Asthma is a terrible condition for anyone to be afflicted with. It causes the bronchial tubes, which bring air to the lungs, to constrict. When an asthma attack strikes, it becomes difficult to breathe and the person will wheeze and strain to get air into the lungs. The word asthma actually comes the Greek word for ‘gasp’. Asthma is a serious disease and causes major disruptions in the lives of those suffering from it, such as loss of sleep, inability to work or study, and trips to the doctor, hospital, or emergency room for treatment. There is presently no way to cure asthma, but there are natural remedies that can help to alleviate the symptoms and let the asthmatic more fully enjoy life.

Huang qi is an herb long known to Chinese physicians as an aid in treating asthma. This herb helps to open up the swollen passageways, helping the asthmatic to breathe more easily, especially if taken over a number of days. It can provide relief within an hour for some, but it is its cumulative benefits that will be most valuable. By opening the bronchial tubes, Huang qi can promote easier, more normal breathing. Helping to reduce the irritation is also important, and there are some very valuable natural remedies that can help. Elder can not only help with soothing a cough, but it can help to open up the passageways and prevent the buildup of phlegm. The mucous membranes, such as the bronchial tubes, can be calmed and soothed by marshmallow.

When asthma strikes, the asthmatic generally reacts by becoming tense and nervous. This is perfectly understandable when you are having trouble breathing, but it will only exacerbate the problem further. Help to calm the asthmatic down is very important, and chamomile definitely has a soothing effect. Chamomile has also been credited with having a positive effect on the respiratory system as well.

Children who suffer from asthma can often be helped during an attack by essential oils being massaged into the back and chest. These oils can help to open respiratory passages and help the child breathe more easily. Niaouli oil has proven itself valuable in clearing out congestion and easing the ability of a child to breathe during an asthma attack. The clean and invigorating odor of eucalyptus oil, along with its ability to open and clear the chest, make it invaluable as a chest rub both when asthma strikes, and as a preventive. The fragrance of the oil will also help the asthmatic child sleep, and keep the passages more open, too.

Many parents of asthmatic children have found that they can promote restful sleep by spritzing the pillow with several aromatic oils. Lavender essential oil and chamomile essential oil are renowned for their calming and soothing properties, and can help a restless child sleep more easily. Because asthma so often interrupts sleep, using these essential oils to promote rest will allow your child to regain strength after an asthma attack.

While it is true that herbs have provided many beneficial natural remedies for asthma, there are also biochemic tissue salts that can assist the asthmatic. An asthma attack causes the entire chest to tighten. Loosening up this tightness can alleviate some of the distress associated with an asthma attack, and it has been found that mag phos will do just that. The tension and nervousness that accompany asthma can be helped by kali phos, which calms jangled nerves and eases breathing. An excellent treatment for asthma is nat sulph, which conditions the bronchial tubes and has a soothing effect on them as well.

Asthma is a difficult ailment to treat, and most people who develop it will be on various medications and inhalers for years. Many of these medications have serious side effects, and can cause long term problems of their own. It only makes sense to use the many natural remedies available for asthma along with any prescribed medications. As they work with the body to not only deal with the symptoms, but to strengthen the immune system and person as a whole, making future asthma attacks both less severe and less likely, and can lessen the use of strong conventional drugs.