Asthma – Natural Remedies and Treatment
Asthma is a condition characterized by narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing. It is one of the most common diseases now. In people who have allergies or asthma, the inflamed or blocked airways that cause asthma symptoms can be cleared with help from certain treatments and lifestyle changes.
Even though asthma medications can help in the case of an emergency asthma attack, they can actually make symptoms even worse in long term. Most of them also have numerous side effects due to how they affect the immune and endocrine system.
Research shows that steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs used for asthma treatment might contribute to problems including weight gain, mood changes, yeast growth, and acne — plus over time they might impede normal immune functions that make asthmatic and allergic reactions more frequent. (1)
The exact cause of this disease is yet unknown but it can be triggered by poor nutrition, air pollution, autoimmune disorders, allergies, antibiotic abuse, possibly vaccines, respiratory infections and other medical conditions that affect the lungs, genetic predisposition, weather conditions, certain medications, sulfites in food and high amounts of stress.
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Asthma Symptoms
For some adults, asthma symptoms are caused by exposure to pollution and chemicals during work (debris, dust, etc.). This is also known as “occupational asthma” and appears in about 15 percent of all cases. (2)
Common signs and symptoms include: (3)
- Coughing and sneezing
- Wheezing and sounds coming from your chest as you try to breathe
- Tightness and pressure in the chest
- Difficulty exercising
- Running out of air as you try to inhale or speak
- Blue- or purple-colored fingers and toes or skin changes during attacks due to poor oxygen and circulation
- Dry mouth
- Feeling weak, lightheaded, and dizzy
- Anxiety symptoms, such as rapid heartbeats and sweating
- Symptoms similar to those caused by allergies, such as red and watery eyes, runny nose, or an itchy throat
- Puffy lymph nodes and swollen glands in the neck
Natural Remedies for Asthma
Luckily there are some effective, natural remedies for treating asthma and preventing attacks. First of all start with improving gut health, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting irritant exposure, supplementing with vitamin D and reducing food allergies.
If you want to completely get rid of allergies and asthma, you need to go on an anti-inflammatory diet. Avoid pasteurized dairy products, sugar, gluten grains, hydrogenated fats and refined/processed vegetable oils, peanuts, and soybeans. All of these foods can contribute to the formation of excess mucus in the body and stimulate inflammation.
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Here is a list of foods with anti-inflammatory properties:
- Berries
- Coconut
- Rosemary
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Canola
- Sweet potato
- Broccoli
- Flax seeds
- Ginger
- Papaya
- Apple
- Pumpkin seeds
- Cinnamon
- Green tea
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Shitake mushrooms
- Kelp
- Cabbage
- Turmeric
- Honey
- Red and white onions
- Nuts
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a natural anti-inflammatory, supports immune health and slows declining lung function. It also stops the narrowing of breathing passages over time.
Studies show that a Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of asthma and cause poor function of the respiratory organs. (4)
In fact, worsening of asthma occurs in early spring and winter, when our bodies have lowest levels of this vitamin.
Vitamin C
People with asthma often have low levels of vitamin C.
It is a powerful antioxidant, reduces free radical damage and inflammation and increases immunity.
Ginger
Ginger is often used as a natural treatment for various conditions including asthma.
Researchers have found that it can help inhibit airway contraction and reduce airway inflammation. (5)
Studies also show that its compounds may enhance the muscle relaxant effects of certain asthma drugs. (6)
- Mix equal parts of honey, ginger juice, and pomegranate juice. Take one tablespoon of this mixture 2 – 3 times a day.
- Drink 2 cups freshly made ginger tea a day.
- To detoxify your lungs, put one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup boiling of water and mix in one teaspoon of ginger juice and honey. You can drink this twice a day – every morning and evening.
Caffeine
The caffeine which can be found in regular coffee, tea, cola drinks and cocoa; acts as a bronchodilator so it can relieve the symptoms of asthma, such as breathlessness, wheezing, and coughing. (7)
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil (EO) and its main component, 1,8-cineole, have antimicrobial effects against many bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Mycobacterium tuberculosis and viruses, and fungi (including Candida). Surprisingly for an antimicrobial substance, there are also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulatory, analgesic, and spasmolytic effects. (8)
Pure eucalyptus oil, due to its decongestant properties is an effective treatment for asthma symptoms.
One study shows that due to its mucolytic properties it can help break up mucus and can lead to notable improvement in lung function as well as to reduce dyspnea in asthma patients. (9)
- Put 5 – 10 drops of eucalyptus oil on a paper towel and keep it next to you when sleeping so that you breathe in the aroma.
- Put 2 – 3 drops of eucalyptus oil in a pot of boiling water and breathe in the steam. For faster results, try to take deep breaths.
Chiropractic
At the birth of the baby doctors usually pull the head first, so the trauma of the cervical spine makes problems for most of us.
Setting the first cervical vertebra, the atlas, with the help of special methods, can make life easier for people who suffer from dizziness, headaches, asthma, and a range of other ailments.
Additional tips
- Use natural cleaning products or make your own with baking soda, vinegar, and lavender oil.
- Avoid secondhand smoke from cigarettes and wood-burning stoves.
- Use a dehumidifier in damp areas
- Avoid antibacterial disinfectants and soaps.
- Avoid petroleum and aerosols based ingredients in your beauty and health products.
- Fix water leaks and reduce mold.
- Remove chlorine from your tap water with a water filter.
- Wash bedding weekly.
- Regularly vacuum your carpets.
- Use non-allergenic sheets and pillow cases.
- Limit the amount of pet hair you’re exposed to and keep your furry friends out of the bedroom.
This article appeared first at Health Tips Now and appears here with permission. Like on Facebook!
