18 Popular Home Remedies for Asthma

Home remedies for asthma have been used for centuries. Although there is very little or no scientific proof for their effectiveness,they have stood the test of time. Considering that most of them are based on commonly consumed foods,any harm is unlikely unless you are allergic to one of the ingredients. These remedies can play a supporting role to the main line of treatment given by your doctor.

1. Coffee

Caffeine helps in opening up the airways. Due to its bronchodilating ability,it was a standard treatment for asthma in the 19th century. Research has shown that people who drink coffee regularly have fewer asthma symptoms. You can drink up to three cups a day to help relieve your symptoms. Coffee is beneficial in moderation,but don’t overdo it and avoid taking it before bedtime. It is a stimulant and may keep you awake at night. Coffee also causes dehydration and increases your heart rate. Coffee is also not recommended for small children.

2. Onion

Onion may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Some studies also support the theory that it reduces congestion in the windpipe. You can eat raw onions,but cooked onions are good enough. They are more palatable and won’t leave you with bad breath.

3. Capsicum

Spicy foods like chili peppers may help clear the airways. Researchers believe that this is a side-effect of their tendency to stimulate the release of fluids. Secretion of fluids makes mucus thinner,which is beneficial for people with asthma who have impaired mucous transport. This makes it easier to cough up the mucus and clear the airways. Capsaicin,the ingredient that gives capsicum its pungent flavor,is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Fruits containing Vitamin C

Citrus fruits like orange and lemon as well as fruits like Indian gooseberry are rich in Vitamin C. It is the main antioxidant in the lungs and people with asthma often have a Vitamin C deficiency. Researchers have found that foods rich in Vitamin C reduce wheezing by about 30% in some asthma patients.

5. Oily fish like tuna,salmon and mackerel

Fish that contains high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids are good for the heart,but they are also a great boon for the respiratory system. They seem to reduce asthma attacks in patients and also prevent the onset of asthma in healthy individuals. Omega-3 fatty acid reduces the sensitivity of the airways,which is often responsible for asthma flare-ups. Some researchers also believe that Omega-3 fatty acids block compounds that are necessary to create inflammation in the body. Fish-oil supplements containing omega-3 will also do the job.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt contains Vitamin B12,which is believed to help reduce the symptoms of asthma. A cup of yogurt contains about 1.4 microgram of Vitamin B12,which is about half the daily recommended allowance. Eat yogurt at room temperature and not straight from the fridge.

7. Turmeric and milk

Turmeric is a proven anti-inflammatory substance. Researchers believe that it inhibits the release of substances that are necessary for creating inflammation. Take one teaspoon of the yellow spice mixed in a cup of warm milk on an empty stomach. You can take this two to three times a day. Turmeric is also available in convenient capsule or tincture forms.

8. Soup of radish,honey and lemon juice

Blend equal amounts of grated radish,honey and lemon juice. Regular consumption of a teaspoon of this mixture is believed to help asthma patients clear mucus from the airways.

9. Ginger,fenugreek and honey

Boil a teaspoon of fenugreek in water and filter to extract the clear liquid. Add one teaspoon of ginger juice to a cup of this decoction. Adding honey will make the mixture more palatable. Take this twice a day. The mixture works like an expectorant and helps clear excess mucus from the airways.

10. Honey and olive oil

Mix a teaspoon each of olive oil and honey. Add this to a cup of warm milk and stir well. Take this mixture along with a few cloves of garlic before breakfast. It is believed to help prevent asthma flare-ups.

11. Indian gooseberry and honey

Deseed and crush a gooseberry. Mix five grams of the gooseberry paste and a tablespoon of honey. Taking this mixture regularly every morning is believed to help prevent the chronic symptoms of asthma.

12. Safflower seed powder and honey

Mix a teaspoon of dry safflower seed powder and a tablespoon of honey to make a natural expectorant. Taking this mixture twice a day is believed to ease the symptoms of asthma.

13. Soaked raisins

Clean and soak raisins in water. Soak them again in cold milk. Eat this in the morning on an empty stomach. You can also eat raisins and pomegranates boiled in milk. Regular consumption of raisins is believed to reduce asthma flare-ups.

14. Figs

Eating dried figs may help remove chest congestion by making it easier to remove phlegm. Soak three dried figs overnight in warm water and eat them in the morning.

15. Herbal tea

Herbal teas are believed to help ease asthma symptoms. Adding ground ginger and lime juice makes them more effective.

16. Honey,bitter gourd juice and basil

Mix equal portions of the ingredients. Consuming a teaspoon of the mixture regularly is believed to reduce the incidence of asthma attacks.

17. Drumstick leaf soup

Boil drumstick leaves in about 175 ml of water for about five minutes to prepare a soup. Once cooled,add salt to taste,pepper and lemon juice. The soup is considered beneficial for people with asthma.

18. Garlic and milk

Garlic is believed to be good for people with asthma. Boiling them with milk makes it easier to take them. Add about ten cloves of garlic to about 40 ml of milk and boil to prepare the remedy.

There are several home remedies for asthma and you can try some of them one at a time and see if they help. While there is very little scientific study to prove their effectiveness or otherwise,they have been used for centuries.

Home remedies can help,but they are no substitutes for your doctor. You should not deviate from your asthma action plan without consulting your doctor. One natural remedy that always works is to prevent conditions that trigger asthma. Download our free guide to green and healthier homeshttps://business.facebook.com/EbenezerGreenHealthierHomes/.

What causes asthma and how can it be prevented

In the US,about 25 million people suffer from asthma attacks. More than a quarter of those affected are children. Asthma patients lose a large number of work and school days due to these attacks every year. Asthma is a troublesome,chronic and incurable disease,but it can be controlled. You can reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks if you understand what causes asthma and what triggers the attacks.

Asthma – Basic information

The onset of asthma can occur at any age,but in most cases,symptoms start during early childhood. Although there is no cure,asthma attacks can be treated effectively. There are two types of asthma attacks: allergic and non-allergic. Allergic asthma is triggered by a substance that the body is sensitive to. An allergist may be able to help identify the allergen and prevent some of these attacks.

A typical asthma attack causes sudden shortness of breath accompanied by raspy cough,wheezing and tightness in the chest. This is due to the sudden constriction of bronchial tubes,which impedes smooth airflow to and from the lungs and makes breathing difficult and painful. An asthma attack can be triggered by allergens or due to a normal change in breathing pattern. The circumstances that trigger attacks can also make it worse.

Understanding the causes of Asthma

Although the exact causes of asthma are not known,a combination of genetic and environmental factors puts people at higher risk. Here are the six common causes of asthma.

1. Family history

Research shows that the probability of getting asthma is very high in children if one or both parents suffer from asthma. Asthma risk also increases if there is a history of eczema or allergies in the family.

2. Mother smoking during pregnancy

Studies show that a child is at higher risk of asthma if the mother smoked during pregnancy.

3. Birth circumstances

Children who are born prematurely and those who needed ventilator support immediately after birth are at higher risk of asthma. Children who are significantly underweight at birth are also at higher risk,

4. Brochiolitis,eczema or allergy

People who have a history of bronchiolitis,allergy or eczema are at higher risk of asthma.

5. Regular exposure to cigarette smoke

Exposure to cigarette smoke,especially secondhand smoke,can increase the risk of asthma. People living in families in which one or more members smoke are at higher risk of asthma compared to others.

6. Hormonal changes in women

Women sometimes develop asthma just before or after menopause due to hormonal changes.

Asthma triggers

While the causes described above can make you prone to asthma,the actual asthma attack usually follows a triggering event. People with asthma have very sensitive airways that can easily become inflamed resulting in an attack. The circumstances or events that precipitate these attacks are called asthma triggers. Each patient has his or her own set of triggers. Circumstances that trigger an attack in one person may not cause any problem for another. Here are some common asthma triggers.

1. Allergens

Airborne allergens like dust,dust mites,pollen,mold spores,pet dander,pest droppings and cockroach waste can trigger an asthma attack if you are sensitive to them. The solution is to minimize exposure by removing these contaminants from indoor air. This can be done with good quality air cleaners. Using vacuum cleaners and microfiber cloth to keep surfaces clean can also make a huge difference.

2. Airborne irritants

Some substances can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. This can happen for anyone,but for people with asthma,it can trigger an attack. Smoke from wood fires,barbecue grills,incense sticks and cigarettes can irritate the respiratory tract. Outdoor conditions like smog and the presence of ozone are also possible triggers. Strong odors like perfumes,room fresheners and scents from soaps or incense can also trigger asthma in some people. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are potent asthma triggers and they are often present in wood finishes,paint and other chemicals commonly used for home construction. The solution is to switch to safer alternatives.

3. Respiratory ailments

Cold and dry air can make it easier for infections like cold,flu,sore throats and sinusitis to take hold. These winter illnesses are often the most common asthma triggers. Children are more vulnerable than adults.

4. Physical exertion

Physical activity changes the breathing rate. In some people,this can cause the airways to constrict and trigger an attack. This is called exercise-induced asthma. Intense physical activity like jogging in cold weather is also known to trigger asthma attacks in many patients. The symptoms may not appear immediately during or after the activity.

5. Strong emotions

Common emotions like anger,fear and excitement can trigger asthma in some patients. Laughing loudly,shouting or crying can also trigger an attack. The change in breathing rate caused by strong emotions is the possible cause.

6. Drugs

Some medicines like aspirin,anti-inflammatory drugs,painkillers and beta blockers may trigger asthma attacks. If a particular drug has triggered asthma in the past,inform your doctor or chemist so that it can be replaced with harmless alternatives.

7. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Conditions like acidity or acid reflux force stomach acid back up into the food pipe and throat. This causes irritation of the throat and airways and may trigger asthma attacks.

8. Food additives

Food additives such as preservatives,artificial colors and flavors added to foods may trigger asthma attacks. Processed foods that can be stored at room temperature,for example,canned foods,potatoes,shrimp and dried fruits,are more likely to contain preservatives. If you get an attack after consuming processed foods,try to identify the ingredient that could have caused the problem and avoid foods with that ingredient.

If you know what causes asthma in your case,you can do something about it. Asthma is a debilitating disease and causes a lot of distress,but it can be managed. The causes of asthma are often beyond your control,but you can definitely minimize asthma attacks. Learn to identify the conditions or chemicals that could be triggering your asthma attacks here https://business.facebook.com/EbenezerGreenHealthierHomes/. These chemicals are often right inside your home. Download this free guide to make your home green and healthier. Using environment-friendly products will prevent many asthma attacks.