Natural Remedies for Asthma.

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JoAnn Guestmrsjo-http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguestGreen Pharmacy for AsthmaDoctors treat asthma with a variety of drugs—among them theophylline(Aerolate, Theo-Dar)—that open up the bronchial tubes.These drugs, known as bronchodilators, are often taken with aninhaler. But for my treatment, if my doctor suggested theophylline, I'dprefer to get it from its many natural sources, chief among them theorganic natural plants containing caffeine.Tea, green tea, natural cocoa and chocolate.Actually, these plant substances have more than caffeine. Allsupposedly contain two other major natural anti-asthmatic

compounds,theobromine and theophylline, which, along with caffeine, belong toa family of chemicals called xanthines.These chemicals help stop bronchospasms and open constrictedbronchial passages.Of course, caffeine and the other anti-asthmatic zanthines are notentirely risk free. As any junkie knows, caffeine can cause insomniaand the jitters. But in their natural state, the anti-asthmaticcompounds actually cause fewer side effects than pharmaceuticaltheophyllline.In one survey, 81 percent of pediatricians said that parents hadexpressed concern about the side effects of their children's asthmamedication, particularly the restlessness and difficultyconcentrating that many children experience. At high doses,pharmaceutical asthma medications may also cause headache, insomnia,irritability, nausea, poor appetite, stomachache and even seizures!*Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) , citrus fruits and

other foodscontaining vitamin C. A review of some 40 good studies revealed thatvitamin C---about 1,000 milligrams a day----helps prevent asthmaattacks, bronchospasms, wheezing, respiratory infections, nasalcongestion, watery eyes, and other allergy and asthma symptoms.Why?Vitamin C inhibits the release of histamine!I advise eating more plants that are high in vitamin C—not justcitrus fruits and tomatoes, but also bell peppers and organicstrawberries.You can also take a C supplement. The beauty of eating citrusfruits,however, is that in addition to vitamin C, they also containflavonoids!These are substances that also block the release of histamine, inturn curbing allergy symptoms and allergy-related asthma.Assorted Herbs-I searched my database for anti-asthmatic compounds and came up withquite a few herbs worth mentioning.I found at least six anti-asthmatic substances in tea,

fennel, andcayenne. Onion, coriander, and bell pepper had five.And a large group contained four: cabbage, cacao, carrot, cranberry,currant, eggplant, grapefruit, orange, oregano, sage and tomato.Looking for herbs with the largest amounts of anti-asthma compounds,I found that licorice and tea were the big winners.Cacao, cardamom, onion and purslane looked relatively rich.You could whip up some interesting anti-asthma dishes with theseherbs,How about orange-grapefruit- cranberry fruit salad withfennel?Or eggplant with onion, tomato and sage?Finally, Japanese wasabi is worth a try. The Japanese enjoy wasabijust as Americans enjoy horseradish. It certainly clears thesinuses! There's some research suggesting that a spoonful a day can relieveasthma, allergies and hay fever.If I had asthma, I'd try wasabi, You can buy it at any grocery storethat carries a specialty line of Oriental

products.You can use it just as you would horseradish. Try spreading it oncrackers or mixing it in a dip, or have it with sushi, as theJapanese do.You should be aware however, that wasabi is extremely hot.Vitamin B6—Melvyn Werbach, M.D., assistant clinical professor ofpsychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, School ofMedicine and author of several books on alternative medicine, citescases of children with asthma who reduce their dosages of anti-asthma medications—bronchod ilators and steroids—by taking a dailydose of 200 mgs of vitamin B6, in addition to their medication.Adults have experienced decreased frequency and intensity of asthmaattacks by taking 50 mgs of vitamin B6 twice daily!Taken from "The Green Pharmacy,"by James A. Duke Ph.D. "Our ideal

is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.

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