GOINDIS NATUROPATHY TRUST(INDIA)
Charity Registration No.845/4 dated 03.09.2003
ASTHMA
Preventing or Curing WITH NATRO-FOOD
THERAPY
SANTOKH SINGH PARMAR
FOUNDER TRUSTEES:
Satyendra Singh Goindi, MSc, LLB, ND
Gurkirpal Kaur Goindi, BA, BEd, DPE, ND
Santokh Singh Parmar, B Arch, Dip TP, Dip LA, MRTPI, AITP, AIIA
Devinder Singh Saroya, PCS
Gurmukh Singh Girn, MSc, MCRP, AITP
ASTHMA
Preventing or Curing with Naturo-Food Therapy
What is Bronchial Asthma?
1. It is an illness of chronic inflammation of the bronchial passages (airways) causing swelling and constriction with or without increased mucus (phlegm) secretion and difficult breathing and wheezing sound as the breath is exhaled.
Asthma Symptoms
2. Difficulty in breathing and wheezing on exhaling; persistent coughing; heavy breathing or gasping, exhaustion and shortness of breath; repeated respiratory infections like bronchitis and common cold; fast pulse rate upto 90 per minute or more; difficulty in sleeping; dry mouth and feeling thirsty; indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea.
Main Causes of Asthma
3. Weak immune system; excessive use of antibiotics; junk food; early weaning and wrong childhood diet; heredity; obesity; allergies like pollens, house dust, pollution, smoke, nuts, eggs, chemicals etc; upper respiratory viral or bacterial infections like common cold, sore throat, influenza, bronchitis, sinusitis; stress/tension; unsatisfactory parental attitude; emotional state; climate; altitude; medicine side-effects.
Asthma and Allopathic Medicines
4. There is said to be no cure in allopathy for asthma. Limited value of drugs and vaccines alleviates the symptoms only. Drugs are habit-forming and make asthma chronic and incurable. Two categories of medications: (i) quick relief medicines called relievers which can give instant relief but needs repeating; (ii) preventive medicines called preventers which used over longer periods control asthma better. Daily use of popular oral drug corticosteroid has worrisome side effects. Inhaler therapy with salbutanol corticosteroid delivers the medication in the form of tiny droplets directly in the lungs, brings quick relief and is said to have minimal side-effects.
Asthma and Naturo-Food Therapy
5. In general, the natural way to treat asthma consists of stimulating the functioning of sluggish excretory organs (like kidneys, liver, skin); adopting appropriate diet patterns to eliminate morbid matter; and practicing yogic breathing exercises to permit proper assimilation of food and to strengthen the lungs, digestive system and circulatory organs. Eating the right natural foods can alleviate or prevent asthma attacks by helping control underlying inflammation of air-passages, dilating air-passages, thinning down mucus in the lungs and preventing food and other allergy reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
6. Suitable Diet – The diet should contain liberal quantity of alkaline whole foods consisting of wholegrains; plenty of fresh fruits and raw or steamed vegetables and their juices; germinated cereals, pulses and grains (sprouts); a handful of nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds; and digestive anti-inflammatory herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, onions, green peppers, black pepper, cumin seeds, cinnamon and a limited quantity of acid forming foods like carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
7. Foods to Avoid – Polished rice, sugar, lentils and curds which produce phlegm; processed, refined and fried foods like pizzas, burgers, noodles, crisps, biscuits etc.; packaged and tinned foods and drinks with harmful chemical additives and preservatives; sour foods like pickles, hot chillies, synthetic vinegars; excessive tea, coffee and alcohol; chilled foods from the refrigerator; excessive intake of meat and dairy products.
Asthma and Breathing Exercises
8. Lung Functions – Two main breathing functions of the lungs are (i) to take in oxygen from the air you breathe into the cells of the body; and (ii) to get rid of the waste product – carbon dioxide and toxins
9. Asthmatic Person and Breathing – The tendency by all, especially asthmatic persons, is to breathe mostly and quickly from the upper part of the chest rather than the whole chest down to the abdomen. Asthmatic person should concentrate on
breathing out rather than breathing in. One has to try to empty the chest and raise the diaphragm by forced contraction of the abdomen and lower chest. For breathing in, one should concentrate in pushing the air into the abdomen and thus swelling the abdomen. The exhaling should be longer than inhaling in the ratio of 3:2 or better even 2:1.
10. Fostering Three-Part Deeper Breathing – Inhale deeply through the nose and push out the abdomen; then divide the exhalation through the mouth into three parts: exhale-pause, exhale-pause, exhale pause. Follow with one or two normal breaths, then repeat three-part breathing 10-15 times twice or thrice daily.
11. Straw Breathing Exercise – First count your number of breaths per minute (BPM). An inhalation and exhalation equals one breath – 12-20 BPM is average. Holding a straw lightly between your lips, breathe in through the nose and breathe out through the straw. Do not force the exhalation. Do this for about five minutes and at the end count your BPM again. Most people will find that they have halved their BPM, without any strain.
12. Exercise for Relaxation of Chest Muscles – While sitting on a chair or leaning against the wall, inhale deeply through the nose and lift your head straight. Exhale slowly through the mouth while allowing your chin to fall on to your chest. Then inhale and return to the original position. The phase of exhalation should last longer than the phase of inhalation.
13. Exercise for Abdominal Breathing – While lying down, place one hand on your abdomen, the other on your chest. While relaxing your abdominal muscles, breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose, so that the hand on your abdomen moves more than the one on your chest. (Once you have mastered that, you can further deepen your breathing by expanding your chest also right after you have first expanded your abdomen). Then exhale slowly through rounded lips so that it takes roughly twice as long to breathe out as it takes to breathe in. Do this exercise 10-15 times two to three times a day. And try to make abdominal breathing, without extended exhalation, a regular habit.
Nutritional Blockbusters that Fight Asthma
14. Antioxidant trio of vitamins A, C and E, which boosts the immunity, and other nutrients (like selenium, magnesium, lycopene, caffeine in moderation and fruit/vegetables can play an important role in preventing asthma or controlling its symptoms.
15. Vitamin A – Antioxidant vitamin A-rich foods help clear air passages and makes breathing easier. It comes in two forms : retinol, the true vitamin A found in meats, fish, eggs and dairy products; and betacarotene which gets converted to vitamin A in the body. Betacarotene is found in all red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, melon, papaya, mango, apricots and peaches.
16. Vitamin C – Another antioxidant vitamin C increases the production of infection fighting white blood cells and antibodies; and improves asthma symptoms. Vitamin C-rich foods are citrus fruits, Indian gooseberry (amla), guavas, papaya, strawberries, mangoes, pears, apples, kiwi fruit, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, peas, tomatoes, turnips, onions, garlic, red and green peppers and chillies.
17. Vitamin E – The third antioxidant vitamin E protects lungs and cuts the risk of developing asthma or improve the existing condition. Vitamin E food sources are low fat dairy products, liver, egg yolks, seafood, wholegrains, wheat germ, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds (til), oats, vegetable oils, spinach, greens, tomatoes, red and green peppers, sweet potatoes, avocados, apples.
18. Selenium – Selenium has also got antioxidant properties. Its rich sources are poultry, seafood, egg yolks, cottage cheese, wholegrains, wheat germ, brown rice, sunflower seeds, nuts, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, onions, cauliflower, celery.
19. Magnesium – It along with selenium helps relax the bronchial tubes and open up airways. Food sources include avocados, bananas, citrus fruits, sweet corn, beans, wheat germ, nuts and seeds, raisins, broccoli, garlic, onions, aubergines, carrots, tomatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, potato skins.
20. Lycopene – It protects white blood cells from damage by free radicals and is beneficial in relieving cough symptoms. It is found in tomatoes and tomato products, beans, bright coloured berries, plums, apricots, watermelon, prunes, pink or red grapefruit, guava, red pepper, red wine.
21. Caffeine – Caffeine has high content of antioxidants, which prevents damage by free radicals. Drunk in moderation (2-3 cups a day), coffee and tea, especially green, can reduce the risk of many diseases including asthma. Caffeine helps to dilate the airways, relax the bronchial tubes and protects against inflammation. However, excessive caffeine can increase the heart rate and blood pressure!
22. Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants and should be eaten liberally. Take mixed juice of (i) carrots, beetroot and cabbage; (ii) leafy vegetables; (iii) potatoes and red apples; (iv) garlic and papaya.
Home Remedies with Herbs and Spices
23. Onions, Ginger and Garlic – (i) For respiratory problems, cough and cold mix equal quantities of onion juice, ginger juice and honey and take one teaspoon 3-4 times daily; (ii) Tea made with ginger, lemon and honey is useful for controlling cough and catarrh and loosening phlegm; (iii) To fight seasonal allergies ginger can be boiled in tea or taken as decoction along with basil (tulsi), liquorice (mulathee), caraway seeds (ajwain), cloves and black pepper – even better with honey also; (iv) A teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with a decoction of fenugreek (methi) and honey acts as an excellent expectorant; (v) A teaspoon of ginger paste mixed with an equal amount of honey or juice of basil (tulsi) leaves to be taken once every night for a month; (vi) Ten garlic cloves boiled in 30 ml of milk daily for one month is helpful in early stages of asthma; (vii) Ginger tea with two or three crushed garlic cloves to be taken in the morning and evening; (viii) Home-made garlic syrup is good expectorant
and mucus solvent. To make this, dice a few garlic cloves and cover with one teaspoon of honey, allow to sit for 4-8 hours, then mash and strain. ¼ to ½ teaspoon 2-3 times a day or more can be taken in acute episodes of asthma.
24. Turmeric (Haldi) – This antioxidant is a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-bacterial agent which protects the lungs from pollution and toxins and is an effective remedy for bronchial asthma. Turmeric alleviates colds, infections and indigestion. (i) Asthmatics should take a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk 2-3 times daily including once on empty stomach in the morning. This will also relieve cough and cold and decongest sinuses; (ii) 4-5 grams of turmeric powder with purified butter (ghee) in a large glass of warm water is traditionally used to treat imminent asthma attack; (iii) Turmeric powder taken with fresh garlic is a very good remedy for bronchitis and other pulmonary infections.
25. Liquorice (Mulathee) – This is helpful in treating chest infections, colds and coughs (both dry as well as productive) and irritable condition of bronchial tubes. (i) Put ½ to 1 teaspoon of liquorice powder in a cup of water. Bring it to boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Drink this three times a day; (ii) Liquorice sticks can be chewed in the mouth for soothing the throat and air passages.
26. Basil (Tulsi) – (i) The juice of basil leaves with honey will be helpful in persistent cough and bronchitis by removing phlegm and acting as expectorant; (ii) To prevent colds and coughs and for general health, take five leaves of basil daily.
27. Caraway Seeds (Ajwain) – (i) For digestive and respiratory ailments, one teaspoon of crushed seeds boiled in a cup of water for 5-10 minutes should be drunk three times a day; (ii) The steam from the boiling water with caraway seeds will dilate the bronchial passages of asthmatics.
28. Black Pepper – Has antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties and is helpful in common cold and cough. (i) For common cold, ½ teaspoon of pepper powder can be boiled in a glass of milk and drunk at bedtime. (ii) For dry cough take 3-4 freshly ground pepper corns with some crystalised sugar (mishri) and purified butter (ghee) in
equal quantities for extraction of the dried phlegm. (iii) For recurrent bouts of cough, crush 3-4 pepper corns, add a few cumin (jeera) seeds and a little salt and take 2-3 times a day.
29. Small Cardamom (Chhoti Elaichi) – The volatile oil in it acts as an expectorant and anti-spasmodic, improves circulation to the lungs and is good for cough, bronchitis and asthma. (i) Pound seeds of 3-4 cardamoms and mix equal quantities of freshly ground black pepper and dried ginger. Add honey to this mixture and take ¼ teaspoon 2-3 times a day. (ii) A tea-like concoction made with small cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and a few leaves of basil (tulsi) allays body-ache associated with cough and cold and acts as a refreshing agent.
30. Cloves (Laung) – With 20% essential oil, is a destroyer of phlegm and is beneficial in bronchial asthma. Chew cloves and caraway seeds (ajwain) together for expectoration of phlegm.
31. Cinnamon (Dalchini) – It has antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties due to its essential oil, is a destroyer of phlegm and is useful in the malady of cold and sore throat. Mix ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey, add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper and a few drops of ginger juice. Take this mixture once or twice daily.
32. Camphor (Mushkapoor) – Is a good antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, counter-irritant and sedative. Camphor tends to loosen the stuck phlegm and makes expectoration easy. During an asthma attack, mustard oil mixed with a little camphor should be massaged over the back of the chest to ease breathing. Massage the throat with this mixture externally to soothe sore throat.
33. Honey – Is an antioxidant that can destroy dangerous infections, fends off free radicals and a common remedy for asthma. (i) In an asthma attack, hold the jug of honey under the nose and inhale the air that comes in contact with the honey to help breathe easy and deeply; (ii) One or two teaspoons of honey taken with water or milk
thins out accumulated mucus and eliminates it from respiratory passages. Honey also prevents the production of mucus in the future.
34. Betel (Paan) – Being antiseptic in nature and destroyer of phlegm, betel is used for treating common cold, cough and inflammation of vocal chords, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Mix 5-10 ml betel leaf juice with freshly blended basil (tulsi), mint and ginger paste and add 4-5 pounded black pepper corns to the paste. Take ½ a teaspoon of this paste with some honey twice a day.
35. Indian Gooseberry (Amla) – It is very rich in vitamin C, is anti-inflammatory, strengthens the immune system and is helpful for cough, bronchitis and asthma. (i) Asthmatics should take equal amounts of fresh amla pulp or dried powder and honey every morning; (ii) A decoction of 5 grams triphla powder in 500 ml water can be used to clean the throat and nasal passages and then apply purified butter (ghee) or almond oil in the nasal passages as deep as possible every morning.
36. Lemon – It contains flavonoid compounds, is good expectorant and destroyer of phlegm, has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, is beneficial in asthma conditions. (i) Lemon juice and honey is advised in the persistent, dry cough in which phlegm remains stuck; (ii) The juice of one lemon in a glass of water and sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper should be taken one hour before main meals.
37. Figs – Figs containing potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus are beneficial for lung and bladder ailments, asthma and for draining off phlegm. Wash 4-5 dried figs with warm water, soak overnight and take early in the morning along with water in which they were soaked.
Santokh Singh Parmar
Naturo-Food Therapist & Lifestyle Consultant
Mobile: +91(0) 9815922330
Websites: www.naturofoodtherapy.org & www.foodtherapy.org
December 2008
Note: The above information and advice is not a substitute for the advice, your doctor or naturo-food therapist may give you based on his/her knowledge of yourself.