Keep Asthma Symptoms Under Control With These Natural, Supplemental Treatments

If you experience wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath when exposed to allergens, after exercise, or when you have a cold, chances are good that your symptoms are caused by asthma. You should certainly visit a doctor to confirm this diagnosis and make sure that nothing more sinister is going on. If your symptoms are moderate to severe, your doctor is likely to recommend a daily steroid medication to keep your attacks under control.

If you are diagnosed with mild asthma, however, you may just be given an emergency inhaler to use when you feel an asthma attack coming on. Use your medications as directed, and consider using these safe and natural treatments for supplemental care. They'll help reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks without the worry of side effects.

Ginger Tea

Ginger has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and recently, it has gained a lot of attention for its asthma treatment potential. Research suggests that a certain compound in ginger may help the muscles in your airways to relax by inhibiting a certain enzyme that contributes to asthma attacks. Since ginger grows in the ground and may be subject to pesticide contamination, buying fresh organic ginger is the best choice. Enjoy it in a ginger tea, or add it to stir fries and salads on a regular basis.

Making a tea from fresh ginger is easy. Simply place a few thin slices of fresh ginger root in the bottom of a heat-proof mug, and pour boiling water over them. Let the tea steep for 5–10 minutes before straining out the ginger. Sweeten with raw honey if desired, and enjoy.

Figs

There are many different varieties of figs, but they seem to share the same asthma relief properties. Purchase whichever variety of figs appears to be the freshest and sweetest at your local produce market. The fresher the figs, the more antioxidants they'll contain. These antioxidants will help keep your asthma attacks to a minimum.

Harness the benefits of fresh figs by soaking them in warm water overnight. This will make them even softer and easier to consume. The next morning, eat the softened figs, and drink the water in which they soaked. This should help clear your throat of mucus and inflammation.

Strong Coffee

If you're a coffee lover, then the fact that coffee can help ease an asthma attack is good news. This is a remedy to keep in your arsenal for times when you feel an asthma attack coming on but don't have an inhaler nearby. Coffee is not likely to prevent attacks when consumed regularly. If you feel your throat starting to get scratchy and you don't have an inhaler nearby, drink two cups of strong coffee quickly. The caffeine will help your airways to relax, and the warm liquid will soothe your throat even further.

Eucalyptus Oil

Inhaling the aroma of eucalyptus oil on a regular basis may help keep your airways more open and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. This is also a good supplemental treatment to use in conjunction with your inhaler when you feel an attack coming on.

You should never apply eucalyptus oil directly to your chest because it could cause a burning sensation. Instead, mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil with an ounce of vegetable oil, and apply a little of this mixture to your chest before bedtime in order to open your airways.

You could also try making a eucalyptus stream by simmering 3 cups of water and 1/4 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil in a pan. Remove the mixture from the heat once it comes to a simmer. Place it on a table, and hang your head over the steaming pot, inhaling the steam deeply into your lungs.

Asthma attacks can be serious and even deadly if not treated properly. Always follow your doctor's orders when it comes to taking your asthma medications, and don't attempt to use these natural remedies in their place. These remedies are simply meant to be used as supplements to standard asthma treatments.

Check out sites like http://www.oakbrookallergists.com for more information.