Recognizing potential asthma attack triggers and managing day-to-day symptoms can make living with asthma challenging. People with asthma frequently turn for additional advice and treatments outside of their doctor’s office to help them manage their disease.

Do some of the many herbs, fruits, and other natural ingredients listed by numerous online groups and forums genuinely work to relieve the symptoms of asthma? In this article, we examine the scientific support (if any) for some of the most well-liked “natural” asthma treatments available online.

What is causing the symptoms of your asthma?

If you have asthma, you are probably all too familiar with the signs and symptoms, which include breathing problems, tightness in the chest, wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing during night, during laughter, or while you are exercising. The frequency or severity of these symptoms may increase when exposed to specific triggers. Although each person’s asthma triggers vary, the CDC cites the following as some of the most typical offenders:

Smoke from cigarettes and smoke from burning wood or grass

Cockroaches and dust mites

Air pollution from outside

A pet’s dander

Pollen and mold

Breathing infections

Reflux of acid

Physical activity

Weather with high humidity (like thunderstorms) and chilly, dry air

Hyperventilating due to intense emotion

Most individuals manage asthma attacks with fast-acting drugs, including inhalers. Your doctor may have recommended regular medication to assist minimize daily airway irritation depending on your symptoms. The following section looks at a number of all-natural treatments for asthma symptoms. It’s crucial to remember that these treatments are only intended to supplement your current asthma treatment strategy. Without consulting your doctor, you shouldn’t stop taking the asthma medication you are prescribed.

Do herbal treatments for asthma symptoms actually work?

There are several natural cures for allergies, asthma, and other ailments available online. There is a dearth of scientific data, however, which supports the efficacy of many “natural” asthma treatments. Among the most well-liked natural treatments for asthma symptoms are:

Honey: According to a study done with kids, honey may be able to aid if asthmatic nighttime coughing is keeping you up at night. To assist stop nighttime coughing, they advise taking 2.5 teaspoons before bed, either by the spoonful or combined with warm water or tea. However, it is still unclear how honey might be used to treat asthma. In rabbits with asthma, honey aerosol was proven to reduce airway inflammation and control asthma symptoms. However, more study is required to comprehend its impacts on people and ascertain whether it is a practical asthma treatment option (Kamaruzaman et al., 2014).

Ginger: The constriction of the bronchial tubes, which convey air to and from the lungs, is the cause of many asthma symptoms. According to Townsend et al. (2013), ginger may be able to function in conjunction with already available asthma treatments to assist relax the airway muscles and ease asthmatic patients’ breathing. Two grams of ginger per day, according to a current study at the Columbia University Asthma Center, may help lower airway inflammation and relax the airway muscles.

Caffeine: One study indicated that drinking caffeine can moderately enhance lung function and open restricted or congested airways for two to four hours after consumption (Welsh et al., 2010). This suggests that caffeine may help you breathe more easily.

Caffeine’s effects are not as potent or lasting as conventional asthma drugs, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) cautions against using it as a regular asthma treatment. Additionally, consuming too much caffeine might have negative side effects like headaches, shakiness, and insomnia.

Essential oils: Research has been done on the effects of peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, clove, and rosemary essential oils on asthma symptoms. But for certain folks, the potent scents of essential oils could precipitate an asthma attack. The National Capital Poison Center also cautions that essential oils should never be kept within reach of children or pets since they can be harmful if utilized improperly.

Figs, warm water, lemon juice, mustard seed oil, onions, and garlic are examples of home medicines that some people have had success with but that still need further scientific study. Acupuncture, dietary herbs, and supplements (such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, magnesium supplements, and butterbur) have not been shown to be effective therapies for asthma by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), which has determined that there is inadequate scientific evidence to support their use.

Asthma home treatments for adults

You can locate natural additives to your asthma treatment routine outside of the grocery store. There are several things you may do at home to lessen your asthma symptoms on a daily basis. For instance:

You can find out when and where your asthma symptoms are the worst by keeping an asthma diary. Understanding your asthma triggers will help you manage your symptoms more effectively. Additionally, keeping an asthma notebook can make it easier for you to discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Getting rid of any known allergens and asthma triggers from your home will assist with symptoms. To keep pollen and air pollution out, try cleaning and vacuuming frequently, covering windows, and monitoring the temperature of the air in your home to prevent it from becoming too cold or dry. If you are concerned that cleaning will spread dust, try donning a dust mask or getting assistance.

It may be beneficial to find new strategies to reduce stress in order to reduce asthma symptoms that are brought on by stress. Researchers have found in a significant body of studies that stress enhances the immunological response to asthma triggers in the environment. You can look for well-known, scientifically supported stress-reduction techniques like exercise, yoga, and meditation.

Researchers at Birmingham Regional Severe Asthma Services have discovered that certain persons with asthma symptoms may benefit from using a saline nasal wash. Numerous asthmatics also experience allergy symptoms, which can aggravate shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Nasal irrigation can aid in the relief of these signs. To prevent infection, acquaint yourself with the FDA’s safety recommendations before doing a nasal rinse.

Home cures for asthma in children

As a parent, you undoubtedly want to do everything in your power to prevent your child’s asthma from negatively affecting their quality of life. Thankfully, there are some straightforward actions you can do to assist your child in controlling their asthma symptoms.

Since your child is in bed for about eight hours every night, asthma triggers there can seriously exacerbate symptoms. For pillows and mattresses, you can use zippered dust mite coverings to help prevent allergens from getting into their bedding. Furthermore, washing bedding in hot water once a week can help lower exposure to allergens at night.

Keeping an eye out for asthma triggers like pollen and industrial pollutants will help you spend less time outside. You may use AirNow to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) to determine whether it is a good day for your youngster to play outside. Children with asthma are likely to experience health problems at any AQI reading above 100.

You can help your child avoid unneeded respiratory stress by training them to recognize the symptoms and triggers of their asthma. Additionally, your child is less likely to push themselves too far during physical activity when they are aware of their boundaries.

Ensure that the school where your child attends has an asthma action plan in place and that all administrators are aware of what to do if your child begins to exhibit symptoms of an asthma attack. This includes describing in detail how your child’s asthma medications work.

For many people, combining their own remedies with their doctor’s recommended course of therapy is the key to managing their asthma and leading an active, fulfilling life. This usually entails a combination of knowing your triggers, avoiding them, and knowing what to do when an asthma attack begins. Finding communities of individuals who live with asthma can be a great way to get support and additional information if you are looking for it.

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