HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ASTHMA 

Asthma is an ancient Greek word connoting “panting or short-drawn breath”. It is an allergic condition due to the reaction of the body to one or more allergens and is the most difficult of respiratory diseases. An asthma patient gets regular attacks of breathlessness, in between which he/she may even be wholly normal. Asthma is a very widespread respiratory disease, which affects the trachea and bronchial tubes by becoming inflamed and blocked with mucus. This causes the airways to narrow, restricting the amount of air going to the lungs, and makes it very difficult to breathe. Asthma can occur in anyone but its occurrence is more common in children and young adults. Usual symptoms of an asthma attack are coughing, wheezing, tight chest, difficulty in breathing. Herbal remedies for asthma can immensely help breathing.

There are 2 kinds of asthma, allergic asthma and nonallergic asthma. A few of the allergens that can prompt an asthma attack are chemicals, drugs, smoke, dust, food additives, pollution, mold, etc. Nonallergic asthma can be caused by anxiety, exercise, dry or humid weather, fear, laughing, stress etc. Herbal remedies for asthma can help all these conditions properly.

The rate, in which asthma attacks have increased in the past few years, is worrisome, especially most in children. Scientists are strong of the opinion that, there is a strong link between contamination in the air we breathe and asthma. It is evidently clear that the percentage of people who live in the big cities and have asthma attacks is far greater than those of people who live in the rural areas. Though, this may not be the only reason; it is believed that genetics, food additives, and toxins etc. could also contribute to asthma attacks.

Modern medicine can offer very modest to children with asthma and most drugs can only produce a momentary effect. Herbs, on the other hand, can be very valuable, not only minimizing attacks but also strengthening the lungs and immune system.

Herbal Remedies

1. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are essential nutrients to treat asthma reducing the inflammation in the lungs.

2. Vitamin C is required to combat infection, increase the amount of oxygen and reduce inflammation.

3. Use Ginkgo biloba, this herb has ginkgolide B which is very useful. Some studies show that ginkgo biloba reduces the rate of asthma attacks.

4. Mullein oil is used to deal with respiratory congestion and it is very vital to make it as a tea for faster results.

5. Pau d'arco is a natural antibiotic that reduces inflammation.

6. In China, there is a potent blend of herbs called Shuang Huang Lian being used in hospitals to treat respiratory disease, very essential to use this herb in the treatment of asthma and acute bronchitis.

7. If exercise triggers asthma attacks, reduces the amount of salt in your diet and take 2,000 mg of Vitamin C an hour before your exercise.

8. Eat salmon 3 times per week and equally take salmon oil capsules.

9. Take coffee and also soft drinks with caffeine (colas), caffeine dilates the bronchial airways.

10. Prepare a tea using: 2 teaspoonfuls of powdered Indian root.

2 teaspoonfuls of granulated Echinacea root.

2 teaspoonfuls of elecampane root.

2 cups of water.

Combine all ingredients and let them alone for good two hours.

11. To improve your breathing makes a tea with:

1 quart of boiling water.

1 teaspoonful of chamomile flowers.

1 teaspoonful of Echinacea root.

1 teaspoonful of mullein leaves.

1 teaspoonful of passionflower leaves.

12. Caffeine is recognized to dilate the bronchial airways.

13. Turmeric powder (1 teaspoonful) in milk with honey three times. This is an ancient Indian herbal remedy.

14. Mustard oil can be combined with camphor and rubbed into the back of the chest

15. Get the asthma patient to bend over a basin of honey and take in the vapors for a few minutes till their breathing eases.

16. One more of the good asthma attack herbal remedy is to breathe in from boiling water mixed with caraway seeds.

17. Take hot licorice root tea which has been brewed for about 10 minutes.

18. Try mixing honey, lemon juice, and radish, then heat for 20 minutes in a saucepan. Use one teaspoon in a day.

19.  Mix one gram of ginger powder and one gram of black pepper in a teaspoon of honey, and then lick the mixture.

21. To push out infected mucous from the lungs, frequently chew fennel.

22. An excellent natural inhalant for asthma sufferers is a little drop of essential oil of juniper in hot water. Never use undiluted straightforwardly on a handkerchief or the skin.

Excerpt From: Spencer Garret. “Alchemy of Herbal Medicine.” iBooks. 2017