Make a cup of strong coffee which has caffeine in it ( that is it should not be decaffeinated ). Do not use milk to make it. Drink this coffee and inhale its wonderful aroma. This simple remedy provides relief from an attack.
Prepare an expresso style coffee drink. When the coffee is prepared, inhale its vapors. Then drink the coffee, slowly. When the coffee is finished, you can feel some relief from the asthma attack. Lungs are relaxed and bronchioles widen to allow air to go freely. Wheezing should also be reduced.
2. Drink strong black tea
Any form of tea also some amount of caffeine, although much less than coffee. Frequent consumption of tea can also have the same effect as coffee and can help in relieving the symptoms of asthma.
Preparing a strong black tea
Take 4 black tea bags
Water ( about 500 ml )
Directions / How to make
Cut open the tea bags and pour tea inside the kettle. Fill up with 1/2 litre water and then boil it repeatedly till it remains about 200 ml. This is your strong black tea. Drink this tea slowly and slightly warm. It can fend off an asthma attack by dilating the air passages.
( Photo credit : ajay_g )
3. Relax Your Belly
This is a modern version of some ancient Ayurveda practice. It is called belly breathing. When an asthma attack is building up, we may complicate it by pumping out our lungs and forcing air with even greater velocity. Instead, try this.
Relax your belly. Loosen the tight abs and let your belly move out a bit. Relax the lungs, even if you can't. Then breathe slowly and shallowly from the belly. Let your belly move in and out instead of the lungs. This simple technique can prevent an asthma attack.
However, this may not work in a strong attack episode.
4. Honey
It is a remarkable ingredient in numerous remedies. Honey also helps in asthma. Take 2 - 3 tablespoon of honey and drink water over it. Honey is a demulcent ( it coats the throat ). It is a strong upper respiratory tonic. Honey can help in asthma attack in the following ways.
- It relieves coughing asthma by suppressing the cough mechanism.
- It is a respiratory tonic, strengthening your breathing mechanism.
5. Warm Shower
When you feel an asthma attack may be coming up, head for the shower. Start taking a hot shower. Close the ventilator and allow steam to build up. Inhaling this warm steam is quite relaxing for the entire body. It prevents spasm in the lung muscles and keeps attack away.
After the shower, go to sleep if you can. While sleeping, our breathing mechanism changes and asthma attack can subside.
6. Red Grape Juice
If you can get red grapes, then they form a formidable asthma remedy. Grapes have long been known since ancient times, as a strong respiratory tonic. Grapes, especially red ones are great for any respiratory illness humans suffer.
They exert following effects.
- Grapes tone the respiratory system muscles and walls of bronchi.
- They are mild expectorant, cutting off any phlegm sticking to lung tubes.
- Grapes have quercetin, which acts as bronchodilator.
- Red grapes are very high in Resveratrol ( you've probably heard of it before ). Resveratrol has been identified in studies to have anti-asthmatic effects.
So, you see in how many red grapes can help in managing an asthma attack.
How much juice should you drink ?
Well, I suggest you drink about 2 glasses of red grape juice over the course of an hour, sipping slowly and enjoying the juice.
( Photo credit : bigcuthy )
7. Ginger Tea
Prepare a strong ginger tea by adding 2 inch thick pieces of ginger to a cup of boiling water. This tea should feel warm, spicy and heating for the entire body.
Ginger tea is especially helpful for people suffering from exercise induced asthma which is often worse during cold, especially when you have inhaled very cold wind.
Ginger warms up the body for a long period, thins the blood and makes oxygen transport more efficient.
Alas, these are the only few home remedies that work in relieving an asthma attack when it comes. So, if you are caught off guard, without your inhaler, quickly perform these remedies. They are not a effective as an asthma inhaler though.
How to get rid of asthma for life ?
You can fend off attacks after attacks of asthma, but sooner or later, it is going to put you under stress. Person may start feeling that he or she has to live with it. Asthma severely affects quality of life. That is why, it is important to get rid of it.
What you need ?
- Strong determination.
- Desire to experiment
- Belief in natural substances.
- Hard work
Once you have these four , asthma can be a thing of the past. It can easily take 2- 6 months to completely overcome what causes "asthma on the surface".
There are many things which can "cure" an asthma. Cure here means that they can reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks to such an extent, that you can virtually live an asthma free life. It may also be completely cured in the sense that you would never suffer a next asthma attack. But, you WILL have to use the natural treatment every day of your life, well most of them.
1. Eucalyptus Oil ( excellent bronchodilator )
One can inhale the vapours of eucalyptus oil by putting a few drops of this oil in water that is producing steam.
NOTE : Never use eucalyptus oil during an asthma attack, use it at a time of the day when you are fine. Eucalyptus oil helps in asthma but not during an attack. It should not be taken by pregnant women, nor should it be used for infants.
Taking steam from eucalyptus essential oil reduces inflammation at the internal walls of bronchioles. This widens the air passage, allowing air to flow very well.
2. Eating onion
People who suffer from asthma can get relief by eating onions daily. One can take it in salad and in pickled form. Onions relieve the asthmatic condition, thus leading less frequent and less severe attacks.
Eat freshly cut onions in salad. You can also take a 15 ml juice shot of onion. It has high levels of quercetin, which is
bronchodilator and strongly anti-inflammatory.
NOTE : Do not eat pickled onion as it can worsen or exacerbate asthma. Just fresh onions.
3. Taking sunlight
One can take a bit of sunlight during the day and warm up the skin. It helps the body in synthesizing Vitamin D. This remedy can help adults and kids a lot. Asthma affects many children worldwide. This remedy can help because it warms the skin and also leads to synthesis of an important vitamin in the body.
There is some connection between low Vitamin D levels and susceptibility of asthma. Sunlight is great for Vitamin D synthesis. If you can take early morning sunshine, it is even better as it benefits your liver.
Taking sunlight regularly can tan you, but it rejuvenated the body. It can also relieve cold induced asthma.
( Photo credit : Dave Stokes )
4. Ginger
Medical studies indicate that ginger can relieve the problematic symptoms of asthma. It is as strong a
bronchodilator as some of the inhaler medication out there.
So, how to get ginger in your life.
- Eat ginger oatmeal, with just more ginger in them.
- Change your bread for ginger bread. It is tastier and healthier.
- Drink 1 cup ginger tea every day, without fail.
- Drink ginger ale if you have digestion problems.
This simple introduction of ginger can take your asthma away. It may take at least 2 months for preliminary effects to show up.
Your asthma attacks would be less severe, and many times, you may not need to your beloved inhaler.
( Photo credit : floeschie )
5. Red Grapes
As I mentioned earlier, red grapes are wonderful for the lungs. Resveratrol found in red grapes has shown potent asthma attenuating effects. It relaxes smooth muscle within lungs, allowing bronchioles to stretch outwards, open up and take in air freely.
Drink 2 glass ( about 600 ml ) red grape juice every day. This single habit can help you get over you asthma. Plus, you can add a few years to your life as resveratrol is one of the best life- extension nutrients.
6. Beet Juice
Some people have recommended this simple juice as the "cure" for asthma. Well, there is no harm in trying.
Drink 1 glass beet juice everyday. Beets are very powerful cleanser. They increase the oxygen carrying capacity of RBC ( red blood cells ) by 400 %. So, each and every one of your RBC is now carrying tremendously more oxygen to the cells. This tells the lungs to relax, as they are told by brain that cells are receiving enough oxygen. You body is better able to transport the "life-giving" oxygen to cells, and lungs have no issue with it.
Since the lungs are relaxed, there is no chance of muscular spasm leading to asthma.
( Photo credit : breville )
7. Take Fish Oil
The oil of salmon is a very powerful source of omega - 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 reduces chronic systemic inflammation within the body. It lowers inflammation in lungs and thickened walls thin themselves. This opens up space in bronchioles, thereby eliminating asthma.
Along with this, take evening primrose oil ( EPO ). This oil is rich in Omega 6 fatty acids which are also beneficial in lowering inflammation.
8. Troubleshoot Your House
Well, this springs up in between, but it highly important.There are many thinsg in our house which make us susceptible to asthma attacks. It is not that asthma is caused by them, but they provoke asthma to create an attack. These are some of the things which do not go well with our alveoli ( our air sacs )
- Mold. It is a colony of fungus, often forming in dark, moist, sans sunlight areas of house. Mold can trigger asthma attacks and it is capable of making you seriously ill. Get rid of any mold !
- Vinyl material in heat prone areas. Vinyl is fine until it is cool. But, in the kitchen and bathroom, vinyl flooring or curtains or tiles can emit a very disgusting smell. This smell is hated by our lungs and they may go into contraction.
- Cool mist humidifier. A humidifier is helpful but not the cool mist one. Get a regular humidifier without the cooling in it. During asthma, you need environment to be slightly warm and pleasant.
- Find and get rid of allergens in the house. Allergy is a strong trigger for asthma. This disease is very common in people who suffer from allergic rhinitis.
9. Pranayama
This is a powerful breathing technique mentioned within Yoga. It is so emphasized in Yoga that before mastering it, you cannot go to advanced Yoga levels like Dharna.
Pranayama can be a life saver for people with any chronic respiratory disorder, be it asthma, COPD or any other.
It is a mode of deep, rhythmic breathing which is very relaxing for the body. It also stabilizes the mind, reduces anxiety, stress and increase concentration.
10. Get A Chihuahua
These are lovely small dog breed which have become popular mainly because they can cure your asthma. It has been noted by many people that kids living with a chihuahua noticed very few asthma attacks, and that too less severe.
It is not verified, but it is a simple and wonderful way to get rid of asthma.
And you would definitely love to have a chihuahua in your family. They have nice temperament and do well with other pets.
11. Tomatoes For Exercise Induced Asthma
Tomatoes are rich source of lycopene, which helps exercise induced asthma. You can use tomatoes in various ways to get this effect.
- Eat raw tomatoes in salad.
- Drink tomato soup.
- Eat sugar free ketchup. You can prepare your tomato sauce at home.
- Use sun dried tomatoes as spice. They taste lovely !
So, if your athletic goals have been bogged down by exercise induced asthma, time to take lots of tomatoes.
12. Taking A Clove of Garlic Daily
Garlic may not be able to cure asthma, but it really helps in curbing the symptoms. Garlic is an all around body tonic and it should be in your diet. It boosts the immune system, so that it responds better to allergens, pathogens and other environmental toxins.
13. Herbal remedies for asthma
Asthma was prevalent in the ancient times too. It is logical that people living in those times figured out excellent cure for asthma. These cures however , make use of herbs which are not safe to be taken without guidance and supervision of a trained herbalist.
- Mustard seeds : Make a paste of mustard seeds. Mix some camphor in it and apply it on the chest. Although this remedy may help with asthma, it works only when performed under the guidance of a registered herbal practitioner. Camphor can have many dangerous side effects and this remedy should NOT be attempted at home.
- Turmeric in warm milk : This is a simple Ayurvedic remedy for asthma.
- Datura : This plant is very common in India. Datura is a small fruit with prickles all around it. Its biological name is Datura Stramonium. It has been used as an Asthma cure for centuries. Inhaling its vapors in believed to completely cure Asthma.
- Skunk Cabbage : This herb is a Native American cure for asthma. Skunk cabbage has ability to stop a spasm.
- Lobelia : This celebrated herb is a mainstay of Native American herbal medicine. It is helpful in Asthma and taken by many people.
- Holy Basil : One fine night, I suffered from an attack of sleep apnea. It was a mild one though, but I was unable to sleep. I was coughing incessantly. I called my mom, who called her mom and told her about this situation. Minutes later, I got a call from mom telling me to eat a few Holy Basil leaves. I went to the garden and found a Holy Basil plant, plucked half a handful of leaves and chewed them down. The cough subsided and I could sleep.
Holy Basil is a herb with powerful adaptogen and body relaxing properties. When combined with honey and a small piece of ginger, it forms a herbal remedy for asthma.
Besides these, there are many more herbal remedies for asthma made from local plants in different parts of the world. These can be effective but there is risk of adverse reaction by the herb.
It is important to realize that herbs have great healing powers, only if taken under expert supervision. You may look into herbal treatments for your asthma.
Asthma is a complicated disease. Its pathophysiology are still not clearly understood. However, there is some hint that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. The inflammation soars up in presence of a trigger, which could be anything. It is advised to stay away from pollutants, dust, pollen, extreme temperatures and even pets ( except for a chihuahua ). In some people, even a pet can trigger asthma.
Yes, they too can get this condition. In case of cats, it is called feline asthma. These are some home based treatments suggested for feline or canine asthma.
