Question:
I couldn't find anything in the archives, but does anybody have any recommended herbs for asthma? Mine
has gotten worse, and I'd like to look in to herbal remedies to assist with
the inhaler the doc recently prescribed. I'd rather not use more drugs for it
Answer:
IF you smoke, or hang out in smoky places, STOP! And clean up
your environment ... do the whole anti-allergy routine of
vacuuming with HEPA bags, getting rid of known allergens in your
bedroom, etc. If it is due to allergies to pollens and other common allergens,
try echinacea. It has much the same action as "Claritin" in that
it suppresses the tendency of certain cells to release histamines
and start the whole inflammation response. It has no known
interactions with asthma meds I could find. Try this, with any OTC brand of echinacea capsules (I use
Nature's Way ... widely available and mid-range price) Keep a symptom and diet log ... how many times a day you have to
use the inhaler, how you feel, etc. For the first two weeks, take 6 capsules a day. Then drop to two
a day and keep it there. It takes a few weeks for the
suppression to kick in, but the log should show a decline in the
inhaler use. If you notice that some foods repeatedly lead to a
"clogged" feeling, stop eating them, or stop eating at thet
location.
