With all of the information available about natural approaches to treating numerous common ailments, you might be wondering if there are natural asthma remedies out there too. While there is no cure for asthma, there are ways to reduce asthma symptoms and help manage asthma flare-ups. And the good news is, there are many all-natural herbs and treatments that may help treat asthma and improve asthma symptoms on a temporary basis.
In this article, I will walk you through some of the most effective home remedies for asthma symptoms. While you have probably seen people with asthma using an inhaler, which involves breathing in asthma medication, there are other ways to fight these symptoms with herbal remedies and organic products. Let’s dive into these effective ways to make asthma more manageable.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a respiratory disorder that is characterized by constriction and inflammation of a person’s air passages. When airway inflammation occurs, it can be hard to breathe, so it is important to create an asthma action plan so that you know what to do when you need to treat asthma attacks. There are conventional asthma remedies that you can get over the counter or via prescription – but many traditional asthma medications contain unpronounceable ingredients and things you may not want to ingest.
Luckily, there are herbal remedies for asthma that can help manage asthma symptoms and even prevent asthma attacks. Natural treatments may help improve asthma symptoms. Still, it is important to remember to work with your doctor to create an asthma treatment plan before you try these natural remedies. Some may not be suitable for children with asthma or for nursing or pregnant women.
Symptoms of Asthma
Common symptoms of asthma may include wheezing, coughing, tightness in one’s chest, and difficulty breathing. There are also common asthma triggers that can exacerbate the effects of these symptoms. Triggers of asthma include common household allergens (such as mold, pollen, and dust), viruses, cold air, exercise, and stress. There are also genetic risk factors for asthma and other health factors that can contribute to the risk of asthma.
Severity of an Asthma Attack
As you learn to manage your asthma, you will probably quickly realize that asthma patients experience varying degrees of severity when it comes to asthma attacks. Here is the scale that asthma typically follows and signs of an asthma attack that you should look out for:
- Mild Asthma– slight tightness of chest and difficulty breathing but adequate air intake.
- Moderate Asthma – conspicuous wheezing, respiratory distress at rest, use of abdominal muscles to breathe. These cause discomfort.
- Severe Asthma – obvious respiratory distress, blue skin (especially the nail beds and lips), absent breath sounds.
- Respiratory Failure – severe respiratory distress, lethargy, confusion, sweating, low blood pressure.
If you or someone you know is having an asthma attack that resembles severe or respiratory failure, call 911 right away.
Are There Natural Remedies for Asthma Attacks?
There is no natural cure for asthma, but many natural remedies may improve asthma control and help reduce asthma symptoms. Treatment for asthma should be determined in conjunction with your doctor so that you can confidently ensure you do not make asthma symptoms worse. While there are many different types of asthma (including allergic asthma and exercise-induced asthma), many of these natural remedies may help alleviate asthma symptoms coming from any different source. These naturally occuring remedies for asthma are safe and may help people with asthma achieve a better quality of life.
Can Natural Remedies Relieve Asthma Symptoms?
Natural solutions can help some people with asthma gain better control over their symptoms. In some cases, these remedies are as simple as avoiding certain foods, chemicals, or other products that can often trigger an asthma attack. In other cases, supplements can help with asthma symptoms. People with asthma may have better luck with one natural treatment over another, so it can be beneficial to try a few options to help you manage your asthma.
Risks and Precautions of Natural Treatments
Herbal tinctures and supplements have been shown to help prevent asthma attacks, and some therapies may help manage asthma too. However, it is important to consult with your doctor and ensure you have a plan to treat an asthma attack in the moment. Asthma often comes on unexpectedly, so many people with asthma take comfort in carrying an inhaler or other option for emergency treatment to use during an asthma attack.
Natural treatments can alleviate many asthma symptoms, but asthma is still a condition that can be risky and dangerous. Always have a backup plan and ensure that you carefully monitor the herbs and treatments you are taking to ensure they are compatible with each other and with your unique health needs.
Six Effective Remedies for Asthma Relief
Here are six top remedies that some people with asthma have found helpful in managing their symptoms:
- Breathing Exercises: It might seem simple, but breathing exercises can help you deal with asthma in a number of different ways. First, since stress is one of many causes of asthma, breathing exercises can assist you with lowering your stress and cortisol levels, calming your heart rate and relaxing your airways. Meditation and breathing strategies can be an easy addition to your treatment plan.
- Essential Oils: There are numerous essential oils known for their calming effects. Some of my favorites for relief in adults with asthma are peppermint oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and roman chamomile. These oils possess known anti-inflammatory properties that can help address root causes of asthma.
- Reduce Environmental Factors: Many day-to-day environmental occurrences can trigger asthma symptoms. These include smoking, dust mites, and harsh chemicals. Consider switching over to all-natural cleaning solutions, dusting and cleaning your living space often, and using an air filter in your home or work space.
- Try Moderate Exercise: While rigorous exercise can be a trigger for asthma, moderate exercise has been shown to actually improve lung function in people with asthma. Moderate exercise tactics can include walking, low-impact weight training, swimming, and other activities that do not elevate your heart rate to extreme levels.
- Explore Herbal Remedies: There are numerous herbs and tinctures that can help you manage the symptoms associated with asthma. Some herbs that have been proven helpful include Ma Huang, Coleus Forskholli, Lobelia, Reishi mushroom, and Glycyrriza (or licorice). It’s important to check with your doctor before using these herbs, as some have other side effects and can interfere with prescription medications.
- Alter Your Diet: Small changes in your diet can improve lung function and asthma concerns in many individuals. for instance, consuming foods with more Vitamin C, antioxidants, and magnesium has shown improvements for many people who have asthma.
Conclusion
Asthma is a condition that can impact breathing and respiratory function in children with asthma and adults alike. However, when asthma is managed effectively, it does not have to be a major concern. There are many natural treatments, herbs, tinctures, and oils that you can use in add to the apothecary in your home to help address asthma issues. I hope this guide is a helpful overview as you work to avoid stressors that can cause an asthma attack and instead take steps toward controlling your asthma.
