Asthma is caused by the spasms in the smooth muscles
surrounding the bronchi and bronchioles (small airways in the
lungs), causing the passageways to partially close. The
spasms are accompanied with increased mucus which clogs the
bronchioles/bronchi and worsens the attack. It is triggered by an
allergic response and the immune system produces histamine; thus,
any type of allergen can precipitate an asthma attack. It results
in difficulty breathing (especially exhalation), coughing,
wheezing, and a tight chest. This above condition is specifically
known as bronchial asthma. Cardiac asthma is the result of a
heart malfunction.
The respiratory system consists of the lungs and a series of associated passageways leading into and out of them. The upper respiratory system includes the nose, throat and associated structures. The lower respiratory system includes the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. The term "respiration" refers to the overall exchange of gases between the atmosphere, blood and cells. The cardiovascular system transports the gases in the blood between the lungs and the cells.
Functions include: to supply oxygen, eliminate carbon dioxide, and help regulate the acid-base balance of the body.
Bloodroot is often used in very small doses for asthma patients, mostly as an expectorant. Larger doses tend to be sedative, and excess dosage can be fatal. Externally, this plant can be used for eczema, sores, and other disorders of the skin. Other indications include: syphilis, hemorrhoids, tumors, and cancer
St. John’s Wort is specific for the nervous system; it benefits neuralgia, coccygeal pains, nerve injuries, and it calms the nervous system to treat insomnia and bedwetting. The hypericins help to alleviate anxiety and depression (including menopausal depression). It is healing for stomach disorders and gastritis; an expectorant for bronchitis; a diuretic for gout and arthritis; and lessens menstrual cramps. Other uses: overall tonic, for chronic uterine problems and afterpains of childbirth; for jaundice and diarrhea; catarrh; colic. The oil extract is healing for burns, wounds, sores, bruises, skin problems, neuralgia, and sciatica. CAUTION: use of this herb may cause photosensitivity in some individuals.
Mullein: A valuable herb for respiratory disorders including coughs, hoarseness, bronchitis, catarrh, hay fever, and whooping cough. It may also be used for catarrh in the gastrointestinal tract and for digestive cramps. A healing poultice for wounds, inflamed conditions, and for painful skin areas. Other uses: hemorrhage of the bowels, toothaches, for the glands (used as fomentation), and for washing open sores.
Comfrey: One of the most well-known healing plants, especially for its ability to heal tissue and bone (due to its allantoin content , which promotes the growth of connective tissue, bone, and cartilage, and is easily absorbed through the skin). Also used externally for varicose ulcers and veins and minor burns. A beneficial remedy for respiratory disorders, gastric ulcers, and colitis. Considered an over-all tonic; good for the stomach, liver, kidneys, and bowels.
Other indications: mental fatigue, cramps in the legs, coughs, colds, anemia, pain, arthritis, and infections. There is controversy around the use of this plant due to its presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are considered carcinogenic to the liver; however, these studies have been performed on rats that were fed up to 33% of their diet in Comfrey leaf. Studies done with the whole plant (rather than with isolated constituents) do not show carcinogenic effects but rather the opposite. In fact, the Japanese use vinegar extracts for treating cirrhosis of the liver. Due to the controversy, avoid excessive consumption of Comfrey.
Saw Palmetto: A tissue builder as it stimulates the appetite and increases assimilation of the nutrients; it is useful for wasting conditions and for underweight problems. It helps to build strength during periods of convalescence. It is a nutritive for the sexual organs and is used in the treatment of the following conditions: inflamed and enlarged prostate, impotence, atrophy of the testes, low libido, female functional infertility, low milk production, and dysmenorrhea associated with lack of tone in the reproductive organs. With its affinity for the sexual organs, it may also function as an aphrodisiac. It has a soothing and expectorant action on mucus membranes and is useful for colds, catarrh, bronchitis, and asthma. Other uses include: urinary imbalances, enuresis, and as a sedative to the nervous system. The Native Americans used the crushed root for sore breasts.
Wild Cherry Bark: It is best to use bark that has been collected in the fall (when the prussic acid content is highest), and some herbalists allow the bark to age before using. Its main use is for its sedative action on the respiratory nerves. This works via the prussic acid which first increases the respiration and then sedates the sensory nerves which provoke the cough reflex. It is used for coughs, asthma and other chest diseases. The other system this herb works with is the digestive system: it helps to aid digestion and is useful in the treatment of digestive weakness, including ulcers, gastritis, colitis, diarrhea, dysentery, and dyspepsia. The American Indians had numerous uses for this herb: to ease the pain of labor, diarrhea, lung problems, as an enema for hemorrhoids, and for dysentery (using the juice of ripe cherries and then fermented for one year). CAUTION: the leaves are considered to be poisonous.
Goldenseal: The golden, yellow root of this plant gives it its name. It has antibiotic properties stronger than many prescription medicines and is able to target "unwanted" bacteria, as well as protozoa and yeasts. It is unique in that it does not harm the "beneficial" bacteria that are necessary in the digestive tract. The alkaloid berberine has the added benefit of increasing blood flow through the spleen, where it also increases the immune-building activity of the large supply of white blood cells there. By many herbalists it is considered one of the most powerful herbs. It is a substitute for quinine. It is one of the most effective remedies for inflamed and catarrhal conditions of the mucus membranes. It has the ability to heal mucus membranes anywhere in the body (bronchial tubes, throat, intestines, stomach, etc.). Indications include: for open sores, eczema, ringworm, and skin diseases; diphtheria, tonsillitis and severe throat problems; sluggish digestion; used with Skullcap and Hops for the spinal nerves; spinal meningitis; pyorrhea and sore gums; sinus difficulties; bladder disorders and lower bowel problems (can use as an enema); infection; flu; diabetes; constipation; colds; cankers; psoriasis; heart disorders; and gallbladder/spleen/pancreas. CAUTION: if a person has high blood pressure, watch for the highs and lows and if they occur, then substitute Myrrh for Goldenseal. Berberine stimulates the uterus - DO NOT use during pregnancy accept under supervision by your health care provider.
Cayenne: Considered by many to be the strongest stimulant known. Internally use as a relaxant to the stomach and colon and as a healer for ulcers. It stimulates the stomach but is not irritating. Cayenne stimulates the blood and the heart, increasing and strengthening the pulse. Use for colds, sinus, respiratory ailments, indigestion, hangover, diabetes, cramps, circulation problems, asthma, rheumatism, kidneys, and high blood pressure. Use with ginger to clean out the bronchial tubes and sinus cavities; as a gargle for sore throats; as an emergency treatment for shock; for hemorrhage and bleeding wounds - use internally and externally. Externally, use (with Goldenseal and Myrrh) as a liniment for bruises, scalds, burns, and sunburns. Steep in apple cider vinegar for one-half hour and use for sores and bruises. Used in the mouth for pyorrhea. CAUTION: avoid excessive consumption, which may cause digestive, liver, and/or kidney disorders.
Lobelia: This herb is commonly used both externally and internally to relax all spasms. In small doses, it is used for lung congestion; and in large doses, it acts as a powerful emetic. It helps remove mucus from the lungs and digestive tract. A few drops of the tincture can be placed in the ear to relieve earaches. Lobelia is often used in liniments and poultices (may be mixed with Cayenne and Myrrh) to reduce swelling in sprains and strained ligaments and for congestion in the muscles. It may be used with Catnip in an enema for fevers and infections. Other uses: softens and makes fuller the pulse rate during inflammation and fever; reduces palpitations of the heart; for fever and pneumonia; for congestion, asthma, meningitis, pleurisy, hepatitis, peritonitis, nephritis; for digestion.
Garlic: Is stimulating to the digestive glands and helps allay poor digestion. It is a natural antibiotic, builds the blood, and is an overall great healer. Its expectorant action makes it useful for chronic bronchitis, chronic stomach problems and stomach catarrh. It is useful with all intestinal infections, such as parasites, dysentery, cholera, typhoid and parathyroid fever. It helps to lower the blood pressure, counteract arteriosclerosis, and benefits the circulation of blood. Can use with honey for coughs, colds and asthma. Garlic is healing to skin tumors, and a cold extract can be used as an enema for intestinal worms (especially pinworms). Garlic also helps to regulate the action of the liver and gallbladder.
Bayberry: A cleansing tonic for the liver; a tonic for the alimentary tract; tones and promotes glandular activity; a uterine tonic; for increased circulation and toning of the arterial and capillary tissues; helps to stop hemorrhage of the bowels, lungs, and uterus; useful as a gargle for sore throats; checks profuse menstrual flow; use with cayenne for the female organs; an effective douche; useful as a wash for gangrenous sores, carbuncles, and infected areas; use with cayenne as a germicide in wounds; for canker sores
Peppermint: An effective herb for the digestive system as it has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract. It is useful for colic, flatulence, nausea, spasms, cholera, and diarrhea. It is stimulating to the liver and gallbladder, helping to increase the flow of bile. It may
A steam inhalation may be used to help decrease respiratory mucus. Like Rosemary, Peppermint is useful to stimulate concentration. Externally, the oil is used for liniments and massage oils because it is cooling, anesthetic, and increases blood flow to the area it is applied. Peppermint tea may also be used for cooling fevers and for heart palpitations.
Chickweed: An excellent remedy for pulmonary complaints, including bronchitis and pleurisy. Use with internal and external inflammations of the skin and membranous surfaces; also, for bleeding of the bowels and lungs. Use as a tea for cleansing and/or eat the vegetable raw or steamed. An excellent poultice and ointment for wounds, skin diseases, and inflamed conditions. Other indications include; adolescent acne, impotence, diabetes, constipation, cleansing, circulation, bowels, psoriasis, obesity and the lungs.
Ephedra: Also known as Ma Huang, Brigham Tea, and Mormon Tea. Considered a blood purifier and detoxifier; a demulcent for colds; helps to balance the pH of the body; high in copper and iron, and good for anemia. A demulcent for colds and to balance the pH of the body. . Useful for asthma, bronchitis, coughs, and other congestive conditions. A very strong stimulant and it will exhaust the adrenals of a person who is Yin in constitution, or who is low energy and exhausted. Beneficial for colds, flus, and fevers without sweating. The isolated alkaloid, ephedrine, was hailed as the cure for asthma because it relaxes the airways; however, this was shown to greatly increase the blood pressure. If the whole plant is used, as with herbalists, then six other alkaloids are present and one of these, pseudoephedrine, actually reduces the heart rate and lowers the blood pressure. In China, the whole plant has been used for thousands of years with no reported undesirable side-effects from proper administration of the plant. The whole plant is used to treat asthma, hayfever and other allergies, for the first stages of a cold or influenza, for arthritis, and for fluid retention. CAUTION: Ephedra should be avoided by those with severe hypertension, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, prostate enlargement, coronary thrombosis, and by anyone using MAOI antidepressant.
Colt’s Foot: Is mainly used as an expectorant for which it has a soothing and expectorant action. It benefits most respiratory problems, including colds. There is a beneficial amount of zinc in the leaves, and this mineral has anti-inflammatory effects. Indications include: chronic and acute bronchitis; irritating coughs; whooping coughs and asthma; and chronic emphysema. As a mild diuretic it may also be used for cystitis. A fresh poultice or decoction can be used externally for insect bites, inflammations, general swellings, burns, erysipelas, ulcers \ sores, and phlebitis. This herb is also used for the treatment of ulcers due to a constituent known as azulene, which is anti-inflammatory in nature.
FINAL NOTE: Increase nutrition, detoxify and strengthen the body - then asthma will leave.
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