Asthma Home Cures

According the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 3,600 Americans die each year from asthma, and over 7 percent of adults and 9 percent of children suffer from the chronic disease. While prescription drugs are an important part of controlling asthma, research indicates home remedies can also play a role in asthma treatment.

Precautions

• If you have asthma, it's vital to continuing taking the prescription medications your doctor has prescribed for it. If you believe you might have asthma, you should seek the help of a physician. Asthma is a life-threatening disease that shouldn't be taken lightly. However, your need for prescription drugs may be reduced by following certain home cures.

Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables

• Many scientific studies show that eating plenty of vegetables can decrease the symptoms of asthma. In one study by the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, women who ate more carrots, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables had 22 percent fewer asthma attacks. These foods produce vitamin A in the body, which is known to aid the immune system and respiratory tract lining. Other vegetables high in vitamin A include collard greens, sweet potato, kale, bell peppers and Swiss chard.

  Some studies also link vitamin C with improved asthma. A Harvard School of Public Health study found those who consumed plenty of vitamin C were 20 percent less likely to have asthma attacks. Another study, conducted by Utrecht University in the Netherlands, found those who ate apples or drank apple juice every day also had fewer attacks. Other foods high in vitamin C include apricots, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, mango, kiwi, orange, papaya and cantaloupe.

Eat Nuts and Fish

• Many studies link higher levels of vitamin E and omega-3s with reduced asthma attacks. The Harvard School of Public Health found that people with low levels of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids were more apt to have asthma attacks. Great sources of vitamin E (and omega-3s) include sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, flax seed, leafy greens and salmon.

Breathe Right

• Many asthma sufferers swear by Buteyko Breathing Techniques, and clinical studies have shown it can reduce the need for medication. For example, the University of Calgary showed that among patients using the breathing technique asthma control improved from 40 percent at the beginning of the study to 79 percent after six months, and significantly reduced their need for cortiocosteriods. In various clinical trials, the breathing technique has been shown to reduce the need for inhalers by 80 to 90 percent.

Butterbur

• Since ancient times, butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has been used to treat asthma. Modern scientists know the shrub contains petasins, chemicals that inhibit leukotrienes and histamines, which arouse asthmatic symptoms. A study by the University of Heidelberg in Germany showed that after two months of treatment with butterbur root extract, every participant's asthma symptoms decreased and 40 percent of the patients reduced the amount of prescription asthma medication they required. However, anyone allergic to ragweeds (including marigold, chrysanthemum, or daisy) should never use butterbur.