Home Remedies for Asthma
Home remedies for asthma include deep breathing, Pranayam, Indian gooseberry, ginger, drumstick leaves, bitter gourd roots, safflower, etc. Asthma is basically a chronic condition, which involves the constriction of the airways of the respiratory system. It is caused due to inflammation or deposition of mucus in the inner linings of the air vessels.
Asthma attacks are triggered up when introduced with tobacco smoke, allergens, perfume, moist or warm air, emotional stress or exercise. In response, the sensitive airways respond in a very allergic manner. Till now, no concrete cure for asthma has been discovered so far. But, it can definitely be controlled through various home remedies and medications, so that it doesn't jeopardize the patient’s life.
Asthma is a Greek word, which means breathing problem. It is caused due to various allergens. It causes malfunctioning in respiration. The patient can stay healthy and normal in between two attacks. But then, the asthma attacks worsen at times and can cause life threatening consequences. Moreover, Asthma is a major and costly public health problem, as found by Asthma Clinical Research Centres network. The prominent symptoms of asthma attacks are:
- Decrease in the functioning of the lungs
- Chronic cough
- Interrupted talking
- Breath shortness
- Flaring of nostrils
- Agitation
- Hyperinflation
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
Diagnosis of asthma is carried out through laboratory tests, chest x-rays, physical examination and careful measurement. Environment control is the initial step, which has to be adopted for the regular treatment of asthma. Asthmatics need to give necessary importance to the environment as they cannot escape it. Monitoring the functioning of the lungs is the next essential step. Later, medications are prescribed to the asthmatics. These medications are basically the bronchodilators and corticosteroids.
Asthma affects approximately 15 million Americans, nearly 5 million of whom are under the age of 18, as concluded by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Patients suffering from asthma feel more problems in exhaling than inhaling. The allergic reactions are caused by weather, food, perfumes, medicines, drugs, dust and other irritants.
Home remedies for asthma
The home remedies for asthma are as follows:
Deep Breathing: deep breathing helps increase the amount of oxygen intake by the lungs and thereby reduces the effect of congestion created by asthma, Normally we follow shallow breathing, because of which a large portion of the air remains in our lungs when we exhale. As a result, in the next breath when we inhale air, less space is available for fresh air to come in and our lungs get less oxygen. On the other hand, during deep breathing, we evacuate our lungs while exhaling and good amount of air comes in the lungs when we inhale air. There are different variations of deep breathing, the most popular being Pranayam..
Figs: Soak 3-4 dry figs after cleaning properly in warm water overnight. Figs play a pivotal role in reducing the various symptoms of asthma attacks. It also helps in curing the different symptoms associated with asthma.
Lemon: Dilute the juice of 1 lemon in 1 glass water. Drink during meals. Lemon kills the germs, which are present in the mucus underlining the air vessels. It works as an antiseptic.
Indian Gooseberry: It is a medicinal tonic for curing asthma. Mix 5 grams of this in 1 tablespoon honey form to make a tonic. Take it every morning. Within six months, the prominent symptoms will be resolved.
Roots of Bitter Gourd: Take a spoon of root paste and same amount of tulsi juice or honey. Consume once for 1 month at night. It works as a beneficial antiseptic.
Drumstick Leaves: Prepare a soup of the bunch of leaves and 180ml water. Boil for 5 minutes. Let it cool and add seasoning, pepper and lemon juice for extra flavour.
Garlic: Take 10 cloves and boil in 30ml milk. This is for the patient suffering from early stage of asthma. You can drink hot ginger tea which has 2 cloves minced in morning as well as evening.
Safflower: It is meant for bronchial asthma. Mix half teaspoon powder of dry seeds of safflower with 1 tablespoon honey. Take 1-2 times a day.
Ginger: Make an expectorant by mixing 1 teaspoon ginger juice, 1 cup decoction of fenugreek and honey as per your taste. You can also make by mixing 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds in 1 cup water. Drink twice a day.
Diet: It must include fresh fruits, grains, green vegetables, seeds and sprouts. You should avoid rice, lentils, curd, sugar, fried foods, coffee, tea, sauces, alcoholic beverages, processed foods and condiments pickles.
Fasts and Exercises: You can fast for once a week. Breathe fresh air, do light exercises and maintain a right posture to avoid asthma attacks.
Turmeric: Add a pinch of turmeric paste in 1 glass of water. It is most effective in empty stomach. It aids in reducing the mucous lining.
Massage: Massage mustard oil with a bit of camphor on chest to ease the congestion and blockage.
Liquorice: It is an herb which works wonder as antiviral, anti inflammatory, expectorant and immune stimulator. Thus, it plays an important role in reducing the symptoms of asthma.
Reishi Mushroom: It can reduce allergies. It is used as immune tonic too.
Cinnamon Powder: Mix 1/2 teaspoon powder with 1 teaspoon honey to consume before sleeping.
Milk with Butter: Take 1 glass hot milk and add turmeric and lots of butter to cure congestion.
Honey: Sip hot water mix with one teaspoon honey before going to bed. It effectively reduces the accumulated mucous linings.
Hygiene: Maintain a proper hygiene. Sleep in a clean bed. Use separate towel, bed sheets, pillows and other items of daily use. Avoid dust, insects, pets, plants and strong smell of perfumes, flowers or chemical sprays. Keep yourself clean, bath properly and avoid catching cold. You can use warm water to bath, if you have a tendency to catch cold.
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References: Palo Alto Medical Foundation, University of Dundee and National Asthma Council Research
