What is Asthma?

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory tract in which people find difficulties in breathing due to narrowing of the respiratory tract, especially the trachea. It can be triggered by dust, allergies, some foods, clothes, hair, or it could be passed down genetically.

Person suffering with asthma has bouts of bronchial asthma when the causative factors are in proximity. In between these bouts of bronchial asthma, the patient can lead a normal life. However, sometimes, the bouts are so severe that they may cause death of the person.

The asthmatic patient must carry a device called inhaler or respirator with them. This device opens up the respiratory canal and allows air to enter.

Causes of Asthma

Asthma is caused by a variety of factors.Some of them are...

1.Allergy
2.Choked lungs
3.Inflammation in the respiratory organs
4.Blockage in nostrils
5.Weather conditions
6.Allergy caused by weather conditions Food, drugs, perfumes and other irritants.
7.Allergies to dust are the most common

Symptoms of Asthma

1.Patients suffering from asthma appear to be gasping for breath. Actually, they have more difficulty in breathing out than breathing in, and this is caused by spasms or sudden involuntary muscular contractions of the smaller air passages in the lungs.

2.Choked lungs

3.Improper breathing

4.Congested chest

5.Cough

6.Inflammation in chest

7.Breathing with sound of a whistle

8.Thick mucus formation

Home treatments that are very useful in Asthma

1.Honey is one of the most common home remedies for asthma. It is said that if a jug of  honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with it, he starts breathing easier and deeper.

2.Figs have proved very valuable in asthma. They give comfort to the patient by draining off  the phlegm. Three or four dry figs should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked overnight.

3.Indian Gooseberry has also proved valuable in asthma. Five grams of gooseberry  mixed with one tablespoon of honey forms an effective medicinal tonic for the treatment of this disease. It should be taken every morning.

4.Lemon is another fruit found beneficial in the treatment of asthma. The juice of one  lemon, diluted in a glass of water and taken with meals, will bring good results.

5.The roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used in folk medicine for asthma since  ancient times. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal amount of honey or  juice of the holy basil leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent  medicine for this disease.

6.A soup prepared from Drumstick leaves, and taken once daily, has been found  beneficial in the treatment of asthma. This soup is prepared by adding a handful of    leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes. After being allowed to cool, a little  salt, pepper, and lime juice may be added to this soup.

7.A teaspoon of fresh Ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to  taste, acts as an excellent expectorant in cases of asthma. The decoction of fenugreek  can be made by mixing one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water. This  remedy should be taken once in the morning and once in the evening.

8.Garlic is another effective home remedy for asthma. Ten garlic cloves, boiled in 30 ml of  milk, make an excellent medicine for the early stages of asthma. This mixture should he  taken once daily by the patient. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in it,    can also help to keep the problem under control, and should be taken in the morning and  evening.

9.Safflower seeds are beneficial in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Half a teaspoon of  powder of the dry seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, can be taken once or twice a  day in treating this disease. This acts as an expectorant and reduces the spasms by  liquefying the tenacious sputum. An infusion of five grams of flowers mixed with one  tablespoon of honey, taken once daily, is also useful in this disease.

10.Take a steam inhalation of eucalyptus or lavender essential oils just during an attack and  immediately afterwards to ease panic and help open airways. It is very common natural  cure for asthma.

11.Make a glass of juice by adding 2/3 glass of carrot juice and 1/3 glass of spinach juice.  Take it thrice a day for asthma relief.

12.Make a mixture of 1/4 cup of onion juice, 1 teaspoon honey and 1/8 teaspoon black  pepper. It gives immediate relief from congestion and alleviate breathlessness.

13.Boil 8-10 cloves of garlic in ½ cup of milk and drink it at night. It is beneficial for early  stages of asthma.

14.Mix mustard oil with little camphor and massage it over the chest. This will loosen up  phlegm and help in breathing.