If you or your child has asthma, home remedies for asthma can help. Asthma is a very serious condition involving the respiratory system. It is the most common chronic condition in children and teens. An asthma attack occurs when the air passages leading to the lungs constrict and breathing becomes difficult. Chest tightening, shortness of breath and wheezing occur. 1
Asthma attacks are oftentimes triggered by certain irritants...smoke, dust, mites, pollen, fur, viral infections, cold air and emotional upsets. These irritants cause the tissues that line the breathing tubes to swell, the surrounding muscles to contract and excess mucous production to occur. 1The combination of these three factors make breathing very difficult.
Warning: Asthma is a very serious medical condition and requires the care of a licensed medical professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor before using any home remedies for asthma. Seek emergency medical attention if the asthmatic experiences severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, ongoing wheezing or a change in skin color.
However, home remedies for asthma can help prevent attacks and speed healing. Check them out!
It should go without saying...but I'll say it anyway. It is very important to minimize exposure to allergens and other triggers. These triggers could be pet hair or dander, dust, mold or mildew. Eliminate mold and mildew in the bathroom by using a fan and try to keep the house free of dust.
On the other hand, exposure to dirt, hair and pet dander in children can prevent asthma. Research shows that children exposed to farms and pets have lower rates of asthma. ap
Some people find that limiting dairy consumption helps. Dairy increases mucous production and is a common hidden food allergy. 1
On that same note, limiting or eliminating common food allergens helps. Some other common allergens include peanuts, gluten, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.
Drink tea or coffee..especially regular (not herbal) orange pekoe tea or regular coffee. Tea contains theophylline and caffeine has very similar actions. Theophylline dilates the airways and helps you breathe better. 1,3
Another home remedy for asthma is to drink a concoction with 2 oz. each of carrot juice, onion juice and parsley each day. Or, combine raw red onion with raw sugar and eat 1 tsp each hour. 1 These may not taste the best, but they do help!
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and very beneficial to those who suffer from asthma. Be sure you are drinking a good, strong green tea. If you use tea bags, let it steep for at least 10 minutes to make sure you are getting enough tannins 1,2 If you are confused about the difference between green tea and black tea, click here to learn more about black tea vs green tea.
Avoid foods containing sulfites and salicylates. These two preservatives are common triggers of asthma and allergies.
Drink plenty of water to thin the mucous.
Use a humidifier to keep the room moist...just be sure to clean it frequently to prevent the build-up of mold and mildew.
A spoonful of local, raw honey can help prevent seasonal allergies and asthma attacks. The honey must be raw and from local bees to be beneficial. Learn more benefits of honey.
Lycopene, found in tomatoes, helps prevent exercise-induced asthma. Take a lycopene supplement or add more tomatoes to your diet to reap these benefits. 3
Asthma can be related to heartburn...so if you also suffer from heartburn, check out a heartburn home remedy and prevent asthma. 4
Eat your carrots, and other foods rich in carotenoids. These antioxidants are found in foods like apricots, carrots, squash, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Studies show that people with higher levels of carotenoids are less likely to suffer from asthma. 5
Apples really are good for you. Apples contain important flavenoids which help you breathe better. The peel is especially rich in flavenoids, so don't neglect to eat the peel. 4,5 One particularly beneficial flavenoid is quercetin. Supplement with 250 mg/day to help cure asthma. 4
Helpful Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin C Foods are especially important. 1 Supplemental doses of Vitamin C of 500-1000 mg/day are also very helpful. 5,12
Don't forget about the B Vitamins. All B Vitamins are important, but B-6 supplementation is especially helpful. Talk with our doctor about the correct dosage for you. One source suggests 100-200 mg 3x a day. 1,12 Learn more facts about vitamin b.
Vitamin E will help prevent asthma. Eat plenty of Vitamin E foods or take no more than 400 IU of Vitamin E per day. 3,5,12 Learn more about what does Vitamin E do?
Vitamin A can also help asthma sufferers. 12 Although, be careful as too much Vitamin A is toxic. Do speak with your doctor before starting any supplementing regime.
Asthma may be triggered by the cold..but sunshine on the other hand can really benefit you. Your body NEEDS time in the sun (without sunscreen) to manufacture Vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important to overall lung function. If you can't get enough Vitamin D from sun, take Chewable Vitamin D3 Tablets. 5 Learn more about vitamin d deficiency symptoms.
Magnesium is one of the more well known home remedies for asthma in emergency rooms. Emergency room doctors sometimes use magnesium to stop asthma attacks. Talk to your doctor about magnesium supplementation if your diet is deficient. 4,5,ap Learn more magnesium facts.
Selenium is another super important mineral. People with more selenium have less asthma. Selenium is found in foods such as spinach, legumes, avocados and oysters. Or, supplement with Selenium 50 mcg. Tablets. 5
Herbs for Respiratory Health
Garlic and onions are also said to help asthma. They are both bronchiodilators (open the airways). 1 Click here to learn more garlic cures.
The grindelia herb is a wonderful home remedy for asthma. It is antispasmodic and prevents bronchial spasms. Take 20-30 drops of tincture 2-3 times each day as a preventative measure. 2
Horehound is another herb which is fabulous for chronic coughs and asthma. Drink one cup of horehound tea each day, and you will notice an improvement. 2
Boswellia and T. asthmatica are two home remedies for asthma that work together. Both remedies are anti-inflammatory and help reduce the body's inappropriate immune response..which happens in asthma and allergies. Take 2-3 150 mg/capsules twice each day for at least six months. 2,5
Gingko is another one of the more popular home remedies for asthma. Gingko is also anti-inflammatory. Take 40 mg 2-3 times each day and see if you notice an improvement. 2,5 Learn more about the gingko tree.
During attacks of asthma, add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper to your tea. Cayenne dilates the airways and improves circulation. Learn more about the health benefits of cayenne pepper.
Ladies, listen up! If your asthma symptoms are worse before and during menstruation, you are not alone. Many women notice the same thing..the reason is for the increased estrogen present at this time. Drink a tea consisting of red raspberry leaf and alfalfa twice a day before and during menstruation.2 As a bonus, this will also help with PMS symptoms! To make red raspberry and alfalfa tea, steep one tablespoon of each herb in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes before straining and drinking.
Licorice root tea is one of the oldest home remedies for asthma. In fact, the ancient Greeks even used it. Drink 1-2 cups or licorice root tea daily, but don't overdo it. Too much licorice is NOT a good thing. 3 Learn more about the safe use and benefits-of-licorice-root.
Parsley and Rosemary are two very tasty home remedies for asthma. Drink rosemary tea...it is antispasmodic and cures respiratory issues. Parsley is very rich in beta carotene and Vitamin C..which are both very important for proper respiratory health. 5
Home remedies for arthritis and a natural cure for osteoporosis tend to be very similar, although arthritis is quite a different disease than osteoporosis. However, before we get into osteoporosis, let's first discuss arthritis, shall we?
Mullein tea is another one of the oldest home remedies for asthma. Mullein Leaf Tea has long been used by herbalists to treat respiratory problems. 12
Asthma attacks are oftentimes triggered by certain irritants...smoke, dust, mites, pollen, fur, viral infections, cold air and emotional upsets. These irritants cause the tissues that line the breathing tubes to swell, the surrounding muscles to contract and excess mucous production to occur. 1The combination of these three factors make breathing very difficult. 
Vitamins & Supplements)
. The lacto-fermentation process is important for getting the maximum nutrition from the cod liver oil. 1,3 Learn more about fish oil health benefits. 
