Effective Herbal Remedies for Asthma

Children in Australia lose around one million school days every year due to asthma. While traditional medicine has its own limitations, naturopathic and holistic treatment has been known to cure asthma effectively, across cultures, for centuries. Some herbal remedies for asthma include the use of healing herbs such as ginkgo, grape seed, dried ivy and butterbur, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These herbs dilate the airways providing relief from asthma.

However, before using them, it is important to consult a herbalist or qualified alternative medical practitioner to get the best result. Besides, it is also important to consider the herb quality, drug interactions and side effects.

Effective Herbal Remedies for Asthma
Here are some effective herbal remedies for asthma:

• A mixture of garlic juice with honey or hot water every day or a mixture of turmeric powder with hot water every day can help alleviate asthma.
• A teaspoon of ginger juice with fenugreek decoction (one cup) and honey taken twice a day helps eliminate phlegm (as this acts as an expectorant) and asthma.

• To prepare one of the most effective herbal remedies for asthma, take equal quantities of powdered dry ginger, black pepper and long pepper. Take one teaspoon of this powder and mix it with honey. Have this everyday for relief from asthma.

• Boil two glasses of water with a cinnamon stick, three garlic heads, half purple onion, two tablespoons thyme and a halved lime. When it boils, add another cup of cold water and let it boil until half the amount is left. Strain and drink this as tea. Children can have a tablespoon of this decoction mixed with honey every three hours for relief from asthma.
• A brew of fennel seeds and anise seeds boiled in water for 10-15 minutes helps treat asthma and other respiratory problems. The tea is also anti-spasmodic, reduces bronchitis and cough and helps loosen bronchial secretions.
• Chamomile: Consumed as tea, antihistamine properties of chamomile help reduce inflammation.
• Ephedrine: Ephedra, a chemical extracted from Ephedra sinica, helps relieve respiratory congestion in people with asthma. It is also believed to contain other elements that assist in breathing.
• Elderberry: One of the best herbal remedies for asthma, it reduces nasal congestion and treats upper respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis, influenza, asthma and sinusitis.
• Gingko biloba: It treats asthma by inhibiting the Platelet Activating Factor that induces anaphylactic reactions.
• Licorice root: It helps restore normal breathing by clearing the airways.
• Mullein: The leaves and flowers of mullein are used to reduce mucous and phlegm and dilate the bronchial passage. It also offers relief from bronchitis, dry cough and aids in breathing.
• Nettle and Lobelia: Their anti-inflammatory properties help maintain respiratory health in people with asthma. Nettle is also known to cure arthritis and lupus.
• Tea: Theophylline, present in green and black tea, helps relax the bronchial tubes and offers relief from asthma symptoms.
• Yerba Mate: One of the most effective herbal remedies for asthma, it prompts adrenal glands to release corticosteroids that reduce inflammation. Besides, it also relaxes hyperactive responses to allergens and relaxes the airways.

Other herbal remedies for asthma include Adhatoda vasical, coltsfoot, Grindelia and Chinese skullcap. They have been known to effectively treat asthma and prevent their recurrence in a safe and natural manner.

Top 5 Natural Asthma Treatment Methods

According to a survey by the Asthma Society of Ireland and Allen & Hanburys, asthma impacts one’s quality of life significantly. Asthma symptoms caused 55% patients to wake up at night, while 73% experienced some limitation in activities due to the condition.

A respiratory problem, asthma cases have been rapidly increasing due to increasing levels of environmental toxins and pollution. While traditional medicine helps reduce symptoms and provides relief temporarily, it is not without side effects. So, experts have been developing natural asthma treatment methods that result in long-term elimination of symptoms, and the frequency and progression of the condition.

Top 5 Natural Asthma Treatment Methods
Here are some effective natural asthma treatment methods:

• Diet: Diet plays an important role in preventing and curing asthma; as they say, "we are what we eat". So, some foods may alleviate asthma symptoms, while others aggravate them. Food allergies also have a big role in triggering asthma attacks. So, it is important to determine the foods that you are allergic to and eliminate them from the diet. Some foods that aggravate asthma include those containing preservatives, high salt and saturated fat and dairy products (it is important to replace dairy products with other calcium supplements). These cause inflammation in the body, aggravating asthma symptoms. Hence, asthmatics should preferably avoid red meats, egg yolks, milk, cheese, butter, shellfish, artificial sweeteners and food colors.

Foods that alleviate asthma symptoms include omega-3 fatty acids, fruit and vegetables. These foods reduce inflammation, enhance lung function and relieve symptoms. At least three to five servings of fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, tomatoes, apples, pineapples and green leafy vegetables, are recommended every day to alleviate asthma symptoms. Some sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids include nut oils, krill oil, algae, flaxseed and fish such as tuna, salmon and halibut. Hence, diet forms the first step in natural asthma treatment.

• Homeopathy: An alternative medicine that stimulates the body’s self-healing capabilities, homeopathy uses small doses of natural substances (from plants and animals). It boosts the immune system, thus avoiding disease recurrence. Homeopathic remedy for asthma, for instance, includes the use of pollen and weeds that help asthmatics develop resistance to the allergen.
• Yoga: A natural asthma treatment approach, yoga is based on the principle of pranayama. Pranayama teaches slow, steady breathing that not only improves fitness, but also reduces stress that is a major asthma trigger.
• Massage therapy: Professional massage focused on specific points on the arm, neck and chest helps relieve stress and enhance lung function. Massage therapy also eliminates phlegm and congestion and reduces inflammation. Children suffering from asthma are also known to experience increased peak airflow and enhanced pulmonary capabilities with 20-minute massage every night before sleep.
• Exercises: Light, aerobic exercises help in strengthening the lungs and stretching the bronchial tubes, which facilitate easy breathing. Exercise also helps reduce obesity, which is a major risk factor in developing asthma.

Natural asthma treatment focuses on adopting the right lifestyle and eating habits which help cure asthma effectively in the long-term. You can consult a qualified natural medicine expert to get help with treating asthma naturally, effectively and without side effects.

Natural Remedies for Asthma: The Best Treatment

Did you know that nearly 8.2% of the American population suffers from asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It occurs in the form of attacks, and can prove to be fatal if not treated well and on time. Traditionally, asthma patients are known to carry inhalers and are usually on allopathic medication. In recent time, increasingly more people are turning to natural remedies for asthma as opposed to medication.

Natural remedies for asthma have been known to not only control attack severity but also to cure the disease almost completely. Asthma control requires a lot of dietary and lifestyle changes that might seem difficult to incorporate at first but once one is used to the changes, they can experience a world of difference.

Five Natural Remedies for Asthma

Asthma is characterized by shortness of breath that can leave a patient gasping desperately for breath. Since it is a breathing disorder, most of the natural remedies for asthma focus on improving breathing, as well as the health and capacity of the lungs.

• Breathing techniques: The breathing technique of Buteyko is a very good remedy for asthma. It follows the premise that shallow breathing pulls in more carbon dioxide into the lungs, and dilates the airways’ muscles and, as a consequence, opens them up wider, making it easier to breath.
• Dietary Remedies: Go vegan. Cutting out dairy products from the diet is one of the few natural remedies for asthma that not many people know about. Milk and milk products cause phlegm formation that can aggravate and lead to asthma attacks. Also, an increase in the intake of vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes and green leafy vegetables, is highly recommended. However, be sure to consult your doctor before you make any drastic changes to your diet. Keep in mind that not everyone is suited to a vegan lifestyle.
• Butterbur: The active constituents of butterbur are petasin and isopetasin. These constituents are known to reduce spasms of the smooth muscles and are also anti-inflammatory. The recommended dose is one microgram a day.
• Omega Fatty Acids: The primary cause of inflammation in the body is believed to be arachidonic acid, found in egg yolks and shellfish. These are fatty acids and their effect can be countered by the intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish oil like cod liver oil and krill oil.
• Coffee and Tea: Breathing problems are also a result of slow blood circulation. Caffeine present in the coffee accelerates the circulation, making it easier to breath. But one has to be careful to not drink too much coffee; it should be taken in moderation.

Asthmatic attacks can be a harrowing experience, but with the right treatment and at the right time, the attacks can be managed or even stopped. Of course, prevention is better than cure, and therefore, some things must be avoided by asthma patients. Avoid exposure to sudden temperature changes and stress. Asthmatic patients must take time out daily for breathing exercises and relaxation.

Natural remedies for asthma will only help so far as they are taken daily. The effect in some cases might be slow to show but they are always long lasting. Natural remedies for asthma treat the breathing problem as well as help improve the lifestyle of patients.