Relieve Asthma
by Ysanne Spevack
Asthma affects about a quarter of all children in the UK as well as many adults. It is a very distressing and debilitating condition, but there’s so much you can do to alleviate symptoms and keep your asthma under control. Here’s ten top alternative ways you can help yourself or your child feel so much better.
- Cut down on all dairy products. If at all possible, completely cut out all dairy for at least 6 weeks, and you’ll notice a huge difference. If your child usually drinks a lot of milk, try some of the delicious alternatives like almond, flavoured soya, rice or pea milk.
- Radically cut down on wheat, sugary foods and caffeine, fizzy artificial drinks, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, eggs, oranges and aspirin. Try rice cakes and spelt bread, herb teas, natural fizzy drinks, carob and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. And eat more natural licorice sticks, onions and garlic.
- Chuck out your chintz! Use allergy-free bed linen, and once a month freeze your duvets and pillows for 24 hours to kills dust mites. Fit vinyl or hardwood flooring if possible instead of fitted carpets, or use a vacuum cleaner with dust mite filters, plus get an ioniser.
- Always use hypo-allergenic natural toiletries, especially replacing perfumed spray products such as deodorants. Use non-biological unperfumed ecological washing powder or liquid for your laundry.
- Thyme and elecampagne are two highly effective harbs which can be taken as teas or tinctures. Both are bronchiodilators and attack infection in the chest. It is also highly recommended to visit a medical herbalist for an examination and specific advice for you or your child.
- Many people find symptomatic relief of mild asthma by using essential oils. To replace a bedtime milk bottle, try putting 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of Frankincense, 2 drops of Roman chamomile and 2 drops of marjoram onto your child’s pillow. This blend of oils is warm, soothing and comforting, relaxes muscles around the lungs and deepens breathing.
- The Chinese herbs Dong Quai and Scutellaria baicalensis are very effective, as are lobelia and licorice. Try acupuncture, as it is particularly good for asthma, and visit a Chinese medical herbalist.
- Try a large dose of evening primrose oil daily for at least 3 months. The benefits are often subtle, but can generally increase your health.
- Improve the strength of your lungs with gentle exercise like swimming, tai chi or yoga. Alternatively, visit a breathwork practitioner for tuition in breathing techniques.
- Take a daily supplement of Vitamins B12, C and E, plus a twice daily dose of Vitamin B6. Also supplement your diet with calcium and magnesium, selenium and carotenes.
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