|
Breathe!: Natural Support for Asthma
"When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. When the breath is calmed, the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath."~Svatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Asthma causes about 500,000 hospitalizations annually, the loss of 10 million work days, and is linked to 250,000 deaths worldwide each year. The rate of asthma has been steadily increasing over the last several years, particularly in children. The estimated annual economic cost of asthma is estimated to be $20 billion, most of that being the cost of prescription drugs. While acute asthma is best handled by a physician, vitamins, herbs and other nutrients can go a long way toward reducing the incidence of attacks. As always, if you are on prescription drugs for any reason, you should always check with your pharmacist that there are no known negative interactions between suggested nutrients and these drugs.
Natural support for asthma is targeted toward a) reducing the symptoms of asthma by promoting lung function and b) preventing attacks that would require emergency care or hospitalization. In order to prevent attacks, it is important to pay attention to the factors that trigger your asthma. Attacks can be brought on by environmental or food allergies, exercise, medications like aspirin, beta blockers,and NSAIDs, tobacco, pollutants and stress or strong emotions. Pay attention to your own particular stressors so that you can use the support that best matches that issue.
Foundational support for asthma would include the following:
- Fish oils have been well-studied for their anti-inflammatory effects and taking a fish oil on a regular basis can quell inflammation in the body, reducing flare-ups. A minimum therapeutic dose is 1200 mg per day for an adult, and up to 5000 mg per day. Speak to your doctor before taking a fish oil if you are on any medication that thins the blood (like Coumadin) or those that can cause excess bleeding like aspirin or NSAIDS.
- Magnesium relaxes the bronchial tubes and improves lung function. Magnesium is sometimes given intravenously for acute attacks.
- Vitamin C levels have been found to be low in those with asthma. Vitamin C is a good antioxidant, promotes healing and protects lung tissue by preventing infection. It also increases air flow and fights inflammation. Prescription for Nutritional Healing suggests that a 2000 mg dose of Vitamin C one hour before a workout can reduce exercise-induced asthma. A non-acidic form such as calcium ascorbate is preferred, up to 1500 mg per day. Do not take it at this level if you are prone to kidney stones.
- Other antioxidants can be helpful in preventing asthma attacks. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables provides antioxidants and can help prevent attacks. Combination antioxidant products can also be found that contain a variety of antioxidants.
Other nutrients can help reduce the incidence of asthma. Certain of the nutrients are more helpful in cases where particular triggers are involved, and those are so noted:
Eucalyptus essential oil is the premier essential oil for opening the airways. If you are an asthma sufferer, keeping a bottle of this oil in your pocket or purse that you can breathe in throughout the day is a great way to keep the airways open. The oil can also be used in a vaporizer or diluted as a chest rub.
NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) is an amino acid derivative that can support healthy lung function. It promotes glutathione, one of the body's main detoxifying agents, and also promotes the expelling of mucous. It works best in cases where a lot of mucous is present in the lungs, and where environmental allergies are present. NAC is also found in many allergy formulas.
Cordyceps mushroom is well known in China as a treatment for asthma. It protects the lung and kidneys, and facilitates the discharge of excess fluid from the lungs and windpipe. It has long been used by Chinese athletes to improve performance, and made international sports headlines in 1993 when a team of Chinese women runners shattered nine world records. They attributed their success to intense training and the use of this mushroom. It is a cardiovascular tonic, liver fortifier and immune potentiator.
Digestive enzymes, if taken between meals, can lessen the inflammation that is characteristic of asthma. Enzymes can be particularly helpful if asthma is triggered by any kind of food allergy. If the body cannot digest a certain protein and there is damage anywhere in the intestinal wall, undigested proteins can leak into the bloodstream. These proteins travel through the body and cause all kinds of issues, inflammation among them. There are broad-spectrum proteolytic enzyme formulas, as well as enzyme formulas targeted to a specific protein like gluten or lactose.
Quercetin is a bioflavanoid that is a natural anti-histamine and thus can fight inflammation. It is particularly helpful in cases where environmental allergies are a trigger and is found in many allergy formulas. Quercetin must be "loaded" in the body, i.e. taken at higher doses for 5-7 days, and then a maintenance dose can be taken. Quercetin is also naturally found in garlic, onions, and apples, so add these foods to your diet.
The B family of vitamins is important to energy production and stress management (due to its nourishing effect on the nerves). Additional B5, or pantothenic acid, is particularly nourishing to the adrenal glands and can assist the adrenals in dealing with an asthma attack. Vitamins B6 and B12 have been found to be low in those with asthma, so additional amounts of these may be taken as well.
Pycnogenol and boswellia are two herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect and can therefore combat asthma. Both herbs have been studied in recent research. Pycnogenol is also a potent antioxidant and has been found to be beneficial for circulation, ADD, and joint pain. Boswellia is also used for joint pain and is a very well-studied, safe herb.
Mullein is an herb that stops coughs, unclogs bronchial tubes, and is considered one of the premier herbs for respiratory issues. Lobelia is a bronchial muscle relaxant, expectorant, and sedative that can be used to alleviate asthma. At high doses lobelia can be harmful, so it should only be used under the guidance of a trained herbalist.
Astragalus is an immune building herb that has a particular affinity to the lungs. It can be especially helpful in cases where bronchitis or other infections lead to asthma symptoms. According to "Herbal Antibiotics" by Stephen Buhner, astragalus "increases the number of stem cells in the marrow and lymph tissue, stimulates their maturation into active immune cells, increases spleen activity, increases releases of antibodies, and boosts the production of hormonal messenger molecules that signal for virus destruction." Enough said!
Homeopathy has been used successfully in Europe, India and elsewhere to treat asthma. Individual homeopathic remedies are very particular to one's own constitution and symptoms. It is best to consult a homeopath, naturopath, or an M.D. with training in this field to find a remedy that is best for you. Homeopathic cell salts, the X potencies, can be used to support those with asthma. The main cell salt remedy for asthma is Natrum Sulphuricum, especially if symptoms are aggravated by dampness, fog, and wet weather. Another sign that this remedy is needed is a hard, asthmatic cough with thick expectoration. Natrum Sulphuricum has the ability to attract twice its bulk in water-containing waste products and remove them from the bloodstream. This remedy can be combined with silica to ward off asthma attacks.
Flower essences are useful in dealing with emotional issues that can aggravate asthma. There are flower remedies for just about any emotional issue you would like to address--relationship issues, fear of flying, social discomfort, and many others. One combination remedy called Rescue Remedy can be used to reduce the anxiety associated with an attack and will not interact with any medications.
Taking a proactive approach to your asthma may help you reduce the incidence of attacks, and ultimately you may require less medication. While we do not recommend coming up with a program to reduce your asthma symptoms on your own, we do believe that natural substances can support the lungs and the body's reaction to stress in a very real way. Consult with a homeopath, naturopath or M.D. with alternative training to see what approach is best for you.
| 
Badger Sunscreen and Bug Care
Natural News You Can Use:
Spotlight on Skin Care--Our 5th Annual Event!
Reconnecting With Your Inner Athlete: Life Abundance Through Exercise