How to Get Relief from Asthma Symptoms with Herbal Remedies

Asthma is inflammation of the bronchial tubes leading to increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. It is also known as bronchial asthma or reactive airway disease. It is a chronic lung disease. Asthma affects people of all ages but mostly it starts during childhood. In children, the ratio is more in boys than girls having asthma while in adults, it is more women than men getting asthma. This disorder can be managed completely. Asthma is a type of chronic pulmonary disease (COPD)

Causes of asthma:

Genetic and environmental factors leads to asthma. One can have an inherited tendency to develop allergies or can get asthma from his/her parents. Other reason is any kind of respiratory infection during childhood or contact with any airborne allergens or viral infections during childhood. When people with asthma has allergies, it is called Allergic Asthma. The allergy could be skin related eczema also.

Asthma can be related to work also, this is called occupational asthma. It is due to contact with chemical irritants, fumes or dust in the workplace.

Some patients get asthma attack while exercising only. This is called Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) or Exercise Induced Asthma.

Any negative response to emotional stress can trigger asthma.

Asthma symptoms:

Symptoms of asthma are due to closed airways, inflamed or filled with mucus. These airways are swollen and get sensitive to certain thing which might not bother others at all. These are called "triggers for asthma". Most common symptoms are

• Coughing (mostly in night or early in morning
• Wheezing or whistling /squeaky sound while breathing
• Chest tightness with pain and pressure in chest. It feels like something is squeezing or sitting on the chest.
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble sleeping due to constant coughing and wheezing
• Fatigue or tiredness

Intense symptoms are termed as asthma attack or asthma flares. Severe asthma attacks require emergency care. Symptoms get worse with stress.

Triggers for asthma could be pet dander, dust mites, bee pollen or mold, smoke, pollution, cold air, humidity or changes in weather. Certain medicines, sulfites can also cause asthma attack.

Diagnoses of Asthma:

• The doctor conducts lung function test, allergy tests, chest Xrays and EKG to diagnose Asthma.

Herbal remedies for Asthma relief:

The Treatment of Asthma focuses on reducing exposure to allergies or factors that trigger the attack along with reducing inflammation.

Garlic:Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties which helps to relieve asthma symptoms. Garlic helps clear congestion, boost immunity and fight infections that trigger asthma. One can boil 2 cloves of garlic in milk and drink or eat 2 garlic cloves crushed every day.

Ginger:Ginger too helps with reducing inflammation in airways. A mixture of dried ginger powder with black pepper and long pepper can be prepared and taken with honey twice a day with warm water helps in relieving asthma symptoms. Ginger inhibits airway contraction, relaxes muscle tissues. Ginger tea may be taken or ginger juice with honey may be taken twice a day.

Oregano : Oregano has anti inflammatory properties and lung cleansing elements. This herb is very effective in managing asthma symptoms as it reduces inflammation of respiratory tract and tubes. It can be taken as oregano tea once or twice a day. One can add honey to it. It can also be taken as juice of oregano leaves.

Ginko Biloba: Ginko herb works to inhibit PAF or platelet activating factor. It reduces airway sensitivity in asthma patients.

Licorice : The licorice root is very beneficial in restoring breathing and calming the airways. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to soothe the lungs. One can boil licorice root powder and drink. Add honey for taste.

Turmeric:Turmeric has anti allergy properties, it affects histamines which cause inflammation.

Honey : Honey helps to sooth an irritated throat and calm the cough.

Adhatoda: The leaves of Adhatoda shrub are very beneficial in treating asthma. They decrease the viscosity of mucous. Called vaska in ayurveda.

Diet to manage Asthma:

A healthy diet to support a stronger immune system is necessary to manage asthma. This diet includes carotenoid foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy greens and berries. Low Vitamin A leads to asthma. Vitamin A helps with maintaining healthy mucus membranes that lines the air passageways.

The diet needs to include foods with folate or vitamin B9 in order to reduce allergic reactions and inflammations. This includes beans and nuts. It also helps in reducing wheezing.

Foods rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin C are very helpful in fighting asthma. Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidant and help in detoxification. It helps in reducing inflammation of airways. Vitamin C diet includes citrus fruits, berries and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds, and plant oils.

One needs to include garlic, onions and mustard seeds in diet due to their antimicrobial properties. They boost immune system and reduces inflammation.

Probiotic foods are required to help with digestion and fight allergies.

High fiber diet is recommended to eliminate toxins. This diet includes whole grains, nuts, beans etc.

One needs to increase the intake of Omega 3 foods and vitamin B5,B6 and B12 foods.Omega 3 fatty acid is found in high fat fish like salmon, mackerel or cod, and also in flax seeds, enables the body to make products that decreases inflammation. Omega 3 also boosts lung function. Vitamin B 12 reduces sensitivity to sulfites mostly found in restaurant food.

Vitamin D supplement should be taken as it is anti-inflammatory.

Honey and warm drinks like herbal teas, spice teas are good.

Foods to avoid:

• All heavy food that that produces ama or toxins in body needs to be avoided. This includes milk products like cheese, curd, butter milk, creams and even bananas in some cases.
• All oily, greasy and fried food should be avoided. These are not easily digested by our body. White flour and white sugar should be totally refrained from. One needs to avoid cold foods and drinks.
• Avoid all processed foods, foods with gluten, food preservatives and food colorings and all animal products treated with hormones and antibiotics. All food allergens like dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy, yeast,.gluten needs to be avoided.

Other Home Remedies Include:

• Warm steam bath helps in alleviating nasal congestion and irritation in the airways linked to asthma.
• Boil some cumin seeds in water and inhale the steam. This dilates the bronchial passage and helps relieve symptoms.
• Deep abdominal breathing can help relieve stress and asthma attack. Yoga and acupuncture has helped asthma patients by improving breathing and overcoming stress.

Asthma Care Pack by Planet Ayurveda

• Tulsi Capsules
• Praan Rakshak Churna
• Aller-G Care

These three Asthma Herbal Remedies can be takenon regular basis for few months on regular basis. These are very helpful to manage Asthma symptoms naturally.

Dr. Vikram Chauhan is MD in Ayurvedic Medicine and an expert Ayurveda consultant from Chandigarh and practicing in Mohali, India. He is an Author of Book - Ayurveda - God's manual for healing.