Herbal Prep - Asthma

I was asked to do a post on Asthma, so here we go :)

There are many forms of asthma...so I will do my best to cover them and explain what we do to help.

First and foremost with Asthma, always comes diagnosing the cause...

Types of Asthma

Allergy induced (about 60% of all cases fall under allergies)

Non-Allergy (lung irritants such as smoke, perfumes, viral infections, etc...)

Exercise induced

Emotion induced

Medication-Induced (by prescription or over the counter meds - not typically mentioned but all medications do need to be considered)

Symptoms

Wheezing

Chest tightness

Shortness of breath

Cough

Whiteness around mouth (lack of Oxygen)

Limbs feel heavy (lack of Oxygen)

The second step in treating Asthma, is always Prevention...

Allergies

First we identify the allergen, either by eliminations, or testing

Second, we remove the allergen from the patient's environment

Third we prevent the allergen from entering their sleeping space, and daily space as much as possible

Fourth we treat remaining symptoms

Most allergens are very small, and Hepa filters will be needed.

Vacuums with hepa filters

Larger hepa air filter to remove the allergens from the sleeping space. These will have a carbon pre-filter as well

Dust covers on mattresses and especially Pillows, these can be washed on high heat as well as bleached

Remove carpets if possible

De-clutter...everything is a place for allergens to be trapped. All toys in a plastic bin while not in use, stuffed animals washed once a week and dried on high heat

Daily vacuum and damp cloth wipe down of sleeping room

Bathing daily before bed to remove allergens of the day

If the sleeping space is kept clear of allergens, the body can heal while sleeping and full blown asthma attacks in the day will be less likely.

Working with natural body cures...

Conscious Breathing

With ALL types of Asthma, conscious breathing is very important while not in an attack. However it is especially important for Exercise induced asthma.

Buteyko Breathing, is an extremely good method to learn

Choose activities which require breath control...Swimming, Wind Instruments, Yoga

Practice abdomen breathing vs chest breathing

Being aware of sharp temperature changes in the air, how do the lungs respond? Does it help to buffer the air change with a cloth or scarf over the nose and mouth?

Chiropractic Care

Most asthma can be traced back to a neck and/or upper spine misalignment. It can happen during birth, or at any time in life...but usually in childhood before the bones are set. The many bumps and falls kids have can move things out of place in the areas of the spine where the nerves connect to the lungs. It is always good to visit a chiropractor if you can where asthma is concerned.

Meditation

Learning simple meditation along with breathing, and coping methods will be extremely helpful in emotional asthma. It can act much like a panic attack, and can be induced by panic, severe nervousness, or any sharp change of emotion. (and it can also help with the fear which comes when your airways are restricted in all types of asthma)

With emotional asthma, coping methods can be invaluable...and learning not to let the mind snowball can help one to avoid the asthma attack. Learning a simple mantra can work...and it can be as simple as, "This will pass, I am okay"...something to repeat over and over in the mind, or outloud, that will hold the mind's focus. (usually affirmations seem to work best, but it is very personal, so the one using it must decide)

Foods to Help prevent asthma attacks...

Eating one or more of these foods each day can help, as they all contain the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin. Quercetin is known to be an anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic...and is called for to treat asthma.

(Organic to avoid chemicals if you can)

Apples

Dark cherries and berries (blueberries, bilberries, blackberries and others)

Tomatoes

Broccoli, cabbage and sprouts

Leafy green veggies, including spinach, kale

Citrus fruits

Cocoa

Cranberries

Whole grains, including buckwheat

Raw asparagus

Capers

Raw red onion

Olive oil

Black and green tea

Beans/legumes

Of course one needs to be sure there are no food allergies as well...

Herbal Treatments

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) is the best known herb to treat acute asthma attack. It is fast acting, and can stop an attack in progress. With an extract of Lobelia on hand, one can mix .5 to 1 ml of lobelia into an 8 oz cup of water to drink...or it can be made into a syrup --> for the herb, parts used are flowers and seeds.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a muscle relaxant, anti-spasmodic often used in asthma...it will help relieve the chest tightness

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) contains a high amount of alkaloids, including ephedrine and norephedrine...it is a bronchial dilator, and vasodilator as well as anti-allergic (Unfortunately the FDA banned it, so finding it is a bit of a chore in the US.)

Pill-Bearing Spurge (Euphorbia pilulifera) can weakly substitute ephedra, as it is an anti-asthmatic, expectorant, and anti-spasmodic

A syrup made from;

1 Cup Honey

1 lemon juiced

1 ml Lobelia extract

Can be taken as is, 1 teaspoon daily...or 1 tsp added into a cup of tea made with

1 tsp Butterbur root (prepared as a 15 min Decoction)

1/2 tsp Pill-Bearing Spurge infused for 10 minutes in butterbur decoction

*These can both be used daily in small amounts (1tsp lobelia honey, 1 cup butterbur tea)

Accute attacks needing immediate relief, use 1 ml lobelia in 8 oz water...you can add a pinch of cayenne as well if needed (I only add cayenne if the skin is cold, or lips have a white pinched line around them...

*Hopefully all of the preventive measures will lead to never needing the herbal remedy :)

Well, that is it for today...I hope it is helpful! Please keep in mind, that as long as this post is, it is just an overview. There is so much more, so please dive in and research all of the aspects I touched on...