How Ginger Helps Improve Asthma Symptoms
Herbal remedies are among the most common complementary and alternative treatments for asthma today and the relationship between ginger and asthma is no exception.
I am sometimes faced with patients asking if they can use ginger as an asthma treatment. With as many as 40% of asthmatics using something other than what their healthcare provider prescribes for their asthma, it is important for you to get as much information as possible.
Caffeine As A Bronchodilator
In 1993, Dr. Scott T. Weis of Harvard Medical School studied 20,000 asthma patients and found that those who regularly drank coffee suffered one-third fewer symptoms than those who abstained. Caffeine, the stimulant found in coffee and tea, is chemically very similar to theophylline, a drug used to treat asthma and bronchitis. In Weis’s study, tea had no effect on the asthma patients, possibly because tea has lower levels of caffeine than coffee. A cup of brewed coffee has between 40 and 180 mg of caffeine, while a cup of tea contains 25 to 110 mg. If you suffer from asthma, drinking coffee every day could help relieve some of your symptoms, but it is no substitute for medication.
Get On The Ginger Tea Bandwagon
Ginger has been making quite a stir in the asthma community lately, since studies have shown it can enhance the effect of asthma medications.
And its a de-congesting, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, so whats not to love?
Many holistic practitioners recommend adding ginger to your diet or taking ginger supplements to help treat your asthma .
I get my ginger fix through drinking ginger tea. This lemon ginger tea is quite refreshing I find I appreciate the lemon flavor to temper the ginger a little bit.
This organic ginger lemon green tea is also good, just be careful not to oversteep.
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Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
If you’re looking for a way to improve your diet while living with asthma, incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables is a great place to start. Not only are they low in calories to promote a healthy weight, but they also contain essential nutrients that can support a healthy lung function.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamins C and E. Studies have shown diets high in fruits and vegetables, especially apples and oranges, can reduce the risk of developing asthma and reduce wheezing.
Bananas may also decrease the incidence of wheezing in children due to their antioxidant and potassium content, which can improve lung function.
Other important fruits and vegetables to include in your diet include broccoli, berries, leafy greens, melon, and avocado.
How To Use Turmeric For Asthma
Turmeric can be used to treat symptoms of asthma in various ways.
- Relieving congestion of bronchi: To relieve blocked bronchi turmeric has to be taken with salt mixed in hot water. Licking one teaspoon of turmeric along with ½ tsp of honey also offers relief from the congestion of bronchi.
- Eliminate phlegm: Mix turmeric powder, banana ash and barley powder in equal proportions along with honey. Have this paste four to five times in a day to get rid of phlegm.
- Relieve irritation of bronchioles: Mix turmeric powder, ghee and black pepper powder to make a paste. Massage the chest and throat region using the paste to reduce irritation of the bronchioles.
- Burn turmeric till red hot and inhale the smoke. The smoke serves as a strong expectorant.
- Breathing problem commonly observed in asthma patients can be relieved by taking turmeric that is partially roasted and later ground using hot water.
- Boil a small piece of turmeric in milk. Now, sweeten the milk with jaggery and have it to obtain relief from asthma.
- Intake of 1/4tsp of turmeric along with a small glass of hot water helps prevent asthma attacks.
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Why Drink Tea When You Have A Sore Throat
Drinking fluids in general is especially important when you’re sick . Fluids help to keep your throat moist, which reduces pain and irritation in your throat.
Warm liquids like tea and broth are especially soothing to an irritated throat all the more reason to enjoy a warm cup of tea! But aside from hydration, some teas can provide real health benefits and fight off illness.
While tea isn’t going to be able to treat serious illness on its own, it can help ease certain symptoms like a sore throat. Many teas contain antioxidants, which are compounds that can help your body fight illnesses like colds and other viruses. Some teas and herbal blends are anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce pain and swelling associated with colds.
And of course, what’s tea without a little honey? Honey is naturally antibacterial, and helps to coat the throat and soothe irritation. So next time you’re feeling under the weather, sip a few mugs of warm, soothing tea.
Foods That Can Help In Improving Lung Function
1. Apples: Regularly eating apples can help in promoting lung function. Antioxidants, flavonoids and Vitamin C may be responsible for this.
2. Turmeric: Curcumin in turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which can be beneficial for supporting lung function.
3. Herbal teas: Ginger, turmeric, lemon, honey or cinnamon infused teas can be beneficial for improving lung function. Also, green tea contains catechins which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for lung function.
Also read: 5 Simple Drinks To Detoxify Your Lungs Naturally
4. Red cabbage: Anthocyanins are plant pigments which give red cabbage its deep colour. Studies have found that anthocyanins can reduce decline in lung function.
5. Olive oil: Olive oil contains antioxidants, polyphenols and Vitamin E, all of which can be helpful in protecting against respiratory conditions like asthma.
6. Brazil nuts: These nuts are a rich source of selenium, a nutrient which has been found to reduce lung cancer risk and improve respiratory and immune function in people with asthma.
7. Lentils: Magnesium, iron, copper and potassium are nutrients in lentils that can help in strengthening lung function.
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All in all, a balanced healthy diet can be protective for lung health. Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens can be beneficial for your lungs.
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Can I Use Decaf Coffee Or Tea For An Asthma Emergency
The term decaf coffee is a bit of a misnomer. Studies have found that decaf coffee often does contain a small amount of caffeine. Some decaf teas may also contain trace amounts of caffeine. However, this is likely less than 15 milligrams of caffeine. And when we are talking about treating an asthma emergency with coffee or tea, we are really thinking about caffeine. While drinking a cup of decaf tea or coffee probably wont hurt you, it isnt likely to provide much relief, if any. So, as always, make sure to carry your quick-relief inhaler with you at all times.
For coffee lovers, research about coffee and asthma is good news! Moderate amounts of coffee are safe for people living with asthma. And, coffee may actually even be a little good for your asthma.
Remember, coffee or caffeine should never replace your asthma medications. But most people can sip on a delicious cup of coffee without worrying that it will make their asthma worse.
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What Is Herbal Tea
Made from herbs, spices, or plant matter boiled up with hot water, herbal tea is caffeine-free and often full of health properties. This kind of tea doesnt come from the camellia sinensis plant and is therefore not considered one of the five true teas.
From peppermint to chamomile and a whole host of flowers and spices, herbal tea has been around for centuries and is one of our oldest medicines. Even today, people drink herbal tea on a daily basis to battle all kinds of common ailments or simply to enjoy a soothing brew.
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Combining Ginger And Asthma As Part Of My Treatment Plan
Right now I would say no. If you decide this is something you want to do make sure you speak with your healthcare provider.
No clinical trials have been designed to look at whether or not ginger might be a good adjunctive treatment. Just because we see basic science studies that appear to have a benefit, it does not mean we will see a benefit in clinical studies. Additionally, there could be side effects or interactions with medications that we do not yet know about.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is currently funding studies on the safety and effectiveness of ginger as a health treatment and specifically looking at how its active components impact inflammation.
Drink Ginger Tea Every Morning To Prevent Asthma
The spicy, aromatic root of the ginger plant has been used by many cultures in cooking and in medicine. People usually use it as a spice, but ginger can also be made into tea.
All you need to do is steep a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger in a pint of boiling water, and youve got yourself two tasty servings!
Below are listed some amazing health benefits of Ginger Tea:
Stomach Discomfort: It plays a vital role in proper digestion, which indirectly improves food absorption and avoids stomach pain. This improves your appetite by releasing gastric acids.
Asthma: Drinking ginger tea is beneficial in case of asthma. Ginger helps to loosen phlegm and expand the lungs, which in turn helps to recover from difficult breathing. It also reduces allergies and constant sneezing.
Blood Circulation: Drink a cup of ginger tea to improve blood flow, prevent fever, chills, and excessive sweating. Ginger contains active compounds like minerals and amino acids that are useful in smooth blood flow and in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Menstrual Discomfort: Place a hot towel dipped in ginger tea on your uterine area. This will help you to get relief from pain and will relax the muscles. Drinking ginger tea will also give you a soothing effect.
Cough and Cold: Drink a cup of ginger tea if you frequently suffer from cough and a runny nose. This helps to loosen phlegm and relax the respiratory system. It imparts warmness to the body and leaves you feeling fresh.
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Best Tea For Asthma: Breathe Easy Tea
Breathe Easy Tea is my favorite tea for asthma because it tastes good, its relaxing, and it helps me if Im feeling congested, tight chested or stuffy. It also soothes my throat.
Most of the teas on my list are generic, but this specific tea is worth trying if you have asthma. I stumbled across it one day in my local grocery store, and now I see it everywhere . And Im glad I did. It was one of the first holistic remedies for asthma that I ever tried, and I found it so helpful that it made me want to keep finding new ways to manage my symptoms.
Breathe Easy Tea is a combination of traditional Chinese medicine, including licorice root, peppermint and eucalyptus, meant to promote respiratory health. They say that Our unique formula taps into both Western herbalismwith traditional herbs like fennel, licorice and eucalyptusand Traditional Chinese Medicine, with Bi Yan Pian, a beloved blend of eleven Chinese herbs. Engage your senses with the herbal remedy that has supported lungs for over four decades.
Breathe Easy with Breathe Easy Tea
Here is a breakdown of how the main ingredients in Breathe Easy Tea can help asthmatics:
I find a cup of Breathe Easy Tea in the morning, especially if I take a few minutes to breathe in the steam, is the perfect way to start my day. And I know Im not alone the reviews from fellow asthmatics could not be more glowing.
What To Avoid For Acidity
Now you have your list of teas to help your stomach heal and steer clear of too much acid, it also helps to know what you should be skipping out on. There are lots of food and drink choices that can irritate your stomach and encourage the rise of acid. Here are a few things you should be avoiding
· Elevate the head of your bed
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Does Coffee Help Asthma Symptoms
Many people ask, Is coffee good for asthma? or Is coffee good or bad for asthma? The answer is that coffee can be good for asthma, but it is not without some words of caution.
One study found that people who drink coffee every day have 29% fewer asthma symptoms. This same study did not find the same results for people who drink tea, which typically contains much less caffeine.
Also remember that caffeine acts as a mild bronchodilator. So, any caffeinated drinks may offer some bronchodilation. However, the bronchodilator effects may depend on the amount of caffeine in the drink. Caffeine also helps lower respiratory muscle fatigue and can temporarily improve lung function. These are all good things for patients with asthma.
The Food and Drug Administration says that healthy adults may safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is equal to four to five cups of coffee per day. Used in safe doses, coffee can be good for asthma.
On the flip side, high amounts of caffeine can be dangerous, even deadly. A toxic amount of caffeine is normally about 1,200 milligrams ingested quickly. There are products, mainly marketed for weight loss, that contain large amounts of caffeine that are very risky. Also, consider that an energy drink may contain up to 250 milligrams of caffeine. If you are drinking several energy drinks in a row, you are getting a lot of caffeine quickly. In large quantities, caffeine poses a risk to asthma patients and non-asthma patients alike.
How To Use Essential Oils For Asthma
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils from plants for the improvement of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
When it comes to how to use eucalyptus oil for asthma, diffusing it in the air is a great option. All of the oils I just mentioned can be used in an diffuser so you can breathe in the essential oil enriched air.
Are oil diffusers safe for asthma? Check with your doctor first, but many experts will agree that oil diffusers can be used with caution. Start off with just a couple of drops of oil to see how you do. You can use a single oil in a diffuser or combine multiple oils to create your own custom blend.
Other ways to use essential oils for asthma through aromatherapy include:
- Inhaling oils through the nostrils directly off of a cloth or from the bottle.
- Soaking in an oil-infused bath.
- Rubbing oils directly onto the skin.
- Receiving massage therapy that includes the use of essentials oils.
Oral Application
Before using essential oils for asthma internally, read labels carefully to make sure an oil is appropriate for internal use. There are many essential oils that can be ingested by the mouth however, it is critical to make sure that the oils you use 100 percent pure, therapeutic grade and certified USDA organic. Many oils on the market today are diluted or blended with synthetics that are unsafe for ingesting.
Topical Application
Possible Side Effects and Caution
Final Thoughts
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How To Use Coffee For Asthma
You dont want to rely on caffeine for asthma symptoms. However, studies have found that caffeine may help asthma patients. Caffeine also appears to help the airways function a little better, for up to four hours, in people with asthma. But neither of these suggest that caffeine should be used to treat asthma.
Think of it more like this coffee should not be treating your asthma, but rather it can be used to supplement your asthma treatment.
Irritation On The Skin
Have you ever had irritation on your skin before? Skin irritation is one of Rooibos tea side effects and not only it is itchy it is also annoying that you want to get healed soon. The symptoms of this problem are showed by appearance of rashes on your skin. But the symptoms do not stop there there are more symptoms that you will feel which are red hives, itchy skin patches, redness without itch, and swollen skin.
Those symptoms will appear only if you consume the Rooibos tea in such a large amount. If the symptoms appear after one drink, it means you have allergic to Rooibos tea or any specific substance of the Rooibos leaves. When these symptoms appear, make sure you seek medical treatment immediately. Also, stop drinking this tea dont risk your heath.
The symptoms also may occur if you dont even have any allergy to Rooibos tea. In fact, like what have mentioned before this tea may trigger allergic reaction and even if you dont have allergy to this tea leaf, the rashes may still appear. Make sure you discuss it with your doctor first if you still want/need to drink this tea.
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Can Drinking Tea Help Your Asthma What About Other Natural Remedies
Take a stroll down the coffee and tea isle of your supermarket, and youll notice teas with names like Breathe Easy and Breathe Deep and Organic Lung Health Tea. A warm cup of tea certainly can be soothing. But is there anything more to these products than that? What does the science say?
The Quick Take
There is some scientific evidence that the caffeine in black and green tea can have a positive, although modest, effect on lung function by relaxing the smooth muscles in the lungs and opening airways. In fact, caffeine is similar to a drug called theophylline, which used to be a common treatment for asthma symptoms .
More research needs to be done to determine if caffeine provides more than a small, temporary benefit. And while some people find other types of tea like ginger or peppermint to be helpful, most of the information we have about them comes from individuals rather than scientific research.
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All About Tea and Other Natural Remedies
Theres an interesting article at Everyday Health called, Can Tea Help You Breathe Easier if You Have Asthma? Plus 7 Teas Worth Trying. In it, they dive a little deeper into the caffeine and asthma connection and the research that supports it. They also talk about seven different types of tea and how each might help your asthma.
Remember though, you should never make changes to your prescribed treatment plan without speaking to your doctor or healthcare provider.