Control Your Asthma Through Home Remedies

Asthma is a serious problem and requires your attention in treating it. Developing an asthma action plan with the help of your doctor can go a long way in controlling your problem. Here are some natural simple home remedies to help with asthma:

Turmeric:

Turmeric is a yellow coloured spice used in a number of South Asian cuisine. Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the release of COX-2 prostaglandins hormone-like substance that is responsible for inflammation. You ca drink about a teaspoon of turmeric powder along with warm milk or take turmeric in the form of capsule.

Ginkgo:

Ginkgo is a chinese herb which has been used for treatment of asthma for a long time. Taking about 60 to 250 mg of ginkgo once a day can help in easing your breathing problem.

Garlic:

Garlic has been known to decrease asthma symptoms by decreasing chest congestion. Make a garlic tea by boiling 2 3 cloves of garlic with water. Add a small amount of tea to make it taste better and drink this mixture once a day.

Coffee:

That heavenly aroma of coffee is quite tempting, especially in the morning. Here is the good news, coffee has chemicals that help in increasing the diameter of air passage. Drinking a cup of coffee may actually give a good start to a day free of coughing, wheezing or gasping.

Honey:

The usefulness of honey for health has been proven from time to time. Taking about half a teaspoon of honey along with a pinch of cinnamon powder just before going to bed can give you a peaceful night's sleep. Not only this, but inhaling honey can also reduce chest congestion because of the natural aromatic compounds present in it.

Ginger:

Ginger can also prove helpful in reducing asthma symptoms. Take about an inch of ginger, cut it into small pieces and boil it with water. Allow the mixture to cool and drink it. This will help in reducing wheezing and coughing.

Sea food:

Omega 3 fatty acids work much like leukotriene inhibitors, a class of asthma drugs. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in abundance in salmon, tuna and mackerel. Add these fishes to your diet.

Mustard Oil:

Mixing mustard oil with a small amount of camphor and rubbing it with gentle hands on the chest, during an asthma attack can give relief from coughing and gasping. Massaging ith mustard oil helps in clearing air passage and eases breathing.

You will find a number of remedies for asthma. Some of them might work for your while others don't. It is essential that you first consult your doctor before trying any of these remedies.

By Rabab Fatima

Remedies for Mild Asthma

Asthma statistics show this disease now affects 17 million people in the United States. The tendency to develop asthma is inherited, and it is more common among people who have allergies. There are two forms of asthma, allergic asthma and nonallergic asthma. Allergic asthma is very common and it develops in people who have allergies.
People who have asthma have inflamed airways (breathing tubes). This makes them swollen and very sensitive. They tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances. When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This narrows the airways, causing less air to flow into the lungs and can result in asthma symptoms.
Common asthma triggers generally fall into several categories:
• Respiratory infections
• Dust, pollen, and furred animals
• Tobacco smoke or chemicals
• Physical activity
• Emotional stress
• Menstrual cycle in some women
• Certain medicines
A small number of patients will develop asthmatic symptoms after exposure to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or naproxen.
In the case of nonallergic asthma, the triggers that irritate the lungs and bring on asthma symptoms have nothing to do with allergies or the immune system. This type of asthma can be initiated by dry air, cold weather, exercise, smoke, strong perfume, stressful situations, intense emotions etc.
The typical symptoms of allergic and nonallergic asthma are similar. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The symptoms may occur immediately following contact with a trigger or may be delayed.
Normally there is no cure for asthma, but asthma, whether they are mild, moderate, or severe, allergic or nonallergic, can be managed. Doctors who specialize in treating asthma can be very helpful. In addition to the use of medicines, you can use home remedies to control your asthma. Smoking should be completely avoided; all the medicine in the world won't help an asthma sufferer if he or she smokes.
Immediate helpful remedies for asthma attack;
• Seek for fresh air.
• Drink warm water.
• Keep yourself in sited position.
• Don't get angry or stressed.
Patients with infrequent and mild symptoms of asthma should be treated intermittently with the goal of quick symptom relief. The principles of treatment for a mild attack of asthma are mostly the same for adults and children, except in the use of inhaled corticosteroids.
BRONCHO-DILATOR THERAPY: Use a short-acting beta2 agonist via a pressurized metered dose inhaler
CORTICOSTEROIDS: In adults, inhaled corticosteroids should be continued until review.
FOR CHILDREN: A short course of montelukast (7 days) may be beneficial if started at the first signs of a cold or asthma symptoms.
FOLLOW UP: For a patient presenting with features of a mild acute attack arrangements should be made for review of the situation 1 to 24 hours depending on the context. If there has not been significant symptomatic response by then to treatment with broncho-dilators and inhaled corticosteroids, the patient should be reassessed clinically and considered for hospital admission.
Children should be observed for at least 1 hour after the attack subsides.
SOME HOME REMEDIES FOR MILD ASTHMA
USE SALINE SOLUTION: Irrigating the nose with saline solution (salt water) may help to soothe upper respiratory allergies. Saline solution may even wash away some of the inflammatory cells themselves.
DRINK PEPPERMINT TEA: Peppermint acts as a decongestant, and substances in peppermint contain anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial constituents.
STEAM YOUR FACE: It helps rid the nasal passages of mucus. Breathe gently for 5 to 10 minutes. When you're finished breathing steam, rinse a cloth with this water and hold the cloth on your sinuses (to the sides of your nose, below the eyes, and above the eyebrows).
Asthma is not a killing disease, but it can make your life worse if you don't take appropriate treatment and necessary precautions. Treatment should be taken systematically for a long duration to fight against this disease.
Follow the tips given below as a preventive measure:
• Keep away from dust.
• Avoid chemicals includes, paint, acids etc,
• Control your overweight and avoid over eating.
• Should not eat too much oily food.
• Avoid over exercise.
By Tom Marshal

Remedies for Mild Asthma

Asthma statistics show this disease now affects 17 million people in the United States. The tendency to develop asthma is inherited, and it is more common among people who have allergies. There are two forms of asthma, allergic asthma and nonallergic asthma. Allergic asthma is very common and it develops in people who have allergies.
People who have asthma have inflamed airways (breathing tubes). This makes them swollen and very sensitive. They tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances. When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This narrows the airways, causing less air to flow into the lungs and can result in asthma symptoms.
Common asthma triggers generally fall into several categories:
• Respiratory infections
• Dust, pollen, and furred animals
• Tobacco smoke or chemicals
• Physical activity
• Emotional stress
• Menstrual cycle in some women
• Certain medicines
A small number of patients will develop asthmatic symptoms after exposure to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or naproxen.
In the case of nonallergic asthma, the triggers that irritate the lungs and bring on asthma symptoms have nothing to do with allergies or the immune system. This type of asthma can be initiated by dry air, cold weather, exercise, smoke, strong perfume, stressful situations, intense emotions etc.
The typical symptoms of allergic and nonallergic asthma are similar. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The symptoms may occur immediately following contact with a trigger or may be delayed.
Normally there is no cure for asthma, but asthma, whether they are mild, moderate, or severe, allergic or nonallergic, can be managed. Doctors who specialize in treating asthma can be very helpful. In addition to the use of medicines, you can use home remedies to control your asthma. Smoking should be completely avoided; all the medicine in the world won't help an asthma sufferer if he or she smokes.
Immediate helpful remedies for asthma attack;
• Seek for fresh air.
• Drink warm water.
• Keep yourself in sited position.
• Don't get angry or stressed.
Patients with infrequent and mild symptoms of asthma should be treated intermittently with the goal of quick symptom relief. The principles of treatment for a mild attack of asthma are mostly the same for adults and children, except in the use of inhaled corticosteroids.
BRONCHO-DILATOR THERAPY: Use a short-acting beta2 agonist via a pressurized metered dose inhaler
CORTICOSTEROIDS: In adults, inhaled corticosteroids should be continued until review.
FOR CHILDREN: A short course of montelukast (7 days) may be beneficial if started at the first signs of a cold or asthma symptoms.
FOLLOW UP: For a patient presenting with features of a mild acute attack arrangements should be made for review of the situation 1 to 24 hours depending on the context. If there has not been significant symptomatic response by then to treatment with broncho-dilators and inhaled corticosteroids, the patient should be reassessed clinically and considered for hospital admission.
Children should be observed for at least 1 hour after the attack subsides.
SOME HOME REMEDIES FOR MILD ASTHMA
USE SALINE SOLUTION: Irrigating the nose with saline solution (salt water) may help to soothe upper respiratory allergies. Saline solution may even wash away some of the inflammatory cells themselves.
DRINK PEPPERMINT TEA: Peppermint acts as a decongestant, and substances in peppermint contain anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial constituents.
STEAM YOUR FACE: It helps rid the nasal passages of mucus. Breathe gently for 5 to 10 minutes. When you're finished breathing steam, rinse a cloth with this water and hold the cloth on your sinuses (to the sides of your nose, below the eyes, and above the eyebrows).
Asthma is not a killing disease, but it can make your life worse if you don't take appropriate treatment and necessary precautions. Treatment should be taken systematically for a long duration to fight against this disease. Follow the tips given below as a preventive measure:
• Keep away from dust.
• Avoid chemicals includes, paint, acids etc,
• Control your overweight and avoid over eating.
• Should not eat too much oily food.
• Avoid over exercise.

By Tom Marshal

Ayurvedic and Herbal Home Remedies For Cough Treatment

Cough is not a disease actually; it is a symptom of any kind of obstruction in the respiratory tract. Coughs can originate in the pharynx, bronchial tubes, trachea and the pleura lining of the lungs.
In Ayurveda, coughing is known as Kaasa roga. It is predominantly an effect of the vitiation of the vata dosha. But the pitta and the kapha doshas can also cause coughs. Based on the causative factor, there are five types of coughs - vataja, pittaja, kaphaja, kshataja and kshayaja.
Vataja cough is dry and hacking in nature. There is little phlegm observed. Side symptoms are headache and pain in the chest. In pittaja cough, there is yellow sputum which may sometimes have streaks of blood in it. Other symptoms like fever, excessive thirst and burning sensation in the mouth and the pharynx are also felt. In kaphaja cough, there is a thick mucus discharge, which is slimy and white in color. This cough makes the whole body feel heavy.
Kshataja cough is vata vitiation to the extreme limit. There is dyspnoea and blood in the sputum. Kshayaja cough is a very serious kind of cough in which pus is observed in the sputum.
(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Cough
- Bay Berry (Myrica nagi) The bay berry is very effective in curing throat congestions which causes the coughs. It can even cure coughs that are caused due to chronic bronchitis. Its bark is the effective part which is to be taken in the form of a powder.
- Belleric Myroblan (Terminalia belerica) The fruit of the belleric myroblan has excellent curative powers in the treatment of coughs caused due to catarrh.
- Betel (Piper betle) Betel leaves when crushed, made into paste with water and applied externally on the chest have amazing effects in the treatment of coughs.
- Butea (Butea monosperma) Butea leaves can treat congested and inflamed throats. They are effective in the treatment of coughs and sore throats. The leaves are boiled in water. This solution is used as a mouthwash to get the desired effects. Coughs caused due to septic and sore throats are treated in this manner.
- Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Cloves can reduce the irritation of the throat. Cloves are more effective if the coughs are produced due to inflammation of the pharynx.
- Euphorbia (Euphorbia hirta) Euphorbia is a very potent medicine in the treatment of all kinds of cough. It enjoys a special position in Indian herbology in treating the coughs caused due to colds, asthma and bronchitis.
- Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) Fenugreek seeds are effective in the removal of coughs that are associated with sore throats. The seeds are boiled in water for half an hour and this water is used to take gargles.
- Garlic (Allium sativum) Garlic is an excellent remedy for whooping cough. The syrup of two to three pieces of garlic must be taken two to three times a day in the case of whooping cough. If the symptoms still persist, or if it is a severe cough, then the dosage must be increased.
- Henna (Lawsonia inermis) Henna is a definite remedy for sore throat and the related cough problems.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Cough
- Cold foods must be avoided as these can aggravate the throat further. Water that is drunk normally also must be warmed a little before drinking.
- Use old rice in the diet. Wheat can also be used beneficially.
- Do not consumer any fruits or vegetables that can cause excessive cooling of the body. Foods like cucumbers, green bananas, papayas, watermelons and oranges must be strictly avoided.
- Fennel seeds are effective in the treatment of cough. These must be taken along with figs for better results.
(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Cough
- Ayurvedic doctors prescribe slightly different kinds of medicines depending on which type of cough is observed. a) If the cough is of vataja type, then kanakasava or kantakaryavaleha are prescribed. b) If the cough is of pittaja type, then sitopaladi choorna is preferred in conjunction with chandansava or vasarishta. Vasavaleha and matulungadi avaleha may also be prescribed. b) If the cough is of kaphaja type, then trikatu, triphala, guggulu and shilajit are the drugs of choice.
(4) Home Medications
- The pulp of the fruit of the belleric myroblan is mixed with long pepper, salt and honey. This is to be taken once a day.
- Clove oil mixed with garlic and honey helps to eliminate spasmodic coughs which are produced in tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis. This mixture must be taken every night before going to bed.
- Prepare an extract of ginger. Sweeten this with honey. Take this in a teaspoonful quantity three to four times a day. There will be confirmed positive results.
- Prepare a mixture of extract of tulsi (holy basil) leaves with ginger and honey. This is better than the above method for the treatment of coughs. This mixture must be taken if the cough is severe, and is caused due to some serious ailment such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, etc.
- Make a decoction of licorice in honey. Consume this decoction so that it makes good contact with the inner lining of the throat. This will relieve cough and the feeling of irritation in the throat.
- A very simple way to stop coughs in the night is to place three to four pieces of long pepper in the mouth. Chew them slightly so that their extract oozes into the mouth. As long as the peppers remain in the mouth, the urge to cough will be suppressed and you will get a restful sleep at night.
- Figs are known to clear the buildup of phlegm in the chest cavity. This brings about an elimination of cough.
- Make a powder of cardamom and dissolved it in water. Take this thrice in a day. This will keep all types of cough at bay.

Anna Hardy