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Natural Remedies to Calm Asthma Symptoms

May 22, 2019 by Katie Wells
asthma signs and prevention
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What Is Asthma?+−
    • Symptoms of Asthma
    • Severity of an Asthma Attack
  • What Causes Asthma?
  • Natural Asthma Remedies+−
    • Moderate Exercise
    • Reduce Environmental Irritants
    • Deal With Stress
    • Try Himalayan Salt Therapy
    • Use Essential Oils
    • Consider Herbs
    • Change Your Diet
  • Using a Natural Remedy Arsenal for Asthma

I typically rely on allergy relief remedies when seasonal allergies creep up, but some of the things that can trigger allergies can also trigger asthma. If you or your child suffer from asthma (which is a growing problem!), you’ll be happy to know that there are lots of natural remedies for asthma that are surprisingly easy to use.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition where airways narrow, swell, and become inflamed. This can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and excess mucus production. The severity of asthma varies from person to person. For some, it’s a nuisance and for others, it can be much more serious.

Unfortunately, asthma typically begins in childhood (but can happen at any age).

Symptoms of Asthma

There are some obvious symptoms of asthma:

  • Coughing – often is worse at night or early in the morning which makes it difficult to sleep.
  • Wheezing – a whistling rattling, or squeaky sound with each breath.
  • Chest tightness – may feel like something is sitting on your chest or squeezing you.
  • Shortness of breath – either you can’t get enough air in, or can’t let it out.

Important note: Not all people who have asthma have any symptoms. Also, you can have these symptoms without having asthma. To diagnose asthma, your doctor may want to give you a lung function test along with using other diagnostic tools. As always, checking with a doctor is the best approach.

Severity of an Asthma Attack

Mild asthma is fairly common and usually can be addressed with natural remedies. It’s good to know the symptoms of each stage though, so you know when to seek a doctor’s care. (It’s always good to check in with your doctor even if you think you have only mild to moderate symptoms.)

  • Mild – slight wheezing and difficulty breathing but adequate air intake. This can be intermittent (fewer than twice a week) or persistent (more than twice a week).
  • Moderate – conspicuous wheezing, respiratory distress at rest, use of abdominal muscles to breathe. These flare-ups can make regular activities and sleeping difficulty.
  • Severe – obvious respiratory distress, blue skin (especially the nail beds and lips), absent breath sounds.
  • Respiratory Failure – severe respiratory distress, lethargy, confusion, sweating, low blood pressure.

If you or someone you know is having an asthma attack that resembles severe or respiratory failure, call 911 right away.

What Causes Asthma?

Experts still don’t know for sure what causes asthma. However, they believe it is a combination of environmental irritants and genetic predisposition. Some possible triggers are:

  • physical activity ( especially running)
  • certain medications like beta blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen (Aleve)
  • cold air, wind, or other weather extremes
  • strong emotions or stress
  • sulfites and preservatives added to food
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • impaired antioxidant defenses (and subsequent oxidative stress)

Additionally, there are some risk factors that make certain people more likely to get asthma. Risk factors for asthma include:

  • family history – if a close relative has asthma, you’re more likely to have it too
  • respiratory infections
  • allergies – people with allergies (Like eczema or hay fever) are more likely to develop asthma.
  • exposure to environmental irritants –  pet dander, pollution, cigarette smoke, chemicals,  and workplace toxins can make it more likely that a person develops asthma.
  • obesity – both children and adults who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop asthma. it’s unclear why this is true. Some experts believe it has to do with inflammation associated with obesity.

One interesting theory that researchers have for what causes asthma is the “hygiene hypothesis.” Basically, this hypothesis says that in the Western world we worry a lot about cleanliness and sanitation. Because of this, children aren’t exposed to germs and have fewer illnesses. Because of the reduction in exposure to these illnesses and germs, kids’ immune systems don’t grow as robust as they could. This is why I stopped using antibacterial cleaners at home.)

Natural Asthma Remedies

Typically, doctors treat asthma symptoms with steroid inhalers and bronchodilators. Steroid inhalers help quickly reduce inflammation to open the airway. But they have some side effects (just listen to a commercial for asthma medicine!).

Asthma medication certainly may be life-saving and important (always check with your doctor), but how can you support your health in other ways? Natural remedies for asthma can help with mild to moderate asthma symptoms.

Most of all, treating symptoms when they first appear is important for avoiding more serious or severe symptoms.

Moderate Exercise

Intense exercise may make asthma symptoms worse but moderate or mild exercise can help strengthen the lungs and reduce inflammation. A 2005 review found that lack of physical activity may be one cause of asthma and that physical activity should be a prescription for all asthmatics.

Reduce Environmental Irritants

Since environmental irritants can cause or exacerbate asthma, reducing them makes sense as a preventative measure.

  • Don’t smoke
  • Use an air filter in your house or the workplace
  • Use natural cleaners and body products (instead of chemicals)
  • Consider getting rid of rugs or carpets (they could harbor dust mites)
  • Clean (and dust) living space often
  • Remediate mold

Everything you can do to reduce dust or other allergens in your home is a great first step!

Deal With Stress

Stress is more of a health risk than many of us realize. In fact, high levels of stress can completely undo all of the other healthy things you may be doing (like eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly). Research published in 2014 shows that asthma has a psychological trigger. It also explains that breathing exercises can reduce asthma symptoms for many patients.

Additionally, a review in the Journal of Asthma found that meditation may be beneficial to asthma sufferers (but higher quality studies are needed).

Try Himalayan Salt Therapy

Some asthma sufferers swear by salt therapy for their symptoms. Salt caves or Himalayan salt inhalers are two ways of experiencing salt therapy. There’s not much information about salt therapy for asthma. However, one study published in Pneumologia does say it could be beneficial (though researchers couldn’t rule out placebo effect). Salt therapy seems to be safe, so it may be worth a try.

Use Essential Oils

When used safely, essential oils can be a great addition to a natural remedy kit. These essential oils are great for easing asthma symptoms:

  • Peppermint – can help stop the release of histamine. Can also soothe inflamed airways (peppermint contains menthol).
  • Lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and roman chamomile – known anti-inflammatory oils that may reduce one of the root causes of asthma, inflammation

My favorite ways to use essential oils is to diffuse them or use them topically. If used topically, dilute in a carrier oil and use to massage on the skin (the chest is a good place to start). Always be sure to use a quality brand.

Consider Herbs

Herbal medicine is another way to treat asthma symptoms without the side effects of steroids. A Chinese medicine herbal formula called ASHMI has been found in clinical trials to be only slightly less effective than prednisone for treating asthma. This herbal blend includes reishi, Chinese liquorice, and shrubby sophora. (Check with a doctor before to avoid interactions any medications.)

Change Your Diet

Diet is one of the most important things we can focus on to optimizing health. A high nutrient diet rich in antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory compounds can help avoid the inflammatory response that asthma can create. Other nutrients to include in the diet are the following:

  • Vitamin C – Children who ate vitamin C-rich fruit were less likely to have wheezing. A clinical review also found that vitamin C plays a part in the metabolism of histamine and prostaglandins. These compounds are involved in the constriction of the airway during an asthma attack. Here is how I supplement vitamin C.
  • Carotenoids – Carotenoids are the compounds that give vegetables their yellow, orange, or red pigment (think carrots, peppers, and tomatoes). A 2005 study found that those with asthma had lower circulating levels of carotenoids. Carotenoids also fight oxidative stress which is one potential cause of asthma. So as always, eat those colorful veggies!
  • Folate – Folate is an important vitamin for many processes in the body. It’s especially important during pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects. A 2010 study found that folate may even help prevent asthma. Higher folate levels in the blood were associated with a lower risk for allergic tendencies and wheezing in participants. (Just be sure to take the right form.)
  • Magnesium – Magnesium sulfate IVs are a standard treatment for asthma attacks that land patients in the hospital. But it seems that increasing dietary magnesium could be beneficial in improving symptoms too. One study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that higher levels of magnesium in the diet were associated with improved symptoms (though not better airflow). Magnesium is an important mineral that many of us are deficient in, so it’s worth upping your intake. Magnesium is in dark chocolate, avocados, nuts, and fish like salmon, mackerel, and halibut. Dietary magnesium is good but is hard for some people to absorb. Magnesium is best absorbed through the skin with a magnesium oil spray.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids –  Omega-3s found in fatty fish like anchovies and salmon are excellent for reducing inflammation. A 2015 study also found that a lower level of omega-3s may be related to asthma. It also found that a greater intake of omega-3 resolved inflammation in asthma sufferers. This is my preferred source.
  • Sulforaphane – Cruciferous vegetable like broccoli and cabbage contain this compound that can be beneficial for asthma sufferers. It increased antioxidant enzymes that can protect against free radicals and oxidative stress in a UCLA study. Here’s how to get it at home from sprouts!
  • Raw dairy products (or none altogether) – Dairy intake can cause mucus production which can exacerbate asthma symptoms. But raw milk can be beneficial. A study published in Frontiers of Immunology discovered that raw milk actually prevents airway inflammation in asthma sufferers.

Using a Natural Remedy Arsenal for Asthma

Asthma symptoms are a nuisance at best and dangerous at worse. Luckily there are some natural remedies for asthma that can help you prevent the onset of asthma symptoms for you or your child, and make daily life more enjoyable.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Lauren Jefferis, board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or work with a doctor at SteadyMD.

Do you or a family member suffer from asthma? What remedies work best for you?

Sources:

  1. Wood, L. G., Garg, M. L., Blake, R. J., Garcia-Caraballo, S., & Gibson, P. G. (2005, December). Airway and circulating levels of carotenoids in asthma and healthy controls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16373941
  2. Matsui, E. C., & Matsui, W. (2009, June). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2693474/
  3. The effects of vitamin C on asthma should be also be studied. (2018, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5517/rr/797361 
  4. Hill, J., Micklewright, A., Lewis, S., & Britton, J. (1997, October). Investigation of the effect of short-term change in dietary magnesium intake in asthma. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9387944
  5. Role of omega-3 fatty acids and their metabolites in asthma and allergic diseases. (2014, October 27). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1323893014000100 
  6. Lucas, S. R., & Platts-Mills, T. A. (2005, May). Physical activity and exercise in asthma: Relevance to etiology and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15867847 
  7. Breathing exercises for asthma. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/10/4/312
  8. Paudyal, P., Jones, C., Grindey, C., Dawood, R., & Smith, H. (2018, July). Meditation for asthma: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28853958 
  9. Cernomaz, T. A., Bolog, S. G., & Mih?escu, T. (n.d.). The effect of a dry salt inhaler in adults with COPD. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18019972 

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Category: Natural Remedies

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (9 Comments)

  1. Stephanie Panziera

    March 15, 2020 at 2:08 PM

    Please be careful of eucalyptus or any inhaled oil. These can actually send my son into an asthma attack. Very dangerous especially for children under 12.

    Reply
  2. Julie

    August 22, 2019 at 4:06 AM

    The peppermint oil Eucalyptus and tea tree oils help my asthma and COPD but the lavender sends me into an attack and quick

    Reply
  3. Maggie

    May 26, 2019 at 1:44 PM

    I had developed asthma symptoms four years ago , so bad that I was laying on the floor and gasping for air. It was completely out of the blue and nobody in my family ever had any asthma before.
    After months of using the inhaler and the emergency inhaler I decided that I had enough and went to my Chinese herbalist. She gave me a mixture of different herbs, which changed every month over the course of three to four months. They tasted awful, but at the end I was almost completely healed from my symptoms. Now I only use two puffs a week from my regular inhaler and I am hoping to completely wean myself off the inhaler after our humid summer season.
    I can not thank my herbalist enough for healing me!

    Reply
    • Amanda

      March 4, 2020 at 11:06 AM

      Hello! I saw your comment and I was wondering where you live. I live in Houston and my asthma Is terrible here. I am interested in finding a doctor like yours.

      Reply
      • Maggie

        March 4, 2020 at 6:29 PM

        I live in New Hampshire, so it is not as humid here as in Houston, I can imagine your asthma must be pretty bad down there.
        You need to find a well established Chinese herbalist or a Chinese acupuncturist who is a proper doctor, so basically studied acupuncture for at least four to six years and knows what he/she is doing. There are a lot of western medical practitioners who take a few months of acupuncture classes and say they know how to do acupuncture, but they don’t. So be careful. Unfortunately I do not know anybody in the Houston area, but it is a big city, so you should find somebody there.
        Also, your best gauge for a good Chinese doctor is if they have a few Chinese clients, especially older ones. ?
        Good luck!

        Reply
    • sheryl

      October 11, 2020 at 11:12 PM

      What was the name of your herbalist who helped your asthma?

      Reply
      • Maggie

        October 13, 2020 at 9:07 AM

        I f you live in the Manchester area, you probably know the Amoskeag Bridge exit. On the Bridge is a accupuncture studio called Family Accupuncture, the doctor shares the building with the Chiropractors office.
        My doctor’s name is Kady. Her last name is difficult to spell, you want to go into the office building and ask the front desk for her inforamtion. They should be able to give you her details. She also has an office in Tyngsborough , Massachusettes.
        HTH,
        Maggie

        Reply
  4. Deborah

    May 26, 2019 at 8:03 AM

    I have had asthma all my life. While some of this information is helpful and works, please note that steroid inhalers do not work to quickly reduce inflammation. Steroid medicines are used to prevent and maintain reduced inflammation, but are not helpful in the midst of an attack. Bronchodilators are the emergency inhalers for quick relief. Also, eucalyptus essential oil can trigger worse coughing and increase difficulty breathing when asthma is present. This may not be for all sufferers, but it is for some. So many blog articles saying eucalyptus is ok for asthma seem to have crowded out the articles that recognize this it’s potential for worse we symptoms.

    Reply
  5. Tawnee

    May 24, 2019 at 9:28 PM

    It’s like I called you and asked for help and you said ok. This year 2 of my kids (5 and 14) have been told by the doctor they have sports induced asthma and I don’t want them on medicine. Thank you for this.

    Reply

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