Asthma is a condition in which your lungs are often swollen or inflamed. In turn, your airways become extra sensitive to certain triggers' such as cold, dry air or smoke. When inhaled, these triggers can cause swelling in your airways, which manifests as an asthma flare-up that impedes airflow and makes breathing difficult. Asthma severity varies; It can be mild, or potentially lethal.
Managing Asthma
When it comes to approaching a treatment plan for asthma, it is important to know that there is no known cure for the condition, per
lung.org. However, it can and should be managed, so as to avoid flare-ups. According to Dr. Beth Corn of
everydayhealth.com, conventional medicine has provided a common effective management technique in the form of steroid inhalers. But there are less-conventional ways to manage asthma as well.
Other than conventional techniques and devices such as inhalers, the next best category of remedies for managing asthma is the consumption of certain foods and supplements, or at-home remedies. While there is no scientific evidence to firmly prove or disprove the efficacy of these remedies (
according to Dr. Corn), anecdotal evidence provided by asthma sufferers tout them as beneficial. It is important to note that these remedies should supplement the treatments prescribed by your medical doctor, not replace them.
It's advisable to discuss long-term use of supplements with your physician before starting a new regimen. Following are five supplements that could help relieve the symptoms of asthma:
Ginger
According to a 2013 study referenced at
National Institutes of Health (NIH), ginger may help to provide direct relief of asthma symptoms. In this study, the addition of sufficient amounts of crude ginger to the smooth muscle tissue of the human airway produced the relaxation of such tissue. This finding might mean that consuming ginger has the potential to ease the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscles in your airway. Ginger can be combined with salt and mixed with water for an easy means of consumption, as explained at
effectiveremedies.com.
Caffeine
The caffeine boost you get from a cup of coffee can be beneficial in more ways than one.
Dr. Corn of everydayhealth.com points out that caffeine has similar properties to theophylline, which is in the class of drugs called bronchodilators. This explains why caffeine has the potential to help relax the smooth muscle in your airways, and therefore lessen the symptoms of asthma. It is important not to consume caffeine in excess, as it can cause anxiety or other adverse effects.
Figs
Figs are fruits and can be helpful in improving respiratory health. Per
effectiveremedies.com, figs have the potential to help remove phlegm from your airways, making it easier to breathe if you are sick, or if you commonly experience phlegm build-up.
Eucalyptus oil
According to
healthline.com, oil made from eucalyptus leaves might help alleviate asthma. Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil with anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to reduce airway constriction in mice, and it may help do the same for humans. It is commonly recommended to asthma sufferers that they inhale eucalyptus oil for its potential to help ease symptoms.
Honey
Per
effectiveremedies.com, honey is one of the oldest remedies in the book for those with trouble breathing, which explains why it has the potential to help those with asthma. Honey contains various vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It can be consumed by the teaspoon, and mixed with hot water. It may be especially helpful to asthma sufferers with seasonal allergies, since these allergies can cause asthma flare-ups in some people, and local honey has been shown to be effective in helping to prevent seasonal allergic reactions.
While these remedies are not scientifically proven to help prevent asthma flare-ups, they are all commonly used as a means to do so. Managing asthma is critical for those who suffer from it. If that is you, then you might be the next person to find that one of these supplements can help ease your symptoms and improve your breathing.
