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, allergies, and inflammation are all a sign of an unhealthy gut. If you suffer from asthma and any other chronic conditions, please see How To Heal Your Gut.
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, vitamin C and vitamin B6. IN most cases one should take B complex rather than just one of the B vitamins for a long term treatment. And essential fats are…essential. The 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 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.
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies work much better to control asthma when the diet is clean and breathing is done right. These protocols may be perfect for you if you are wanting to stop using an inhaler or other medication, but take things slowly and be careful.
Ginger
Ginger reduces inflammation along with many other beneficial properties that can help alleviate asthma. Make ginger tea or juice ginger immediately at the onset of symptoms, and do the same for migraines as well. Here’s a recipe:
Enhanced Golden Milk Tea Recipe
This is a new twist on an ancient way of experiencing the benefits of turmeric. Ideally, use all fresh, unadulterated herbs whenever available.
- 1 cup of warm coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of freshly grated turmeric with skin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger with skin
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Mix it all up and drink. For the drink to be warm, warm up the coconut milk only, but be careful not to cook the other ingredients. Add them in when the coconut milk is not too hot to drink so as to preserve enzymes and other fragile micronutrients.
Essential Oils
Eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint, lavender, clove, and thyme oil have all been shown to help with asthma, but eucalyptus oil, in particular, is interesting thanks to eucalyptol, a chemical that breaks up mucus and phlegm. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to warm water in a hot water pot or a steam inhaler. Lean over and inhale the steam. You can use a towel to catch the steam and breathe more in. This will expand constricted airways and relax lung spasms.
Supplements & Nutrition For Asthma Relief
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar has tons of health benefits, and if you’re prone to asthma (or have a sore throat or a sinus infection), try sipping it. Just sip it throughout the day, and especially if you feel the onset of an attack. It will also help balance the body’s PH which can reduce inflammation. We highly recommend Barrier Organics Root Cider; check out our review here.
Shillington’s Huff and Puff Formula is lobelia and mullein in a base of apple cider vinegar and grain alcohol. Lots of people use this formula instead of an inhaler. It is not only useful during an asthma attack, this formula can help detoxify the lungs, helping them to heal, and function better in the long run, too.
Shillington’s Herbal Snuff – Snorting goldenseal root powder, bayberry bark powder, cayenne pepper powder, and garlic powder will clear out the sinuses and open up the lungs, but it’s not pleasant and, therefore, is not for the faint of heart. But neither is an asthma attack. This snuff also works very well for migraines.
When COQ10 & Vitamin C are taken together, they are a powerful synergistic combination of antioxidants. Vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of histamine, and in studies with asthmatics, vitamin C decreased post-exercise nitric oxide and cysteinyl leukotrienes. There is considerable evidence to support that vitamin C can successfully treat asthma. Studies also show that patients with corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma can benefit from COQ10.
As stated, diet is key but anyone suffering from chronic asthma most likely needs to heal their gut as well. Check out the further reading below for more information.
Related Reading
- What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good
- Candida and Inflammation
- Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
- Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
Sources:
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