‘Tis The Season For Asthma: Try These Natural Remedies

Many artificial fragrances popular this time of year may irritate and provoke an attack in those with chronic asthma or allergies. Learn how you can manage your symptoms naturally!

Holiday decorations sparkle and glow around us. Every room is filled with the fragrances of the season: pine, cinnamon, gingerbread, pumpkin, peppermint and more. ‘Tis also the season for scented candles and fragrant air fresheners.  Artificial fragrances, especially when used in confined areas contaminate the air and may irritate and provoke an attack in those with chronic asthma or allergies.

What Causes Asthma Attacks?

When exposed to certain irritants or allergens, muscle spasm can become inflamed in the hypersensitive air passages, making it difficult to breathe. Thus, asthma is the result of an over-reaction of the immune system. This time of year, an acute asthma attack may be triggered by inhaling fireplace smoke or cigarette smoke, perfume, chemical fumes released into the air from scented sprays, plug-ins, candles, or fireworks. Even products labeled “natural” or “unscented” may also be problematic as they contain and release chemicals into the air that compromise your health.

Make The Switch For Your Health!

 If you haven’t already, it’s time to switch to 100% natural beeswax candles, or safer yet—diffuse pure essential oils like peppermint, pine, fir, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, ginger or orange for the holidays.

Natural Remedies for Asthma Relief

  • Vitamin B12 – decreases lung inflammation during an attack and may prevent future attacks. Yogurt, Greek or regular is a good source of vitamin B12 and has been found effective when consumed by asthmatics with sulfite sensitivity.
  • Vitamin B6 – Useful in treating asthma and allergies.
  • Vitamin C – Powerful antioxidant that protects lung tissue, increases airflow and thwarts infection and inflammation.
  • Vitamin D – deficiency has been linked with a 50 percent increase in the risk of severe asthma attacks.  Exposure to sunlight helps your body to naturally produce vitamin D. However, regular sun exposure does not guarantee optimal levels of vitamin D. Supplement with vitamin D3 to ensure adequate intake to prevent inflammation and to enhance immune function. Taking magnesium and vitamin K2 supplements along with vitamin D helps your body to assimilate vitamin D and convert it into its active form.
  • Magnesium  – a mineral that relaxes the bronchial tubes and esophagus muscle. Asthmatics are generally deficient in magnesium.
  • Lobelia extract– a beneficial herb used in the treatment of asthma and as an effective cough suppressant. Do not take on a regular basis. Consult your doctor for the correct dosage.
  • Avoid highly processed vegetable oils containing Omega-6 fatty acids: corn, cottonseed, canola, soybean and safflower oils, shortening and margarine.  Most Americans consume excessive amounts of Omega-6 fats. Deficiencies in Omega-3 fats have been linked to increased inflammation and allergies. Strive for a balanced intake of good sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats in your diet. Consume organic, unprocessed oils: extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, organic or grass-fed butter, avocados, and raw nuts and seeds.
  • Apples – Eating an apple a day may enhance lung function and prevent tissue damage, due to its Quercetin and other antioxidant content.
  • Quercetin – an antioxidant flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown in studies to improve lung function. Quercetin is found in many fruits and vegetables, such as red onions and garlic and is available in supplement form.
  • Coffee – Drink coffee for lung health and asthma relief, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. The chemical makeup of caffeine in coffee can give the same effect as the asthma drug, theophylline. Caffeine helps expand airways and keeps respiratory muscles strong. Drinking two cups of coffee can help you breathe better for up to four hours.

Important Note: Consult a natural healthcare provider for vitamin and mineral deficiency testing and to recommend appropriate supplements and dosages.

Ever heard of Asthma “Peak Week” in September?

Head - Ear pain
Deborah Tukua

Deborah Tukua is a natural living, healthy lifestyle writer and author of 7 non-fiction books, including Pearls of Garden Wisdom: Time-Saving Tips and Techniques from a Country Home, Pearls of Country Wisdom: Hints from a Small Town on Keeping Garden and Home, and Naturally Sweet Blender Treats. Tukua has been a writer for the Farmers' Almanac since 2004.

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Carolyn

Our local tv station did a special report on artificially scented products which included the fact that they are in the same category as carcinogins! I have chemical sensitivity. Reactions include, headache, diarrhea, asthma, and passing out. Yet when I have to leave an area where these products are being used, I have actually had people get mad, say I humiliated them, or tell me they’re sorry I don’t like their (perfume, etc.) Going to a laundromat to wash my oversized comforter? Can’t do it. Taking a walk outside? People doing laundry-using scented laundry products-I can’t walk by their home. Buying unscented laundry products? Means I have to hold my breath while I’m in that aisle due to scented products. Going to the theatre, movies, concert…nope-perfume, cologne. I know more and more folks who have developed scent related product sensitivity, too. We are killing ourselves. There is no treatment, just avoidance. It’s serious and life-threatening for folks like me.

Susan Higgins

Hi Carolyn, Wow, truly awful that you have to go through this! Good luck!

Jane

As irritating as it may be,ever thought of wearing proper surgical masks or n95 mask, while grocery shopping,laundromat visits? Just might give you a bit more freedom to go out. Know wearing the masks are a pain but,for you they might be a safeguard for your own health?

Pam Jacobs

Thanks for posting this article. I wish more people could understand the triggers of a person who has asthma and not just play it off as “it’s just in your head”! So many people are “uneducated” about the problems an asthmatic can have and that they are life threatening!

Patricia mccurry

this is an interesting article thanks for sharing

ali

Excellent article. Thank you for mentioning that vit K2 HAS to be taken in conjunction with vit D3, to get that calcium out of the bloodstream and into the bones where it belongs…very important! The other thing is that shouldn’t the B vits be taken in a complex form so it doesn’t offset the other b’s?

Marthann Fuhs

now if I can get my boss to get rid of that irritating crap

Patty

Your article was so helpful, thanks!

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