Natural Remedies For Asthma

If you have asthma, your bronchial airways tend to become very narrow, resulting in coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. An asthmatic attack can be triggered by certain stimuli, such as allergens, cold air and exercise, or stress and anxiety. In severe attacks, asthma can be life-threatening and needs immediate treatment. By using natural remedies for asthma, the severity and frequency of attacks can be minimised.

Nutritional Supplements

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). The EFA found in fish and flaxseed oil help to naturally reduce inflammation of your lungs which usually occurs during an asthma attack and makes breathing difficult. Eating fish rich in omega-3 oil, such as tuna, mackerel and salmon can neutralise the cause of chronic asthma and halt tissue damage. As an alternative for vegetarians or if you just do not like eating fish, you can obtain omega-3 from flaxseed oil.

Be cautious, though. Roughly 10 percent asthma sufferers are aspirin-sensitive, and they sometimes show adverse reactions after taking fish oil. If you are this type, consult your physician for supervision and approval before taking fish oil. Also, if you are a high risk for stroke and have asthma, check with your doctor first, to avoid possible adverse reactions.

Magnesium. Magnesium acts naturally to relax and widen the bronchial tract, which constricts during asthma attacks. Magnesium supplements can be taken in either magnesium citrate or magnesium aspartate.

Quercetin. There is solid scientific documentation that quercetin, a bioflavonoid, has potent anti-allergenic and antihistaminic properties. Taking quercetin if you have allergies can help reduce asthma attacks.

Herbs

Coleus. Ancient Ayurveda-based medicine has for centuries recommended using coleus to relax the bronchi. Look for a product which contains 18 per cent forskolin, the active ingredient of coleus. Discuss with your doctor the use of coleus, because it greatly enhances the beneficial action of some asthma medications.

Licorice. Pure licorice has a cortisol-like, anti-inflammatory effect. The most advisable form is deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) because it does not cause blood pressure to rise.

Other Natural Remedies For Asthma

Breathing Exercise. An asthma attack can be dispelled by concentrating on proper breathing. There are various techniques but you basically try to draw more air into your lungs, relax your body, and control anxiety and panic. This can help make attacks much less severe.

When an attack begins, sit down. Put one hand, palm open, flat against your stomach. Use your other hand to feel for the pulse on the opposite wrist. Consciously will yourself to relax. Next, synchronise your breathing with your heart rate: for every 7 beats, breathe in; after 9 beats, breathe out.

Blow air out through pursed lips until it is gone. Let your body feel the rhythm of the breathing and the heartbeat. Continue breathing this way for 10-15 minutes. This routine calms you thoroughly and averts further worsening of the asthma attack.