.
Syp. Prasham 4 tsp at bed time with lukewarm water. Tab. Manasmitra Vatak 2 tabs at bed time.
✈️ Safety for Your Upcoming Flight
- Medical check-up before travel: Since you had breathing difficulty once, it’s wise to consult a physician in the Netherlands before your return flight, just to rule out lung or heart issues.
During flight: - Stay hydrated (warm water, herbal teas). - Avoid heavy meals before boarding. - Practice slow breathing (inhale 4 counts, exhale 6 counts). - Keep a small calming aid (like lavender oil or tulsi tea bag) with you.
- Mental preparation: Remind yourself that the episode passed safely last time, and you now have tools to manage it.
Rx 1.Manasmithra vatkam 1 tab twice daily with warm milk after meals 2.Brahmi vati 1 tab at bedtime with water 3.Ashwagandha capsules 1 cap twice daily with warm milk after meals
🍵 Gentle Home Remedies - Warm milk with nutmeg (jaiphal) at bedtime – mild natural sleep aid. - Tulsi tea in the evening – calming, balances Vata. - Abhyanga (oil massage) with sesame oil on feet before bed – grounding and reduces nighttime anxiety. - Pranayama: Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) for 5–10 minutes before sleep.
Warm Regards DR. ANJALI SEHRAWAT
HELLO,
You experienced a dietary lapse (garlic/onion) 13 days post -panchakarma
SYMPTOMS= moderate acidity (4-6/10), no other symptoms
DIET= started with plain rice, added ghee, pitta- pacifying vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini), fenel seed tea, and coriander seeds
ACTIVITY= moderately active
OBSERVATION= panchakarma cleansed your system, making the digestive fire sensitive. Garlic and onions are heavy and pungent, which can disturb pitta and increase acidity
DIETARY MANAGEMENT
IMMEDIATELY (next 1-3 days) -follow a light cooling diet
GRAINS= rice, broken wheat Dalia, oats well cooked
VEGETABLES= pumpkin, zucchini, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, carrot
LEGUMES= mung dal (soaked, boiled, lightly spiced)
FATS= ghee small amounts 1-2 tsp per meal
FRUITS= sweets or pitta pacifying fruits like pomegranate, pear, apple (ripe), melons
SPICES= fennel, coriander, cumin; avoid garlic, onion, chili , tomato, mustard
BEVERAGES= warm water, coriander/ fennel tea, ginger tea (small amount)
AVOID= coffee, alcohol, fried foods, sour/spicy foods, heavy proteins like red meat
LONGER TERM (1-3 WEEKS) Gradual introduce
LIGHT GRAINS= barley, moong khichdi
VEGETABLES= cooked leafy greens (spinach, fenugreek) in smal amounts
DAIRY= warm milk with a pinch of cardamom, ghee if tolerated
MEALS= eat 3-4 small meals, avoid late night eating
MINDFUL EATING = chew well, eat slowly
AYURVEDIC SUPPORT
TRIPHALA CHURNA= 1 tsp with warm water at night =helps digestion and detox
CORIANDER SEEDS= 1 tsp boiled in water after meals =cooling, pitta soothing
FENNEL SEEDS= 1/2 tsp after meals or as tea
ALOE VERA JUICE = 1-2 tsp in water before meals for soothing
LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS
ACTIVITY= moderate walking post-meals, avoid strenuous exercise immediately after eating
REST = ensure adequate sleep 6-8 hours
STRESS= practice pranayam, deep breathing, or meditation to calm digestive fire
PANCHAKARMA SPECIFIC TIPS -Avoid returning immediately to “strong” foods like garlic, onion, processed foods, and excess sour or spicy foods post procedure -focus on regulating Agni before reintroducing heavier tastes
MONITORING AND WARNING SIGNS -WATCH FOR= severe pain, vomiting, black/tarry stools, persistent heartburn
-If symtpoms worsen 9acidity >7-8, nausea, or other systemic symptoms), consult an practitioner for care personally
SO, -Stick to light, pitta soothing diet- rice , ghee, pumpkin, zucchini , coriander/fennel tea -use herbal aids like triphala and coriander seeds to restore diestion -avoid irritants garlic, onion, chili, heavy protein, until digestion stabilizes -Maintain moderate activity, good sleep, and stress management
With consistent care, your acidity should normalize within 1-2 weeks
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHAARYA
Start with Manasmitra vatikam 1-0-1 after food with water Brahmi vati 1-0-1 after food with water Mentat-DS syrup 2tsp twice daily after food with water Ashwagandha churan 0-0-1tsp at bedtime with warm milk Do Nasya with Brahmi grith 2 drops in both nostril once daily Pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika bhamri 5-10mins twice daily Learn Rajyoga meditation and practice daily.
These are three herbal shops in Amsterdam
Canna Health Amsterdam – Herbal medicine store with a range of natural remedies (not pure Ayurvedic but often carries herbal wellness products).
Green Alchemy – Well-reviewed herb shop with various natural products, including herbal supplements.
Dutch Spirit – Herbal medicine store that may stock Ayurvedic/natural items.
Just buy brahmi vati 2 tab BD
Tagar 250 mg for sleep
Ashvagandha 5gm with warm milk
Buy Saraswataarishta 20 ml BD
if available
Take Ashwagandhalehyam 1tsp Shankapushi syrup 20ml Brahmi vati 1tab bd enough
FEAR OF FLYING AND NIGHT TIME SUFFOCATION IS RELATED TO VATA AND PRANA IMBALANCE IN AYURVEDA WHICH AFFECTS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND BREATHING CONTROL
ASHWAGANDHA CHURNA HALF TEASPOON TWICE DAILY AFTER FOOD WITH WARM MILK OR WARM WATER HELPS REDUCE STRESS IMPROVE NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION AND PROMOTES CALMNESS
BRAHMI VATI ONE TABLET TWICE DAILY AFTER FOOD WITH WARM WATER SUPPORTS MENTAL CLARITY REDUCES INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AND NIGHT TIME ANXIETY
JATAMANSI CHURNA HALF TEASPOON AT NIGHT WITH WARM MILK HELPS PROMOTE DEEP SLEEP AND RELAXATION
DAILY HABITS PRACTICE ANULOM VILOM OR DEEP BREATHING 5-10 MINUTES DAILY MEDITATION OR GUIDED RELAXATION BEFORE SLEEP AVOID CAFFEINE AND HEAVY MEALS BEFORE NIGHT MAINTAIN REGULAR SLEEP ROUTINE
FOR THE FLIGHT DO DEEP BREATHING AND RELAXATION EXERCISES CARRY WARM HERBAL TEA LIKE GINGER OR LEMON BALM LISTEN TO CALMING MUSIC OR GUIDED MEDITATION KEEP YOUR BODY WARM AND COMFORTABLE
IN NETHERLANDS ASHWAGANDHA BRAHMI AND JATAMANSI POWDER OR CAPSULES ARE AVAILABLE IN AYURVEDIC SHOPS OR ONLINE STORES LIKE AMAZON NL LOOK FOR CERTIFIED HERBAL OR ORGANIC PRODUCTS TO ENSURE QUALITY
START USING THESE HERBS AND ROUTINE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE FLIGHT CONSISTENT USE OF HERBS DAILY RELAXATION AND BREATHING TECHNIQUES WILL HELP YOU FLY SAFELY AND REDUCE FEAR SUFFOCATION AND NIGHT TIME ANXIETY
Take bramhi 2 bd Take tagar 2 at night or travelling time
What you experienced during the long flight is a fear based breath disturbance that usually starts after one strong episode and then keeps repeating through memory and anticipation Your description shows anxiety linked breathing fear rather than a physical lung or heart problem and the fact that you are able to calm yourself by slow breathing is a very positive sign
In Ayurveda such fear comes when the nervous system becomes sensitive and over alert due to travel stress sleep disturbance long sitting and unfamiliar surroundings The body remembers the first episode and recreates the same sensation during night time when the mind is quiet
This condition is manageable and can safely travel back to Mumbai with proper preparation
Start the following medicines at least three weeks before travel and continue during the journey
Ashwagandha capsule five hundred mg one capsule after breakfast and one after dinner with warm milk
Brahmi capsule after dinner with milk
Jatamansi tablet or capsule two hundred fifty mg one at night after dinner
Saraswatarishta fifteen ml with equal water after dinner
On the day of travel take one Ashwagandha capsule and one Brahmi capsule after breakfast During flight sip warm water frequently Avoid coffee cold drinks and very cold air exposure
Before sleep apply a few drops of warm sesame oil to the soles of feet and scalp
Inhale for four counts exhale for six counts for ten minutes morning and night
This fear is not dangerous and it does not mean you will suffocate Your body has already shown it can recover on its own With this support your confidence will return and the journey back will be safe and peaceful
High altitude and dry cabin air aggravate Vata, causing a false suffocation panic signal. You are physically safe; we just need to lubricate the nerves.
Look for Holland & Barrett, Ekoplaza or De Tuinen. 1. Preparation (Start Today) Ashwagandha: Buy capsules from a local health store. Take 1 capsule twice daily. This strengthens your nerves to handle the stress of the journey. Nutmeg Milk: At night, grate a small pinch of Nutmeg (Muskaatnoot) into warm milk. It stops the fear thoughts and ensures deep sleep.
2. The In-Flight Protocol (Feb 12) Nasal Lubrication (Crucial): Before boarding and every 3 hours, apply Ghee or plain Butter inside your nostrils. This prevents the dry cabin air from triggering the suffocation reflex. Keep Cardamom (Elaichi) or Cloves in your pocket. If panic starts, chew one slowly. The strong taste grounds the brain immediately.
3. Breathing Rule: If you feel breathless, Exhale longer than you Inhale (Inhale 4 counts, Exhale 8 counts). This physically forces the body to relax.
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
HELLO,
You are experiencing fear of flying, along with night- Time panic, suffocation feeling, and disturbed sleep. This usually happens when the mind suddenly becomes alert with fear, even though there is no real danger
FROM AN AYURVEDIC VIEW This condition is mainly due to Vata dosha imbalance, especially -Prana vata- controls breathing, mind, fear, nervous ssytem -Udana vata- controls chest, emotions, upward movement
WHEN VATA BECOMES AGGRAVATED -thoughts become excessive and uncontrollable -fear arises without reason -sleep becomes light or broken -sudden feeling of suffocation, palpitations restlessness occur
This is not a heart or lung disease, but a functional mind-body imbalance. That is why medical tests are usually normal, yet smptoms feel very real and frightening
TREATMENT GOALS -calm the mind and nervous system -balance vata dosha -improve sleep quality -remove fear response from subconscious mind -prevent panic during flight -restore confidence and sense of safety
INTERNAL MEDICAITONS
1) BRAHMI VATI= 1 tab twice daily after meals for 6 weeks -strengthens brain and nerves, reduces fear anxiety racing thoughts, improves mental stability
2) ASHWAGANDHA CHURNA= 1/2 tsp with warm milk at night for 8 weeks =natural anti anxiety and adaptogen, reduces stress hormones, improves sleep and confidence
3) JATAMANSI CAPSULES= 1 cap with warm water at bedtime for 6 weeks =excellent for night Panic, fear dreams, calms palpitations and suffocation feeling, acts deeply on subconscious fear
4) SARASWATARISHTA= 15ml with equal water after dinner for 2 months =classical medicine for anxiety and insomnia, nourishes mind and improves sleep cycle
EXTERNAL THERAPIES
1) OIL MASSAGE= BRAHMI TAILA -Area= head, neck, soles of feet -Time= at night before sleep 10-15 min =directly pacifies vata, reduces fear, restlessness, promotes deep sleep
2) FOOT MASSAGE -apply warm oil to soles daily at night -very effective for anxiety and insomnia
PRANAYAM -Anulom Vilom=10 rounds -Chandra bhedana= 5 min =especially helpful during panic or fear
YOGA -Shavasana -Balasana -Paschimottanasana
LIFESTYLE CHANGES -Sleep by 10-10:30 pm AVOID= coffee, tea, energy drinks, late nights, exces mobil use befor esleep -maintain fixed daily routine -keep light dim at night -avoid sleeping immediately after heat thinking or phone use
DIET -warm, freshly cooked food -rice, wheat, moong dal -ghee, milk warm -vegetable soups, khichdi
AVOID -cold food and drinks -dry,packaged , junk food -fasting or skipping meals
HOME REMEDIES -warm milk + 1 tsp ghee at bedtime -NUTMEG= a pinch with milk at night 2-3 times/week -chew fennel or clove during anxiety or flight -apply ghee in nostrils= 2 drops each in nostril in morning
DURING FLIGHT- PRACTICAL AYURVEDIC SUPPORT -avoid caffeine before travel -carry clove/fennel -practice slow breathing -keep mind occupied with calming music or mantra -Remember= this fear will pass, it it temporary
This condition is completely manageable and reversible It is not dangerous, not a sign of weakness, and not permanent
With proper Ayurvedic treatment and lifestyle correction -fear reduces significantly in 1-2 weeks -sleep improves -confidence returns -travel become comfortable again
Ayurveda treats the root cause, not just symptom You can travel safely and peacefully back to India
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
