ASTHMA
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW AND CURE YOURSELF

Shortness of breath, tightness of chest, coughing, and wheezing are awful to experience yourself and terrible to watch in others. These experiences are a common part of an asthmatic person’s life.

The million-dollar question is, does it have to be this way?

The answer is a resounding NO.

I say this with so much confidence because I am a survivor! I developed asthma as a young adult. I was miserable for years and now it has been 6 years since I last used an inhaler or experienced any of the symptoms.

This can be your reality.

The approach is quite simple. However, I believe in comprehensive education. The more you know, the more you can take charge of your health. This is why I recommend you read on carefully to the very end.

In order to win a battle, we need to know our enemy; in this case, asthma.

WHAT IS ASTHMA

Asthma is a condition which inflames and narrows your airways. When you breathe air, it moves into your lungs through your wind pipe or trachea; which is connected to large tubes called bronchi. Bronchi is divided into smaller tubes called bronchioles and attached to them are small sacks called alveoli. These are responsible for supplying oxygen to your body and removing carbon dioxide from it.

Your bronchioles expand when the air you breathe is warm, moist, and free of irritants and allergens. When the air is cold, dry, or contains irritants or irritants, your bronchioles contract. If you have asthma, your airways are frequently inflamed and swollen. Your airways also produce thick mucus which makes the condition worse. Certain substances can cause your inflamed airways to constrict even more, resulting in asthma attacks. We will discuss this in detail a little later.

Here are some not-so-fun facts about asthma from the World Health Organization:

• According to WHO estimates, 235 million people suffer from asthma.
• Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.
• Asthma is not just a public health problem for high income countries: it occurs in all countries regardless of level of development. Over 80% of asthma deaths occurs in low and lower-middle income countries.
• Asthma is under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime.

Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or chest pain
• Inability to sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing when lying down
• A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu
• Night coughs; this is usually the beginning of asthma and if addressed immediately, can prevent development of other symptoms

The following signs indicate that your asthma is worsening:

• Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome
• Increasing difficulty breathing (measurable with a peak flow meter, a device used to check how well your lungs are working)
• The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

Many of the asthma sufferers are unable to lie down and sleep due to their inability to breathe properly, and accumulate many conditions associated with that.

These symptoms may occur several times in a day or week in affected individuals, and for some people become worse during physical activity or at night. These symptoms vary in severity and frequency from person to person.

WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA

Asthma is a chronic breathing disorder when bronchi of the lungs constrict and prevent proper breathing. Asthma gets triggered differently in different people. These are the most common irritants which trigger asthma in most people:

• indoor allergens (for example house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, mold, pollution and pet dander);
• outdoor allergens (such as pollens and molds);
• tobacco smoke; and
• chemical irritants in the workplace
• Foods—commonly, fish, shellfish, eggs, peanuts and soy
• Other triggers can include…

• cold air,
• extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and
• physical exercise
• respiratory infection
• certain medications such as aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and migraine).
• Urbanization has also been associated with an increase in asthma—pollutants, fumes, large populations living in close proximity of each other, pets and owners living in tight closed off spaces together, lack of open green spaces in urban areas are all responsible for this rising epidemic.

And it is an epidemic.

Asthma, among children and adults alike, is rising at an alarming rate.

It is definitely a cause of concern, but there is no need to panic. If I can cure my asthma and not have an attack in 6 years, you can too.

HOW IS ASTHMA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASES?

Modern medicine differentiates asthma from other obstructive lung diseases based on two major variables:

• Variability = fluctuations in symptoms and lung function over time
• Reversibility = improvement with the administration of albuterol

You can’t diagnose yourself. Leave it to the experts. If you notice any of the above symptoms, and they persist, especially night coughs, you need to visit a doctor. It is important that you have proper diagnosis from the doctor in order to administer correct treatment. Let’s get the proper diagnosis from the contemporary medicine and then let the Natural medicine perform its miracles.

THE KEY!

We can talk about asthma, remedies, treatments, cures, but none of it matters unless we talk about the causes, and remove them.

Asthma goes hand in hand with allergies. Asthma is almost always caused by allergens irritating and causing the spasms in bronchi of lungs, triggering breathing difficulties.

These allergens can take many forms and shapes, but the bottom line is that these are allergies and unless we address these allergies, we cannot effectively prevent asthma and cure the damaged lungs.

As we discussed in our article on Allergies, we cannot effectively overcome allergies and asthma, unless we address the underlying cause of it all—the immune system. Weak immune system, allergies and asthma make the dirty triangle. You will hardly find one without the others.

So, let’s take a segue and talk about immune system and how we can strengthen it to help our bodies overcome the allergens and thus prevent recurring asthma and allergy attacks.

After that, we can talk about asthma treatments.

WHY DO I HAVE A WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM?

This is where you need to really pay attention.

Often our health issues start before we are even born. We derive our first nutrients from our mothers while we are still inside them. Our health, or lack of, is very intimately tied to their health and what they eat.

If the mother neglects her diet during pregnancy and doesn’t have necessary nutrients OR if she has a genetic problem, then it affects the child and is the beginning of all future immune related issues.

This is the first and the most important reason behind immune related issues. However, it is not the only thing. There are many things which contribute to it overtime. Some of these are…

• Neglect of proper diet for the growing child, especially if the child is a picky eater. Often parents give into the child’s demands and allow him to eat whatever he likes and not what’s good for him.
• Baby formula given to the child; sometimes, the effects of the formula are not immediate but overtime it begins to affect child’s health. The best for any baby is mother’s milk as it strengthens immune system. However, if for some reason the baby cannot be given breastmilk then the best option is goat milk as it is closest to breastmilk. All the formulas should be given under the guidance and consultation of the pediatrician. It is also important to closely monitor the baby for any abnormal developments such as hives, rashes etc after switching to formula.
• Introducing wrong foods at the wrong time can also lead to developing allergies later on in life. ex. sugar, dairy, strawberry, chocolate, nuts, seafood should all be avoided in the first two years of life. Another common mistake parents sometimes make with babies is instead of introducing a new food to the system, they give large quantities. The right approach is to introduce only one new food item at a time and give a small quantity. Let’s say you give baby oatmeal for the first time, only give a spoon and wait for 2 to 3 days before giving it again. Also, do not introduce any other food during that week. You want to know if the baby is able to handle the food or is reacting to it in anyway. Meanwhile, you also do not want to overwhelm the tiny body’s system by giving too many new substances.
    
  Another thing I would advise against is using store-bought baby food as it contains preservatives. Even if it is high quality organic food, they need to add preservatives to elongate the shelf life. Home-made food is the safest and most healthy for your baby.

  You also want to avoid store bought biscuits and baby cereals. They contain a lot of ingredients and if your baby reacts to something, you wouldn’t know what is causing the problem. Avoid these for at least the first 2 years of baby’s life until their immune system is familiarized with most food and environmental substances and is stronger.

• Don’t introduce solid food to your baby too early. Baby’s digestive system is very delicate. The ideal food for their system is breastmilk and then soft fruits and vegetables. Usually babies start showing signs of interest in foods between 4 to 6 months. Just because they are showing interest does not mean they are ready to handle complex foods. Do not feed them grains, legumes and saucy foods as their digestive system is not developed enough to break these foods down. Only introduce simple fruits and vegetables during the first 9 months of life.
• Don’t be paranoid and not give any solids to the child at all during the first 2 years of life. Some people become paranoid and insist on keeping the baby exclusively on breastmilk for the first 2 years of life. This is not healthy either. Babies can eat simple fruits and vegetables and they should be exposed to them otherwise their bodies can become weak.
• Do not allow the child’s habit and likes and dislikes to override what is good for the child. As an adult, you know what is good for them, they don’t. They will eat what you give them. If you introduce chicken nuggets to them at 7 months, this is what they will like and demand. I know it is easier said than done, but what is important is that it is doable. There are children in this world who have never tasted sugar, who have never eaten potato chips and eat their broccoli. It is all about your discipline and values. If you give in to their demands, you are only doing them and yourself a disservice.
• Feed your children locally grown, organic products as much as possible.
    
  Why local grown? Because local grown products are healthier for your immune system. When your food is grown in the soil near you, and the bees have helped pollinate the crops using the pollen from the same environment, there is a very low chance you will develop allergies to that soil, that pollen, the local plants etc.

  Why organic produce? Organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals. It is not the food that are harmful to our systems, it is these chemicals that our bodies can’t recognize and can’t eliminate. What do you think happens to systems of little bodies when they are loaded with chemicals? Of course, their immune system is affected and compromised when it has to fight so many unwanted substances.

• STOP eating leftovers, especially if they have not been stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Even if stored properly, leftovers should be avoided on a regular basis. Here is why…

  Have you taken food out of the refrigerator after a few days and it stinks? Do you think it spoils overnight? Once you cook the food, the disintegration process and bacterial work has already started. When you store the food in the refrigerator, this process slows down but doesn’t end entirely. When you eat leftovers from 2 to 3 days before, they may not have spoiled yet but there is bacterial activity happening. When you consume that food, your immune system gets busy trying to remove the harmful bacteria from your system that entered with that food.

  Overtime, this constant fight can exhaust the immune system and make it weak; especially if the body’s intake of highly nutritious food is low.

Let’s go back to our original point…

Immune system does not become weak overnight. The well-being of our immune system starts before our birth and is affected by the choices that are initially made for us, and then the choices we make as we grow.

If a child grows up with bad eating and lifestyle habits, the body eventually becomes weak and does not have what it needs. That’s when the immune system gets so weak that the body starts developing intolerances to foods and environmental stressors.

Take for example, children who eat the same food daily such as Nutella sandwiches, chicken nuggets, peanut butter, no fruits or vegetables, a lot of nuts, or excessive amounts of anything in short time which the body cannot handle. It causes imbalance in the body generating a weak immune system.

Over the years these poor habits wreak havoc on the immune system and body becomes susceptible to diseases and allergies. The weak immune system is the root cause of allergies, and allergies cause asthma.

HOW DO ALLERGIES PROGRESS?

Weak immune system means the body can’t protect itself from germs, infections and other harmful invaders.

What happens when a child gets a cold or flu? They can’t breathe from their nose and start breathing from their mouth. This is an unnatural way of breathing which has a huge impact on a person’s health. In our context, it deprives body of proper oxygen supply. This affects the health of lungs, and weakens the immune system.

The same goes for when people don’t blow their nose properly and eventually develop the habit of breathing from their mouths.

If the child (or adult) has chronic sinus, allergies, and nasal congestion, there is internal dripping, especially at the time of sleeping. Overtime this develops mucus in the lungs and starts a new ailment—asthma.

WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM ➔ALLERGIES / COLD / FLU ➔ASTHMA

This, in a nutshell, is the reason(s) behind allergies, and eventual development of asthma. Weak immune system, allergies and asthma go hand in hand.

This leads us to the next big question…

HOW DO I STRENGTHEN MY IMMUNE SYSTEM?

Our health is a combination of foods we eat, foods we do not eat, our physical activity, or lack of physical activity, lifestyle, & good and bad habits.

What we eat, drink, do and don’t makes us who we are, and how we are.

If you want to change anything about your health, you have to change your habits.

NOTE: The only form of allergy this approach may not work on is food allergies. We will discuss food allergies as a separate topic. For all other forms of allergies, you can trust this approach and be prepared to see some amazing results!

Here are some of the things that can help strengthen your immune system and help you overcome allergies.

IMMUNE BOOSTING FOODS

Increase these foods in your diet, unless you are allergic to them:

• Raw, local honey; you want to make sure it is local honey because the bees have gathered the nectar from plants whose pollen is causing you allergies. When you eat local honey daily, by the time the pollen season rolls around, your body begins to recognize it as a regular part of the environment and not an invader.
• Manuka honey; the best immune booster you can consume. It is four times richer in its nutritional value as regular flower honeys. It is often pricey but it is worth the investment if you consume it as medicine.
• Hot spicy peppers; they contain capsaicin which is a vasodilator and helps expand airways to ease breathing, removing phlegm, decongestion, and aids in proper intake of and distribution of oxygen in the body.
• Bone broth; strengthens the immune system starting from your GI tract. You should ideally consume it year-round.
• Probiotic-rich foods; fermented vegetables like kimchi or sauerkraut if you are experiencing allergies at the moment. If you don’t have allergies, then strengthening your body with goat milk kefir, yogurt, or probiotic supplements.
• Pineapple
• Apples & Apple Cider vinegar
• Fresh organic grass-fed meat
• Free-range organic poultry
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Onion
• Lemons
• Green Tea
• Sweet Potatoes
• Ginger
• Collard Greens
• Flaxseeds or flaxseeds oil
• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices

These foods are not only immune boosters, they are great for asthma as well. Remember, allergy, asthma and immune system go hand in hand. What hurts one, hurts the rest; what helps one, helps the rest!

What foods should I avoid?

• The foods that cause inflammation in the body should be avoided at all costs; at least long enough for body to calm down and reset itself. These foods include:
  • Wheat
  • Dairy
  • Alcohol, especially beer
  • Caffeine
  • Peanuts (nuts in general)
  • Sugar
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Processed foods / fast foods / refined foods
  • Melons & bananas (they are damp and can cause mucus)
  • Sulfites:

    Sulfites are used as preservatives to stretch out the shelf life of products and to prevent discoloration. These are very irritable for people with asthma. Some of the most common foods which contain sulfites and asthmatics should stay away from are:

    • Wine or beer
    • Dried fruits
    • Frozen shrimp and other frozen shellfish
    • Pickles, relishes, salad dressings
    • Instant mashed potatoes in a packet
    • Canned fruits & bottled fruit juices, especially citrus fruits

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR ASTHMA

If you follow the following steps, I can assure you that 99% of your symptoms should disappear. If you continue to follow these even when you are no longer experiencing the symptoms, there is no reason why you can’t reverse your asthma entirely!

1. It always starts with food! Determine your food sensitivities. You might not realize it but your body is reacting to certain foods you are consuming. Keep a close eye on your food intake and see if what you eat is causing wheezing, discomfort or producing phlegm.
   If you can’t determine yourself what might be causing your food sensitivities, you can get an IgG and IgE antibodies test done.

   Some of the most common foods which cause sensitivity in the body are:
   

   • Grains, especially those that contain gluten such as wheat
   • Dairy, because of a protein called casein which is found in most conventional dairy
   • Soy, corn, peanuts
2. Eliminate foods that cause phlegm build up, especially:
   • Sugar
   • Dairy
   • Bananas
3. Diet that you need to follow to eliminate phlegm and asthma symptoms:
   • High in fruits and vegetables: will not cause you to produce phlegm; they are high in enzymes and phytonutrients which will help open up the airways; and they reduce inflammation. Especially great are fruits which are high in Vitamin C such as citrus fruits and pineapples.
   • Easily digestible proteins such as eggs and lean meat.
   • Omega 3 fatty acids: chia seeds, flax seeds, fresh wild caught fish, grass-fed beef
   • Warm foods: bone broth soup; chicken, meat, and vegetable soups

HOW TO REMOVE MUCUS FROM THE LUNGS

You already know that when irritated, your airways secrete mucus. If it is not removed, it can further irritate and clog the bronchi and lungs, causing a secondary infection of the upper respiratory system. This is when doctors prescribe you antibiotics.

There is no need to let it get that far. At the first sign of the symptoms, use the following natural remedies to help remove mucus:

• Honey: it has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties. It is ideal to fight irritants in the body and helps strengthen the immune system. Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with a pinch of ground black pepper and consume twice daily.
• Lemon Water: Helps remove phlegm from the throat and lungs. Mix 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water. Drink as often as you like.
• Chicken soup: Hot soup helps expand the airways, give energy to the body, and clears throat and lungs of secretions. Add garlic to the soup while cooking to make it a super-soup.

HERBS TO TREAT ASTHMA

• Moringa: It a very rich plant with the potential to treat hundreds of ailments. Moringa is rich in nutrients and helps the body properly absorb the nutrients. Therefore, it can be very helpful in strengthening the immune system by helping the body make use of the nutrients that are being consumed. In lab researches, Moringa seeds reduced the Th2 response in animals with allergic asthma. It is recommended to drink up to 2 cups of Moringa tea daily.
• Oregano: It is a powerful herb which is widely used in the treatment of asthma. It has many anti-inflammatory properties and contains flavonoids, carvacrol and terpenes. These help clean the lungs. It is recommended to drink 2 to 3 cups of oregano tea a day.
• Slippery Elm: It provides relief from coughing and tightening of the chest. Drink a cup of this tea for quick relief as soon as the symptoms arise. Continue for 5 to 7 days and then discontinue the use until needed again.
• Licorice: It has a systemic anti-inflammatory effect on the lungs which helps to reduce inflammation of the bronchioles and eases the breathing. Drink a cup of licorice tea daily, even if you don’t have the symptoms.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is elixir of life. You name a health issue, turmeric can help cure it. Drink turmeric tea, or golden milk (turmeric cooked in milk) before bed and say goodbye to asthma.
• Lemongrass: Lemongrass can be used both fresh and dried. You can make a cup of tea and drink it hot. Or you can make a pot of tea, cool it, store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container and drink it cold.
• Echinacea: It has antibiotic properties and helps treat cold and flu related symptoms including phlegm and mucus. Steep Echinacea root and dried leaves in hot water to make tea and drink twice daily.

How to Make Herbal Teas:

➢  Add 3 teaspoons of the herb in a pot
➢  Pour 1 cup of boiling water on top and cover
➢  Let sit for 5 minutes before serving
➢  Add honey for additional benefits and added flavor

SUPPLEMENTS

The supplement you need often depends on the kind of allergies you have. I have listen some of the most effective supplements to overcome allergies and strengthen immune system. You can either do a research on each of these and determine which one would be most effective for you, or better, work closely with a Natural Healthcare Provider to help you find the most suitable remedy for you.

• Quercetin: found in citrus fruits
• Bromelain: comes from the core of the pineapple
• NAC + Vitamin C Combination: 500 mg of NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) & Vitamin C combination is a great help in relieving asthma symptoms and respiratory issues in general
• Vitamin D3 + Vitamin K2 Combination

ALTERNATE TREATMENTS

• Aromatherapy is a highly effective way of addressing various health issues especially those related to respiratory concerns. Peppermint oil and Eucalyptus oil are both vasodilators and help open up airways.

    
  There are multiple ways of diffusing the oil in the air. Since it is highly recommended to use a humidifier, you can invest in an ultrasonic diffuser which diffuses oils in the air as well as humidifies the room. Please note that not all humidifiers can be used as diffusers.
    
  If you do not wish to invest in a diffuser, you can bring a pot of water to a high boil, add a few drops of essential oils in it and take deep breaths. It will work just as well.

• Menthol is also a vasodilator. The cooling and soothing sensation of menthol can be very relieving. Adding menthol crystals to hot water and inhaling the vapors can soothe congestion and irritated nasal or throat passages and inflamed airways. Before getting in the shower, try dissolving some menthol crystals in a little water and add a few drops to the shower walls.
• Steam baths are also a wonderful treatment for asthma and other respiratory conditions. Asthma causes swelling of the airways of your lungs and throat. Inhaling steam causes mucosal secretions and opens up airways. When you reduce respiration resistance, you reduce inflammation and congestion. Steam therapy prevents mucous membranes from drying and initiates discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs.
    
  You don’t have to go to the steam room or sauna to take advantage of this therapy. Make your own steam room. Close off the window and door of the bathroom; let the shower run on extreme hot water until it is steaming. Sit in the bathroom inhaling that steam. Add menthol crystals or peppermint / eucalyptus oils for additional benefits.

  This therapy is also highly effective for babies and young children.

  One thing you want to be cautious about is leaving the bathroom with the same clothes on. The steam will cause your clothes to become damp. If you step outside, especially if the weather is cold, or the windows of the room are open, you can catch cold and end up being sicker. Make sure to change your clothes and cover yourself with warm blanket or fleece once you step out, until your body naturally cools and goes back to its original temperature.

  You can put a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil on the pillow or on a towel and keep it next to your head for relief during sleep.

• Massages can help clear the respiratory passages and restore normal breathing. Heat a few tablespoons of mustard oil and add a few drops of camphor to it. Massage it on the chest and ribs to get a quick relief.

LIFESTYLE HABITS TO OVERCOME ASTHMA

• Stay hydrated; drink at least 3L of water daily.
• Limit pollen exposure during the allergy season in order to not stress your body unnecessarily.
• At the first sign of allergies, wear a medical mask to limit inhalation and exposure to allergens.
• Wash your hands often; wash your hands and face as soon as you return from outdoors.
• Shower before bed; cleanliness is very important in preventing allergens entering your body and triggering asthma attacks.
• Wash clothing, bedding, and towels regularly.
• Wipe down pets; if you have pet allergies, don’t stress your body unnecessarily. You can live without pets, but you won’t be able to live without your health.
• De-clutter; the more things you have in your environment, the more places dust, pollen, and other allergens have to hide and trigger your asthma.
• Use a high-quality air filter to purify the air you breathe.
• Change your air-conditioning filters on regular bases.
• Use a humidifier or de-humidifier depending on your environmental needs.
• Check your home and office environment for any mold and mildew as they can wreak havoc on the health.
• In extreme cases, if your asthma and allergies are exacerbated by your environment and you cannot control it, move to a better, healthier environment.
• Make sure to breathe from your nose and not from your mouth. Proper breathing alone can be the difference between wellness and ailment.

BREATHING TECHNIQUES TO HELP TREAT ASTHMA

Oxygen is life. The more oxygen you give your body, the more life it will have. It is absolutely essential for you to learn to breathe properly in order to recover from asthma. You should do these exercises daily to strengthen your respiratory and immune systems. You can use these breathing techniques when the asthma is triggered so you can have more controlled and regulated breathing.

TECHNIQUE 1:

• Stand upright with your legs comfortably apart.
• Take a deep breath through your nose for 3 seconds and fill up your diaphragm.
• Hold the breath for 3 seconds.
• Exhale through your mouth for four seconds.
• Repeat up to 10 times, twice daily.

TECHNIQUE 2:

• Sit at a comfortable place with your spine straight. Place your hands on the knees.
• Take a deep breath. As you exhale, pull your stomach in. Pull your navel in back towards the spine. Do as much as you comfortably can. You may keep your right hand on the stomach to feel the abdominal muscles contract.
• As you relax the navel and abdomen, the breath flows into your lungs automatically.
• Take 15-20 such breaths to complete one round.
• After completing the round, relax with your eyes closed.
• Repeat 2 more times.

TECHNIQUE 3:

• Take in a deep breath and breathe out forcefully through the nose, without any strain.
• Immediately breathe in with the same force.
• Inhale and exhale repeatedly, deeply and thoroughly, using the diaphragm muscles. The abdomen moves out during inhalation and the diaphragm descends. The opposite happens while exhaling
• The movements should be exaggerated and a strong nasal sound will accompany such breathing. The process should be controlled, maintaining the rhythm and speed according to the person’s capacity.
• Do ten cycles to complete a round.
• It is recommended to do 3 rounds daily.

Remember, all of this has to happen simultaneously, as a package deal. Change of habits, proper eating and drinking, avoiding harmful foods, teas and supplements cannot be done in turns, to “try them out.” It all has to be taken seriously as a package for it to have healing effects on the body.

I know it works because it worked for me!

I wish you to reach your optimal health. You already have the tools, all that is left is your commitment to your health.

Say no to suffering and yes to health. Take your keys of health back into your own hands.