Allergies triggering asthma attacks or asthmatic reactions

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/24/2004 5:56:54 AM Eastern Standard Time,

shelleyslife writes:

 

> I have allergies and asthma. It appears that the allergies (FL pine

> pollen as an example) trigger an asthmatic reaction.

>

> Does anyone have an aromatherapy and/or other solution to help this

> situation?

>

> Thanks so much,

>

 

I don't have a solution but I would find out what e.o.'s come from the same

families as the plants you are allergic too. For example, Roman Chamomile is

in the ragweed family, so, if one have a rag weed allergy avoidance would be a

good idea.

 

Bill

Seraphim's Touch

http://store.seraphimstouch.com

Essential Oils, Carrier Oils, Bath Salts, and Lotions.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I have allergies and asthma. It appears that the allergies (FL pine

pollen as an example) trigger an asthmatic reaction.

 

Does anyone have an aromatherapy and/or other solution to help this

situation?

 

Thanks so much,

 

Shelley

[Guest guest]

> I have allergies and asthma. It appears that the allergies (FL pine

> pollen as an example) trigger an asthmatic reaction.

 

> Does anyone have an aromatherapy and/or other solution to help this

> situation?

 

> Thanks so much,

 

> Shelley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Hi Shelley,

 

Still half asleep at the wheel here, but I've got some early morning

asthma reading for ya

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article

<http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article & ID=12

66> & ID=1266

 

Asthma

 

C David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. <http://www.healthy.net/scr/bio.asp?Id=61>

(Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

 

_____

 

 

A reversible obstructive lung disorder characterized by increased

responsiveness of the airways.

 

This is a condition in which the small bronchial airways temporarily

constrict, so that it is difficult to exhale. This leads to

breathlessness and wheezing. Such difficulty is caused by muscle spasm

in the bronchi of the lungs. This narrows the space available for air to

make its way out of the lungs, and breathing out is always more

difficult than breathing in, thus producing the characteristic wheezing

sound associated with asthma attacks.

 

Because the passages are narrowed and air flow reduced, mucus also

builds up in the lungs, and this makes it even more difficult to

breathe. The mucus is also a breeding-ground for bacteria, so attacks of

bronchitis may arise as a complication of the asthma.

 

Many asthma attacks are triggered by allergens, such as dust, mould

spores, mites, animal hair or feathers but the onset may equally be

caused by cold air, or it may be preceded by an infection such as a

cold. Certainly, stress and more specifically acute anxiety are known to

be the immediate trigger for many attacks, and this can sometimes give

rise to a vicious circle of asthma - anxiety about the asthma - further

attacks. Thus a wide range of etiological factors can be involved in

this all too common problem. A number of different groupings can be

applied:

 

 

* extrinsic asthma - caused by allergic responses to house dust,

animal fur, or various foods. Such causes 10-20% of adult asthma.

 

* intrinsic asthma - caused by genetics, structural problems,

infections, pollutants and stress - both physiological and

psychological. Such causes 30-50% of adult asthma.

 

 

The symptoms of people with asthma differ greatly in frequency and

degree. Some have an occasional episode that is mild and brief;

otherwise they are symptom free. Others have mild coughing and wheezing

much of the time, punctuated by severe exacerbation's of symptoms

following exposure to known allergies, viral infections, exercise or

nonspecific irritants. A series of stages have been characterized for

describing the severity of an acute asthma attack:

 

1. Mild - mild dyspnoea; diffuse wheezes; adequate air exchange.

 

2. Moderate - respiratory distress at rest; hypernea, use of

accessory muscles; marked wheezes.

 

3. Severe - marked respiratory distress; cyanosis; use of accessory

muscles; marked wheezes or absent breath sounds.

 

4. Respiratory failure - Severe respiratory distress; lethargy;

confusion; prominent pulsus paradoxus. Use of accessory muscles.

 

 

Phytotherapy has much to offer in the treatment, control and even cure

of asthmatic problems, but will not replace emergency allopathic support

stages 3 and 4. Another useful context within which asthma can be seen

is that of age of onset of symptoms.

 

Childhood-onset asthma

This is closely linked with the presence of eczema, hay fever, urticaria

and migraine in the patient or in close relatives. People with this kind

of family history are called a topic. If both parents have a history of

atopythen the chances of the child being affected is 50%; if one parent

is affected, the chance is 30%; and if neither parent is affected, the

chance is approximately 12%. Childhood asthma may very often be preceded

for several months or even years by episodic coughing which later

develops into wheezy bronchitis and then eventually into asthma. Such

children often have a history of slow recovery from upper respiratory

tract viral infections as well as a personal or family history of atopy.

Treatment for a topic asthma is described below

 

Adult-onset asthma

Adult-onset asthma is more common in women than men. There are two broad

types. In the first there are no obvious reasons for the asthmatic

attacks. In the second, there are fairly obvious trigger factors that

precipitate attacks. The sufferer should avoid such triggers but, even

so, new allergens will continue to be detected, to be added to the list

of external or environmental causes of the condition. Common triggers

include:

 

* Inhaled allergens - Commonly inhaled allergens include the

house-dust mite; animal dander's; pollens, particularly grass; mould

spores.

 

* Irritant gases - including cigarette smoke.

 

* Ingested allergens - foods; drugs, e.g. aspirin, colored

medicines(pills, capsules and syrups); food additives; yeast and moulds

on food.

 

* Infecting organisms - either due to the infection itself or an

allergy to the organism.

 

* Temperature changes - especially cold air.

 

* Changes in the weather.

 

* Exercise.

 

* Emotional stress - e.g. bereavement.

 

* Hormonal changes.

 

* Certain chemicals in the workplace.

 

 

Actions indicated for the processes behind this disease :

 

Pulmonary tonics are important in long term strengthening of the lungs,

but will do little in short term relief of an attack.

Expectorant remedies will be essential to ensure that there is the

minimum of build up of sputum in the lungs. However, stimulant

expectorants would potentially aggravate the breathing difficulties.

Thus only use relaxing expectorants.

Demulcents will be soothing and support the relaxing expectorants.

Anti-spasmodic plants will ease the spasm response in the muscles of the

lungs.

Anti-microbial support is called for if there is potential for secondary

infection, which is too be guarded against at all costs.

Anti-catarrhals aid the body in dealing with overproduction of sputum in

lungs or sinuses.

Cardio-Tonic herbs will support the heart in the face of lung congestion

or strain.

Nervine support is always appropriate either because stress is a trigger

or because the asthma becomes a source of stress & concern which then in

turn triggers attacks.

 

 

System Support :

Tonic support of the systems most effected by asthma is often the key to

successful treatments. Of primary importance is, of course, the

respiratory system. In addition to this consideration must also be given

to the cardio-vascular, nervous, and digestive systems. The digestive

system comes into play because of any dietary sensitivities, which often

have an impact on the histological structure of the alimentary canal.

 

Specific Remedies :

Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang) and some other species of orientalEphedra

prove exceptional useful as bronchodilators. Original source of the

alkaloid l-ephedrine. The synthetic ephedrine is racemic, optically

inactive because it has equal parts of dextro- & levorotatory forms. The

natural form has advantages as it is better tolerated, causing fewer

heart symptoms Ephedrine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system,

relieving the bronchial spasm that underlies the asthmatic state, as

well other conditions that have a broncho spasm component such as

emphysema. Allergic reactions respond well to Ephedra because of its

action on the sympathetic nerves.

 

Other plants from all around the world have marked anti-spasmodic and

bronchodilating effects. Of most importance within western Phytotherapy

are:

 

 

 

 

Ephedra sinica, Grindelia camporum, Euphorbia pilulifera, Drosera

rotundifolia, Prunus serotina, Ammi visnaga

 

One possible prescription : for Asthma (DYSPNOEA MIXTURE)

 

 

Grindelia camporum --- --- --- 24 parts tincture

Euphorbia pilulifera --- --- --- 24 parts tincture

Lobelia inflata --- --- --- 12 parts tincture

Prunus serotina --- --- --- 12 parts tincture

Glycyrrhiza glabra --- --- --- 12 parts tincture

Leonurus cardiaca --- --- --- 12 parts tincture

Ephedra sinica --- --- --- 10 parts tincture

Pimpinella anisum --- --- --- 1 parts e.o. -- -- -- 5ml. of mixture

taken 3 times a day.

 

 

If Euphorbia pilulifera proves difficult to obtain then double the

amount of Grindelia to make up for it. This combination supplies the

following actions :

 

Pulmonaries (Lobelia inflata)

Expectorant (Grindelia camporum, Euphorbia pilulifera, Lobelia inflata,

Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Demulcent (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Anti-spasmodic (Grindelia camporum, Euphorbiapilulifera, Lobelia

inflata, Prunus serotina, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pimpinella anisum, Ephedra

sinica)

Anti-microbial (Pimpinella anisum)

Anti-inflammatories (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pimpinellaanisum)

Anti-catarrhals (Pimpinella anisum, Ephedrasinica)

Cardio-Tonic (Leonurus cardiaca)

Nervine (Lobelia inflata, Leonurus cardiaca)

 

 

One possible prescription : for Asthma/eczema (a topic asthma) in

children

 

Dyspnoea mixture --- --- --- 2 parts

Galium aparine --- --- --- 1 part

Trifolium pratense --- --- --- 1 part

Urtica dioica --- --- --- 1 part

 

 

 

equal parts of tincture to 5ml. taken three times a day.

 

This combination supplies the following actions :

 

 

Alterative (Galium aparine, Trifolium pratense, Urticadioica )

Pulmonaries (Lobelia inflata)

Expectorant (Grindelia camporum, Euphorbia pilulifera, Lobelia inflata,

Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Demulcent (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Anti-spasmodic (Grindelia camporum, Euphorbiapilulifera, Lobelia

inflata, Prunus serotina, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pimpinella anisum, Ephedra

sinica)

Anti-microbial (Pimpinella anisum)

Anti-inflammatories (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pimpinellaanisum)

Anti-catarrhals (Pimpinella anisum, Ephedrasinica)

Cardio-Tonic (Leonurus cardiaca)

Nervine (Lobelia inflata, Leonurus cardiaca, Trifoliumpratense)

 

 

Broader Context of Treatment :

Our lungs are connected to our emotions in an obvious way - think about

laughing or crying. If a person with asthma has difficulty in expressing

his or her feelings, it is worth exploring why this should be. Bach

Flower Remedies can help here. Deep breathing can strengthen our

connection to our feelings and will help improve asthma, if practiced

regularly. Other regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga, T'ai

Chi, and relaxation classes, can also help to deepen and relax your

breathing.

 

Food sensitivities must be identified. It may pay dividends to exclude,

for a time, eggs, wheat, even gluten (found in wheat, oats, barley and

rye), and dairy products. The early onset of asthma is sometimes

triggered off by a child not being breast-fed. Another source of concern

is alcohol (wine and beer) and preserved fruit, which often contain

sulphur dioxide. Many asthmatics react to as little as five parts of

sulfur dioxide per million.

 

The whole thoracic area - back and chest - should be massaged, with

particular emphasis on strokes which open out the chest and shoulders.

The choice of essential oils will depend on many factors, such as

whether or not there is infection present, whether the asthma is known

to be an allergic response, or whether emotional factors are involved.

During an actual crisis, inhaling an antispasmodic oil is the only

practical herbal help, and direct sniffing from the oil bottle, or some

drops put on a tissue, will be safer than a steam inhalation, as the

heat of the latter will increase any inflammation of the mucous

membranes and make the congestion even worse.

 

* Hyssop : Hyssopus officinalis

 

* Aniseed : Pimpinella anisum

 

* Lavender : Lavandula officinalis

 

* Pine : Pinus sylvestris

 

* Rosemary : Rosemarinus officinalis

 

 

The Textbook of Natural Medicine, by Drs. Pizzorno and Murray recommend

the following nutritional supplements.

 

Vitamin B6 25mg twice a day

Vitamin B12 1, 00 mcg a day

Vitamin C 1-2g a day

Vitamin E 400 international units per day

Selenium 250 mcg a day