Asthma is an ancient Greek word meaning 'panting' or
'short-drawn breath'. It is an allergic condition resulting from the
reaction of the body to one or more allergens, and is the most
troublesome of respiratory diseases.
An asthma patient gets frequent attacks of breathlessness, in
between which he may even be completely normal.
Patients suffering from asthma appear to be gasping for breath,
Actually, they have more difficulty in breathing out than breathing
m, and this is caused by spasms or sudden involuntary muscular
contractions of the smaller air passages in the lungs. The effect is
to blow the lungs up because the patient cannot drive the air
properly out of the lungs before he has to take another breath.
Most asthmatics have more difficulty at night or early morning.
Asthma is caused by a variety of factors. It may be due to an
allergy caused by weather conditions, food, drugs, perfumes, and
other irritants. Allergies to dust are the must common. Foods
which generally cause allergic reactions are wheat, eggs, milk,
chocolates, beans, fish, and sea foods. The disease may also result
from psychological factors. According to some studies, about
twenty-five percent of young asthmatics have a deep-seated
emotional insecurity and an intense need for parental love and
protection. Heredity also plays an important role.
Modem medical system has not been able to find a cure for this
crippling disease. Drugs and vaccines have only limited value in
alleviating the symptoms. Most of these are habit forming and the
dose has to be increased from time to time to give the same
amount of relief. The frequent introduction of drugs in the
system, while giving only temporary relief, tends to make asthma
chronic and incurable. Allergy, which is the immediate cause of
asthma, itself is an indication of lowered resistance and internal
disharmony caused by faulty eating and bad habits. This is the
root cause and the real cure lies in a return to nature.
Asthma Treatment with
Aloe Vera
If you suffer from asthma,
boil some of the aloe Vera
leaves in a pan of water and
inhale the vapors. Put a
towel over the head and pan
to get the full effects of the
vapors.
Asthma Treatment with
Coltsfoot
Add 1 tablespoon each of
coltsfoot, mullein, thyme,
and lobelia to 2 cups of
water. Simmer at least half
hour, covered. Strain and
add 2 cups of honey. Take
by the tablespoon until relief
is obtained. Flavoring, such
as oil of peppermint, may be
added if desired.
Asthma Treatment with
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is very good
for treating asthma attacks,
as it contains an ingredient
that dilates the bronchial
tubes. Cook and mash
cranberries. Place in a
tightly closed glass container
and refrigerate. When
needed during an attack,
add 3 teaspoons of the
mashed cranberries to a cup
of hot water. Sip while the
water is hot.
Asthma Treatment with
Honeysuckle Tea
Many people drink
honeysuckle tea to help with
chronic asthma.Put 1
tablespoon of the grated
root of honeysuckle in 1 cup
of water. Boil gently for 10
minutes. Strain and sweeten.
Drink daily.
Asthma Treatment with
Horseradish
Add several tablespoons of
freshly grated horseradish to
1 cup of milk. Simmer for 10
minutes and strain. Drink as
necessary to obtain relief.
Aids Breathing for Asthmatics at Bedtime
Take 1 tablespoon of sunflower or corn oil before retiring for the
night. Helps you to breathe easier during the night.
Asthma Treatment with Irish
Moss
Mix 1 tablespoon each of
boneset, Irish moss,
coltsfoot, mullein, thyme,
rosemary, valerian, and
lobelia. Add 1 teaspoon of
the herbal mixture to 1 cup
of boiling water. Cover and
steep for 15 minutes. Strain.
Peppermint or cherry oil may
be added for flavoring if
desired. Drink 4 cups daily to
obtain relief.
Asthma Treatment with
Mullein Root
Clean the root of mullein
very carefully. Add 1 cup of
the chopped root to 2 cups
of water. Bring to a boil and
simmer until the liquid is
reduced by half Strain well
and add 1 cup of honey. Give
2 tablespoons as needed.
This is also good to use
during colds, as it helps to
remove phlegm.
Asthma Treatment with
Honey:
Honey is one of the most
common home remedies for
asthma. It is said that if a jug
of honey is held under the
nose of ail asthma patient
and he inhales the air that
comes into contact with it,
he starts breathing easier
and deeper. The effect lasts
for an hour or so. One to
two teaspoon fills of honey
provide relief. Honey can
also be taken in a cup of milk
or water. Honey thins out
accumulated mucus and
helps its elimination from the
respiratory passages. It also
tones up the pulmonary
lining and thereby prevents
the production of mucus in
future Some authorities
recommend one-year old
honey for asthma and
respiratory diseases.
Special Asthma Treatment with Onions
Make fresh daily. Cut an onion into very thin slices and place in a
bowl. Cover the onion slices with honey and let sit overnight.
The next day; scrape the honey from the onion slices and take 1
teaspoon 3-4 times daily.
Asthma Treatment with Turmeric:
Turmeric is also regarded as an effective remedy for bronchial
asthma. The patient should be given a teaspoon of turmeric
powder with a glass of milk two or three times daily. It acts best
when taken on an empty stomach.
Asthma Treatment with Figs:
Among fruits, figs have, proved very valuable in asthma. They give
comfort to the patient by draining off the phlegm. Three or four
dry figs should he cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked
overnight They should be taken first thing in the morning, along
with the water in which they were soaked. This treatment may be
continued for about two months.
Asthma Treatment with Lemon:
Lemon is another fruit found beneficial in the treatment of
asthma. The juice of one lemon, dilated in a glass of water and
taken with meals, will bring good results.
Asthma Treatment with Ginger:
A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek
decoction and honey to taste, acts as an excellent expectorant m
cases of asthma. The decoction of fenugreek can be made by
mixing one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water.
This remedy should be taken once in the morning and once in the
evening.
Asthma Treatment with Garlic:
Garlic is another effective home remedy for asthma. Ten garlic
cloves, boiled in 30 ml of milk, make an excellent medicine for the
early stages of asthma. This mixture should be taken once daily by
the patient. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in
it, can also help to keep the problem under control, and should
be taken in the morning and evening.
Asthma Treatment with Copper:
One of the preventive measures to stop attacks of asthma is to
drink water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel.
This water, with traces of copper in it, is believed to change one's
constitutional tendency to get respiratory problems.
Potato Treatment for Asthma
Boil several potatoes. Place in a basin and cover the head and
basin with a towel to get the most from the steam.
Other effective Remedies for Asthma
During the attack, mustard oil mixed with little camphor should be massaged over the back of the
chest. This will loosen up phelgm and ease breathing.
The patient should also inhale steam from the boiling water mixed with caraway seeds. It will dilate
the bronchial passage.
The patient should also follow the other laws of Nature. Air, sun and water are great healing agents.
Regular fasting once a week, an occasional enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, dry climate, light
exercises and correct posture go a long way in treating the disease.
Asthmatics should always eat less than their capacity. They should eat slowly, chewing their food
properly. They should drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day, but should avoid taking water or any
liquid with meals. Spices, chillies and pickles, too much tea and coffee should also be avoided.
