Guest guest Posted September 30, 2006 Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. JoAnn Guest Jan 24, 2004 11:53 PST 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 mrsjo- http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Thanks for all of the information... A lot of it at that. Right now I can't find anything that is helping my asthma. I have a lung disease called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Inherited Emphysema) Yep sounds nasty huh? Well it is very deadly. No cure for it. Well right now my asthama is crazy and I am on Advair, Spiriva, and Albuterol with no help, but I have to take these inhalers for the lung disease as well. I seen an Allergy Asthma Specialist on Friday and had the stick test done to see if there was some kind of allergie causing these bronco tubes to be narrowing and Nothing! No allergies at all. I have two very large Honeywell air cleaners in my house and have started taking Magnesium along with all of my Omega oils and still nothing. I'm at my wits end. Oh and did I mention that I watch my diet to? Mostly organic, no sugars, I use Agave nectar ( this stuff is very good). I only eat sweet potatoes when I have to have a potatoe. No white stuff such as breads. Only whole grains and I buy my whole grains at my health food store. I think I am going there to see what they come up with to try to help me out with this asthma. Maybe they know of something that I have not tried yet. I dont have any carpets, everything is hard wood in my house. Anyways thanks for all of the information here. Sorry to be so winded. Lisa JoAnn Guest <angelprincessjo Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:48:20 PM Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. JoAnn Guest Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. JoAnn Guest Jan 24, 2004 11:53 PST 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 drugsamong 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 Cnot 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 B6Melvyn 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 medicationsbronchod ilators and steroidsby 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 mrsjo- (AT) speakeasy (DOT) net http://www.geocitie s.com/mrsjoguest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 You might want to try Yamoa Powder as it seems to be helping people with asthma. Also enzymes for inflammation. Check out Johanna Budwig's diet protocol. Make sure that whatever supplements you take do not have chemical excipients as sometimes this can cause concerns. Some people say that glyconutrients also help their asthma. Oregano Oil and TOA-Free Cat's Claw are some other supplements to research. There is also some research indicating that hormones may play a role in asthma. Sounds like you are doing well with your diet. You may also want to try a good liver/gallbladder/digestive tract/parasite cleanse. Be Well-- Loretta -------------------------------- Thanks for all of the information... A lot of it at that. Right now I can't find anything that is helping my asthma. I have a lung disease called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Inherited Emphysema) Yep sounds nasty huh? Well it is very deadly. No cure for it. Well right now my asthama is crazy and I am on Advair, Spiriva, and Albuterol with no help, but I have to take these inhalers for the lung disease as well. I seen an Allergy Asthma Specialist on Friday and had the stick test done to see if there was some kind of allergie causing these bronco tubes to be narrowing and Nothing! No allergies at all. I have two very large Honeywell air cleaners in my house and have started taking Magnesium along with all of my Omega oils and still nothing. I'm at my wits end. Oh and did I mention that I watch my diet to? Mostly organic, no sugars, I use Agave nectar ( this stuff is very good). I only eat sweet potatoes when I have to have a potatoe. No white stuff such as breads. Only whole grains and I buy my whole grains at my health food store. I think I am going there to see what they come up with to try to help me out with this asthma. Maybe they know of something that I have not tried yet. I dont have any carpets, everything is hard wood in my house. Anyways thanks for all of the information here. Sorry to be so winded. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Hi Lisa! Lobelia is sometimes helpful for asthma, if it is brought on by spasmatic problems. Most healthfood stores carry it in tincture and homeopathic. Health, Hope, Joy & Healing : May you Prosper, even as your Soul Prospers 3John 2 Jennifer Ruby Email advice is not a substitute for medical treatment. http://www.rubysemporium.com SymphonicHealth Therapeutic-Laser_Therapy http://www.lazrpulsr.com ____________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ - " Lisa Hughes " <terrylabontefan1989 Re: Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. JoAnn Guest | Thanks for all of the information... A lot of it at that. Right now I can't find anything that is helping my asthma. I have a lung disease called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Inherited Emphysema) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Lisa, sorry to read of your asthma troubles. My AMA doc said that in his experience, there were as many forms of asthma as there were cases of asthma! Meaning, to me at least, that it is a most puzzling and subjective condition/disease process, presenting with very unique symptoms, sourced in many different ways, and needing very individualized treatment and healing processes. All measures seem to take a long time to make a real difference in the quality of one's breathing, if they do at all. He was definitely whining that one course of treatment would work like a dream on one person, and not effect a thing helpful in the next, ect. ect. I gave his various attempts about a year and a half, then decided to go alternative. My asthma symptoms came on rather suddenly after I turned 70, and was remarkable healthy. I eat healthy, making most of my own foods, fermenting many of them, and I use herbs and tinctures and foods to treat most unbalances. And I'm a retired nurse and Reiki Master healer, so it was very amazing to find myself in hospital with an asthma attack. I went to a Chinese Practioner, who did the entire (expensive) workup on my system, and we learned a lot of things. He body-tested (through me) all my medications and supplements and herbals, without looking at them, so he could not influence the results with any of his biases, to determine what my body needed or didn't at that point. And he taught me how to do this for myself. Then I underwent a long series (over a three month period with weekly sessions) of accupuncture, moxie treatments, and colored light treatments, and tuning fork treatments, plus he taught me many helpful exercises designed specifically for my organ/system weaknesses. That was two years ago, and I have not had to use my big machine nebulizer in a year, and only occasionally do I have to use the little hand one. My need for a daily dose of Singular (for allergies) seems to be mostly seasonal, and I only take an occasional Mucinex if I wake up with a tight chest or start unusual coughing. So, tho I am not entirely healed, it certainly does not feel like I have asthma anymore, comparatively speaking! Energy medicine may not be for everyone, but it surely worked for me, and I think it would not hurt anyone, or have a harmful effect, which does occure even with the best intentions and the best quality meds for AMA modes of presently treating asthma. The steroids are very hard on the ongoing health of the liver and kidneys and are very addictive. But I damn sure wanted them, and will continue to use them, if I cannot breathe! So finding what works for you, and what does not, will be a long and sometimes costly and frustrating process, Lisa, but I promise you, no one can find them for you except you. And you are worthy of that investment. May you walk in Love, Light and Life, and find all the inner and outer resources of healing available to you! Norma Pirie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 I don't know if serrapeptase could help your asthma. There is more information here http://www.serrapeptase.info/cond_bronchial.htm I haven't used serrapeptase myself but maybe someone else on the list has and could give you more information Hope this helps Linda " Lisa Hughes " <terrylabontefan1989 Sunday, October 01, 2006 8:53 PM Re: Asthma Alternatives, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. JoAnn Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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