| Natural asthma treatments have very few side | | | | herbs if you are pregnant or nursing. |
| effects, are usually inexpensive, and are easy to do. | | | | Traditionally, herbs that have a soothing effect on |
| They can be used along with conventional | | | | the lungs are used: |
| treatments to make them more effective, and to | | | | - Marshmallow has a high mucilage content and |
| reduce the number of side effects from medications. | | | | soothes and heals inflamed mucous membranes. You |
| Some alternative practitioners view this disease as | | | | can take it as a tincture or make the roots or leaves |
| being a protective reaction by your body to allergens | | | | into a tea. (Don't confuse this herb with the |
| and pollutants. They feel your focus should be on | | | | marshmallows you find at the grocery store! These |
| strengthening your entire body, as well as supporting | | | | are candy, NOT an herbal preparation.) |
| your lungs and immune system. | | | | - Mullein is used for coughs and bronchitis. You can |
| Yoga includes deep breathing exercises that expand | | | | use it as a tea or tincture. |
| your lungs and help to reduce stress. Studies have | | | | Traditional Chinese medicine also uses herbs to treat |
| shown that these exercises are very effective for | | | | this respiratory problem. |
| people who suffer from this problem, especially when | | | | - Ma huang or ephedra has been used for over 5,000 |
| you do them every day. | | | | years in Chinese medicine. It works as a |
| You can use acupressure both to prevent attacks | | | | bronchodilator. Use this under a doctor's supervision |
| and to treat them. The Lung 1 points stimulate | | | | as it can cause an increased heart rate. |
| breathing. In asthmatics, these spots are sensitive | | | | - Licorice root reduces inflammation and restores |
| and often knotted. They are found on the muscles | | | | normal breathing. It's also good for side effects of |
| that run horizontally about an inch below your | | | | cortisone. Don't use it if you have high blood |
| collarbone, and about two inches from the center of | | | | pressure. |
| your chest. (You may need to feel around on a child | | | | - Ginkgo biloba fights allergies, inflammation, and |
| to find them, as these distances would be smaller on | | | | tension in the lungs. |
| a little one.) Press on them with your thumbs in a | | | | - Cayenne pepper is an antispasmodic. It also helps to |
| circular motion while you or your patient hangs his | | | | strengthen the heart and release muscle tension. |
| head forward and takes slow deep breaths. | | | | - Reishi mushroom is an anti-inflammatory and also |
| Essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and | | | | helps to build up the immune system. You can cook |
| chamomile are used in aromatherapy to help with | | | | them in food, or use them as a tincture. |
| breathing. | | | | There are many other herbal remedies for asthma. |
| In Japan, cold baths are a common treatment for | | | | Chamomile is an anthistamine. Elderberry is |
| this disease. This treatment has been shown to open | | | | well-known in Europe to prevent and treat colds and |
| constricted air passages. | | | | flu bugs. Sambucol is an elderberry extract that is |
| Coffee and tea can also help with attacks. Caffeine is | | | | available at health food stores and also some |
| a bronchodilator, while tea also has small amounts of | | | | pharmacies. |
| theophylline, an asthma drug. So having a cup of | | | | Lobelia tincture is very good for coughs. It reduces |
| coffee or tea may help if you feel an attack coming | | | | inflammation and sooths lung tissue. Teas made from |
| on. | | | | hyssop or nettles are good for your lungs. Green tea |
| Many herbs are useful in treating this problem. Be | | | | helps to open the bronchial tubes in your lungs, while |
| sure to talk to your doctor before taking any herbal | | | | ginger helps to reduce allergic reactions. |
| preparations, as they can interact with asthma | | | | Natural treatments are can go a long way toward |
| medications. You may also want to work with a | | | | reducing your dependence on conventional medical |
| qualified herbalist, too. Be sure to do your homework | | | | treatment. |
| before using any herbal remedy! Don't use these | | | | |