Treating asthma naturally can help asthmatics resolve general trouble breathing, manage chronic asthma, and lead to the reduction of acute asthma attacks. Throughout the centuries, the benefits of herbs for the lungs and for asthma treatment have time and time again been proven successful.
Affecting the airways and the lungs, asthma is a chronic disease in which inflammation develops along the lining of the lungs during an asthma attack. This causes the surrounding muscles and the airways to swell resulting in labored breathing. Worldwide, asthma affects around 20 million individuals half of them being children, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Negative side effects are often produced by conventional breathing therapies and can lead to a dependency on the medications. Alternative and natural asthma treatments can provide relief. However, you need to first talk to your healthcare provider if you intend to stop conventional treatment and/or are considering trying out unfamiliar herbs.
Butterbur – Butterbur has active ingredients that are considered anti-inflammatories that can reduce asthmatic attacks and muscle spasms. This herb acts in the same way as conventional inhalers and is especially helpful in relieving allergic asthma symptoms.
Lobelia – Also known as Indian tobacco. This herb is potentially toxic and so it must be used with care. It is a potent herb that can help cure asthma. Use only under the supervision of a qualified herbalist.
Reishi Mushroom – This mushroom has anti-inflammatory attributes that can reinforce the lungs. Reishi mushrooms can relieve swelling in the airways. It is an immune booster as well, in Chinese medicine.
Ginkgo Biloba – This herb lessens the mechanism that leads to wheezing and can benefit asthma patients as a breathing treatment. Gingko can help relieve headaches, diarrhea, and nausea even when taken in low doses.
Mullein – This herb is an ideal breathing treatment that can treat airway constriction and relax acute asthmatic spasms. It’s an ancient herb famous for relieving upper respiratory conditions such as severe coughing. Mullein also helps lessen wheezing and relieves shortness of breath. It can be found in a variety of herbal asthma and cough preparations.
Parsley – The leaf of parsley is used to treat coughing during asthma attacks. It can be used to expel trapped mucus in the airways. Parsley helps soothe cough and throat irritation by relieving tightness in the muscles of the chest. It is drunk as an herbal tea and can act as a natural diuretic to increase the frequency of urination and the amount of urine.
Saiboku-to – This is a Japanese herbal tonic used by asthma patients as a breathing treatment. The UMMC notes that acute and chronic asthma sufferers can use it to lessen their need for corticosteroid drugs. This herbal preparation should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner as it is made up of herbs that may produce side effects
Boswellia – This Ayurvedic herb helps improve asthma the lungs and prevents the recurrence of acute asthma attacks. There is still scanty research done into the efficacy of Boswellia although it has been used as a breathing treatment for hundreds of years in India. This herb is contraindicated for people taking NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) or medications to lower cholesterol.
Turmeric – Tumeric is an Ayurvedic spice that alleviates inflammation that leads to labored breathing and lung swelling. It is a powerful herb that widens blood vessels to allow for better air flow. It also is used to bring back normal breathing patterns and to relieve muscle spasms. Turmeric should only be used under supervision since it is considered a blood thinner.
Amy-SuiQun Lui, L.Ac.
Asian Health Center
27059 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy
Cleveland, OH 44143
Tel: (440) 833-0983
https://www.clevelandacupunctureclinic.com/
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