Herbs and Nutrients for Asthma

The following are the nutrients, herbs, and other recommendations beneficial to thwart atherosclerosis:

NUTRIENTS

Supplement	Suggested Dosage	Comments
Essential
Pantothenic acid (Vit B6)	50 mg 3x a day	The anti stress vitamin
Quercitin-C from Ecological Formulas plus bromelain	500 mg 3x a day 100 mg 3x a day	Powerful immunostimulants. Antihistamine effect
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids	1500 mg 3x a day (avoid high doses when with kidney stones)	Needed to protect lung tissue and keep down infection. Also increases air flow and fights inflammation
Zinc lozenges	Do not take over 100 mg daily	Can shorten an attack or halt one before it becomes severe.
Very Important
Betaine HCl with pepsin	As directed on label, or as prescribed	Combats malabsorption problems
Coenzyme Q	100 mg daily	Has the ability to counter histamine
Magnesium plus calcium	750 mg daily 1500 mg daily	May stop the acute asthmatic episode by increasing the vital capacity of the lungs. Has a dilating effect on the bronchial muscles. Use chelate forms
Multivitamin and mineral complex with Selenium Vitamin B12	As directed on the label 200 mcg daily 2000 mcg daily	Necessary for enhanced immune function. Use a high potency formula. Destroys radicals from air pollutants

Herbs

Lobelia extract is helpful during an asthma attack attack; it is a bronchial soothing muscle relaxant and expectorant. Do not take long term.

Boswellia, an Indian herb (also known as frankincense), in studies was shown to reduce the number of asthma attacks.

Mullein oil is said to be a powerful remedy for bronchial congestion. The oil stops cough, unclogs bronchial tubes, and helps clear up asthma attacks. Users say that when they take it in tea or fruit juice, the effect is almost immediate.

Proponents of the East Indian mind-body-earth philosophy called Ayurveda recommend the following herbs for people with asthma: vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) relieves cough, bronchitis, and other asthmatic symptoms; boswellia (Boswellia serrata), to relieve pain or inflammation; and tylophora (Tylophora indica) for respiratory relief.

Other herbs beneficial for asthma include Echinacea, licorice root, and slippery elm bark tablets. Licorice root, ginger root, and elderberry open up the respiratory tract.

Caution: Do not take Echinacea if you have an autoiimune disorder. Do not use licorice on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row, and avoid it completely if you have high blood pressure.

Recommendations:

Homeopathic use of belladonna have been shown to relax the bronchioles in the lungs which alleviates the wheezing symptoms in an asthma attack.

Eat a diet consisting primarily of fresh fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, brown rice, and whole grains. The diet should be relatively high in protein, low in carbohydrate, and contain no sugar.

Include garlic and oinions in your diet. These food contain quercatin and mustard oils, which have been shown to inhibit an enzyme that aids in releasing inflammatory chemicals.

Avoid gas-producing foods, such as beans, brassicas ( broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) and large amounts of bran. Gas can aggravate an asthmatic condition by putting pressure in the diaphragm.

Do not eat ice cream or drink extremely cold liquids. Cold can shock the bronchial tubes into spasms.

Use a juice fast, a fast using distilled water or lemon juice or a combination of both for three days each month to help rid the body of toxins and mucus.

Eat lightly- a large meal can cause shortness of breath by making the stomach put pressure on the diaphragm

Practice methods to relieve stress as they can trigger an attack.

In the next article, we would deal with clinical (hospital based) regimens on the management of asthma.