Natural asthma remedies

I've had asthma all my life and I've tried everything. The only thing that helps is my rescue inhaler and nebulized albuterol. I was wondering if anyone had some natural ways to keep it at bay as well as something to help with attacks.

I found that for myself, asthma has clear external causes, which you can tease apart by process of elimination.  In my case all four turned out to be things I'm unable or unwilling to rid my life of completely...wood smoke, wine, cold, and cats!  But my inhaler regime keeps it under control pretty well these days.  But every little bit helps...at least I know to wash my hands after handling the cats!

Mine is stemmed from allergies, most of which is outdoor allergies and kinda hard to avoid that as I'm an outdoor man. As for my indoor allergies those are kept to a minimum. I love my inhaler and don't plan to get rid of it but they are expensive.

Look online for overseas pharmacies.  I've had good luck finding inhalers, both albuterol and steroids, at deep discount and without prescription!

I also suffer from asthma, though it's not nearly bad now as it was when I was younger.
I find that hot drinks help me breathe when wheezy, especially if it's from cold dry air. Coffee is supposed to work fairly well to treat attacks, since caffeine does act as a bronchodilator.
If your asthma is triggered by allergies, local honey made from the plants common in the area can help your body react less intensely to these plants' pollen in the future, though this is not a terribly fast process. There are also herbs like tumeric, grindelia, nettle, and gingko biloba, that some people claim to have used to great effect. I'm of the belief that herbal remedies are often very personal, so your mileage may vary.
Good luck!

Around 15-17 years ago I had very severe asthma/allergies.  It's something that I was plagued with since birth/toddler.  I have no way to convey into words how terrible it was, and the only people who really know, are those who experience it on the same level.  Going to the ER because you can't breathe SUCKS.

Here's what I've learned in all those years.  And it was many years of progressive learning and experience to reach the level where I'm at today.  But first and foremost, the one thing that made a huge difference for me was to stop eating all dairy and grain.  That alone made enough of a difference that I wasn't in serious pain all day for months on end.  And when I gave into those foods, I paid the price.  The one thing that made the hugest difference was adopting a raw food lifestyle.  It wasn't full on raw all the time, but it was in large part the majority of how I ate.  I should add, raw food produce...not raw animals.  This was the beginning of my education.

Long story short, here's the very basics of what I've learned.  The human body has a lymph system.  The lymphatic system is how the body removes all the cellular waste from all the trillions of cells that make up the human body.  And the more I cleansed my body and got my lymphatic system functioning, the less I experienced any allergies/asthma.  To the point where it totally went away, and family members who had much less severe allergies than I, were having constant reactions even as I was outside with them.  And they began asking what I was doing, because they knew I had it to the extreme.  I explained, but they just wanted me to tell them of a drug...so they still suffer to this day.

The best way I've experienced to cleanse the body is through hydration and alkalization from raw produce.  And at some point I took it on and decided to experience it at the top levels of hydration through eating the majority of my meals as sweet/ripe/juicy fruits.  I could go on, but it's very simple.  The foods we eat will either heal us and provide us with life, or it will do the opposite.  The more you cleanse your body by eating foods that the human body is meant to thrive upon, the more you will experience healings and the removal of all disease/etc.  It can be hard to let go of all the programming that we've been entrenched with telling us what to eat.  There are only a handful of people out there giving it straight who really know how the body heals from all ailments/conditions/disease.  The rest just really don't have a firm grasp on human physiology, or they're chasing the dollar at any cost.

If you're willing to change your lifestyle/eating habits, then you can get rid of the asthma/allergies.  And you don't need to go full bore to experience results.  You will experience results even with small changes and especially if you're willing to do some cleanses by eating raw produce, especially if the majority of it is fruit.  I could type for hours on this subject...and I have, LOL.  But it's easier for me to just suggest everyone do their own research and I'll just give you the shortcuts.  Check out Dr. Morse on youtube if you want to learn more.  It took me many years to reach this level of understanding, but it's undeniable at this point, especially once you experience it first hand.  And maybe I should add, this is a journey/path/lifestyle and needs to be approached as such.  People that are looking for a pill or think they can do a 3 day cleanse and be all better, constantly experience failure.  But those that approach it with a mentality of lifestyle changes, experience success.

I have the type of asthma that kills.  The main thing I have found that really makes a huge difference - better than prescriptions - is a Chinese herb called Dang Shen or Codonopsis.  That, alone has been an absolute life saver.  I also find that my asthma flares up much less if I drink water kefir and kombucha daily.  Beyond that, there are many herbs traditionally used for bronchial issues - sage, mint, horehound, angelica, etc - that I try to keep on hand/growing.  They don't do much in comparison to dang shen, but they do help.  Ma Huang, also called Chinese Ephedra, is very good for emergencies... but will definitely elevate blood pressure and heart rate.  

When my husband and I began eating low carb, to help combat his type 2 diabetes, we noticed that we had other health benefits, including a huge reduction in asthma.  My husband used to use need his inhalers multiple times a day, but these days he uses the regular one about twice a week.  It's called salbutamol here, but I'm guessing it's the same as albuterol.  He takes the steroid one once a day.

I also have asthma, though far less severe that my husband's.  I used to get it from my allergies which I would scrupulously avoid--so I didn't notice any changes to it until the first Christmas after our diet change when we visited his family;  their house had all my triggers, including cats, dogs, carpets and cigarette smoke.  And I magically did not get any allergic symptoms including asthma:  I sneezed twice and that was it;  I didn't even get a runny nose or itchy eyes.  From then on, I could sit with everyone in the carpeted living room, instead of hiding in the kitchen or out in the garden and hoping someone would come in once in a while...

Our low carb changes meant we completely cut out wheat, corn, soy, and vegetable oils.  I drastically cut (and my husband completely cut): all other grains including rice, potatoes, and sugar.  We also added animal fats such as butter, cream, lard, and tallow--and fatty cuts of meat.  

Joshua Parke wrote:Around 15-17 years ago I had very severe asthma/allergies.  It's something that I was plagued with since birth/toddler.  I have no way to convey into words how terrible it was, and the only people who really know, are those who experience it on the same level.  Going to the ER because you can't breathe SUCKS.

Been there done that, I've been to the ER several times as a child and once as an adult.

It went away around the time I went to college, so much so that I could have passed MEPS for the Navy at least on that part.

It came back shortly after that and ended my hopes of a Navy career.

I'm interested in this lifestyle you mention, maybe it would also relieve my dermatitis/heat rash. Ill look into the Dr you mentioned as well as the herbs others have mentioned.

One quick remedy to keep on hand, if you find it works for you, is fennel essential oil.  It is a bronchiodilator.  A person can just smell it and open up their tubes, usually.

Other than that, I've found that some people with asthma actually have a reaction to something else- like an allergy.  My mom was diagnosed with asthma in childhood, and later found it was actually a cat allergy.  After some years of homeopathic cat (literally, a homeopathic made from cat dander), she finally lost her severe reaction.  It's been wonderful.

Some other people I've known with asthma were actually sensitized to a biotoxin (like from certain molds, certain algaes, Lyme disease or even certain spider bites), which gave them sensitivity recations (like asthma) as their system wore down.  I explain what biotoxin is and what biotoxin-induced illness looks like on my website, www.treyandkim.com  I had this problem, but asthma wasn't my manifestation.  However I've met others where biotoxin-induced did manifest as asthma.

Good luck getting to the bottom of it.  It can be done, as some of the people above have mentioned.  Meanwhile, stay safe!

My asthma is triggered by things like allergies to animal dander, molds, etc; exercise(yup - exercise induced asthma is a thing, ugh), cold weather, too-high humidity, and too-dry/lack of humidity.

A mug of hot water can help, almost as much as hot coffee, because the heat relaxes everything. After noticing that, it occurred to me that keeping my whole respiratory tract warm (with jackets, scarves, and such) helped lessen the frequency, intensity, and duration of cold weather asthma attacks for me, too. In the warmer weather, it's usually aggravated by going in and out of the a/c.

Nettle, marshmallow, cinnamon, mullien, passionflower, and other herbs can all be helpful in combating asthma, too - but must be taken regularly, and in therapeutic quantity, for best effect.

Carla has provided a helpful list. I will add that nettle is especially therapeutic for me as a liquid extract taken orally and mixing into my Netti pott. Makes me wonder if the origins of Netti pot was nettle pot...

Several years ago I ended up in urgent care with what was diagnosed as allergy induced asthma. I literally thought I was going to die I felt so bad and could barely breathe through the wheezing. They gave me a steroid based inhaler with nasty side effects that I really didn't want to risk using. I remembered that years before Mullein had been helpful with bronchitis.

I have managed to avoid a recurrence by using Mullein tincture at the first hint of any wheezing or difficulty breathing. I take a couple squirts in water in the morning and again at night for a day or two and I'm good to go.
And it's way cheaper to make than buy, so I make a big batch every few years and then share it with family and friends who are prone to lung related illnesses.

Being allergic to everything (cats, chocolate, dust, etc), when younger I controlled the almost constant congestion using tinctures that contained, along with a bunch of other herbs, ephedra (or ma huang), the active ingredient being ephedrine. I discontinued on doctors recommendation before it was banned and currently take a generic Claritin (Loratadine) 10mg in the mornings and that helps a lot. Other measures I take are occasional neti pot cleaning of the sinuses with a saline solution (only use distilled water!), I put a drop of mineral oil in my ears each day helps with ear issues and when suffering w/ a cold or sinusitis will inhale steam w/ herbs diffused in hot water such as eucalyptus, menthol, peppermint, cajeput etc. (also use otc pocket inhalers such as the Olbas). I also occasionally do sinus massage techniques and sometimes will carefully and gently apply positive pressure to my sinuses by holding my nose and gently increasing the pressure in my head. Have not had a serious cold or sinusitis attack in years and cannot ascribe this to any specific thing, but I have suspicions that our daily intake of fresh ginger in our daily fresh juice (apple, orange, carrot, etc) every morning coincides with the fortunate avoidance of colds.

Editing to add I almost forgot about, when a teenager we found a ancient pack of Asthmador Cigarettes that contained stramonium & belladonna and had quite an experience (do not recommend). It did help w/ the asthma, but the other effects were weird (not saying it was aliens...). Here is an article on the history of smoking stramonium for asthma.

The herb ephedra is an amazing bronchodilator, and it worked better for me, than anything else. I'm trying to find some to grow, for my personal use, but obviously can't buy it, as a product.

Like others have said probably getting to the cause(s), if possible, would be ideal. I don't really have asthma but sometimes I get triggered by something and have a harder time breathing than usual. I usually use a filter and essential oils or Allertrex.

Allertrex 1 fl oz (29.6ml)
Lung Support Formula! AllerTrex™ is the only lung support product on the market which uses a Spagyrex™ processed blend of powerful herbs and essential oils that support normal function of the lungs, sinuses and respiratory tract.
It is a natural procedure designed to refresh the delicate respiratory linings of the bronchial passages and lungs by purging them of built up toxins, tar from cigarette smoke, environmental toxins, harmful organisms and accumulated allergens. This should be done on a regular basis due to the declining quality of indoor and outdoor air. The toxic air we breathe puts all of our lungs and respiratory tracts in danger. By using an all natural lung support spray on a regular basis you can assist your lungs in cleansing these compounds, which in turn will support normal respiratory function.

You could probably get all or some of these ingredients to make your own remedy.

Here is what I got in my document about asthma (I always type up things as I find them, and one sentence in them I just added from this thread ):
"Vit c (sodium ascorbate powder form) helped heal my son's asthma after using it for only a few days." from the sodium ascorbate amazon review. This mom didn't mention amount, but usually people take 2-3 grams several times a day for problem prevention. Ideally one would like to take up to bowel tolerance for healing. To test bowel tolerance to a test on the day you are home a lot, especially towards the ned of the day. Basically you start taking 2 grams of vit c every hour. Once you get loose bowels, you reached the point. Then reduce a bit and that is your dose. If you do not reach it, try larger doses each hour next day. Some people with acute infections orhuge toxin load might need 200-300 grams daily for a while. Ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate are most ften available forms, and second one is gentler on the stomach, when one takes it in larger amounts. Always dilute it in water right before taking,
One quick remedy to keep on hand, if you find it works for you, is fennel essential oil.  It is a bronchiodilator.  A person can just smell it and open up their tubes, usually.
Nigella sativa ( black cumin, or black seed), seed or seed oil. Take 1 teaspoon of oil or 1 teaspoon to 1 tablspoon of grind seed 3 times a day.
Bromelain in pineapple stem or as a supplement. 500 milligrams taken 3 times daily, taken on empty stomach.
Apply cloth soaked with ginger tea to the chest area, and also drink it.
Fenugreek seed tea
"In my use with clients, I have found Silk Tassel to be one of the FINEST of antispasmodics for menstrual cramps, dysentery (especially from Protozoa infections), and for severe lung spasms, like the kind associated with asthma attacks. There are only a few herbs that I have witnessed, that have the potential to stop a full blown asthma attack. An extract of Silk Tassel is one such herb.
The part of the plant used as a medicine is the leaf and twigs, preferably dried, and extracted as a 1:5 plant extract, using about 50 to 60% alcohol. Dosage range can vary depending on use, but 10 to 20 drops, up to 5 times a day. I also, sometimes make a fresh plant extract with the leaves, a 1:2 ratio, 50% alcohol."
from https://www.voyagebotanica.net/blogs/yerba-mansa-anemopsis-californica/silk-tassel-a-very-important-plant-medicine-for-your-first-aid-kit

Terri Gerard from facebook herbal group drinks plantain leaf tea during an attack.
Carmen Call from facebook herbal group says: "If allergens are causing it, Quercetin is the cure! I needed a dehumidifier and air purifier to breathe for 3 years. I took quercetin for 2 days and my asthma VANISHED. That was 2 months ago. My life has completely changed." She took Oregon's Wild Harvest, Aller-Aid with Quercetin. In each 2 capsules there are 275 mg. of quercetin and 150 mg. of nettle. There are also 250 mg. of vitamin C and 300 mg. of N-Acetyl Cysteine. It takes 1-2 weeks for most people until full results are seen, though gradual improvement will be noticed earlier. Carmen takes only one of them a day.
Raw pastured milk helped child to stop asthma attacks. However pasteurized commercial milk makes things worse.
Astaxanthin antioxidant normalizes histamine levels in people with asthma. Take 12mg a day. Naturally found in red seaweed, algae, and salmon.
Sleep on a pillow stuffed with elder leaves. Do not take internally as they are poisonous to some degree.
Loquat leaves (Eriobotrya japonica) make sure to brush off fuzzy part under the leaf before tincturing or using for tea as they can irritate mucous membranes.
Take a teaspoon of mustard seed powder twice a day, can be mixed with molasses. Some people claim it cured their asthma. Mustard leaves can be be used in similar way or mixed with raw honey.
Aloe sliced leaves steeped in cold water for a few hours. Drink the water.
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Hungerian wormwood (artemisia pontica)
Licorice, elecampane, aniseed, lobelia , and flower of sulphur powders mixed with honey. Take a teaspoon daily.
Lobelia Inflata (powdered seeds, herb and seed pods) - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day.
Catnip, pennyroyal, thyme tea, parsley root
During attack -take a teaspoon of lobelia tincture in a cup of warm tea.
Make a decoction with seneca snake root -Polygala senega (half an ounce for 1 pint of water, simmer until reduced in half) and take tablespoon every 10-15 minutes during attack.
Decoction formula- sage, lungwort, licorice, mullein leaves, hoarhound - 1/2 ounce each simmered in a quart of water for 20 min. Take a quarter of the cup (2 ounces) at the bedtime.
Herbalists in Ghana have long used amor seco (Desmodium adscendens) leaves to treat bronchial asthma. The treatment was so successful that it attracted attention from the scientific community. In 1977, a clinical observational study on humans showed that 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried amor seco leaf powder daily (in three dosages) produced improvement and remission in most asthma patients treated. In a study published in 2011, researchers once again validated amor seco's traditional uses as a natural remedy for asthma. They reported that the methanol extract of amor seco was the strongest in relaxing the tracheas of mice and ethanol extracts and water extracts had the same activity but to a lesser degree. Generally, 1-3 cups of amor seco leaf tea (standard infusion) daily, 4-6 ml of a standard tincture, or 4-5 g of powdered leaves in capsules daily are used.
Other herbs which have been used to treat asthma are comfrey, cramp bark, marshmallow, wild cherry, coltsfoot, yellow dock, elecampane, garlic, ginseng, horehound, lemon and honey, licorice root, mullein, mustard, pine gum, peppermint, slippery elm, and wintergreen.
"Between the girl's gasps, Dr. Christopher gave her sips of peppermint tea until she had taken a full cup. When she finished that, in about ten minutes, he gave her a teaspoonful of tincture of lobelia. In another ten minutes, he gave her another teaspoonful, and then a few minutes later, a third teaspoonful. He had never used more than three teaspoonfuls of the tincture of lobelia, because he was always called during asthma attacks at crisis. That is the best time to clear the ailment. They sat and talked after the girl had swallowed the third teaspoonful, and then she started to throw up. She vomited continually for an hour or so until she had nothing left in her; it brought up pus and phlegm from yellows to greens to blacks. She rolled over and fell asleep, so the Christophers left. She never had another asthma attack after that, as long as she stayed on the program, and grew up to have beautiful children of her own." Peppermint tea helped to relax muscles, so she wouldn't be sore from vomiting.