Natural Remedies for Asthma
An asthma attack can feel like a huge weight is sitting on your chest or like a giant is squeezing the life right out of you. The truth is, asthma can be deadly; a quarter of a million people die from asthma each year.
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. The bronchial tubes become inflamed and swollen. Then bronchial spasms tighten and compress the airways. The narrower passageways are further compromised by an increase in secretions.
Most asthma sufferers are allergic to foods and/or environmental irritants. Environmental triggers include chemical irritants or industrial particles in the air in the workplace, drug reactions, cigarette smoke, air pollution, animal dander, dust, mites, cockroaches, and more. Many are sensitive to sulfites in food and drink. Respiratory infections such as a cold or bronchitis often can cause an attack. For some, asthma is triggered by exercise.
The first step or natural remedy to treating asthma is to stop ingesting cow's milk and milk products. Known to increase mucous, cow's milk is also one of the primary allergens in our Western diet. When milk is removed from the diet, chronic respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma are often resolved without further treatment.
Vegan, gluten free diets and rotation diets have also shown good results, but the primary consideration is allergen free and nutrient dense foods. Eliminate all artificial flavors, coloring, and additives (MSG is a known trigger) and be sure to eat organic to avoid pesticides and fungicides.
Since most asthma sufferers are known to have several allergies, all allergens should be removed from the diet and environment. Never smoke or allow smoking indoors and follow an elimination diet to see if allergies to other foods are a factor.
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. The bronchial tubes become inflamed and swollen. Then bronchial spasms tighten and compress the airways. The narrower passageways are further compromised by an increase in secretions.
Most asthma sufferers are allergic to foods and/or environmental irritants. Environmental triggers include chemical irritants or industrial particles in the air in the workplace, drug reactions, cigarette smoke, air pollution, animal dander, dust, mites, cockroaches, and more. Many are sensitive to sulfites in food and drink. Respiratory infections such as a cold or bronchitis often can cause an attack. For some, asthma is triggered by exercise.
The first step or natural remedy to treating asthma is to stop ingesting cow's milk and milk products. Known to increase mucous, cow's milk is also one of the primary allergens in our Western diet. When milk is removed from the diet, chronic respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma are often resolved without further treatment.
Vegan, gluten free diets and rotation diets have also shown good results, but the primary consideration is allergen free and nutrient dense foods. Eliminate all artificial flavors, coloring, and additives (MSG is a known trigger) and be sure to eat organic to avoid pesticides and fungicides.
Since most asthma sufferers are known to have several allergies, all allergens should be removed from the diet and environment. Never smoke or allow smoking indoors and follow an elimination diet to see if allergies to other foods are a factor.
Asthma sufferers may be deficient in vitamin D—most people are. If don't you spend enough time in the sun or if you live at a high latitude, chances are you are deficient. Obesity increases the probability of deficiency as does dark skin. Other vitamins known to affect the severity or number of attacks are vitamin A, C and B6. Remember to take B complex rather than just one of the B vitamins for a long term treatment. And essential fats are…essential. They body needs omega 3's to stop the inflammatory process.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are crucial. And of course, exercise is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, take heart. Andrew Weil, M.D. suggests you find a form of exercise that minimizes your symptoms due to built-in, intermittent breaks (tennis, golf, softball, etc). Along the same lines of thinking, we would recommend interval training as well as exercise that focuses on breathing technique such as Tai Chi and yoga. Dr. Weil suggests you learn to warm up slowly to the point you almost feel the tightness, then stop and stretch. If you are already into your workout, slow down. Revving up the pace and slowing down the pace before asthma strikes can eliminate the need for medication.
Cold air can trigger an attack. Breathe
A healthy diet and lifestyle are crucial. And of course, exercise is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. If your asthma is triggered by exercise, take heart. Andrew Weil, M.D. suggests you find a form of exercise that minimizes your symptoms due to built-in, intermittent breaks (tennis, golf, softball, etc). Along the same lines of thinking, we would recommend interval training as well as exercise that focuses on breathing technique such as Tai Chi and yoga. Dr. Weil suggests you learn to warm up slowly to the point you almost feel the tightness, then stop and stretch. If you are already into your workout, slow down. Revving up the pace and slowing down the pace before asthma strikes can eliminate the need for medication.
Cold air can trigger an attack. Breathe
through your nose and cover your face to avoid this problem.
You must learn to breathe correctly, to fully expand your lungs, to exhale and inhale the way nature intended. Dr. Weir also suggests doing manipulative work such as deep tissue massage like Rolfing to break up the restrictive patterns of nerves and muscles that have developed due to chronic asthma.
Alternative treatments for acute attacks abound. Mullein leaves can be steeped in boiling water. The vapor is inhaled to bring relief as does the mist from eucalyptus oil in a steamer. Eucalyptus, horehound, lungwort, pleurisy root, and elecampane can all be brewed into a tea in any combination. Green tea is often recommended for its natural theophylline.
Asthma is the result of a toxic, unbalanced body. Remember, the primary cure for asthma is changing your lifestyle. Detox and change your diet. Eat fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. Avoid allergens. And realize that reaping the benefits of this lifestyle change, while immediate in many other aspects, may take months to produce a noticeable change in asthmatic response. But the results will come.
You must learn to breathe correctly, to fully expand your lungs, to exhale and inhale the way nature intended. Dr. Weir also suggests doing manipulative work such as deep tissue massage like Rolfing to break up the restrictive patterns of nerves and muscles that have developed due to chronic asthma.
Alternative treatments for acute attacks abound. Mullein leaves can be steeped in boiling water. The vapor is inhaled to bring relief as does the mist from eucalyptus oil in a steamer. Eucalyptus, horehound, lungwort, pleurisy root, and elecampane can all be brewed into a tea in any combination. Green tea is often recommended for its natural theophylline.
Asthma is the result of a toxic, unbalanced body. Remember, the primary cure for asthma is changing your lifestyle. Detox and change your diet. Eat fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. Avoid allergens. And realize that reaping the benefits of this lifestyle change, while immediate in many other aspects, may take months to produce a noticeable change in asthmatic response. But the results will come.
Natural Remedies for Asthma
Issue 10 | October/November 2009
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