Natural asthma remedies can relieve symptoms of this condition and help a person breathe easier. Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs. It causes a narrowing and inflammation of the airways. A person can develop asthma at any age, but it most commonly begins during childhood. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute estimates that 22 million Americans have asthma.

Asthma causes a person’s airways to become sensitive and swollen. As a result, the person will have a strong reaction to certain substances in the environment such as dust, or animal hair. Exposure to these substances will cause the muscles in the airway to contract, which means less air can reach the lungs. Mucus production will then increase, making it even harder for the person to breathe. Asthma symptoms include coughing and wheezing.

Herbal Remedies for Asthma

Boswellia extract is sometimes used as a natural asthma treatment. The boswellia is a tree that is found in the dry hills of India. Boswellia extract acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. It also produces a substance known as resin, which is extracted and purified for healing purposes. Boswellia extract is available as a capsule.

A study published in The Whole Family Guide to Natural Asthma Relief supports the effectiveness of boswellia extract as a natural asthma treatment. Forty asthma patients participated in the six week study. They either received a 300 mg boswellia extract supplement or a placebo three times daily. Seventy percent of the patients who took boswellia experienced fewer asthma attacks, relief from wheezing symptoms, greater lung capacity, and less blockage in their airways.

The ginkgo biloba herb is also among the effective herbal remedies for asthma. The ginkgo tree is native to China, Korea, and Japan. However, millions of these trees are now grown and harvested in several other countries including the United States. Their popularity is due to the medicinal properties contained within their leaves.

A study published in The Whole Family Guide to Natural Asthma Relief evaluated the use of the ginkgo biloba herb as a natural asthma treatment. Eight asthma patients who also had allergies felt better after taking 40 mg of ginkgo biloba herb daily. Their breathing improved and they were not as sensitive to allergens.

Acupuncture

The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health support the use of acupuncture as a natural asthma treatment. Acupuncture is a treatment in which needles are placed in various parts of the body. The purpose is to stimulate the flow of energy throughout the body in a way that allows the body to heal itself.

A study published in the journal Zhongguo Zhen Jiu (March 2005)analyzed the effects of acucupuncture on 90 patients with severe asthma. Researchers found that the acupuncture treatments improved the functioning of the patients’ lungs and reduced the frequency of their asthma attacks. For best results, patients should have treatments that last for about 30 minutes a few times a week.