Asthma footprint as ‘big as eating meat’ (part 2)

A BBC study has suggested that inhaler users (50 million) switch to a greener alternative to cut their carbon footprint.

In part 1 of this article I suggested alternative therapies for asthma suffers (you can read part 1 here).

In this post I want to address greener and natural alternatives for asthma suffers.

1. Herbs - Herbal medicine is a good adjunct or alternative to inhaler use. Herbs that reduce inflammation such as boswellia & turmeric as well as herbs that act as brochodialators such as lobelia can be of great benefit in asthma. Other herbs that help modulate an allergic response such as albizia & butterbur are helpful to asthma suffers.
2. Vitamins - Studies show that vitamin deficiencies contribute to asthma. Vitamin D, C, E, antioxidants, Omega 3 fish oil, magnesium & probiotics have shown to have a positive effect on asthma symptoms.
3. Homeopathic remedies - Homeopathy is a system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a substance. Homeopathic remedies for asthma are dosed in pellets or liquids. Remedies include: aconitum napellus for shortness of breath, aralia racemosa for tightness in chest, bromium for spasmodic cough & eriodictyon californicum for asthmatic wheezing.
4. Essential oils - Essential oils can be helpful in asthma however caution should be taken as some individuals may have an allergic reaction to certain oils which can trigger asthma. The essential oils that are most beneficial for asthma suffers are bergamot, eucalyptus, peppermint & thyme.
5. Teas - Herbal tea can help relieve asthma symptoms by opening the airway. Green tea is a bronchodialator, pepermint tea contains menthol which relieves congestion and Breathe Easy Tea by Traditional Medicinals is specific for asthma symptoms.