Holistic healing

Complementary Therapies: Natural remedies for asthma

Fed up with the wheezing,coughing and struggling for breath that asthma brings? These six therapies can help,says Allison Jacobs

Fed up with the wheezing,coughing and struggling for breath that asthma brings? These six therapies can help,says Allison Jacobs
Breathing fresh air into our lungs is something most of us take for granted,but if you suffer from asthma it’s likely you experience chest tightness, wheezing,shortness of breath and coughing whenever you encounter a trigger for the illness.

A chronic lung disease for which there is no cure, asthma is most commonly diagnosed during childhood. Affliction can range from very mild to life-threatening, and in the UK 1.1 million children are currently receiving treatment – that’s one in 11. Conventional medicine allows most sufferers to manage their conditions, but there are natural, alternative therapies which can provide relief from this debilitating condition, allowing you to breathe easier.

BUTEYKO BREATHING

What:
Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko founded his eponymous breathing method during the 1950s. It centres around the theory that human beings have learnt to breathe incorrectly, and far too deeply.

How:
“The first and possibly most important aspect of the technique is to encourage asthmatic sufferers to breathe exclusively through the nose,” says Gillian Austin, president of the Buteyko Breathing Association. “Nose breathing not only filters and warms the air that we breathe, but regulates the flow of breathing, ensuring that we do not ‘breathe too much’ and that the airflow is streamlined, which improves the distribution of air throughout the lungs.”
Try this:
Breathe with the mouth closed at rest and during moderate intensity exercise such as walking.
If you have a dry cough, try to suppress it by swallowing and breathing gently through the nose. Paradoxically, coughing can often make a cough problem worse.
Breathe quietly as noisy breathing can mean that you are hyperventilating.

To find a qualified teacher, visit buteykobreathing.org

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

What:
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiates between an asthma attack, or excess pathogen stage, and remission periods,which it calls the deficient condition. The acute, attack stage is seldom seen or treated in the clinic, however TCM acupuncture can have a significant effect in treating the deficient condition and by doing so, diminishes the number of asthma attacks.

How:
“In TCM pathology, a frail lung and kidney energy will weaken your immune system, or wei qi – defensive energy,” says AndreaSteinlechner, TCM acupuncturist at Harley Street Acupuncture(harleystreetacupuncture.co.uk). “This can originate from birth or poordiet and lifestyle, thus nourishing and balancing your lung and kidney energies will strengthen your wei qi. A healthy diet and lifestyle can do this for you.”

Try this:
“You might benefit from a walk in a park, practicing tai chi,eating walnut, ginger and spring onion and avoiding dairy products. Acupuncture can help strengthen your lung and kidney energies,calming and easing asthma symptoms. Try to consult an acupuncturist during remission for bespoke treatment and advice, and don’t forget to ask them for tips on acupressure points for self massage.”

“Research today is focusing on the role vitamin D may play”

AYURVEDA

What:
he ancient Indian system of medicine tackles the imbalances in the body which constrict the chest and make asthma symptoms worse.“The texts of ayurveda state that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and she inhales the air that comes into contact with the honey, she starts breathing easier and deeper,” says Jillian Lavender, co-founder of the London Meditation Centre.“Also, when the body is regularly operating in the fight or flight mode, it becomes tight and constricted. Natural techniques that reduce stress such as meditation, pranayama breathing and yoga are considered the foundation of a healthy approach to preventing the impact of stress on the body.

“Undigested food, known as ama, causes toxic build up. Ama tends to be more noticeable in the spring months. Toxins don’t build up more in spring – it is simply that if there were imbalances in diet and routine in the early winter months,more toxins tend to build up then.

Try this:
“Good digestion is vital and our digestive fire is burning most brightly in the middle of the day –just like the sun – and so this is the time to eat your main meal – ideally between 12.30pm and 2.00pm. A simple detox tea to make at home and sip throughout the day to clear toxins is easy to make: boil two litres of water. Add quarter teaspoon whole cumin seeds, half teaspoon whole coriander seeds, half teaspoon fennel seeds and steep and then strain.”

Acupuncture can help to strengthen your lung and kidney energies,which calms and eases asthma symptoms

HERBALISM

What:
Herbalists use potent herbs to reduce sensitivities found in asthma patients
How:
“Many people with asthma have a magnesium deficiency,” says Philip Weeks, master herbalist and expert on natural medicine (philipweeks.co.uk).“Therefore, many herbalists prescribe herbs which are rich in this mineral. The ideal candidate is nettle; it is rich in magnesium and silica, both of which help to promote the health of the mucous membranes.”
Try this:
“Nettles also helps reduce the production of histamine,” he says. “This is particularly valuable for people who have asthma-related allergies such as to dustmite and pollen. Nettle tea taken daily can help reduce sensitivity to environmental pollution.”

NUTRITION

What:
Anyone who has looked into natural remedies for asthma will know the importance that diet can play in managing symptoms. Research today is focusing on the role played by vitamin D, among other things.
How:
“Scientists are still trying to understand the molecular basis of the disease, but the role of having a healthy gut and adequate vitamin D have been shown to be implicated in preventing asthma and its severity,” says The Nutri Centre nutritionist Russel Bouwman (nutricentre.com). “Food sources of vitamin D include salmon,fortified oatmeal, eggs and milk, but in some cases supplementation with vitamin D might be required. It is also important that if you suspect that you or your child has a food allergy that it is investigated, as food allergies can also contribute to asthma.”
Try this:
“The gut is the seed of all health and is strongly linked to our immune system, as asthma is largely a result of immune system problems,” says Russel. “People suffering asthma may benefit from keeping their gut in good health. This can be achieved by eating lots of vegetables, but especially cabbage. Cabbage contains the amino acidL-glutamine which can help keep the gut in good condition.”

SPELEOTHERAPY

What:
Also known as salt therapy, it involves inhaling tiny salt particles which help cleanse the lungs and improve a patient’s breathing.
How:
Particles enter the lungs and dissolve phlegm in the bronchial tubes, and kill micro-organisms that cause infections. Phlegm,allergens and bacteria are coughed up by the patient or leave the body via other channels. Salt’s healing properties have been noted since Roman times, but itwas when a Polish physician called Dr Feliks Boczkowski documented way back in 1843 that the workers in the salt mine atWieliczka did not suffer from lung disease that the very first spa was set up for people to reap the benefits.
Try this:
There are varying ways in which you can get the benefits of speleotherapy. You can travel to eastern Europe to visit a real salt mine, try one of the many that have popped up over the last few ears in the UK (visit saltcave.co.uk for details) or try out a CiscaSaltpipe (£26.99, thesaltpipe.co.uk).