Effective Herbal Remedies for Asthma

The use of herbal remedies to relieve illnesses or chronic conditions is a practice followed by many people. These natural preparations differ from the standard prescriptions a patient would get from a doctor using pharmaceutical drugs. Along with these alternative herbal remedies, there are also such methods as dietary supplements, nutritional changes, bio-feedback, acupuncture and acupressure, massage therapy and homeopathy.

The Different Effects of Asthma
One person may have wheezing or shortness of breath when around cats or some other aggravating element in the environment. Another may feel as if she has colds that always go to her chest, complete with labored breathing and harsh, persistent coughing.

Both of these could well be asthma attacks, and there are many other ways for the disorder to manifest itself. The definition of asthma is a condition that inflames the bronchial tubes, or airways in the lungs, which cause them to swell and contract. The smaller passages for air mean difficulty in breathing. This condition can be, however, either partially or totally reversed with the right medication.

Alternative Remedies for Asthma
Most alternative remedies are used without the aid of conventional remedies. Complementary treatments are used along with the standard medications that one would receive from a conventional doctor. Anyone looking for a more natural approach to asthma treatments has a wide array of options from which to choose.

This does not mean that anyone suffering from asthma should just jump right into alternative medicine. It is still imperative that any patient discuss it first with a doctor to avoid taking anything that will either interact poorly with medication or make the symptoms worse. The following herbs and natural substances have been known to help some people combat asthma.

-Vitamins and Oriental Herbs: Certain herbs from China, such a ding-chan tang, have the ability to reduce inflammation and provide relief for the bronchial spasms that cause coughing. Studies have shown that vitamin C sometimes has a similar effect.

-Butterbur: This perennial shrub can be found just about anywhere, and is quite effective for some. Butterbur contains petasin and isopetasin, ingredients known to reduce muscle spasms and inflammation. Be cautious, however. This herb should never be used by pregnant women or anyone who has liver or kidney disease.

-Boswellia: In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, this is known as Salai Guggal. Scientists have determined this herb can reduce the production of leukotrienes in the body. These leukotrienes are compounds that cause constriction of the bronchial tubes when present in the lungs.

Asthma affects many people in many different ways. Some respond to different environmental conditions than others. This will, in turn, affect which medications are effective and which ones are not. Everyone has a different sort of remedy that will be most effective for him or her.

Yoga is sometimes effective for those who suffer from asthma. Because breathing exercises are the core of the discipline, sometimes asthmatics learn to control both breathing and stress. There is no scientific evidence to support this, however.

Studies are still ongoing for the treatment of asthma through acupuncture. Some have reported an ability to increase the amount of air inhaled and a reduction of stress, which is a common trigger for asthma.

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