Asthma

Winter seems to be a prime time for asthma. Some people say it is the dry air in our warm homes. Some say it is the dust, mold and mildew trapped inside with us as we avoid being out in the cold. There is something to both of those theories, but there is much more involved.

Lack of Vitamin D can increase your asthma symptoms. This occurs a lot in the colder and wetter climates of the northern US states. The sun isn’t as strong as in the summer, and the wind is too cold to have much, if any, skin exposed when we are outside. Add to that the shorter days and all people will see a decline in their vitamin D reserves unless they supplement with either artificial sunlight or oral supplements.

Strong odors tend to trigger asthma attacks. With the holidays around people may be brushing off that old bottle of perfume that Aunt Meg gave them years ago. They wouldn’t want Aunt Meg to think they didn’t appreciate it, so they wear it to family gatherings where she will be. For those with respiratory problems this may be just the trigger they need to start an asthma attack.

The stress that accompanies the holidays can increase the possibility of attack even without the other triggers that are rampant during that time of year.

In warmer climates the increase in thunderstorms during the winter, or any time of year, may be a trigger. Studies are showing that there are two reasons for this. One is that the allergens that are usually too big to be a bother are ‘broken up’ by the thunderstorm and made small enough to enter the respiratory system. The other is that once you have one of these thunderstorm induced attacks you are naturally afraid of another with each thunderstorm. This can cause a placebo affect that can cause another attack.

If you have a rescue inhaler it is a good idea to have it in reach. That being said there are natural ways to make you less and less dependent on that inhaler.

• Avoid environmental toxins whenever possible
• Stay away from factory farmed meats and dairy
• Avoid processed foods
• Practice Emotional Freedom Technique to rid yourself of your emotional triggers to asthma.
• Learn to breathe using The Buteyko Method
• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics include topical sources like antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers.
• Eat food that reduce inflammation and your likelihood to have an asthma attack.
• Avacado
• Fresh Garlic
• Parsley
• Bananas
• Sunflower Seeds

• Take herbs that clean your lungs and open your respiratory tract.
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Lungwort
• Eucalyptus
• Elecampane

• Keep essential oils on hand to use instead of the rescue inhaler
  • Doterra brand Breathe
  • Peppermint
  • Eucalyptus

There are natural things that can help prevent and even stop an asthma attack. I have heard that something as simple as black coffee can be used to open air passages in an emergency. Don’t throw away your inhaler, but also don’t be afraid to try a few natural things as well. You may just find you don’t need that inhaler any more.

Sources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/045965_asthma_relief_foods_antioxidants.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/045930_asthma_alternative_treatments_natural_cures.html

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/20/thunderstorm-asthma.aspx?e_cid=20140820Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campaign=20140820Z1&et_cid=DM54103&et_rid=628600973

http://www.fhfn.org/what-your-doctor-wont-tell-you-5-foods-that-relieve-asthma-naturally/

http://www.naturalnews.com/047222_lung_cleansing_medicinal_herbs_breathing.html

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/17/vitamin-d-deficiency-asthma-multiple-sclerosis.aspx?e_cid=20141117Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20141117Z1&et_cid=DM60535&et_rid=731713226