Asthma Sufferers Should Look at the Benefits of Natural Options

Asthma can be a debilitating illness

Asthma is characterized by bronchial tube spasms and excessive mucus excretions in the lungs. Cases of asthma range from mild to life-threatening. The most common cause of asthma is allergies to food, pollens, molds, or environmental pollution. Given the significant increase in asthma over the past 25 years, environmental pollution is now considered a serious culprit. Other triggers for asthma attacks include cold dry air, exercise and respiratory infections. Asthma sufferers often must modify lifestyles in order to avoid attacks. Asthma most often appears early in childhood and can dissipate after puberty; however, adults often experience recurrence of childhood asthma if environmental pollutants or stressful conditions present themselves.

Causes of Asthma

Medical professionals and researchers have a wide variety of stated causes for asthma. Certainly, heredity plays an important role. The environmental causes that have resulted in a dangerous increase of this disease, however, cannot be ignored. Children whose families have no history of asthma are developing it. And this at a time of processed foods, seriously increased air and water pollution, and genetically engineered meat and vegetable products, supports the contention of most naturalists that asthma must now be considered one of the environmentally-produced diseases of the 20 th and 21 st centuries. It is almost epidemic in rate of incidence.

Traditional asthma treatments – not so great

Medical treatments include inhalers to open bronchial passages, anti-inflammatory medications and steroids. All of these treatments provide temporary relief but may, in fact, lower the immune system and thus trigger other infections and diseases. Side effects of many of these medications, moreover, can be quite negative. It makes sense, then, to explore natural options for asthma treatments, both in herbs and vitamins.

Vitamin therapy for asthma

Three vitamins have shown to have some beneficial impact on asthma. Vitamin C acts as both a natural antihistamine as well as an antioxidant and appears to provide some protection to bronchial tube linings. This makes sense, because asthma sufferers typically have less ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in their systems. Bring Vitamin C levels up to normal can only help. Vitamin B12 has only recently been seen as a potentially beneficial therapy for asthma. As an anti-inflammatory for every part of the body, it is a natural option for asthma, because lung and bronchial inflammation create the symptoms of the illness. Vitamin A is also recommended, because it appears to have healing benefits on the entire respiratory system and is used in cold and flu treatment.

Herbs for asthma

Another important natural option for asthma is herbs and herbal mixtures of a wide variety. Among the natural herbal options are the following:

1. Chamomile tea is used as an antihistamine and has been used to treat colds and flu for years. Early studies indicate that lungs and bronchial tubes show improved function with the regular ingestion of chamomile tea.
2. Ginger reduces allergic reactions and is used in many Eastern countries for this purpose. Asthma sufferers might want to try ginger along with their regular medical treatment in order to determine its individual effectiveness.
3. Ephedra reduces congestion and helps to open bronchial tubes. Recent controversy over ephedra is not really a factor in this use, however, because the daily amounts are far less than those of weight loss products.
4. Nettle tea acts as a respiratory anti-inflammatory, and eases the symptoms of asthma “attacks.” If it works, it is certainly preferable to the steroid-type inhalers often prescribed.
5. Green tea helps to open bronchial passages, not to mention the antioxidant benefits of this important herb. Again this is far preferable to steroids. Green tea has the additional benefit of being a relaxant, and the reduction of anxiety reduced the symptoms of asthma.
6. Thyme and sage can be steamed and used as an inhalant. This has been a highly effective treatment in underdeveloped nations for centuries, and seems to provide the additional benefit of lengthier effect on keeping bronchial tubes open.

Transition from traditional medications to natural options for asthma

Anyone who contemplates changing from traditional to natural treatments for asthma should do so carefully and gradually. There will necessarily be a period of experimentation in order to determine which of the natural options for asthma works best for the sufferer. The traditional treatment should be gradually withdrawn as the body adjusts to the herbs and vitamins. The correct “cocktail” of these natural options may take some patience, but avoiding the dangerous side effects of traditional treatment are certainly worth it. No one should consider an immediate cessation of the traditional treatments.