Using Home Remedies for Asthma

Using Home Remedies for Asthma
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Medication and Natural Treatment

Asthma is a breathing condition that depends on the use of different medications for control and prevention. With many different natural medical options to choose from, asthma sufferers may be turning more to home remedies as a form of maintenance.

As with any serious health condition, a patient should consult with their doctor before beginning any type of treatment other than what has been prescribed for them by their doctor; and for safety reasons, any over the counter or home treatments should be used along with regular treatment and not in place of it. Asthma, if not properly treated can become life threatening. If a person wants to supplement their treatment with a natural remedy, they should discuss the possibilities with their doctor. The doctor can help figure correct doses and the proper way to supplement the natural remedy along with the prescription medication.

Home Treatment Options

People that choose to use home remedies over medicine believe that natural products work the same, or better than prescription, and are better for you since they come from natural sources such as tea leaves or oil extracts. There are many natural things a person with asthma can try to help with the control of their symptoms. Some of these remedies are as follows:

  • Drinking hot ginger tea with minced garlic cloves is a great way to prevent the coughing in asthma that can bring on an attack. Drink this tea in the morning, or whichever time of the day your symptoms normally become bothersome.

  • Coffee has gotten a bad rap in many cases, but for asthma, that morning cup of java is magical. The caffeine in a cup of coffee has a bronchodilating effect and can help prevent attacks.

  • Hot peppers are great for the effects of asthma because of its ability to open the airways. The ingredient in hot peppers called capsaicin reacts in the body as an anti-inflammatory agent which is great for alleviating the feeling of a closed throat that sometimes comes with asthma.

  • Vitamin C is extremely important for people with this condition. Vitamin C increases the amount of oxygen in the body and will help to reduce inflammation. Eating fruits such as oranges is a great way to increase vitamin C intake.

  • Eating fish, such as salmon, provides the body with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help to reduce symptoms of swelling that can lead to the beginning of an asthma attack.

Along with foods, various herbs such as butterbur, ginkgo extract, Indian frankincense and tylophora all have different benefits in controlling symptoms. Many natural treatments have not been studied, so their true benefits or side effects remain unknown.

*Home remedies for asthma that include caffeine or spicy foods are intended for adults and should not be given to children unless otherwise advised by a doctor.

References

Discovery Health - https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-asthma3.htm

MayoClinic - https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-treatment/AS00032

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