Effective Natural Food Remedies to Treat Asthma

Bronchial asthma is characterized by a spasm or constriction of the bronchi (the airway tubes), inflammation of the mucus lining of the respiratory tract and an excessive production of mucus. One of the major concerns of the disorder is the occurrence of a respiratory failure with the inability to breathe at all.

Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is associated with recurrent attacks of difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest congestion and excessive production of phlegm.

Typically, the laboratory investigations of an asthmatic reveal an increase in the eosinophils in the blood, increase in blood IgE levels and a positive allergy test.

The rate of asthma, especially among children is rising at an alarming rate. This is because of the increasing stress on the immune system due to chemical pollutants in the air, food and water.

Treatment for Asthma

Despite the use of technological medicine and sophisticated drugs, traditional medicine and folk remedies are just as valuable today as they were years ago. Certain specific herbs and food remedies, with their myriad of therapeutic properties, provide safe, effective and time-proven alternatives to orthodox drugs.

The following foods act as excellent curative and preventive remedies in the treatment of asthma, and also enhance the general well being, when taken in conjunct with a suitable diet and a healthy lifestyle.

1. Honey: Honey has a very strong expectorant action and has long been used to treat bronchial asthma, bronchitis and cough. Honey provides a quick cure for congestion, catarrh, wheezing and fever. Mixed with lemon, it makes a soothing cough syrup and helps handle the most stubborn cases of asthma successfully. Optinghealth.com recommend consuming one tablespoon of honey every morning on waking to eradicate asthma effectively.
2. Ginger: Ginger is a warming remedy that fights chest complaints and infections very well. Its antiseptic volatile oils fortify the immune system, and make ginger a potent preventive medicine for bronchitis, asthma, tonsillitis and also reduces the body’s vulnerability to colds. The herb helps clear out toxins and catarrh. It is a powerful expectorant that expels phlegm and clears chest infections speedily.Ginger tea, made by chopping the thick tuberous roots and boiling them in a bowl of water, facilitates speedy cure, reducing the intensity and frequency of asthma significantly. Breathing becomes easy, chest congestion and pain are alleviated and mucus formation is eliminated.
3. Garlic: Garlic is one of the most potent home remedies for asthma. The anti-septic and anti-microbial properties of the herb help strengthen and rev up the immune mechanism of the body. For the respiratory system, garlic acts as a decongestant and expectorant, making it a wonderful medication for cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties and congestions. Slice about ten flakes of garlic and pour a liberal amount of honey over them. Leave for about three hours. Consume this medicated honey several times during the day for an interval of one month. It helps reinforce the body’s defense mechanism, fights infections and reduces the body’s susceptibility to weather changes.

Asthma can turn in to a serious medical emergency. Thus, proper medical care is essential. Experts also state that doing away with common food allergens, such as food additives, preservatives, flavorings and coloring agents, and augmenting the intake of dietary anti-oxidants keeps asthma at bay.