A lot of individuals today often turn to alternative or complementary remedies and treatments whenever they feel sick, or have a chronic illness. Most traditional, natural and alternative medications and mixtures are different from the standard medical treatments individuals generally get at the doctors' offices.
Among the natural and herbal remedies include herbs, dietary supplements, acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic and massage therapy, botanicals, homeopathy and nutrition.
How Asthma Affects An Individual
When an 18-year-old student, for example, suddenly develops wheezing and shortness of breath upon visiting his or her uncle who happens to have a cat, or a 30-year-old woman has colds that "always go into her chest," which causes coughing and heavy breathing.
The symptoms are all reflective of an asthma attack, and these are but some of the many faces of asthma. Asthma is a medical condition wherein there is chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes or airways, which causes swelling and narrowing of the airways. The result is difficulty breathing. The bronchial narrowing could either be total, or at least partially reversible with medications.
Alternative Treatments For Asthma
Most alternative or herbal remedies are often used alone, while the complementary treatments are used in tandem with the standard medications and treatments your doctor usually would prescribe. At present, there are lots of asthma herbal remedies and products available for use in treating the symptoms that are associated with asthma.
However, further research still need to be undertaken before anything clear can be established. Asthma patients seeking an alternative herbal treatment method should first discuss this with their doctor, before commencing on any kind of herbal treatment program. Here are some herbs and natural ingredients that have been studied to alleviate the conditions of asthma
- Vitamins and Oriental Herbs. It is widely believed that some Chinese herbs, like ding-chan tang, can decrease inflammation and relieve bronchospasm. Lab research has also shown that vitamin C helps alleviate the symptoms.
- Butterbur. This shrub grows perennially and can be found almost everywhere. This shrub has been noted a can be quite effective. This contains ingredients called petasin and isopetasin which are believed to help reduce muscle spasms and has potent anti inflammatory properties. .However, this particular herb should not be used by women who are either pregnant, or by those who suffer from either liver or kidney disease.
- Boswellia. More commonly referred to as Salai Guggal in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, this herb has been analyzed to aid in restricting the production of leukotrienes in the body. Leukotrienes are the compounds, when released in to the lungs, will cause the airways to become narrowed.
Asthma is a worrisome health condition that affects people in different ways. Each individual is unique in their degree of reactivity to environmental triggers. This naturally influences the type and dose of medication prescribed, which may vary from one individual to another.
Other alternative treatment modes also include Yoga. The breathing exercises utilized in yoga have been noted to help some asthmatics control breathing and relieve stress, a common asthma trigger, although no scientific evidence has yet been given to supports this.
Acupuncture has also been reported to aid in the Treatment of Asthma, however further studies are ongoing. In addition, learning to increase the amount of air inhaled, has effectively reduced fear and anxiety during an asthma attack for some.
