Asthma Alternatives

[Guest guest]

Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D.

 

 

Asthma takes your breath away!

 

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that causes wheezing,

coughing, chest congestion, shortness of breath and often tremendous

anxiety about being unable to breathe.

 

More than 4,000 people die each year from complications of serious

asthma attacks, a number that's increased over 30 percent since

1980.

 

For reasons that remain unexplained, children are more likely to die

in summer, while people over 65 are more likely to die in winter.

 

Many people consider asthma a childhood illness, and there's

certainly no shortage of kids with this disease.

 

In 1995, some 3.7 million children and adolescents had it, up

sharply from 2.4 million in 1980.

 

But asthma can develop at any age, and the fact is, most

people with asthma are adults. About 14 million Americans now have

asthma. The disease costs us more than $6 billion a year in medical

care and lost productivity.

 

Doctors don't know what causes asthma or why the number of people

who have it keeps rising.

 

Neither do I, but it seems that the closer we get to chemical

pollution and the farther we stray from natural foods, the more

asthma we see. I believe that outdoor air pollution and " sick

buildings " with indoor pollution are a big part of the growing

asthma problem.

 

The symptoms of asthma are caused by bronchial spasms

(bronchospasms), a sudden narrowing of the branching tubes that lead

into the lungs.

 

While asthma and hay fever-type allergies are distinct conditions,

they overlap, especially among those under age 15. Ninety percent of

children with asthma also have allergies, and these allergies can

trigger asthma attacks.

 

The reason that bronchospasms can be triggered by allergies is

that histamine, the chemical most responsible for allergy symptoms,

seems to play a role in asthma attacks as well.

 

But many other things besides histamine can trigger an attack;

strenuous exercise, cigarette smoke, respiratory infections,

industrial chemicals,

aspiring, pet dander, indoor pollution and the sulfites added to

many foods!

 

Stress also plays a role in asthma. Severe anxiety can trigger

attacks, and stress generally aggravates asthma symptoms!

 

Green Pharmacy for Asthma

 

Doctors 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 an

inhaler.

But for my treatment, if my doctor suggested theophylline, I'd

prefer to get it from its many natural sources, chief among them the

organic natural plants containing caffeine.

 

Tea, green tea, natural cocoa and chocolate.

Actually, these plant substances have more than caffeine. All

supposedly contain two other major natural anti-asthmatic compounds,

theobromine and theophylline, which, along with caffeine, belong to

a family of chemicals called xanthines.

 

These chemicals help stop bronchospasms and open constricted

bronchial passages.

 

Of course, caffeine and the other anti-asthmatic zanthines are not

entirely risk free. As any junkie knows, caffeine can cause insomnia

and the jitters. But in their natural state, the anti-asthmatic

compounds actually cause fewer side effects than pharmaceutical

theophyllline.

 

In one survey, 81 percent of pediatricians said that parents had

expressed concern about the side effects of their children's asthma

medication, particularly the restlessness and difficulty

concentrating 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 foods

containing vitamin C. A review of some 40 good studies revealed that

vitamin C---about 1,000 milligrams a day----helps prevent asthma

attacks, bronchospasms, wheezing, respiratory infections, nasal

congestion, 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 just

citrus fruits and tomatoes, but also bell peppers and organic

strawberries.

 

You can also take a C supplement. The beauty of eating citrus

fruits,

however, is that in addition to vitamin C, they also contain

flavonoids!

 

These are substances that also block the release of histamine, in

turn curbing allergy symptoms and allergy-related asthma.

 

Assorted Herbs-

 

I searched my database for anti-asthmatic compounds and came up with

quite a few herbs worth mentioning.

 

I found at least six anti-asthmatic substances in tea, fennel, and

cayenne. 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 these

herbs,

 

How about orange-grapefruit-cranberry fruit salad with

fennel?

 

Or eggplant with onion, tomato and sage?

 

Finally, Japanese wasabi is worth a try. The Japanese enjoy wasabi

just as Americans enjoy horseradish. It certainly clears the

sinuses!

There's some research suggesting that a spoonful a day can relieve

asthma, allergies and hay fever.

 

If I had asthma, I'd try wasabi, You can buy it at any grocery store

that carries a specialty line of Oriental products.

 

You can use it just as you would horseradish. Try spreading it on

crackers or mixing it in a dip, or have it with sushi, as the

Japanese do.

 

You should be aware however, that wasabi is extremely hot.

 

Vitamin B6—-Melvyn Werbach, M.D., assistant clinical professor of

psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of

Medicine and author of several books on alternative medicine, cites

cases of children with asthma who reduce their dosages of anti-

asthma medications—bronchodilators and steroids—by taking a daily

dose of 200 mgs of vitamin B6, in addition to their medication.

Adults have experienced decreased frequency and intensity of asthma

attacks by taking 50 mgs of vitamin B6 twice daily!

 

Taken from " The Green Pharmacy, "

by James A. Duke Ph.D.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Melanoma.html

[Guest guest]

JoAnn Guestmrsjo-http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest Green 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 constrictedbronchialpassages.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, inturncurbing 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 theJapanesedo.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 dailydoseof 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."Get off your ass and take your government back." ~Rocky Ward

Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Small Business.

[Guest guest]

So, when one gets an asthma attack, make a cup of coffee, or tea, yerba matte, guarana, or whatever? And breathe at the same time while waiting for the brew? Or drink these all the time?

If one could keep peppermint on hand it relaxes the bronchial spasms almost immediately in most people. One can even take a peppermint candy, so long as it has genuine peppermint oil in it, or breath mint. I used to keep peppermint Altoids on hand for this in relation to my son. Without fail, they always worked. He would seem to have outgrown his childhood asthma.

And the peppermint is better than anything prescribed for the condition by the doctor.

 

Ed

 

-

Rocky Ward

rachelleward2

Saturday, September 30, 2006 11:39 PM

Fwd: Asthma Alternatives

 

 

 

JoAnn Guestmrsjo- (AT) speakeasy (DOT) nethttp://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest Green 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 constrictedbronchialpassages.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, inturncurbing 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 theJapanesedo.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 dailydoseof 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.

"Get off your ass and take your government back." ~Rocky Ward

 

 

Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Research and practice show that two main points should be

stressed on asthma and COPD:

 

Low glutathione

 

Low nitric oxide

 

A few antioxidant supplements including undenatured whey,

selenium, vitamin E and C, and a b-complex vitamin may just do

the trick; it's worked for many clients so far.

 

Of couse, removing the toxins would help too.

 

Duncan

 

 

 

> Posted by: " JoAnn Guest " angelprincessjo mrsjoguest

> Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:15 pm (PDT)

>

> Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. JoAnn Guest

> Jan 24, 2004 11:53 PST

> Doctors don't know what causes asthma or why the number of

> people who have it keeps rising.

> Neither do I, but it seems that the closer we get to chemical

> pollution and the farther we stray from natural foods, the more

> asthma we see.