How to Treat Asthma Naturally

Some asthma sufferers prefer to treat their symptoms naturally, without the use of steroid-based medications that can, with overuse, actually worsen rather than heal their condition. A number of vitamins and minerals are known by doctors to reduce the inflammatory effects of an asthma attack, and other holistic treatments can also be very effective in managing asthma.

Things You'll Need

• Magnesium
• Wild licorice (coleus)
• Ginseng
• Vitamin C

Instructions

1. Know that asthma attacks introduce large amounts of harmful free radicals (molecules with unpaired electrons) to your body. You can counteract their harmful effects, which doctors believe can lead to a number of serious illnesses, by taking extra doses of Vitamin C and Vitamin E each day.

2. Treat your asthma by using ginseng. This popular Oriental herb has anti-inflammatory properties. Since asthma is, by nature, an inflammatory disease, ginseng can be used effectively to help manage bronchial irritation.

3. Take approximately 50 mg of wild licorice, also known as coleus, in combination with hot water. Done 2 to 3 times per day, wild licorice battles the lung inflammation caused by asthma naturally. Bear in mind, though, that wild licorice can increase the effectiveness of the steroids usually used to treat asthma. This treatment in particular should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor.

4. Use magnesium supplements to open up your lungs' air passages. 500 mg of magnesium, taken daily, can widen your bronchial tubes, facilitating easier breathing and reducing the chances of a severe asthma attack.

5. Eat more fish, nuts, seeds and flaxseed oil. They contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids that have been proven to reduce swelling in the lungs of asthma patients. Salmon and tuna, in particular, are loaded with these fatty acids.

6. Combine alternative treatments with conventional treatments if you simply want to use the former to alleviate and help reduce the severity of outbreaks, but wish to treat attacks using the usual medications. While many advocates laud the benefits of using holistic treatments because they address the root cause rather than just the symptoms of medical problems, they should not be relied upon to provide relief in the event of a serious asthma attack.

Tips & Warnings

• Discuss alternative asthma treatments with your doctor before you try to treat your condition naturally. Some natural means used to treat asthma, particularly coleus, can actually increase the efficacy of conventional medications. Others, when used in combination, can lead to potentially serious complications of your condition.