Top 10 Natural Treatments For Asthma
Over 235 million people worldwide are asthmatic and numbers are still rising. Asthma is a chronic or acute inflammation of tissue that causes the lungs and airways to swell. Common symptoms include coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, and shortness of breath.
Factors known to trigger an asthmatic reaction are air pollution, emotional imbalances, allergies, infections, medications, and chemicals in our food.
There are many natural treatments available to find relief, but make sure to contact your doctor before using unfamiliar herbs or before you stop your conventional treatment.
1. Herbal Treatments
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic treatments to relieve asthmatic inflammation. It dilates blood vessels, relaxes muscles spasms, and improves air flow. Turmeric is available in capsule or tinctures, or make your own golden healing milk and drink up to 3 times a day to find relief. Click here for the recipe.
Ginger
Ginger reduces inflammation and improves the muscle relaxing effect of certain asthma drugs. Ginger can be added to your smoothies, tea, or dishes. Or you could try the following mixture: mix equal parts of ginger juice, pomegranate juice, and honey. Consume 1 tablespoon of the mixture 2 to 3 times a day to find relief. Read here more about how to use ginger as a medicine.
Garlic
Garlic has been used as a natural remedy to manage many diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Since asthma is an inflammatory disease, it would make sense that garlic may also help relieve asthma symptoms. However, the evidence is still anecdotal and the use of garlic as an alternative treatment for asthma is currently being studied.
Garlic will help you to clear congestion to find quick relief. You could make garlic tea or soup, but if you can bear the taste, eating raw garlic is best. Read here more about how to use garlic as a medicine. Garlic is a true superfood that is also featured in the e-book about superfoods which is part of the Natural Health Revolution Program. This program will help you to achieve your health, nutrition or weight loss goals.
Parsley Leaf
Parsley leaf tea works as an expectorant and helps to reduce coughing. Keep in mind that parsley leaves also works as a diuretic, so use with caution.
Mullein
Mullein tea helps to relieve asthmatic spasm and reduce coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Onions
Onions are loaded with sulfur which helps to decrease inflammation of the lungs. Raw onions are the best to clear congested airways and improve breathing.
Ginkgo Biloba
Works well to reduce wheezing and improves breathing.
Butterbur
Works anti-inflammatory and reduces muscle spasms, especially for allergic induced asthma.
if you are interested in herbal remedies, you can find more useful information in the e-book the Herbal Remedies Guide. This guide will teach you how to treat common ailments using herbs.
2. Dietary Changes
Modifying your diet is one of the most important ways to manage and even cure asthma. Asthma is often triggered by certain foods and additives found in your diet.
Eliminate dairy as much as possible
Eat organic as much as possible to avoid pesticides and GMOs.
Replace animal protein with plant-based protein or opt for organic hormone- and antibiotic free meat.
Eliminate polyunsaturated oils, margarines, and avoid deep-fried foods.
Eliminate sugar, soy, gluten, and wheat for 6 to 8 weeks and see what happens. Many of us are allergic to those and that can cause inflammation and asthma attacks. See tips how to quit sugar here.
Add more onions, garlic, ginger, and turmeric to your daily diet for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Improve omega-3 and omega-6 ratio. I’ll come back to that in a sec.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of pure water and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary beverages.
Although nuts contain many beneficial nutrients some people are allergic to them and may trigger asthmatic reactions.
Add magnesium rich food to your diet or opt for magnesium supplements. Magnesium helps to relax muscle spasms and shows beneficial effects on breathing. Foods rich in magnesium include dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, fish, beans and lentils, avocado and banana. Consuming adequate amount of magnesium is also one of the 70 habits featured in the e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.
Vitamin C is another important nutrient to reduce asthmatic attacks and find relief. Eat more vitamin C rich foods and start your day with lukewarm lemon water. Foods rich in vitamin C include red pepper, guava, dark leafy greens, kiwifruit, berries, broccoli, citrus fruits, tomato and papaya.
3. Minimize respiratory irritants
Those include smoke, dust, molds, and chemical-laden household products and cosmetics.
4. Vitamin D
A lot of research has been done in the field of vitamin D for optimal health and many studies link asthma to vitamin D deficiencies. So make sure to get your vitamin D. Read here more about 12 common diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency.
5. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for overall health and will help your lungs to react better on irritants that cause an asthmatic attack. Getting enough quality omega-3 will reduce inflammation and narrowing of the airway.
Good sources of omega-3 include salmon, cod, fish oil, krill oil, sardines, mackerel, chia seeds, flax seeds, eggs, wild rice, walnuts, beans, and Brussels sprouts. Read more about the amazing health benefits of omega-3 here.
But not only adding more omega-3’s to your diet is important, you also want to reduce omega-6 fatty acids. The balance between those 2 is very important to avoid all sorts of inflammation. These days most people are consuming too much omega-6.
How can you reduce your omega-6 intake? Avoid processed foods and vegetable oils such as corn, soy, canola, and safflower oil.
6. Hygiene Hypothesis
Don’t be too obsessive in your cleanliness. Especially when it comes to your children. It appears that being exposed to common bacterial and viral infections as a child can be beneficial in providing the stimulus to your immune system to prevent asthma naturally.
7. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil can help you to clear the respiratory passages. When having an asthma attack massage your chest and upper back with mustard oil. You could add a little camphor to enhance its effectiveness. Repeat as needed.
8. Eucalyptus Oil
Another great oil that can help you clear congestions and break up mucus is eucalyptus oil. The only thing you need to do is add a few drops on a paper towel and breathe in the aroma. Or you could use a steam vaporizer. If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in the e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.
9. Figs
Figs promote respiratory health and help drain mucus to improve breathing. Wash 3 dried figs and soak them, overnight, in one cup of water. Eat the soaked figs in the morning and drink the fig water on an empty stomach.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV is an old remedy to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks and drinking it on a daily basis drinking it on a daily basis can improve asthma symptoms. ACV helps to strengthen the lungs, the digestive system and the immune system as it a great detoxifier. Add 1-2 tablespoons in 8 ounces of water before meals. You can add honey to improve the taste. Just remember to opt for organic, unfiltered, and unprocessed ACV with the “mother” intact, this cloudy mass at the bottom of the bottle that is composed of the minerals and enzymes. Also read the article about 10 uses for ACV for great health and at home. Bare in mind not to use it for the long term, as ACV can deplete potassium and can lower bone density. It also can interact with certain medication and can damage tooth enamel and tissue of the digestive tract.
Get well soon!
This is a guest post written by Amy Goodrich, biologist, natural nutrition expert, and health coach who loves living a natural, eco-friendly, and healthy lifestyle. Visit her website http://www.body-in-balance.org and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bodyinbalance.org