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Natural Remedies for Asthma - Like a Breath of Fresh Air
Asthma affects millions of people around the world. It's causes are many, but its symptoms are the same; misery and in many cases, fear. The traditional remedies include the use of inhalers, anti inflammatory drugs and steroids. If these work so well, why is there still so many problems with asthma and asthma related illness.
One problem is that the root causes of asthma are not being investigated enough. Things like allergies to pet hair and dust mites are known to trigger asthma attacks, but these just scratch the surface.
One area that asthma sufferers could look into for themselves is natural remedies for asthma. For example, it is thought that some of the traditional cures for asthma have side effects which help to suppress the immune system. The effect of this is to weaken the body to the effects of allergens. A vicious circle.
Natural remedies for asthma can be very effective against this complaint. In milder cases, they can negate the need for inhalers and drugs completely (although you would be well advised to check with your Doctor before stopping prescribed medication)..
For example, consider fruits and vegetables. They contain substances called bioflavonoids, which are part of a larger group of molecules called polyphenols. Flavonoids play a significant role in the taste and colour of many of the vegetables and fruits that we eat. They also possess medical benefits too. Perhaps one of the best documented medical applications is their anti-allergic effects. During studies into flavenoids, one particular flavenoid called khellin turned out to be an effective muscle relaxant. During attempts to improve its muscle-relaxing capabilities, a series of derivatives was synthesized. One of these derivatives was Cromolyn. Studies have suggested that if Cromolyn were taken over long periods of time, it could alleviate the symptoms of asthma and reduce the need for other asthma medications. Other derivatives of khellin have also been shown to be effective against asthma and allergy.
Some other natural remedies against asthma are:
Astragalus membranaceus: Clinical research has confirmed the effectiveness of this Chinese tonic herb in strengthening immune system functioning. It also has antispasmodic and antibacterial properties.
Matricaria recutita: The ancient Anglo Saxons believed that this herb was one of nine sacred herbs given to the world by the god Woden. It is widely used in holistic medicine as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and calmative herb and is particularly useful for allergic asthma.
Arsen alb. (C6) is a homeopathic remedy often used to prevent bronchospasm caused by cold air and in the early morning.
Phosphorus (C6) is used homeopathically to treat and prevent respiratory problems linked to anxiety.
