Archive for the ‘Natural Remedies’ Category

Natural Remedies for Asthma: Considering the Benefits of Diet and Herbs

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Studies have shown that while medication is one of the most effective asthma remedies but more asthma sufferers are turning to natural remedies for asthma in place of more traditional medications. Diet is being shown to have a greater impact on the treatment of asthma than once thought with clinical studies showing significant improvements in those who changed their diets over those who did not.

The Importance of Childhood Diet in Preventing the Development of Asthma

Because asthma most commonly occurs in children, it is important to be sure your child has a proper diet to help prevent the onset of the condition. This is particularly true if there is a family history of asthma or if there is a high rate of environmental factors that may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of the condition.

Fruit has been shown to be effective as way to help your child avoid developing asthma but can also help if your child already suffers from asthma. Many studies have shown that one of the best natural remedies for asthma in children is to make sure the child is eating a diet rich in fruit like apples, oranges, melons and berries.

Diet and the Adult Asthma Patient

Often asthma occurs in adults due to environmental factors or viral infections but it has been proven that simply adjusting ones diet can greatly reduce the symptoms of asthma even in adults. Of course asthma varies in severity, but studies indicate eating a healthier diet can assist even those with severe asthma.

As in children, a high daily intake of fruits particularly apples and citrus fruits can help ease the symptoms of asthma or prevent its development. Vegetables also play an important role even though they are often over looked. Adding tomatoes, carrots and leafy vegetables like lettuce and things of that nature to your diet is a great natural remedy for asthma. Taking these steps may not eliminate asthma completely, but your asthma attacks will generally be less severe as will your dependence on an inhaler.

Herbs as a Natural Remedy for Asthma

Butterbur is currently one of the most talked about herbal natural remedies for asthma as many of the active components of the shrub have been shown to soothe muscle spasms and act as an anti-inflammatory which can help control asthma symptoms. The shrub grows in Asia, Europe and North America but some have reported side effects you may want to take into consideration. It is a member of the ragweed family so anyone with allergies should avoid it and it may also cause headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea, fatigue or vomiting.

The Importance of Nutrition When Treating Asthma

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

There are no easy answers when it comes to treating asthma and for some, prescription medication provides little relief from many of the most common symptoms. There are excellent natural home remedies available and making adjustments to one’s diet may be the most effective of them all.

The Link Between Obesity and Asthma

It has been shown in many studies that there is a direct link between severe asthma and obesity. One of the biggest problems here is that often, someone suffering from asthma may have a harder time losing weight as it can be harder to get proper amounts of exercise. This is especially true for overweight individuals.

Consider lower impact exercises such as yoga, Pilates or even taking long walks outside. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t do as much as you’d like to in the beginning. The key is persistence. In time, your body will adjust to the new workout routine and you will find your endurance increasing. It may take some time to see any improvement but be patient. The effort is worth it.

Why Diet is Important in Treating Asthma

Everyone can benefit from a healthy diet and those with asthma are no exception. A healthy diet can help you lose weight and get in better shape physically but certain foods have been shown to help with the treatment of asthma and the prevention of asthma attacks. Eating healthier may not completely eliminate asthma attacks but will help make them less frequent and less severe.

What You Should Add to Your Diet to Help Control and Treat Asthma

Fruits and vegetables are an especially important part of the diet of any person with asthma. Apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, melons, berries, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables are an excellent addition to your diet as these foods have been shown to reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks. Studies indicate that children who had diets that contained a high intake of fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop asthma than those whose diets were less healthy.

A Mediterranean diet is especially effective for the treatment of asthma. Mediterranean cuisine tends to incorporate nuts, tomatoes, apples, grapes and other fruits into the recipes; all of which have been shown to be very beneficial to asthmatics.

What Foods You Should Avoid

While it is important to incorporate nuts, fruit and vegetables into your diet it is also a good idea to eliminate as much processed food as possible. Some researchers believe the rise in the number of people developing asthma is directly related to changing diets. More people are eating processed foods and it is believed this is contributing to asthma development.

Effective Home Remedies for Managing Asthma

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Although some would claim otherwise, there is no magic cure for asthma, natural or otherwise. Asthma is a chronic lung disease and once you have it there is a good chance you will have it forever. You may outgrow it if you contract it as a child and you may even find it clears up if you contract it as an adult, but home remedies and natural treatments merely provide relief from many of the symptoms associated with the condition.

Why Home Remedies Are Appealing

You may not be able to completely eliminate the need to use an inhaler, but you may be able to significantly reduce how often you use your inhaler with some of the more effective home remedies. The benefits of this are obvious to anyone who has ever used an inhaler.

Reducing your dependency on inhalers not only means you have to use that inhaler less often but that it will last longer as well. Not having to refill your prescription for your inhaler as often saves your trips to the pharmacy and money on the inhaler.

What Is a Home Remedy?

A home remedy is usually comprised of natural ingredients like herbs or food products that are commonly found in the home. While you may not necessarily have all of the ingredients for the home remedy already, you will be able to find them easily at your local grocery store.

What Are the Most Effective Home Remedies for Treating Asthma?

Honey is considered by many to be one of the most effective home remedies for asthma as it can be used to help relieve even moderate to severe asthma attacks. Many people believe that placing a jar of honey under the nose of someone suffering from an attack can calm the attack and within minutes have the person breathing comfortably again.

For a great every day asthma remedy, use a blender to blend honey, lemon juice and radish then cook on low to medium heat for twenty minutes. Taking a teaspoon of this mixture each morning reduces the amount and severity of asthma attacks a patient suffers.

Another great daily asthma treatment is to combine one teaspoon of pure honey, one teaspoon of olive oil, half a cup of milk, and a little garlic clove and boil the mixture. Drinking this mixture will also help reduce the amount of asthma attacks.

Seeking a Doctor’s Opinion

Most doctors will tell you there is nothing wrong with seeking natural alternatives to prescribed medication and may even be able to suggest some options not listed here. There is a wealth of information available and finding what works best for you may take a little time. In the end, it will be well worth the effort.

Natural Remedies for Asthma

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Asthma can be a terrifying condition if you’ve ever suffered an asthma attack or if you have a child who has suffered an asthma attack. Many people are turning to natural remedies for asthma treatment as an alternative to traditional medications or in addition to traditional medications. Herbs are generally the first option those looking for alternative treatments will consider but it is often difficult to know which herbs will offer the most benefit or will offer benefits at all.

Why People Explore Natural Remedies and Why Herbs May Be Beneficial to Those with Asthma

Parents of asthmatic children are growing more and more concerned with the medications they are giving their children. Although most are proven to be safe, many parents want to limit the amount of medication they give their children and are seeking natural remedies. This is equally as true for adults suffering with this condition.

Many herbs have been shown to offer incredible benefits to those suffering from asthma. Choosing which herb is right for your condition may not always be easy but doing a little bit of research is the best way to find what herb will offer you the most benefit. There are herbs that provide benefits to even those suffering from severe asthma. Although there aren’t really any herbs available as of yet to completely eliminate symptoms, there are certainly ones that can help manage them.

What Herbs May Be Effective and What Are the Potential Side Effects?

Bromelain has been shown to be quite effective for the management of symptoms related to asthma particularly for its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies indicate the herb helps relieve inflammation in the airway which thereby reduces the severity of asthma symptoms. It is, however important to remember that this particular herb is not for use by anyone who has an allergy to pineapple. The most common side effect is digestive upset although it does pose the above mentioned allergy risk.

Boswellia is one of the most effective herbs available as it inhibits the formation of compounds called leukotrienes that cause the airway to narrow when released in the lungs. In studies, boswellia has been show to help patients breathe easier and help reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks. Side effects may include digestive upset, nausea, acid reflux and diarrhea. Because it is unclear what dosage is safe, only take boswellia under the direction of a healthcare professional.

Before you begin taking any herb as an alternative treatment to traditional asthma treatments it is always the best idea. You doctor will be able to give you a more detailed list of the best herbs available for your asthma treatment.