Exercise for Asthma Regular and moderate exercise strengthens the lungs and prevents asthma symptoms..

Yoga as Asthma Treatment The rhythmic breathing and slow gentle stretching makes yoga the ideal activity for people with asthma...

Visualization for asthma Visualization is a powerful asthma therapy and has been established in studies

Herbal medicine for asthma. Natural herbs like medications, may produce side effects or interact with other substances including drugs

Acupunture as Asthma Treatment acupuncture has shown potential as an effective treatment for asthma. Acupuncture may be used for asthma in addition to (rather than as a replacement for) conventional medicine

Homeopathy for Asthma Treatment Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of asthma

Ayurveda for Asthma Boswellia serrata (also known as Salai guggal), an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine (a traditional Indian system of health care)

Qigong for asthma. In a review of the use of qi gong for asthma, the authors found out that combining a regular practice of qi gong

Chinese Medicineas asthma Treatment Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is often a standard part of therapy. One test tube study performed in a laboratory suggests...

Japanese Herbal Medicine Saiboku-to is a herbal medicine complex approved by the Japanese government for the asthma treatment....

 

Exercise for Asthma

Regular and moderate exercise strengthens the lungs and prevents asthma symptoms. Although exercise can be a trigger for asthma in some people, with appropriate asthma treatment and monitoring of the condition, exercise, even vigorous exercise, is possible. In fact, many world-class athletes have asthma. Consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program, and carry an asthma inhaler at all times

 

Yoga for Asthma

The rhythmic breathing and slow gentle stretching makes yoga the ideal activity for people with asthma. It also brings relaxation and reduction of stress and anxiety, which are considered as asthma attact triggers. Studies have shown that people who are engaged in regular yoga sessions has an improved asthma symptom and that medications were reduced by their doctors.

Visualization for asthma

Visualization is a powerful asthma therapy and has been established in studies done by Dr. David Bresler, Ph.D.,I.Ac., associate clinical professor of the University of California, Los Angeles as found in Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman. He suggests the following technique:

"Close your eyes. Take three deep breaths. Envision yourself in a pine forest. Stand next to a pine tree and inhale its aromatic fragrance. As you exhale, sense your breath traveling down trough your body and exiting through the soles of your feet. See your breath as gray smoke that becomes buried deep in the earth. Open your eyes."

 

Herbal medicine for asthma. Natural herbs like medications, may produce side effects or interact with other substances including drugs. They should, therefore, be used with caution and only under the guidance of a professionally trained and qualified herbalist.

French Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) A 2002 review of studies on a standardized extract for herbal medicine of the French maritime pine bark suggests that the herbal extract may reduce asthma symptoms and improve lung function in people with asthma.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). Lobelia has a long history of use as herbal medicine. Lobelia is considered an effective herbal expectorant, meaning that it helps clear mucus from the respiratory tract. Although there are few thorough studies on the safety and effectiveness of lobelia, some herbalists today incorporate lobelia into a comprehensive treatment plan for asthma. Lobelia is a potentially toxic herb, but is considered relatively safe when used in combination with other herbs that affect the respiratory system. Lobelia use should only be considered with the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Flaxseed. Preliminary research about this herbal medicine suggests that faaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that flaxsee may decrease asthma symptoms like inflammation, improving lung function.

Other herbal medicines that are traditionally used to treat asthma.

• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
• Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)
• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
• Red Clover (Trifolium pretense)
• Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Also, the herb aloe (Aloe vera) is under investigation for its possible use in helping to treat asthma.

According to a 1997 Consensus Statement by the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture has shown potential as an effective treatment for asthma. Acupuncture may be used for asthma in addition to (rather than as a replacement for) conventional medicine. One study found that acupuncture improved the immune response of people taking anti-asthma medication compared to those who did not receive acupuncture. Consult your local acupunturist about your asthma.

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of asthma based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Arsenicum album -- for asthma that generally worsens between midnight and 2 am and is accompanied by restlessness, anxiety, chills, and thirst
Ipecacuanha -- for those with asthma, particularly children, who have significant tightness in the chest, a chronic cough with lots of phlegm that may lead to vomiting, and worsening of symptoms in hot, humid weather
Pulsatilla -- for asthma with yellow or greenish phlegm that gets worse in the evening, in warm, stuffy rooms, or after consuming rich, fatty foods; this remedy is most appropriate for adults or children who are tearful and clingy or sweet and affectionate
Sambucus -- for asthma that awakens a person at night with a sensation of suffocation; symptoms worsen when the person is lying down

Ayurveda for Asthma

Boswellia serrata (also known as Salai guggal), an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine (a traditional Indian system of health care), was tested in a small group of people with asthma and compared to a placebo. 70% of those taking a preparation of boswellia had improvement in their symptoms (namely, less shortness of breath) and improved lung function by pulmonary tests. Only 27% of those receiving placebo showed any improvement.

Qigong for asthma. In a review of the use of qi gong for asthma, the authors found out that combining a regular practice of qi gong with medication may allow you to reduce your drug dose, and aconsiderable improvement in the time for you to recuperate from an asthma attack.

Chinese Medicine for Asthma

A few herbs that a Traditional Chinese medical specialist might recommend include:

Asian Ginseng In Chinese medical practice, Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is often a standard part of therapy. One test tube study performed in a laboratory suggests that the reason this may work is because ginsenoside, an active ingredient of ginseng, relaxes bronchial smooth muscle cells; these are the cells that line the airway and, when restricted, cause diminished air flow and a feeling of shortness of breath.

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), also called ma huang, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 5,000 years. It is sometimes used to treat asthma, and synthetic ephedrine compounds, such as pseudoephedrine, are widely used in over-the-counter cold remedies. However, ephedra and its derivatives are potentially dangerous and addictive. Take only under the close guidance and supervision of an appropriately trained specialist.

 

Saiboku-to is a herbal medicine complex approved by the Japanese government for the asthma treatment. In one Western study, people with asthma who took the formula for 4 weeks had significantly improved asthma symptoms. This study also found that saiboku-to has anti-inflammatory effects.