Asthma Attacks--Top 10 Natural
Remedies for Asthma
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May 15, 2010, Last Updated December 13, 2011
By Louise Carr, Contributing Columnist and Susan Callahan,
Health Editor
What Is Asthma?
Asthma affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in
and out of the lungs. Asthma causes the muscles around the
airways to tighten so the tubes narrow and become inflamed
or swollen. In some cases the body produces sticky mucus
or phlegm which narrows the airways further. When the
airways become irritated and narrow in this way, it can be
difficult to breathe. Sufferers may also cough, wheeze or
experience tightness in the chest. Asthma UK says 5.4 million
people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for
asthma, 1.1 million of which are children. Asthma affects
more than 20 million people in the US, according to the
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. What are the
risk factors for asthma? Are there any foods that can reduce
asthma attacks? Can vitamins help to reduce asthma?
What Causes Asthma?
You are more likely to develop asthma if you have a family
history of it but certain environmental factors also influence
whether a person will suffer from the condition. Smoking
during pregnancy has been shown to significantly increase
the risk of asthma and children whose parents smoke are at
an increased risk.
Environmental pollution may increase the incidence of
asthma. Smog and smoke can irritate the airways, making
existing asthma symptoms worse. Research from the Rollins
School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, 2010,
found ozone and other pollutants from traffic significantly
increased asthma-related emergency room visits in children.
Researchers analyzed 90,000 asthma-related emergency
department visits against data on pollutants collected in
Atlanta. Ozone, pollution from cars and trucks that reacts
with oxygen, was strongly associated with an increase in
child emergency room admissions.
In 2004, according to the American Lung Association, 136
million people lived in areas that violated Environmental
Protection Agency ozone air quality standards. In 2010 the
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America named Richmond,
VA, the top "Asthma Capital" in its annual ranking of the 100
most challenging places to live with asthma, due to many
factors including a higher than average pollen score,
continued poor air quality and a lack of “100% smoke-free”
laws.
There may not be a cure for asthma but there are many
medicines available to help sufferers control their symptoms
and lead an active life. In addition, complementary remedies
--foods, vitamins and exercises -- can significantly help ease
the distress associated with asthma.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine is not a substitute for traditional asthma medicine
but one or two cups of strong coffee can really kick asthma
symptoms. Caffeine is considered a mild bronchodilator, a
type of medicine that helps open the airways, and is similar
to the prescribed asthma drug Theophylline. The Cochrane
Collaboration analyzed the results of seven trials involving a
total of 75 people with mild to moderate asthma and found
that caffeine appears to improve airways function modestly,
for up to four hours. A study from the Department of
Kinesiology at Indiana University found caffeine decreases
wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms of exercise-
induced asthma. Researchers found a dose of 9 milligram per
kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight before exercising was
equivalent to using an albuterol inhaler before exertion.
2. Swimming
Asthma sufferers can sometimes experience a mild increase
in symptoms when exercising but fitness activities are
nevertheless important and can be of real benefit as a
remedy for asthma.
Swimming may be the ideal exercise for asthma sufferers.
Swimming is particularly helpful as the warm, humid air in
the pool is less likely to trigger asthma symptoms. Swimming
is a great way to burn up to 300 calories an hour. Losing
excess weight and increasing fitness improves general lung
function, helping asthma sufferers breathe easier.
According to Asthma UK, 20% of the British Olympic Team in
Athens 2004 had asthma, so there’s no excuse not to get in
the pool.
3. Yoga
Use yoga as a natural remedy for asthma as it helps relax the
body and improves breathing technique, channelling more
air into the lungs. The postures and breathing techniques in
Pranayama yoga were found, in two studies, to be beneficial
to asthma sufferers. According to Asthma UK, participants
showed a higher tolerance to certain asthma triggers and
experienced fewer asthma attacks. You can also try simple
relaxation and deep breathing techniques which can help
reduce stress, a trigger for asthma.
4. Buteyko
Following the Buteyko technique (named after the Russian
researcher who developed it) can help ease symptoms of
asthma. The technique consists of shallow breathing
exercises designed to improve health by changing the
balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in exhaled air.
Following the technique is said to correct ‘over-breathing’
which expels too much carbon dioxide from the body.
A 2005 review published in Complementary Therapy
Medicine involving 60 people with asthma compared the
effects of the Buteyko Breathing Technique and a placebo.
Researchers found people using the Buteyko Breathing
Technique had a reduction in asthma symptoms. Asthma UK
funded research into the Buteyko’s effectiveness and found
that while some people’s symptoms were reduced it did not
improve the underlying condition.
5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a way of relieving the symptoms of certain
conditions with needles inserted into specific parts of the
body. It is based on theories that the body’s energies need
to be balanced in order to achieve the best health.
Acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating asthma is uncertain
but it has been shown to improve symptoms in people
whose asthma is triggered by allergies.
6. Fruits and Vegetables
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables can significantly improve
asthma symptoms. Not only can Vitamin C and E reduce
inflammation in the lungs but a diet high in these nutrients is
a boost for the immune system. A strong immune system
helps fight off colds and flu, which can trigger asthma.
A French study in 1993 looked at the food diaries of 68,535
women and found those who ate the most tomatoes, carrots
and leafy vegetables had the lowest prevalence of asthma
symptoms. Apples were slightly related to lowering asthma.
Apples contain quercetin which is an anti- histamine and
useful for lowering reaction to asthma triggers. A University
of Porto, Portugal, study in 2008 looked at 174 asthmatics
and found that following a ‘Mediterranean diet’ full of fresh
fruit and vegetables increased the likelihood of asthma to be
under control in adults.
7. Hot Baths
Taking a long, hot bath can help ease the symptoms of
asthma. Inhaling the steam helps break up the mucous or
phlegm trapped in the airways and assists in opening the
tubes so breathing becomes easier. Adding eucalyptus or
peppermint oil can increase the therapeutic effects. Draping
a towel over the head and inhaling steam from a basin can
also work. Go easy at first as some people find their
symptoms worsen with too much humidity. Try plain steam
first for a few minutes then progress to oils when you feel
the benefits.
8. Herbal Medicine
Certain herbal medicines have been suggested as potential
asthma-busters, including coleus forskholii, ginkgo biloba,
tylophora asthmatica and saiboku-to. Coleus (Coleus
forskohlii) is used in Indian Ayurvedic remedies. It contains
forskolin, a substance that helps relax the muscle in the
airways. Ginkgo biloba contains ginkgolides which slows
down the process of a chemical involved in triggering asthma
and allergies. Only small studies have taken place, which
suggest that taking ginkgolides reduces the narrowing of the
airways in response to asthma triggers and it partially
protects against exercise-induced asthma.
9. Boswellia
The herb boswellia, also known as Salai guggal, is known to
inhibit the formation of substances called leukotrienes. When
leukotrienes are released in the lungs they cause narrowing
of the airways. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study by
Gupta I et al. in 1998 treated 40 patients with a boswellia
extract three times a day for six weeks. 70 percent of asthma
patients improved; their breathing difficulties and the
number of attacks were reduced. Consult your doctor before
starting this or any other herbal treatment as certain
remedies may interact with other asthma medications and
can cause side effects.
10. Vitamin B6 Reduces Asthma Attacks
Getting enough of this vitamin can also help. Researchers at
the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
studying the effects of Vitamin B6 on those with sickle-cell
anaemia discovered that some members of the non-sickle-
cell group also had a history of asthma. "When they took 50
milligrams of B6 daily, it reduced the severity of their asthma
attacks," says Clayton L. Natta, M.D., associate professor of
medicine, who conducted the research. High levels of Vitamin
B6 can be toxic; scientists suggest a level of 50 mg can be
safely taken.
Update:
11. Botox May Relieve Asthma Spasms. Botox, commonly
used to fight wrinkles, may also help relieve spasms in
asthma attacks.
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