Is There Natural Relief For Asthma?

Asthma is considered a chronic respiratory condition that has no cure but has symptoms that can be managed. The symptoms of Asthma can include difficulty breathing, frequent coughing, wheezing, a feeling of suffocation, tightness in the chest, and violent coughing attacks which can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.

These symptoms occur when the airways of the lungs, called bronchi or bronchial tubes, become inflamed from an irritant of some sort. The muscles around the airways react to this inflammation by tightening up which further restricts airflow. In the meantime, the respiratory mucosa is producing an increased amount of mucus in order to try to flush out the initial irritant which causes the already narrowed airways to get plugged up with mucus making it even harder to breathe. Asthma attacks can occur day or night, even while doing simple activities such as sleeping, laughing or exercising.

The irritants that trigger asthma are numerous and varied. They include air pollutants like cigarette smoke and traffic emissions, strong odors or fumes, respiratory infection, pollen, emotional stress, drugs like aspirin or penicillin, poor nutrition, inadequate detoxification, high humidity, foods, pet hair or even plain old dust. It has also been found that children who were given even one course of antibiotics in their first year of life are at an increased risk for developing asthma. In addition, those born by C-Section Birth have a 79% increased chance of developing asthma.

Indoor air quality is sometimes of even more concern then outdoor air quality. Studies have shown that indoor air quality can often be even worse than outdoor air quality due to the cleaners and disinfectants that we use as well as the fumes let off by your furniture, paint and carpeting. Unless you air out your house daily, have a lot of house plants or own an air purification system then all these toxic odors and gasses are being trapped inside the home. Not only can this increase asthma symptoms but it can also lead to headaches, nausea, fatigue, hormone imbalances and damage to your liver, kidneys and central nervous system.

A yeast overgrowth of Candida albicans has also been linked with asthma. Candida albicans is usually a natural yeast that everyone has in their system but it can easily become an overgrowth when antibiotics have been used. Candida causes inflammation and widespread tissue damage.

Milk and other dairy products can worsen asthma symptoms because these products tend to increase the body’s production of mucus in the lungs. An undiagnosed milk allergy can worsen the situation and with Milk standing at one of the top three food allergens in the American Diet, it would be wise to have this checked. At the very least you should try to drink Organic RAW milk which can usually be tolerated even by those diagnosed as allergic to dairy.

Acetaminophen, like that found in Tylenol and some other pain relievers, has been linked to an increase in asthma and wheezing so avoiding products which contain it can be helpful.

Most people manage their asthma symptoms using glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory steroids generally taken via inhalation. There are many problems with this type of treatment though. Studies have shown that there is a 70% increased risk of heart disease when taking these steroids and that the higher the dose, the greater the risk. They have also found that long term use of these steroids cause impaired growth in children. Gluccocorticoids can also reduce T-Cell production and therefore impair your immune response.

There are some natural ways to combat asthma though. The first thing you should do is find out what is triggering the attacks and try to eliminate it either from your diet or from your environment. You can either do skin patch testing for environmental factors or try eliminating things from your diet then adding them back in to see if symptoms return.

Hypoglycemia has been linked with asthma so eating numerous, small but nutritious meals throughout the day could help. A deficiency in manganese is another causative factor in asthma so making sure to include green leafy vegetables, grapefruits, apricots, kelp, egg yolk, parsley, peppermint, strawberry leaves, and nasturtium in your meals could also help.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower contain sulphoraphane which helps to protect against respiratory inflammation so trying to include those in your diet may be helpful.

Optimizing your intake ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fats can also help as the Standard American Diet (SAD) normally contains a very unbalanced 50:1 ratio of Omega 6:3 when it should be closer to 1:1. Omega 6 fats are known to cause inflammation while Omega 3s are anti-inflammatory. You can get more Omega 3 in your diet by taking NKO Krill Oil, Green-Lipped Mussel Oil, Flax Seed Oil or Primrose Oil along with eating things like walnuts.

Vitamin D deficiency is also suspected of contributing to asthma since areas of widespread asthma also show widespread Vitamin D Deficiency. You can read about the importance of Vitamin D here:

https://wisdomthatheals.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/vitamin-d-a-true-hero-in-the-nutrition-world/

Daily deep breathing exercises can also help to open up the airways. You should avoid smoking, but that is true for many more reasons than just asthma which you can read about here:

https://wisdomthatheals.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/and-the-cilia-shall-be-paralyzed/

There are a few herbs which are considered bronchodilators which help to relax the bronchial muscle. These herbs include Lobelia, Valerian and Cayenne. Tinctures of these herbs can be used to bring relief from an attack.

Probiotics can also help those who suffer from asthma as they help to promote healthy intestinal barriers, immune reactions and help the body to deal with food allergies. A healthy immune response can decrease inflammation throughout the body, including the respiratory tract.

Essential oils of Eucalyptus, Lemon, Pine and Thyme have also been shown to help with asthmatics.

– For Educational Purposes Only
– Not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition
-These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA
– These statements are my opinions and conclusion from the knowledge I have thus far

Updated 01/05/10 to include information on Milk, Acetaminophen and probiotics

References:

1) Thibodeau & Patton, Structure and Function of the Body, 13th Edition, 2008, pg. 370
2) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/04/12/inhaled-steroids.aspx
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Dr. Joseph Mercola
3) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/10/15/steroids-growth.aspx
Accessed:03/31/09, Author: Dr Joseph Mercola
4) http://www.naturalnews.com/025772.html
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Marianne Leigh
5) http://www.naturalnews.com/025771.html
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Sherry Baker
6) http://www.naturalnews.com/025518.html
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Mike Adams
7) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: NHLBI
8) Radio Interview With Dr. McCombs Hour 2
http://ktradionetwork.com/Media/mp3/kevintrudeaushow_030409_hour2.mp3
Recorded: 03/04/09, Interviewer: Kevin Truedeau
9) http://www.naturalnews.com/026046.html
Accessed: 04/14/09, Author: David Gutierrez
10) http://www.naturalnews.com/010443_asthma_food_dairy_products.html
Accessed: 01/05/10, Author: Dani Veracity
11) http://www.naturalnews.com/027563_Tylenol_asthma.html
Accessed: 01/05/10, Author: S. L. Baker
12) http://www.naturalnews.com/027273_asthma_probiotics.html
Accessed: 01/05/10, Author: Mike Adams

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What Else Is Your Deodorant Doing To You?

Lets talk about body odor. The first thing you should know is that the reason you have body odor, of any kind, is because of what you eat and how it is digested. As I have said before, 1/3rd of your body’s waste products are excreted through your skin and the type of food you eat plays a major role in your overall smell and the type of odor producing bacteria that will live in your armpits and groin and such.

The second thing you need to know is that the chemicals that you put on your skin are absorbed directly into your bloodstream and then carried throughout your body. Most people don’t think about the fact that when chemicals are absorbed through the skin there is nothing to break them down. At least when you eat a chemical there are enzymes in your saliva that have the potential to render the chemical slightly less harmful. Your skin does not have this benefit so remember that as you buy your lotions, sunscreens, makeup and deodorants. To find the toxicity rating of your hygiene products you can go to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Website here:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1

Since we are discussing body odor specifically though, we are going to focus on Antiperspirants and deodorants. The two dangers I want to discuss regarding these products is parabens and aluminum.

Parabens are used as a preservative in many cosmetics and even some foods. They can be listed on the label as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben or E216. One of the problems with parabens is that they mimic estrogens in your body which means that they can cause diminished muscle mass and extra fat storing as well as causing males to grow breasts. There have also been studies that link parabens to tumor growth and some studies that have found completely intact parabens inside human breast tumors. Even “natural” products may contain parabens so be sure to read the labels and try to avoid products that contain them.

Antiperspirants specifically contain another harmful ingredient which is a toxic heavy metal known as aluminum. The aluminum is in the antiperspirant because it helps to clog sweat releasing pores and therefore helps to keep you dry. There is two problems with this. Firstly, you are blocking a major route of detoxification for your body thus placing unnecessary burden on your other organs. Secondly, you are absorbing this aluminum into your bloodstream and it is toxic to your body and especially your brain.

When your body is not able to rid itself of toxins via perspiration of the underarms, the toxins can be deposited into your lymph nodes. Because these toxins are being deposited continually, the lymph nodes cannot filter them fast enough and they start to build up which can cause cell mutation leading to cancer and tumor growth. The cluster of lymph nodes for the underarm area, in males and females, is located in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area and it is no coincidence that almost all breast cancer tumors are found in this area. You can read about the importance of the lymph nodes here:

https://wisdomthatheals.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/ever-wonder-what-the-lymph-nodes-do/

Now for the second point; the aluminum content in some antiperspirants can be almost 25 percent. Pretty much anything with the ‘alum’ in it is probably a form of aluminum which is readily absorbed into your bloodstream. Women especially are in danger of this because shaving tends to remove the top layers of skin making the area more permeable.

Probably the scariest thing about aluminum is that when it is deposited into your brain, it can cause neurological damage associated with Alzheimer ’s disease. A build up of heavy metals in your body also causes your body to perform almost like an antenna for electro-magnetic frequencies which can speed tumor growth and disrupt cell communication within our bodies.

The accumulation of aluminum in the body has also been linked with many other diseases such as osteoporosis, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness and speech disturbances.

Cilantro tincture is supposed to be a good way to help remove excess aluminum and some other heavy metals from your body. Chlorella is also a good heavy metal detox agent of which you can read about here:

https://wisdomthatheals.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/chlorella-is-a-true-super-food/

Cleaning up your diet is key when it comes to body odor. Make sure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Try to stay away from meat that has added colorings, flavorings and preservatives (which is basically all meat at a traditional grocery store or restaurant). Organic, Grass-fed and free-range meat is best. You can find this type of meat at some health food stores or on the internet at sites like this:

http://www.grasslandbeef.com/StoreFront.bok

An alternative to deodorant is using simple baking soda. I’ve been using it for almost a year now and am pleasantly surprised with how well it works. Especially since I tried almost every “natural” and “organic” deodorant there was to try and none of them every seemed to work. To apply the baking soda I use a powder brush and just blot it on my underarms. There are many essential oils that you can add a couple drops of to your baking soda to assist with its deodorizing properties or to just give your underarms some fragrance. Always use caution with essential oils as some people can be very sensitive to them.

Patchouli: antimicrobial, bactericidal, deodorant, good for skin, stress, and nervous exhaustion.
Eucalyptus: Deodorant, antiseptic, antiviral, increases circulation, antifungal, antibacterial.
Clary Sage: antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, deodorant
Cypress: antiseptic, astringent, deodorant
Lavender: gentle, soothing, cleansing and drying to the skin
Peppermint and Spearmint: cooling and purifying, clean-smelling
Geranium: antibacterial, deodorant
Rosemary: antibacterial, detoxification
Cinnamon: antibacterial
Clove: antibacterial
Rosewood: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antiparasitic, tones skin.
Tea Tree: antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, immune stimulant, antiparasitic, anti-infectious
Thyme: antimicrobial, antiseptic, bactericidal, immune stimulant, tonic.
Myrrh: Antimicrobial, bactericide, deodorant

– For Educational Purposes Only
– Not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition
-These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA
– These statements are my opinions and conclusion from the knowledge I have thus far

1. http://blogs.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/09/20/does-your-antiperspirant-cause-breast-cancer.aspx
Accessed:03/30/09, Author: Dr. Joseph Mercola
2. http://www.naturalnews.com/019777.html
Accessed: 03/30/09, Author: Mike Adams
3. http://www.naturalnews.com/009969.html
Accessed: 03/30/09, Author: Mike Adams
4. http://www.naturalnews.com/024979.html
Accessed: 03/30/2009, Author: Elizabeth Walling
5. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2007/06/22/body-absorbs-5-lbs-of-make-up-chemicals-per-year.aspx
Accessed: 03/30/2009, Author: Dr. Joseph Mercola
6. http://www.naturalcures.com/Members/newsletter_ektid122413.aspx
Accessed: 03/30/2009, Author Kevin Trudeau
7. http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/deodorant
Accessed: 03/30/09, Author: Victoria Anisman-Reiner
8. http://www.feelgoodproducts.com/properties.html
Accessed: 03/30/09, Author:
9. http://www.naturopathyworks.com/news/newsltr0603.php
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Colleen Huber
10. Audio Interview Transcript with Dr. Dietrich Klingheardt
Accessed: 03/31/09, Pgs. 9, 19-20, 26
11. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/12/27/toxic-metals-part-one.aspx
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Dr. Joseph Mercola
12. http://www.essentialoils.co.za/therapeutic-properties.htm
Accessed: 03/31/09, Author: Sallamander Concepts

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An Introduction to Smell and why Aromatherapy Works

Sometimes a certain odor will elicit a specific emotional response because the brain has associated that smell with a past memory.

Our olfactory cells function like a lock and key where certain aroma molecules (the keys) bind with certain olfactory receptors (the locks). When those olfactory cells/receptors are “unlocked” by an odor/”key”, they send impulses to a part of our brain that is closely associated with memories and emotions. The brain then interprets the impulses and attempts to recognize the odor and what it is associated with by sending the impulses to the Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus then sends signals to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce different types of hormones. The hormones that are produced have an effect on glands all throughout the body which then triggers the actual physiological and emotional responses that we experience from smell.

The doctor’s office, for example, may elicit an emotional response of fear or anxiety if a person has had a traumatic experience in a Doctor’s office in the past. The brain will associate that smell with the memory of the traumatic experience and stimulate hormones that cause feelings of fear or anxiety. However, someone who has never visited a Doctor’s office may feel calm or relaxed with no emotional response at all because there is no memory associated with that smell.

Similarly, the smell of a cooking turkey can elicit warm, inviting memories of family, love and togetherness for someone who has experienced many years of a happy, “family dinner style” Thanksgiving holiday. Conversely, for someone who never had a traditional Thanksgiving celebration, the smell of cooking turkey may elicit hunger but not necessarily evoke any familial emotions. Furthermore, the smell of cooking meat could induce feelings of nausea for someone who is strongly against a feast of animal flesh.

Our response to all situations is based on our past experiences and that is why two people can have completely opposite reactions to the same situation. They don’t have the same past experiences to associate their response with so the hormones released will differ depending on the person and their past.

-For Educational Purposes only

– Not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition

-These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA

Resources:

1)Nat 211, Module 1, “Smell”
Updated 3/28/08 by Del Mulhern

2)Thibodeau & Patton, Structure and Function of the Body, 13th Edition, 2008, p.244

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