Ways to Naturally Treat Asthma

Many alternative doctors feel that traditional medicine and treatment for asthma only worsens the condition, since they treat the symptoms and not the actual problem. And the fact that many asthmatics have to take steroids is certainly not the best long-term treatment. Some doctors have developed a total approach or lifestyle change program using conventional and alternative treatments to help treat asthma and reduce symptoms. As usual, always consult with your doctor before trying any additional treatments for asthma.

Magnesium works to open the airways of the bronchial tube. Take 500 mgs of the supplement every day for six months. Increasing the intake of fatty acids can treat and reduce lung inflammation. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts, seeds, and flaxseed oil work to reduce the swelling of the lungs. Eat fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, three or four times a week. And you can take six fish-oil capsules a day. If you don't want to eat those types of fish, you can increase the dosage of the fish-oil capsules to twelve. You can also take three tablespoons of flaxseed oil a day, if you don't care to eat fish. One caution about the fish-oil supplements is that some asthma sufferers are allergic to aspirin, so be sure to consult with your doctor before taking fish-oil supplements.

Be sure to increase your intake of antioxidants. Since asthma is an inflammatory disease, the free radicals your body produces can run havoc on the body and do a great deal of damage. Be sure to include in your diet vitamin C and E. Take 1,000 mgs of vitamin C three times a day, 15 mgs of beta-carotene, and 400 iu's of vitamin E every day. Another natural supplement to help fight free radicals is to take 500 mgs of NAC, which is an amino acid that breaks up mucus in the lungs. If you have allergies that cause asthma attacks, take 100 mgs of quercetin three times a day especially during the allergy seasons. Taking two 40 mgs of Nettle three times a day also treats sinus and allergy problems that cause asthma reactions.

Coleus can be taken to help relax the muscles of the bronchial tube. Take 50 mgs of coleus that has the standardized 18 percent forskolin. Take this natural supplement two to three times a day for up to a year. Be sure to consult with your doctor before taking this herb, since it can increase the effects of some asthma medications. Taking 20 to 40 drops of the licorice, DGL, tincture with a cup of hot water, three times a day works to treat and fight inflammation.

Most asthmatics eventually have to take steroids to treat lung inflammation. However, steroids do serious damage when taken over a long period of time. So to prevent long-term damage and be able to stop taking steroids, asthmatics should include these natural treatments in their diet. Take three 1,000 mgs of Potassium a day and eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas. Eat more foods high in protein and take more calcium and magnesium, 500 mgs of each a day to replace nutrients that certain asthma medications or steroids reduce.