Asthma

Asthma

Asthma is a common long-term condition that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness.

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)

HERBAL

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
There are mixed reviews on ginseng's use for asthma. Some recommend it, some say avoid it. Use only under a doctor's supervision.

NATURAL

Green tea - several cups daily.

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

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

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.

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