Asthma
Asthma is a common long-term condition that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness.
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
ESSENTIAL OILS
NATURAL/HERBAL
YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
MEALS
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
- Fruits: Apples, apricots, blueberries, cranberries, grapes, mangoes, oranges, papayas, pumpkin, raspberries, strawberries
- Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, jalapenos, onions, red & green bell peppers, spinach, turnips, watercress
- Cinnamon, garlic, ginger, thyme, turmeric, green tea
- Fish (especially salmon, tuna, sardines, trout, cod and herring), figs, flax & pumpkin seeds, nuts (except peanuts), rice, soy products, yogurt, whole grains
- Coffee (in moderation)
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
- Mushrooms, cheese, soy sauce and yeasty breads, aspirin, tea, vinegar, salad dressings, aspartame, sulfites, tartrazine, yellow food dye 5.
- Sugar & alcohol.
- Dairy products (except yogurt) & bananas.
- Red meat, shellfish and vegetable oils.
- Asthma could be related to unrecognized food allergies. Try an ELIMINATION DIET.
ESSENTIAL OILS
- Clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, fir, hyssop, lavender, lemon, marjoram, myrrh, oregano, peppermint, pine, ravensara, rose, rosemary, sage, thyme (diffuse, lungs & throat, on pillow, suppository)
NATURAL/HERBAL
- Green tea - several cups daily.
- Aloe, anise, astragalus, betony, black cohosh, cat's claw (avoid if trying to conceive), cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, comfrey, dandelion, elecampane, eucalyptus, Evening primrose oil, fennel, fenugreek, licorice, garlic, ginger, ginko biloba, gotu kola, honeysuckle, horehound, licorice, marjoram, marshmallow root, passionflower, parsley, pepper, periwinkle, stinging nettle, sumac, thyme, turmeric, valerian, wood betony
- Ephedra: 130 mg extract 3 times daily (may cause insomnia, don't use if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or anxiety or take an MAO inhibitor).
- Coffee enemas
- There are mixed reviews on ginseng's use for asthma. Some recommend it, some say avoid it. Use only under a doctor's supervision.
- 1 - 2 large glasses orange juice daily.
- Mash cranberries through a strainer, add warm water and drink daily.
- Mix apple cider vinegar and the juice from 1/2 a lemon into a glass of water and drink (can add honey to taste).
- Syrup: Chop 5 onions and place them in a double boiler with 1/2 cup honey and the juice of 1 lemon. Cook on very low heat for 3 hours. Strain and take 1 Tablespoon every 30 minutes, or as needed.
YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY
- Yoga therapy for Allergy, Cough and Asthma (9 minutes - PartnerMD)
- Yoga and Asthma (7 minutes - Ekhart Yoga)
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
- Coenzyme Q10: 100 mg daily
- Licorice: 200 mg extract 3 times daily (can raise blood pressure; consult doctor before taking)
- Magnesium: 400 mg twice daily (take for 6 weeks)
- Quercetin: 500 mg 3 times daily (use 20 min before meals)
- Selenium: 100 mcg daily
- Vitamin B6: 50 mg twice daily (especially important if you take the drug theophylline)
- Vitamin B12: 1,000 mcg daily
- Vitamin C: 1,000 mg 3 times daily (reduce if it causes diarrhea)
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
- Represents the relationship with betrayal and the need to control your surroundings, or the anxiety it creates when you can't control other people/events.
- Can also represent unresolved guilt, smothering love or suppressed emotions.
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
- Apple-Orange Smoothie GF VG VT
- Blueberry Peach Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie GF VT
- Blueberry Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie LC GF VT
- Brain Smoothie GF VG VT
- Cranberry-Blueberry Smoothie GF VT
- Golden Milk LC GF VG VT
- Green Smoothie LC GF VT
- Herbal Mango Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Mango Lassi GF VT
- Mango Pineapple Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Mango-Blueberry Smoothie GF VT
- Orange Smoothie GF VT
- Sunrise Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Super Skin Smoothie GF VT
- Yogi Tea LC GF VG VT
MEALS
- Beef Bone Broth LC GF
- Blueberry Mini Muffins LC GF VT
- Buddha Bowl GF VG VT
- Chicken Bone Broth LC GF
- Chicken Dumpling Soup LC
- Cornmeal & Pecan Crusted Fish LC
- Crispy Fish LC KT
- Garlic Soup LC GF VG VT
- Green Chili Soup LC VG VT (use non-dairy options)
- Mung Beans and Rice LC GF VG VT
- Salmon with Avocado Salsa LC GF
- Salmon with Red Pepper Sauce LC GF
- Sesame Salmon LC GF KT
- Spiced Lentil Soup LC GF VG VT
- Spicy Black Bean Soup LC GF VG VT
- Vegetable Broth LC GF VG VT
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
- Brown Rice Pilaf with Saffron and Ginger LC GF VG VT
- Couscous Pilaf VG VT
- Pilau Rice LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Asparagus LC GF VG VT KT
- Roasted Broccoli LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Carrots LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Onions LC GF VG VT
- Sauteed Spinach LC GF KT VG VT
- Spinach & Strawberry Salad LC GF VG VT
- Steamed Edamame LC GF VG VT