The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Fish Oil
Posted by Shirley (Michigan)
★★★★★
I take 2 tablespoons daily of a pure fish oil and my asthma stays away. Fish oil reduces inflammation.
NAET
Posted by Rachel M (Saskatchewan ) on 08/18/2023
★★★★★
Nambudrad's Allergy elimination technique, NAET, is good! It helped me a lot. You can have odd allergies, like to cold wind, and calcium as I had. I had to go 8 hours to get it though, and I haven't been back after the 2nd, week long visit where I was treated for several days per week. It helped me though.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Dietary Changes
Posted by beverly (usa) on 12/29/2023
I developed asthma in my mid 30's after trying to wean off heavy doses of prednisone for Sarcoidosis. It reared its ugly head for several years then kind of faded. Now 75 I find I get it when I work too hard in the garden and get winded. Also, the cold along with mountain cedar is stirring it up. We are surrounded by cedar trees, so I started thinking maybe creating a concoction from the actual leaves or berries might lessen it.....I abuse my inhalers which can cause it to worsen so going to experiment. Wish me luck. I also just tested positive for methane Sibo which causes me breathing problems.
Western Red Cedar — Elise Krohn | Wild Foods and Medicines
Black Seed Oil
Posted by Melissa (Georgia ) on 10/10/2022
★★★★★
I've had asthma for as long as I can remember. I had been using something every day for it. I started using black seed oil in 2020 and in about a week I was no longer using my rescue inhaler. I can breathe without it.
Buteyko Breathing Method
Posted by Robin (South Africa) on 05/12/2016
Asthmatics tend to be mouth breathers, the Buteyko system helps through breathing correctly.
Nettles
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, US) on 08/28/2014
★★★★★
When one of my children was 11 or 12, he began to have trouble with asthma. It would flare up after a cold or due to seasonal allergies. It was bad enough that he needed steroid inhalers a couple of times. His doctor wanted him to take over the counter allergy medicine all the time. I did not want to go that route!
I started to give him nettle leaf powder in capsules. He took 4 nettle leaf capsules, twice a day. He also took 2 quercetin capsules twice a day. If he started sneezing from allergies during the day, he took another dose mid-day. He took these things for at least a year, maybe longer. Not only did this control his asthma, over time it seemed to completely heal it. Nettles is great for allergies and it also is a blood purifier. I wonder if it healed whatever was going on that was causing him to be asthmatic in the first place.
This did not work as well for my daughter. It took a lot more trial and error for her. Milk Kefir seems to be the cure for her.
Interestingly, the son who had asthma problems also had terrible, terrible reactions to poison ivy. We used to say he could just look at a picture of it and get it. He would get a little bit and it would spread terribly, it seemed to go systemic on him. Once he had it on his tongue. He took steroids for this a number of times. Anyway, he no longer gets severe poison ivy reactions. He gets a bit of poison ivy here and there but I know he is around it and "should" be getting it severely. It never even warrants treatment in his mind, and he used to be almost bedridden with it at times! (Recently, he was even with the brother who was weed wacking and got some poison ivy on his arms that I mention in another post! )
Nettles is so safe and gentle to use internally. I am amazed at how healing it can be!
~Mama to Many~
H2O2 Inhalation Therapy
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 03/01/2013
Ja, try: 1. Using food grade h2o2. 2. Try diluting it a LOT. For example try ONE drop in distilled water for a start.
H2O2 Inhalation Therapy
Posted by Ja (Philadelphia, Pa) on 05/15/2013
Hi, I have not tried the h202 inhalation again since I wrote in. I drink it on occasion but would like to wait until I get it under control without any major hiccups before trying again. The last thing I want is to have to turn to a large dose of steroid again as I've read too often this is retroactive in the healing of the lungs and for asthma. It is like an ammonia smell but I have never had the colloidal silver. Thank you for the suggestion... I started drinking the asthma tea, a few brands make it. I stopped cold turkey: the fast acting, my daily steroid inhalent (which was perscribed 4x the normal dosage) and the nebulizer. I started eating lots of garlic, onions, baking soda, avc, kelp extract, fish oil, 3000 mg of vit c as antihistamine, and a sickening amount of other vitamins. I for the most part stay away from all sugars and carbs unless they are dark green veggies. The asthma has never been better. It is not perfect but this is my own fault as I am not consistent with taing the vitamins every night and I am not consistent with quitting smoking. Just read about this flax oil mucilage made at home that is supposed to be wonderful for mucous and lungs... But has a heavy detox effect as it supposedly rids the body of the viruses that hide in the spinal cord until the immune is supressed... it will be interesting if I get the same side effects.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kristen (Mt. Hood, Oregon) on 03/22/2011
★★★★☆
I have had asthma problems for years and after a bad two months with bronchitis I was having even worse asthma. My Dr. told me I needed to be on steriods, inhaler, antihistamines, and get rid of my dogs! Yea right... I'm not an idiot. I never went back to that Dr. but my asthma has gotten better. I did take antihistamines at first (out of desperation) just to settle the allergy induced asthma and get the initial inflamation out of my lungs.
So after two years I have found a few things that work. Every morning before I eat or drink anything else I have a cup of really hot, strong, organic black coffee from our french press. This seems to break up everything that has settled in my lungs while I was sleeping. Cutting out dairy really helps but I tend not to follow my own advice on that. Throughout the day I drink at least two glasses of water with 1-2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar in them. I notice my asthma is way better on days when I spend time outdoors, at least open your windows. I moved from Portland to the Cascade mountain range and that helped imennsley within two months. And Yoga helps so much too, especially the warrior two position. I do steam inhalation over a pot of boiling water for 3-5 min. Befor bed everynight... This makes my skin look great too.
Two years after having horrible bronchitus I have went from taking my inhaler twice a day to taking it maybe once a week. I'm starting on organic virgin coconut oil so I'm excited to see more positive changes. ACV also cures my boyfriends windburn/rosecea he gets from working outside in the harsh elements. He drinks a glass with 2 tablespoons ACV after work everyday and it clears up within an hour. I LOVE THIS STUFF!
Kelp, Brazil Nuts
Posted by Robert (Chicago, Illinois) on 12/30/2010
★★★★★
A kelp tablet a day plus a brazil nut, for me, provided the cure to my asthma. The combination of the iodine in the kelp added to the rich source of selenium in the brazil nut did the trick, and I have now been free of asthma symptoms for three years; following a period of having asthma for some seven years previously.
Oil Pulling
Posted by Marc (Cranston, Ri) on 11/25/2010
★★★★★
Oil Pulling is helping to cure my asthma. Previous to OP I was unable to run without tight congestion in my chest. The OP in my opinion is curing my asthma and I am now able to run without or very little asthma symptoms. I also noticed healthier gums, and whiter teeth! Thank You!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Karen (Sealrock, Usa) on 09/22/2010
★★★★☆
Health to All... I am 63 yrs, never smoked, vegetarian from age 7, yoga teacher, great stamina all day, weight 124 lbs, 5'5" female. It started a couple of years ago with a cough only at night when I would lay down. It then went into a tightening of my lungs & I had trouble breathing. Hard to breath in - Hard to breath out. My sleep every night was disrupted to the extent that I wasn't sleeping at all, had to get up & totally exhausted, I needed oxygen! It got worse with each month until landing in the Emergency room for inhalation. They gave me a puffer which I ended up using every night about 3:00am sometimes 2ce at night, I could see myself dragging an oxygen tank around with me if I didn't come up with a cure soon. I had two separate labs test two large pieces of yellow phlegm that I was finally able to cough up. It didn't happen easily. Both labs said they were not viral or microbial. I did a fast for worms & candida which helped some.
Started using the ACV with baking soda 2ce day. Coconut oil in morning coffee & all hot foods, Vit C with methylene blue 4-8 drops daily, MSM, Magnesium powder at night 1/2 tsp, live on foods low in sugar, use sea salt only, take kelp powder 1tbl daily & iodine drops 15 @ 3%, gave up dairy, tried for 3 months an inhalator with 3% peroxide, with the results all being positive and every week getting better.
It has been 1 year now since I went into the ER for emergency air. I only use the puffer approx. 3 times a month. Now I cough up once in a while these tiny round, formed, mucus balls (smaller than a BB) plus small strings of mucus about 3mm long and less than a pencil lead in width. After they are coughed out I can breath nearly perfect. If only I knew what to take to cleanse the lungs (aveoli) of these "plugs" Please help if any one knows how to cleanse the lungs of these mucus plugs forever. I still have the usual cracking & wheezing with these plugs which still greatly interfere with nightly sleep & oxygen intake. The huge amounts of former mucus is gone, it's only these tiny plugs to get rid of now. Then I will pronounce myself cured of Asthma!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Connie (Slc, Ut) on 09/24/2010
Hello Karen, Hi Y'all; Karen, I see that you have made remarkable progress with your recovery from asthma and that you have great self discipline. It may be just that more time is the component in your procedure. It looks good that you are supplying the electrolytes, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and magnesium. I am assuming that you also provide potassium in your diet with many vegetables and some fruits. (helps shortness of breath, air hunger). All the supplements that you have listed have helped many with asthma and excess mucous conditions. My husband, (asthma 14 years), has also been taking kelp and iodine(approx. 5mgs iodine) for 1 month, and has this week noticed a reduction in morning mucous, reduction of allergy to pets, less eye irritation, decreased need for afternoon coffee, and a reduced need for his dilator. Here are suggestions that may be favorable to you: good digestible protein, good B-complex, extra B-12 (sublingual methyl type), and, a nice pat of butter. (good source of cholesterol and saturated fat for production of anti-inflammatory hormones). Garlic, ginger, and horseradish are powerful for promoting easy breathing. Thank You, Connie
Hemp Seeds
Posted by Emily (New York, Ny) on 09/12/2010
★★★★★
I have been off my inhalers for a while just taking natural supplements. One incredible supplement I stumbled on totally by accident - organic hemp seeds. I was taking it just for good health in general and it wound up clearing up my skin and significantly alleviating my asthma in one swoop. Incredible product!! I take 3-4 tablespoons a day, 2 tablespoons in the morning with breakfast (it gives an extra energy boost) and then 1 tablespoon at lunch and 1 at dinner. I love the taste of them in almond milk or yogurt best (I have found that dairy product actually trigger both my asthma and acne, but yogurt I am in the clear with). Asthma can totally be controlled by natural supplements. Here are the others I have found extremely helpful! INHALED GLUTATHIONE - you have to get a holistic doctor to get you a prescription. Goolge about the lung health benefits of Glutathione. You can also take Glutathione capsules without a prescription but inhaled is MUCH more effective. MSM - you can take very high dosages of this, but start slow because it can really cause a detox reaction.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Rob (NYC, New York) on 04/17/2009
Ron, sorry to hear about your troubles..especially the ER visits!! I have had asthma since 27 and am now almost 50. As much as we like to rant against the drug companies (somewhat deserving) nothing has worked better then albuterol for an attack. It has saved my life. However, I have found lifestyle changes and a combination of various natural remedies to help. Of the greatest benefit for me was avoiding the triggers. A clean household, NO rugs or heavy fabrics, avoid forced air heating, good air circulation at night. I had a cat for twenty years and when she passed, I went from about 3 or 4 inhalers a year to just one.. A simple anti-inflammatory diet, high in vegetables, nuts, olive oil, minimal animal protein, can help. Of the herbs?
Turmeric, Ginger, Freeze Dried Stinging Nettle for the allergy season. Distilled omega oils have helped...I have exercise induced and yours may be different. I also do yoga which doesn't trigger an attack like running would. Like you, I have yet to find a "cure" but it is out there..so don't give up.
Salt Pipe Inhaler
Posted by Simon (Lithuania) on 12/15/2020
★☆☆☆☆
I can confirm. I have asthma 4 years now. I have used salt inhalation therapy, bought the inhaler and everything. It does nothing. I threw out the salt inhaler.
Radish, Honey and Lemon Juice
Posted by Mary (Valdosta, Ga) on 02/02/2009
★★★★★
I have been using radish and lemon. I just cut up 4 red ball looking radish and peel one lemon and put them into a blender for a while, at least 6 minutes making sure it is smooth. I then cook it on the low setting. It is wonderful. I still have to take it 3 times a day or so. No coughing, no wheezing, etc. I will try adding honey to it. I keep the mixture in a tupperware container in the refrigerator. I feel good and I am back to drinking good 'ole Southern Sweet tea.
Mullein Extract
Posted by Eric (Jensen Beach, Florida) on 12/24/2008
★★★★★
I came across a recent post on earthclinic. I've had a chronic cough for years. finally went to pulmonologist, who diagnosed adult onset asthma, and wanted to put me on Advair. Googled advair and it scared me. Google herbal remedies and came up with "Mullein". Bought a bottle. 30-35 drops in a little water a couple times a day. THE VERY FIRST NIGHT, i took it around 7 pm for the first time, and unbelieveably I was cough-free that night for the first time in i dont know how long. Been on it 3 weeks and its still working (as long as I take it :) ). One site said it may not work for everyone (like everything, I suppose) but it worked for me. Common herb, googleit and try it. Good luck.
Eric
Coffee
Posted by Marilyn (Land O Lakes, FL) on 12/05/2008
★★★★★
Tried ACV for my asthma that was not really being controlled by Singulair. Had horrible side effects with all steriod medications and tried 2 TBS ACV, honey and 1 tsp of cayene pepper 2 X a day. After 2-3 weeks I felt my asthma was pretty much in control (plus we have 4 dogs and 2 cats) - but still had occasional "attacks" that left me gasping for air. I read on this site that black coffee can help. Never had a cup in my life and lo and behold it really did work. Didn't make a coffee drinker out of me, but it certainly beats the alternative. Was wondering - does anyone know if a caffeine soft drink would produce the same results?
Environmental Triggers
Posted by Martha (El Centro, California) on 11/04/2009
WINDS, HUMIDITY AND EXTREME COLD
Absolutely, environmental triggers are an important aspect. Windy days can bring on attaches and the sediment that is lifted can take days to come down from the atmosphere to bother us many days after the winds die down.
Being from the desert, I am aware of the dryness of our winters. Any time it gets lower than 30% humidity, I say watch out! Cuz it triggers the itching in the throat, coughing, etc. So I hang a wet towel in my room for some humidity. It helps me breathe. Also, if the weather gets too cold, I have trouble. I set the thermostat at 69 degrees just enough to cut the cold because if it gets below that, I have trouble breathing!
Allergy Connection
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn.) on 10/15/2008
To Liz from Wisconsin:
Hello Liz I agree that allergies and asthma go hand in hnd. Are you taking a magnesium supplement now? If not, be aware that getting your magnesium up to normal level is said to decrease the incidence of asthma attacks. Along with getting your magnesium level up, you might also consider taking MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) to help with the allergies. Yes this is the same stuff that does so much toward helping joint pain and arthritis.
After seeing something about NAET on EC and knowing nothing about it, I went on line to learn about it. It seems that someone with allergy problem (the N is initial of persons name who came up with this. The other initials are for "allergy elimination therapy". It allegedly cures allergies, even to the inhalant allergies. Since it is based partly on acupuncture, it just might work. When thing slow down around here I plan to visit one of its practitioners , since I have food, medication, pollen and inhalant allergies. The inhalant allergies are the ones that worry me the most since I passed out from perfumes. When you search this therapy on line, you can also locate practitioners in your locale. I was surprised to learn that I have several within 20 miles off home.
In the meantime, as I always told my lungers and asthma patients, AVOID ANYTHING YOU CAN SEE OR SMELL IN THE AIR.
Lobelia
Posted by Jen (South Ozone Park, Ny) on 05/06/2009
I like to know if i should use lobelia drops in water or under the tongue?
EC: You might throw up if you try taking lobelia under the tongue -- it's very strong! People typically take it as directed on the bottle (water or juice).
Vitamin B-6
Posted by Catherine (Chicago, USA) on 07/09/2008
★★★★★
I had terrible asthma and respiratory problems all winter. In the late Spring my doctor told me to start using more B-vitamins. Then I read that B-6 can help asthma (at a later date) and realized that since I have been using a good B Vitamin complex my asthma has been much more manageable, even though it is more humid now, so I have started taking a little extra B-6 and am noticing a difference. I got out my old Prevention and home remedy books and saw B-6 mentioned for asthma there, also. Asthmatics, take note - there are more natural ways of handling asthma than with steroids and chemicals - already I am not needing my emergency inhaler - not for a month now - and am using my nebulizer a LOT less! Yay!
H2O2 Inhalation Therapy
Posted by April (Colorado) on 01/26/2008
My son has been showing signs of asthma over the last three months, only 3, started Oct 20 with bronchitis, a couple other bouts with "virises" and asthma attacks and now has the flu. This is the only time he hasn't demonstrated his usual "asthma attacks", but doctor has had him on albuterol, steroids, and pulmicort. I am interested in using
HP inhalation treatment, but a little weary because he so young. He is scheduled to see an allergist/asthma specialist next week. Also related to his health and possibly an attributing factor to his immune system is his diet is lacking in many ways, I have struggled since he was 9 months old to get him to eat, but he is a challenge! He mainly likes dairy and starches, his poop has never been normal looking, yellowish, maybe clay looking, and he has verged on anemic with signs of PICA. He was breastfed, and we try to eat whole foods and hormone free milk, meat, and eggs, but he often does not eat what we do, besides the milk. (Our daughter who is a year younger than him will eat everything!) Any suggestions from Ted or others would be greatly appreciated. In regards to his diet, my doctor says that I need to make him eat better and remove the starches from our house and read the Strong-willed child!
H2O2 Inhalation Therapy
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 02/29/2008 490 posts
... actually probability that your doctor didn't mention is neither viral or bacterial, but an inhalant allergy. Do your children's asthma attacks occur after they were exposed to perfumes, after shaves, colognes,air deodorizers, paint odors, etc. If after observation, you find that they do, when you find yourself close to any of the above triggers, get away as quickly as you can. You read and hear a lot about 2nd hand cigarette smoke, but frankly I prefer the smoke over the smelly things mentioned above. The smoke may give me lung cancer 29 years later but I learned that the smelly things can kill very quickly. I find it amusing that some of those complaining of 2nd hand smoke smell like they either bathed in it or marinated themselves in it overnight! I also find many more people wearing offensive odors than I do smoking. I always take 50 mgms. of Benadryl (generic name is diphenhydramine HCL and available @ Sams Wholesale Club for less than $4.00 for 400 25mgm tablets) before going out the door since I passed out from co-workers perfumes several years ago. Important: never give this during an acute asthma attack, but after the attack, you can keep them on it for a long time to prevent future attacks. No prescription is needed- just look for them in the allergy section close to the pharmacy. I have read that asthma patients are usually low on selenium, which you can probably also find (or have them order them for you) at Sams. Hope this is helpful to you and all other asthma problems.
H2O2 Inhalation Therapy
Posted by KR (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) on 03/02/2008
Thank you so much to Joyce for your thoughtful response to my prior post. Both of my daughters actually have seasonal asthma and allergies from the pollen and cold air which seems much more invasive than inhalant b/c it?s not avoidable and in the air everywhere outside as opposed to being contained indoors from perfumes or other inhalant dangers. The viruses and bacteria that they catch from the common cold or flu always exasperates their asthma and provokes attacks and major mucous build up in their lungs.
In terms of asthma, I have since come to learn that the H202 inhalation therapy is good for them only to replace the antibiotics that they constantly get prescribed when they have asthma outbreaks, or attacks. The typical regime has been the Dr. giving them antibiotics to control infection of the phlegm lodged in their lungs. I now forego that and replace, when needed, with the HP. I also use the HP as a treatment if they have fever or cold or flu to eliminate the virus or bacteria altogether.
When I was using H202 therapy to treat my daughter's asthma after an outbreak, I discovered that her wet cough turned into a very persistent, dry cough. The HP actually PULVERIZED her mucous, much like chalk on a board. It became immovable and impossible to clear. That is when I returned her to her asthma meds (steroids and albuterol) which in turn loosened the phlegm again to where she could expectorate it. I did notice that after she was able to eliminate the phlegm, her return to recovery was much faster which I, nonetheless, attribute to the HP.
I thus found that the HP inhalation does not deal directly with the asthma as far as inflammation control and other pressing issues that asthmatics must address. Instead, to keep the asthma at bay, I am now experimenting with coconut oil as a supplement for both girls (age 7 and 2 1/2) as a direct result from a post here on Earth Clinic from another mom who has been using it successfully on her asthmatic daughter.
After still much more research and seeking, I am currently also experimenting with another promising natural, alternative therapy that I will post later here on EC if successful. This one is actually nowhere yet on this site so I believe can potentially help many more people such as myself in the future.
H2O2 Inhalation Therapy
Posted by KR (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) on 03/05/2008
Hi, Joyce! I agree with your belief that asthma is related to allergy. My understanding is that asthma is an allergy; it's just an allergic reaction of the lungs to whatever triggers them adversely to the environment whether that is indoors or outdoors (as opposed to allergic rhinitis, for example - allergy of the nose). I suppose I just categorize inhalant allergies differently from asthmatic allergy triggers when it comes down to it, but semantically, you're right, they're all based on something that's inhaled, whether that something is a chemical or that substance is from the pollens in the air we all breathe.
I am just unfamiliar with Benadryl or diphenhydramine HCL and its pharmaceutical contents, or ingredients. I am concerned with the long-term use of anything that is manufactured chemically. Perhaps my concern is invalidated as I have heard of mothers giving it to little ones, especially on long flights to sedate them, used somewhat to have a tranquilizer effect. But of course, that is temporary application. This is unfamiliar territory for me but I thank you for your input and it really gives me food for thought and more reason to research this Benadryl substance. It certainly sounds like a better alternative to the heavy drugs that are typically used for asthmatics and allergy sufferers but I'm still holding out for that all natural approach which I believe I have now found but will continue to test on my daughter before posting.
Radish, Honey and Lemon Juice
Posted by T.S.Rajah (Wimbledon, UK) on 12/07/2007
★★★★★
For relief from Asthma, put the radish, honey and lemon juice and the blender. Mix for 20 minutes and then put in the pan in the stove low heat and take one teaspoon in the morning everyday.
Infared, 125 Watt Clear Lightbulb
Posted by Bev (Elroy, WI) on 10/02/2007
★★★★★
I received a request for more information on an infrared light. It is a 125 watt clear front infrared light, a heat lamp, available at hardware stores for about $4. You also need to purchase an aluminum shade with a clamp for about $5 so you can clamp it onto a chair or where ever it is convenient. It is often used for thawing water pipes or hatching eggs. A 250 watt light is too hot and is generally used for a bathroom ceiling fixture. This past Saturday night I had a return of asthma symptoms with a cold. This was the first time in three years after being treated 3 months with Zithromax. I was very discouraged because I would have to get to the emergency room before bedtime or I would be in big trouble. I envisioned being back on inhalers and steroids. I had an uncontrollable cough from a tickle in the upper side of my chest, the point of lymphatic congestion. I had used the light on my son who is now 7 but at that time I was on Zithromax so never had a need to use it on myself for asthma. I used the light all Friday night [about five feet away]. It stopped my cough in about 60 seconds which is much faster than a nebulizer. Saturday I went out of town for a family reunion and brought my light but didn't use it until late afternoon when I started to get worse. By the time we left for home I was not coughing but still anticipating getting worse as soon as I went to bed. I fell asleep and never woke up! I don't know if it helps asthma caused by allergy but for asthma brought on by a virus it is miraculous. I continue to use it for my son if he has any congestion which is only when he has a cold and it must be used at least an hour. It can be used all night if needed. Just place it several feet away and wear an eye mask to block the light so you can sleep. Don't cook yourself but if you are awake you can have it closer, whatever is not too hot. A researcher, Ray Peat, told me about it. I have not seen anything specific in writing. He also told me to wear light colored clothing because infrared rays from the sun penetrate light colors. I changed my son's and my wardrobe. I now wear light colored coats and sweaters etc even in the winter.
