Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects millions of people around the world. It’s characterized by inflammation in the airways, which causes symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
While there are medications available to treat asthma, many people prefer using natural remedies instead because they’re more affordable and have fewer side effects. However, it can be difficult to know what foods will help manage your symptoms without doing hours of research or consulting with a professional nutritionist.
Here at Natural Foods for Asthma Prevention we’ve done all the hard work for you! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite natural remedies for asthma so you can easily find out what foods might help relieve your symptoms before reaching for over-the-counter medication again!
- Bananas are rich in potassium, which is an essential nutrient for proper lung function. Potassium helps thin mucus that’s produced by the body, allowing your airways to stay cleared and unrestricted. Additionally, bananas contain immune-boosting vitamin C, which will strengthen your body’s defenses to prevent asthma symptoms from becoming severe.
- Avocado is known for its beneficial effects on the respiratory system. The monounsaturated fats found in this oil help thin mucus that’s produced by the body, which will make it easier to expel from your airways. Plus, avocado oil has a nutritional profile similar to breast milk so it’s easily digested and can provide protection against asthma symptoms, especially in children.
- Ginger is a powerful herb that relieves inflammation and provides respiratory system support. The gingerol found in this root helps suppress the immune response, which will limit your body’s ability to create inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms from occurring. Ginger also contains vitamin C, manganese, and potassium so it can help boost immunity and help your airways stay clear.
- Turmeric is a spice that has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years. This herb contains curcumin, which helps reduce inflammation in the respiratory system and prevents asthma symptoms from becoming severe. In addition, turmeric also contains vitamin B6, iron, and magnesium so it can help boost immunity and provide respiratory system protection.
- Garlic contains compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a major trigger for asthma symptoms. Additionally, garlic can help boost immunity so your body’s defenses are strong enough to fight off infection and prevent illness from wreaking havoc on your airways. Plus, garlic also contains vitamin C so it’s capable of reducing asthma symptoms caused by environmental allergens.
- Apples are rich in quercetin, an antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms from occurring. While it may take several days to notice significant changes in your body, the fruit acids found in apples can break down mucus so it’s easier to expel from your system and repair irritated respiratory tissue.
- Honey is a natural sweetener that can help reduce inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms from becoming severe. Keep in mind that raw honey contains pollen spores so it’s best to eat this food when you’re not experiencing an attack. To use this natural remedy for asthma, simply add one tablespoon of honey to your favorite herbal tea and ingest it three times daily.
- Peppermint tea is one of the best remedies for asthma because it contains menthol, which helps reduce inflammation and can speed up your breathing rate to make it easier to get oxygen into your lungs. Plus, the essential oil found in peppermint has natural antibacterial properties so it can help fight infection and clear respiratory passages of mucus.
- Green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that can reduce inflammation in the body and limit asthma symptoms from becoming severe. These polyphenols also help boost immunity so your body can fight asthma triggers and prevent respiratory infections.
- Cinnamon is a spice that has been long used for its medicinal benefits. The compounds found in cinnamon, which are known as cinnamaldehyde, help reduce inflammation so you don’t experience severe asthma symptoms. Additionally, this spice contains manganese, iron, fiber, vitamin B 6, and calcium so it can boost immunity and make it easier to expel mucus from your respiratory system.
The next time you’re feeling wheezy or need a little extra relief from chest congestion try incorporating these healthy treats into your diet! Leave us a comment below and tell us how they made you feel. We’d love to hear back from our readers and we’ll be sure to reply with any updates on future blog posts that we think might interest you.