When you think about ways to treat asthma, you probably think about pharmaceutical options such as albuterol and corticosteroid inhalers and allergy-desensitization shots. These drugs are the most common treatments for asthma symptoms. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical treatments can have discouraging negative side effects, including:
- Decreased resistance to infection
- Oral yeast infections (thrush)
- Cough
- Bruising
- Osteoporosis
- Cataracts
- Slowed growth in children
- Muscle weakness
- High blood pressure
As an alternative to (or in addition to) traditional asthma medication, many people are trying more natural ways to manage their symptoms without damaging side effects:
- Acupuncture
- Dietary supplements and herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Yoga
Acupuncture
The ancient Chinese defined health as a balance of the life force, also known as Chi. When the yin and yang of your chi becomes unbalanced, you become sick.
The Chinese believe Chi flows through channels in the body. These channels are accessed through specific acupuncture points. There are more than 350 acupuncture points on the body! The practitioner inserts needles into these points in different combinations to rebalance energy flow.
This practice originated in China, but is now taught and practiced throughout the world.
When treating asthma, needles are placed on the chest and back over the lungs, as well as other adjunctive points, to lower the uprising Lung Chi, relieve wheezing (bronchial spasms) and labored breathing and dissolve phlegm.
Dietary supplements and herbal remedies
This method uses ingredients that are found in nature. Supplements and herbs can be taken in syrup, powder, tablet, tea, oil or capsule form. Some common examples of herbs are:
- Ginko
- Ginseng
- Echinacea
Some common supplements you might come across are:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- glucosamine
People like to take supplements and herbs because they feel they are natural. They trust herbal remedies because they have been used for thousands of years. However, when buying herbs and supplements, it is important to remember to check for quality. Low-quality herbs mixed with unnatural fillers can be ineffective or even dangerous. And don’t forget to tell your doctor what you are taking.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy was founded in Germany in the late 1700s. It is widely used in Europe and has been regulated in the United States since 1938. This practice is meant to stimulate the body’s natural healing response by exposing it to small amounts of the substance that is causing symptoms. For asthma, homeopathic remedies are made from common triggers such as pollen or weeds.
You can get homeopathic remedies without a prescription. You can find them in health food stores.
Yoga
Yoga has been practiced in India for thousands of years. It uses meditation and exercise to increase flexibility, improve breathing, lower stress levels and improve overall health.
Anyone can benefit from doing yoga, but asthmatics specifically benefit from the breathing techniques called pranayama.
Learn to breathe again though natural asthma relief. Alternative, drug-free treatments such as acupuncture, dietary supplements and herbal remedies, homeopathy and yoga are helping people to improve their asthma symptoms without negative side effects.
http://mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021/DSECTION=8
http://mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/SA00086
http://mayoclinic.com/health/alternative-medicine/PN00001
http://www.webmd.com/diet/tc/dietary-supplements-topic-overview
http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/food-allergies-asthma
http://mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-treatment/AS00032
http://www.webmd.com/balance/tc/homeopathy-topic-overview
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tc/yoga-topic-overview
