Table of contents:
- Herbal remedies to relieve asthma symptoms
- 1. Ginger
- 2. Garlic
- 3. Shallots
- 4. Caffeine
- 5. Honey
- 6. Inhaling aromatherapy
- 7. Basil leaves
- Be careful using herbal remedies for natural asthma treatment
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes the airways to become inflamed and narrowed. As a result, it will be more difficult for you to inhale and exhale. Although it cannot be cured, asthma symptoms can be relieved by traditional medicine and even using natural ingredients in the kitchen. Are you curious about what herbal or natural asthma medications can be used? Look carefully at the following full review.
Herbal remedies to relieve asthma symptoms
Even though, natural or herbal ingredients are claimed to relieve asthma symptoms, one step you must take before actually using them is to consult a doctor. The reason is, it could be that you are not allowed to take herbs because of your condition.
Your doctor can help ensure that you are completely allowed to use traditional medicine and that it will not have a negative impact on your asthma.
Here are some choices of traditional asthma medications from natural ingredients that might be useful for you.
1. Ginger
The health benefits of ginger have been recognized since ancient times, including as a herbal or natural asthma remedy.
How ginger works to relieve asthma is not known with certainty. However, experts suspect that ginger may help reduce allergic responses by lowering IgE levels in the body.
IgE or immunoglobulin E is an antibody produced by the immune system to fight substances that are thought to threaten the body. When an allergic reaction occurs, the body will produce more IgE.
Asthma symptoms themselves are closely related to allergic reactions. When IgE levels decrease, the allergic reactions that appear will also gradually decrease. As a result, your asthma symptoms can be better controlled and recur less frequently.
Other studies have also reported that ginger can help reduce inflammation and dilate airways. The natural effects of ginger were found to be the same as the effects of several asthma medications.
There are many ways to process ginger as an asthma or natural herbal remedy, including making juice from a mixture of pomegranates, one small segment of ginger, and one tablespoon of honey. Drink 1 tablespoon of this mixture 2 to 3 times a day.
You can also make ginger ale. It's easy, put one segment of ginger that has been digeprek or cut into small pieces into a pot of boiling water. Add brown sugar to reduce the spicy taste that comes from ginger. Leave it on for 5 minutes, wait for it to cool and drink.
The hassle of preparing this and that to process ginger? Relax, you can also eat them raw together with salt.
Although it can relieve asthma symptoms, you should avoid drinking ginger at the same time as taking your asthma medication. This aims to prevent certain side effects or interactions that may occur between ginger water and asthma medications.
However, do not drink ginger water in excess even if it is safe. Eating too much ginger can trigger certain side effects, such as flatulence, increased stomach acid, and nausea. That is why it is important for you to consult a doctor before trying this natural asthma remedy.
2. Garlic
Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties that are useful as a herbal or natural remedy for relieving asthma symptoms. Its anti-inflammatory properties are believed to reduce inflammation of the airways due to asthma.
Even so, further research is needed to confirm the benefits of garlic as an herbal remedy for asthma. Until now, there is no research that can prove that garlic is effective for long-term asthma treatment.
If you want to try, you can simply boil 2-3 cloves of garlic in 1.5 cups of milk. Let it cool, then drink.
If you don't like the strong aroma, you can mix it into foods, such as warm soup. The steam of the soup also helps the respiratory tract relax and loosen mucus.
3. Shallots
Apart from garlic, you can also use onions as another way to treat asthma symptoms naturally. The reason is, onions are known to contain high levels of antioxidants, which include vitamin C, sulfur, and quercetin and cyanidin anthocyanins.
A 2015 study published in DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences mentioned that all these types of antioxidants work together to reduce the effects of inflammation in the body. This effect is known to help dilate the bronchi.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of onions are also known to help the immune system work better in fighting infections related to lung and respiratory problems.
One of the best types of anti-inflammatory compounds found in red onions is thiosulphinate. This compound is even reported to be very effective in reducing inflammation of the respiratory tract due to asthma attacks.
4. Caffeine
It turns out that caffeine in coffee can help control asthma attacks, you know! In fact, caffeine has a bronchodilator (inhaler) effect similar to the asthma drug theophylline.
The benefit of caffeine is that it helps relax and relax the airways, which makes it easier for you to breathe. The stronger the coffee, the better the result. Apart from coffee, caffeine can also be found in tea or chocolate.
Although it has potential benefits as a herbal or natural asthma remedy, do not use caffeine to treat asthma naturally. Make sure you don't drink more than 3 cups of black coffee a day.
For some people, drinking black coffee mostly actually makes stomach acid rise which actually worsens asthma. In addition, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness and a fast heartbeat.
5. Honey
In addition to relieving sore throats and coughs, honey can also be used as a herbal or natural asthma remedy. The abundant antioxidant content in honey is believed to help fight inflammation and boost immunity for people with asthma.
You can mix 1 teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm water and drink it at least three times a day. To add flavor, you can also add lime juice, lemon, or a pinch of cinnamon.
These three ingredients are known to help thin the phlegm in the throat and boost the body's immune system.
6. Inhaling aromatherapy
Certain plants can be processed and produce quality pure oil. This oil is also commonly referred to as aromatherapy oil and you can use it as an alternative to natural asthma medications.
For some people, inhaling certain scents can provide effects such as relaxation and relieving headaches. Several types of oil also have benefits as an alternative treatment for asthma symptoms such as lavender, cloves, and eucalyptus.
One of the oil choices that you can use as a natural herbal remedy for asthma is eucalyptus. Pure eucalyptus oil is an effective treatment for asthma symptoms due to its decongestant properties.
Here's how to use eucalyptus oil to treat asthma symptoms naturally:
- Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to paper towels and place it near your head while you sleep so you can smell it.
- You can also add 2-3 drops of this oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam. Try deep breaths for faster results.
However, consult your doctor first because for some people aromatherapy can trigger symptoms.
7. Basil leaves
Basil leaves, also known as basil leaves, are also included in herbal plants that can be used as a natural asthma remedy. These leaves contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibiotic properties.
One study shows that basil leaves contain a myriad of antioxidants such as phenolics and polyphenols, which include flavonoids and anthocyanins.
The content of antioxidants and natural antibiotics in basil can help the body fight infection, especially in people with lung and respiratory problems.
Be careful using herbal remedies for natural asthma treatment
Make sure you always consult with your doctor before deciding to try any type of natural herb as an alternative to asthma treatment.
Asthma treatment therapy with herbal or traditional ingredients is not always safer. Although there are studies on its various benefits, the data is not sufficient to prove that the use of traditional medicines with natural ingredients is truly effective and safe for dealing with asthma symptoms.
Some people may not develop any symptoms when using natural ingredients to relieve asthma symptoms that are experienced. However, it is another story with people who have a history of allergies to certain natural ingredients. This condition can actually trigger a dangerous reaction, even the risk of complications from asthma.
So, use herbal or natural asthma medications with caution. If you have a history of allergies to herbal or natural ingredients, you should not force yourself to use them.
Apart from using herbal or natural asthma medications derived from ancestors, there are also a number of simple things you can do to relieve asthma symptoms. Some of them are doing asthma-specific exercises such as swimming and yoga.