4 Natural Cures for Asthma

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition that is caused by inflammation of the bronchi air tubes of the lungs.

The primary symptoms of asthma include recurring incidences of shortness of breath, referred to as asthma attacks, coughing, wheezing, and tightness of the chest. Asthma currently affects approximately 7% of the population of the United States and is responsible for 4,000 deaths per year. Asthma effects people to varying degrees, with some people experiencing much more serious effects than others.


Asthma is particularly prevalent in children under the age of 10. Asthma is treated with a variety of medications which are typically administered through inhaled delivery through an inhaler. However, as with many medical conditions and illnesses, it is always preferable to avoid the use of artificial drugs and man made pharmaceuticals. Numerous natural and herbal supplements exist which have been shown in varying degrees to be effective in the treatment of asthma. We will now look at four of these natural treatment substances.

Natural Asthma Cure #1: Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids. Omega 3s are essential fats that are of vital importance for general human health. They cannot be made by the body and so they have to be obtained through diet or supplementation. The primary dietary sources of Omega 3s are cold water fish such as salmon, flax oil, and eggs. Research has shown that Omega 3s can reduce inflammation, which is the primary cause of asthma. One study found that among children who consume fish more than once a week, there is a decrease asthma prevalence by approximately 33%.

Natural Asthma Cure #2: Vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a critical role in maintaining the health of the lungs, as well as the immune system. As well as strengthening the immune system, vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant that reduces the presence in the lungs of the allergens that weaken the brocchi and are a primary catalyst of asthma. Population studies have revealed that there is a direct correlation between a population’s intake of vitamin C and its incidence of asthma. The higher a population’s vitamin C intake, the less prevalent asthma is in the same population. For the treatment of asthma, it is recommended that a person intakes 2-3 grams of vitamin C daily. Good dietary sources of vitamin C include red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, and oranges.

Natural Asthma Cure #3: Vitamin B-12. Another vitamin shown to help treat the effects of asthma is vitamin B12. Several clinical trials have shown B12 to reduce the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms. B12 is particularly effective among individuals whose asthma is triggered by sulfites. Vitamin B12 has been shown to produce a sulfite-cobalamin compound which inhibits the allergic inflammatory effects of sulfites on the mucous lining of the lungs. It is recommended that B12 be consumed in the amount of of 1 to 4 mcg per day. Good dietary sources of B12 include meat, poultry, and eggs. It can also be obtained through supplementation.

Natural Asthma Cure #4: Flavonoids. Flavonoids are another potent antioxidant that are effective in treating asthma. Flavonoids are a group of plant secondary metabolites. They have been shown to inhibit histamines and allergy related compounds such as leukotrienes. Flavonoids have also been shown to aid in the absorption of vitamin C, and to have a strengthening effect on lung membranes such as mast cells. Particularly effective is the flavonoid quercetin which like other antioxidants, acts as an anti inflammatory agent. For treatment of asthma it is recommended that one take 1 gram of quercetin a day. Good dietary sources of quercetin and other flavonoids include green tea, grape seed, dark chocolate, berries, tomatoes, and oranges.