10 Popular Herbal Remedies for Asthma

Asthma is a frightening disease. Perhaps the worst part about it is that we don’t really know what causes it and we don’t really have a cure for it. All we can do is to ward off the symptoms so that they don’t get too bad, exercise properly to maintain the health of our lungs and avoid asthma triggers like dust, pet dander, smoke and foods that we’re allergic to. In terms of medication, most people rely on chemical inhalers to do the trick. However, some people use herbal remedies to reduce their problems with asthma.

10 popular herbal remedies used for treating asthma are:

1.     Eucalyptus. This is such a powerful scent that it is capable of opening up the breathing passages. Most people use it in the form of an oil. Take it into a sauna or steam room with you and inhale it there for maximum benefits. Alternatively, rub this oil beneath your nose before going to sleep at night. The most important thing to know about this oil is that in rare cases it can cause an allergic reaction which actually exacerbates the problems related to asthma rather than solving them. Make sure that you aren’t allergic to eucalyptus before using it as an asthma medication.

2.     Chamomile or Green Tea. Many people choose to indulge in the herbal benefits of tasty tees. These two types of tea are said to help reduce asthma symptoms. Chamomile tea acts as an antihistamine while green tea serves to open up the bronchial passages. Drink this tea a few times each day and you may find that your asthma symptoms nearly disappear!

3.     Ginger and Garlic Tea. These two ingredients are both considered to be herbal remedies for asthma problems. Combined together into a powerful tea, they can be effective in reducing wheezing and other uncomfortable asthma symptoms. Incidentally, both of these products are recommended on their own when stirred into a glass of milk. However, some people actually find that their asthma is worse when they drink a lot of milk so consider the different variables as you test out these different herbal remedies.

4.     Elderberry. This is something that is commonly used to treat all different types of nasal congestion. Although the problem with asthma is generally a constriction of the throat, opening up the nasal passages with this herbal remedy has been known to help ease breathing for some patients.

5.     Mustard Oil. This is an aromatherapy massage oil that is used to treat patients who suffer from asthma. The oil is rubbed into the back, shoulders and chest. Another option fur using mustard oil to treat your asthma is to inhale it. This is done by mixing ground mustard seeds into a pot of boiling water. Place your head over the pot (carefully) and breathe in the scent to reduce the problems associated with asthma.

6.     Lavender. This is another herbal remedy that is generally used as a massage oil. You can mix the lavender with oil and rub it directly on to the skin. As with mustard oil, it can also be inhaled through steamy water rather than massaged topically into the skin.

7.     Gingko. It is said that people have been treating asthma and other respiratory conditions with this herbal remedy for thousands of years although it’s a product that only recently become popular in the United States. Many people suffering from asthma say that regularly taking this herbal solution can help to reduce the problems experienced on a daily basis.

8.     Licorice Root. Most often consumed in tea form, licorice root is an herb that is used to treat cough and colds. People suffering from problems related to asthma may also benefit from taking this herbal remedy. However, it’s important to note that the main function of this product is to work as an expectorant, causing you to cough a lot. If your problem isn’t related to mucus build-up then you may find this treatment for asthma to be ineffective.

9.     Khella. This supplement, also known as Bishop’s Weed, is a product that can be obtained from health food stores. It is an herbal remedy for reducing smooth muscle spasms. This can help reduce the symptoms of asthma for some people. As with many other supplements, it can have side effects (headache, dizziness) but can also provide a lot of relief. This is an old herbal remedy but it hasn’t been widely tested in clinical trials so you’ll want to use it under the supervision of a doctor even though it does not require a prescription to obtain it.

10. BioVent Drops. This is an example of an over-the-counter herbal remedy that can be used to treat asthma. It actually includes one of the other ingredients on this list, chamomile, but combines that with several other ingredients to create an asthma-fighting, system-rejuvenating product. In addition to relieving asthma symptoms, this product is designed to boost your immune system. Avoiding colds is a great way to avoid some of the major problems associated with seasonal asthma!

It is important to note that asthma is a very serious disease and should be taken seriously as such. Although these herbal remedies are reported to work for a lot of people, you don’t want to rely on them without consulting your doctor first. It’s a wise idea to keep your other asthma medications on hand as a back-up solution in case these herbal remedies don’t work for you.