herbal plants for those who have asthma
By jazel_juan
@jazel_juan (15747)
Philippines
June 24, 2012 10:50pm CST
I was researching just now herbal plants that are good for those who have asthma, maybe this can help prevent or alleviate asthma attack for my son.
i read that licorice can help, because it has anti inflammatory properties but then where will i find this in the Philippines! lol i mean we do not have it here i think, well i am not sure but i will read more as to where it is available here.
And i also read that grape seed extract can also help as it contains flavonoids that prevents inflammation too.. i know one company that sells vitamins that has this but then it is for adults only..
i wonder if anyone here do know of herbal plants that is good for those who are asthmatic? i am quite desperate to find herbal means as the anti biotics for my son right now are getting higher, in dosage and in price! I do not like him to be dependent on it alone. 
2 people like this
8 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
25 Jun 12
There is a list of herbs here: http://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbs-for-asthma.html which have been traditionally used for asthma relief. As you can see, liquorice is at the top of many lists. Unfortunately, it is a European plant of temperate climates but extracts of liquorice are widely used in cough medicines and also in the peculiar black candy which is sold as liquorice or liquorice allsorts. This is popular and widely available in the UK (and the US, I believe) but may be unknown in the Philippines.
Asthma itself is not treatable with antibiotics, though any infections which exacerbate it may be, of course. Habitual use of antibiotics should be avoided, in any case, and it is vital, if you are prescribed a course of antibiotics, to complete the treatment - NEVER stop the course just because the symptoms have gone!
Onions, garlic and, apparently, turmeric all contain substances which help to reduce inflammation of the airways. You should try to include these in your son's diet as much as possible.
There is a good and detailed description here of what asthma is (an allergy, not an infection) and the many things one can do to alleviate it: http://www.peacefulmind.com/asthma.htm
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
25 Jun 12
I would certainly make a point of cooking with fresh onions and garlic and of using turmeric occasionally. Many people dislike garlic so, if you don't use it already, begin with very small amounts. It is good for everyone (not just asthmatics) and is best used fresh: garlic powder has already lost much of the medicinal benefits and, to my mind, is just a nasty, rather bitter flavouring which has no merits!
Garlic should be crushed about 10 minutes before cooking and then added fairly late in the cooking stage but before fresh herbs (which should be added right at the end).
Most asthmatics have a reaction to certain specific things. It may take a while to work out what your son's particular allergies are but it is usually done for food allergies by trying to eliminate everything which could possibly cause an allergy - dairy products, fish, tomatoes, strawberries, for example - from his diet for about a week and then adding them back in, one at a time until you find the one which causes a reaction.
Other allergies, such as pollen, fungal spores and dust mite allergies are much more difficult to eliminate, of course. Pollen and fungal spore allergies tend to be worse at certain times of the year (in most countries); dust mites are quite difficult to eliminate because they exist anywhere where humans (or animals) live. The mites themselves are quite harmless. They live on the flakes of skin which all of us shed and they exist in carpets and bedding. It is their waste or feces which cause the allergies. Remove any carpets or mats from your son's bedroom, vacuum his mattress and pillows regularly and, if possible, get dust mite proof covers for them. There are some very good practical tips here: http://www.avoid-nasal-allergies.com/dust-mite-avoidance.html
2 people like this
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
25 Jun 12
I do believe now that pollen has something to do with what triggered my son's attack this time as i noticed that the mango trees in our yard are now flowering and so that says it all...
as for garlic, we do not have problems with garlic as i always make garlic rice for them that they love it, i might as well do it that often but then we put the garlic at the beginning but i might as well put some at the end of the cooking process too..
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
25 Jun 12
Thank you owlwings these are helpful.. yes the doctor did say that asthma is not an infection and it is an allergy.. i just read the article and it is quite helpful, i just need to read more as to how to use these stuff, can it be included in his diet, or given solely.. or mixture of some..
@acey76 (1276)
• Philippines
25 Jun 12
Try Oregano..Oregano is known as the "pizza herb". It is a powerful antioxidant. The compound in Oregano, rosmarinic acid, has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties. Of all the plants in the mint family, Oregano is the richest in antioxidants.
For more info regarding this check http://en.allexperts.com/q/Alternative-Medicine-991/Oregano-its-use-Sinus.htm.
Hope this will be helpful.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
25 Jun 12
Rosmarinic acid is also found in rosemary (as its name suggests) and in many other plants such as lemon balm, oregano (as mentioned), sage, thyme and peppermint.
As an asthma sufferer myself, I find that just the smell of any of these aromatic herbs (preferably fresh) is very relieving, though it's unlikely that the volatile oils (which is what one smells) contain very much rosmarinic acid.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
25 Jun 12
how do you use these herbs owlwings? do you like get their extract and drink? or do you like just smell it like you have mentioned? my brother in law has rosemaries so i might go and ask for some too.
@jsae29 (1120)
• Philippines
25 Jun 12
Have you tried oregano? It's quite effective. My son has asthma too. I usually give him a teaspoon of oregano extract every time i hear him cough. I have grew several pots of oregano plant on my backyard. This is how is prepare it: steam 3 oregano leaves for about a minute, then press to extract the juice. Then add a little sugar and lemon. And that's it...you can give it to your son.
2 people like this
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
25 Jun 12
I tried oregano too jsae, i just do not add sugar and lemon, he got used to the taste. 
@1NoliahJ (1)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I was born with asthma but outgrew it. Later in life, I developed pulmonary fibrosis a result of an autoimmune disease. I do use in inhaler and have a nebulizer treatment one or two times a day, and that always helps. However, I find one thing I can do that helps me avoid a lot of "flare ups" is to either completely avoid or severely limit my intake of gluten and sugar. I have proven it to myself that it really makes a difference.
It wouldn't hurt to try this, and chances are it may help your son.
Googling "asthma and gluten" will bring up a lot of informative results.
Good luck and my best to your son!
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
25 Jun 12
There really are permanent solutions for the malady of asthmatic distresses. Herbal remedies to combat the condition are never to be disregarded as there really are some potent medications with native herbs capable of curing the condition. In Ayurveda(indigenous system of Indian medicine) many potions and herbal essences could be of permanent remedies.
1 person likes this
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
26 Jun 12
There are scores of ayurvedic remedies for most of the common diseases.Besides being highly effective the ayurvedic medicines are absolutely free from side effects of any nature.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
26 Jun 12
I have heard of Ayurveda actually, i once tried this massage rub, like an oil base like that is made of ayurveda, i actually like the smell of it.
1 person likes this
@Kashidanga1971 (1354)
• Bangladesh
25 Jun 12
Hi jazel, once my mom had asthma and she very trouble in breathing. She had already taken pharmceutical medicines but no change was seen. So oneday I went to a famous herbal health care provider and asked for the medicine of asthma. That medicine was ''swas-shankar''. Mom taken several phials and stil now she is quite ok. You may have confidence in herbal medicine. I think you please go to a prominent healthcare provider and consuld him or her. Wish your kid come normal soon.
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
25 Jun 12
I have tried that stuff before, and it did not work for me, and that is because of the kind of Asthma that I have. Then again, I am allergic to just about everything, and even certain plants can set my allergies off in minutes.
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
28 Jun 12
I can feel how you as a parent, are trying hard to find ways to help healing or lessening the impact of the asthma on your child. My son also suffered from asthma when he was a young boy.
There are traditional remedies in where I live that are passed down from ages that crocodile meat and bat meat are good for the respiratory system and thus, can have a healing effect on asthma. My son seemed getting better after having a few bowls of such meat soups that were cooked with some Chinese medicines. He is 25 now and has never had the effects again.
