AsthmaAsthmaPhysiology and Natural Physiology and Natural

Support OptionsSupport Options

Catherine OshinCatherine OshinNat 307 Module 11Nat 307 Module 11

Discuss the physiology of asthma. Discuss the physiology of asthma. What natural support options are What natural support options are

available?available?

DisclaimerDisclaimer

““ThisThis information is for information is for education only and is not meant education only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or prescribe to diagnose, treat or prescribe for any disease or medical for any disease or medical conditioncondition””

““Information on herbs and Information on herbs and supplements has not been supplements has not been evaluated by the FDAevaluated by the FDA””

WarningsWarnings NEVER discontinue your asthma NEVER discontinue your asthma

medications without consulting your medications without consulting your physician physician

Always seek medical assistance during an Always seek medical assistance during an asthma attack that does not respond to asthma attack that does not respond to home treatment.home treatment.

Asthma is a dangerous condition that Asthma is a dangerous condition that thousands people die from every year.thousands people die from every year. – Many people find that alternative therapies Many people find that alternative therapies

enhance the effectiveness of or reduce the enhance the effectiveness of or reduce the need for medicationneed for medication

What is Asthma?What is Asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory and allergic Asthma is an inflammatory and allergic condition that causes tightening of the condition that causes tightening of the airways and difficulty breathing.airways and difficulty breathing.– Intrinsic asthma: caused by allergens such as Intrinsic asthma: caused by allergens such as

pollens, animal dander, dust mites, roaches, or pollens, animal dander, dust mites, roaches, or by food allergiesby food allergies

– Extrinsic asthma: is non-seasonal and non-Extrinsic asthma: is non-seasonal and non-allergic, caused by irritants such as cold air, allergic, caused by irritants such as cold air, paint and other chemical vapors, or by paint and other chemical vapors, or by exercise, emotional stress, or temperature exercise, emotional stress, or temperature changeschanges

PhysiologyPhysiology

When an asthma attack is triggered, When an asthma attack is triggered, the bronchioles inflame and swell, the bronchioles inflame and swell, blocking the passage of airblocking the passage of air

At the same time, the mucus lining At the same time, the mucus lining the respiratory system becomes the respiratory system becomes thick and excessive, further clogging thick and excessive, further clogging airwaysairways

Allergy induced asthmaAllergy induced asthma

http://www.rainbowskill.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/asthma1.jpg

Allopathic treatmentsAllopathic treatments

Include avoiding irritants that might Include avoiding irritants that might trigger an asthma attack and using trigger an asthma attack and using asthma medications, such as asthma medications, such as bronchodilators, inhaled and oral steroids, bronchodilators, inhaled and oral steroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and antihistaminesleukotriene inhibitors, and antihistamines– Because asthma often occurs amid other Because asthma often occurs amid other

imbalances such as allergic rhinitis, testing and imbalances such as allergic rhinitis, testing and treatment of allergies are often used to treatment of allergies are often used to support asthmasupport asthma

– Deep seated emotional disturbances may be Deep seated emotional disturbances may be treated with counseling or medication treated with counseling or medication

LifestyleLifestyle Learn to cope with and avoid Stress! Possibly the Learn to cope with and avoid Stress! Possibly the

most important factor. Stress causes asthma and most important factor. Stress causes asthma and asthma causes more stress because you feel you asthma causes more stress because you feel you are choking.are choking.

Asthma should not keep you from living a normal Asthma should not keep you from living a normal life, but good sense will help free you from some of life, but good sense will help free you from some of asthma’s challengesasthma’s challenges– Don’t smoke! Avoid secondhand smokeDon’t smoke! Avoid secondhand smoke– Consider rescheduling outdoor activities when Consider rescheduling outdoor activities when

pollen or smog levels are high.pollen or smog levels are high.– Limit or avoid indoor pets. Limit or avoid indoor pets. – Many people benefit from an air purifier and/or Many people benefit from an air purifier and/or

humidifier in the bedroomhumidifier in the bedroom

Diet and allergiesDiet and allergies People with asthma should try to isolate People with asthma should try to isolate

and avoid any food allergensand avoid any food allergens– Consider avoiding or limiting major food Consider avoiding or limiting major food

allergens including wheat, eggs, dairy, peanuts, allergens including wheat, eggs, dairy, peanuts, chocolate, and food additives, colors or chocolate, and food additives, colors or preservativespreservatives

Be sure to get plenty of fresh, whole, and Be sure to get plenty of fresh, whole, and organic foods including vegetables, fruit, organic foods including vegetables, fruit, legumes, grains, and nutslegumes, grains, and nuts

Avoid milk and dairy products, as well as Avoid milk and dairy products, as well as excessive grains and sugars, which can all excessive grains and sugars, which can all increase mucus productionincrease mucus production

Nutrition Nutrition

Bioflavonoids, quercetin, Vitamin C are all Bioflavonoids, quercetin, Vitamin C are all helpful in moderating the allergic response helpful in moderating the allergic response and supporting the immune and circulatory and supporting the immune and circulatory systemsystem

Vitamins A, B-complex, D, and E are also Vitamins A, B-complex, D, and E are also supportivesupportive

Foods high in manganese are beneficial to Foods high in manganese are beneficial to support asthmatic conditionssupport asthmatic conditions

Avoid possible complications of hypoglycemia Avoid possible complications of hypoglycemia by eating smaller more frequent meals by eating smaller more frequent meals

Alternative TherapiesAlternative Therapies

Include but are not limited to physical Include but are not limited to physical and breathing exercises like yoga, qi-and breathing exercises like yoga, qi-gong, and tai chigong, and tai chi

All forms of meditation, energy healing, All forms of meditation, energy healing, and emotional release methods are and emotional release methods are helpfulhelpful

Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and modern Aromatherapy have unusual and modern Aromatherapy have unusual but effective approaches to asthmabut effective approaches to asthma

The lungs are located in the thoracic cavity, the part of the The lungs are located in the thoracic cavity, the part of the body referred to as the “heart chakra” in ayurvedic body referred to as the “heart chakra” in ayurvedic medicine. medicine. Chakras are seven energy centers within the body that Chakras are seven energy centers within the body that each have a certain vibration and are associated with the each have a certain vibration and are associated with the seven colors.seven colors. Each chakra corresponds to a set of body parts, nerves, an Each chakra corresponds to a set of body parts, nerves, an endocrine gland, and certain mental and emotional endocrine gland, and certain mental and emotional activities.activities.Chakras can be balanced or enhanced with color and Chakras can be balanced or enhanced with color and sound therapy or meditation.sound therapy or meditation.The heart chakra should be bright glowing green and is the The heart chakra should be bright glowing green and is the seat of emotional security and trust.seat of emotional security and trust.I find it useful to focus on chakra colors and energy during I find it useful to focus on chakra colors and energy during any meditation oriented bodywork; yoga, tai chi, qi-gong, any meditation oriented bodywork; yoga, tai chi, qi-gong, massage etc.massage etc.

Chakra healing

Mandalla-like glowing images made to correspond to each of the seven chakras, can be used therapeutically.

http://sibyleyes.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/chakra4heart3.jpg

Acupuncture and Chinese Acupuncture and Chinese medicinemedicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, uses Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, uses acupuncture, herbs, and tai chi (breathing) acupuncture, herbs, and tai chi (breathing) exercises to treat the entire personexercises to treat the entire person

In TCM asthma is seen as a weakness in the In TCM asthma is seen as a weakness in the kidneys as well as the lungs. kidneys as well as the lungs. – Asthma is also treated differently during or Asthma is also treated differently during or

between attacks, and there are different between attacks, and there are different treatments corresponding to the changes in treatments corresponding to the changes in seasonseason

Although TCM is traditional many of the Although TCM is traditional many of the methods have been supported by recent methods have been supported by recent scientific researchscientific research

Besides providing useful breathing exercises, or Pranayama, that strengthen the lung, Yoga provides poses like the Camel, shownhere, that help to open and restore the lungs.In yoga all back-bending poses open the heart, or lung, chakra.

YOGA

Image from http://www.adelaideyoga.com.au/asanas.php

Herbal supportHerbal support For respiratory and allergic response For respiratory and allergic response

(antispasmodics and bronchodilators, (antispasmodics and bronchodilators, expectorants, histamine blockers)expectorants, histamine blockers)– Nettle, hyssop, anise, cayenne, fenugreek, horseradish, Nettle, hyssop, anise, cayenne, fenugreek, horseradish,

lobelia, licorice, onion, parsley, mullein, slippery elm, lobelia, licorice, onion, parsley, mullein, slippery elm, pleurisy root, and valerianpleurisy root, and valerian

For immune function antimicrobial herbs treat For immune function antimicrobial herbs treat infectioninfection– Echinacea, Goldenseal Pau d’Arco, Burdock, Echinacea, Goldenseal Pau d’Arco, Burdock,

Elecampane, Garlic, EucalyptusElecampane, Garlic, Eucalyptus For nervous or emotionally rooted asthmaFor nervous or emotionally rooted asthma

– Valerian, chamomile, lavender, and vervain are mild Valerian, chamomile, lavender, and vervain are mild nervinesnervines

Herbal methodsHerbal methods Garlic and onion juice can be made into a Garlic and onion juice can be made into a

concentrated tea with honey and taken by the concentrated tea with honey and taken by the spoonfulspoonful

Steam inhalations can be useful if steam does Steam inhalations can be useful if steam does not irritate or trigger an attack in the patientnot irritate or trigger an attack in the patient use herbs like Eucalyptus, Sage, Mullein, Lemon, use herbs like Eucalyptus, Sage, Mullein, Lemon,

Lavender, and Thyme together or singly Lavender, and Thyme together or singly add about one handful herbs to one quart of boiling add about one handful herbs to one quart of boiling

water. water. Remove from heat source! Bend over the steam, Remove from heat source! Bend over the steam,

covering your head with a towel making a tent to catch covering your head with a towel making a tent to catch the steam. Breath regularly and do not bring your face the steam. Breath regularly and do not bring your face too close to the steaming surface. Stay for 10-20 too close to the steaming surface. Stay for 10-20 minutes inhaling the steam.minutes inhaling the steam.

essential oils can also be used. 1-2 drops per steamessential oils can also be used. 1-2 drops per steam

AromatherapyAromatherapy Can be complementary to other asthma Can be complementary to other asthma

treatments, and can help ease mild symptomstreatments, and can help ease mild symptoms Many essential oils have calming, antispasmodic, Many essential oils have calming, antispasmodic,

and bronchodilating effectsand bronchodilating effects It is suggested to use the oils topically, dilutes in It is suggested to use the oils topically, dilutes in

a carrier oil, over the chest, or feet on individual a carrier oil, over the chest, or feet on individual prone to respiratory distress because the inhaled prone to respiratory distress because the inhaled molecules may trigger a reaction molecules may trigger a reaction

Many people use eucalyptus to clear breathing Many people use eucalyptus to clear breathing but it may worsen symptoms in some asthma but it may worsen symptoms in some asthma patients and is not recommendedpatients and is not recommended

See following for recipes and recommended oils:See following for recipes and recommended oils:

Quoted from an article online Quoted from an article online at *at * Clary SageClary Sage ( (Salvia sclareaSalvia sclarea), which has a warming effect and anti-inflammatory, ), which has a warming effect and anti-inflammatory,

antispasmodic and sedative properties. antispasmodic and sedative properties. FrankincenseFrankincense ( (Boswellia carteii)Boswellia carteii), which has an uplifting effect; it has anti-, which has an uplifting effect; it has anti-

inflammatory and expectorant properties. inflammatory and expectorant properties. GeraniumGeranium ( (Pelargonium graveolens), Pelargonium graveolens), which has a comforting effect and which has a comforting effect and

antispasmodic properties. antispasmodic properties. GingerGinger ( (Zingiber officinale)Zingiber officinale), which has a warming effect and expectorant and , which has a warming effect and expectorant and

stimulant properties. stimulant properties. LavenderLavender ( (Lavendula officinalis)Lavendula officinalis), which has a calming effect and anti-, which has a calming effect and anti-

inflammatory and sedative properties. inflammatory and sedative properties. MarjoramMarjoram ( (Origanum majorana)Origanum majorana), which has a warming effect and , which has a warming effect and

antispasmodic properties. antispasmodic properties. PeppermintPeppermint ( (Mentha piperita)Mentha piperita), which has a refreshing effect and , which has a refreshing effect and

antispasmodic, decongestant and expectorant properties. antispasmodic, decongestant and expectorant properties. RoseRose ( (Rosa damascena)Rosa damascena), which has a relaxing effect and antispasmodic and , which has a relaxing effect and antispasmodic and

sedative properties.sedative properties.

Combine the selected essential oil with a carrier oil, such as sunflower oil, sweet Combine the selected essential oil with a carrier oil, such as sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, soy oil or grapeseed oil, and rub it on the chest to relieve tightness. almond oil, soy oil or grapeseed oil, and rub it on the chest to relieve tightness. Using 20 mL of the carrier oil, add 10 drops of the essential oil for a 2.5 percent Using 20 mL of the carrier oil, add 10 drops of the essential oil for a 2.5 percent solution, or 5 drops for a 1 percent solution.solution, or 5 drops for a 1 percent solution.

One possible adult remedy involves adding five drops of each of the following: One possible adult remedy involves adding five drops of each of the following: Thyme linalol (Thymus vulgaris), honey myrtle (Myrtus vulgaris), ravensara Thyme linalol (Thymus vulgaris), honey myrtle (Myrtus vulgaris), ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobile) in a carrier oil of (Ravensara aromatica) Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobile) in a carrier oil of 10 ml of Echinacea-infused oil and 15 ml of cold-pressed peach kernel oil. Rub 10 ml of Echinacea-infused oil and 15 ml of cold-pressed peach kernel oil. Rub the oils on the neck and chest twice a day.the oils on the neck and chest twice a day.

* http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Aromatherapy-Essential-Oils-for-Asthma

The goal is controlThe goal is control

Asthma is a lifelong, and life threatening Asthma is a lifelong, and life threatening condition. Though it will never go away, condition. Though it will never go away, with a little extra effort and foresight, an with a little extra effort and foresight, an asthma patient can live a normal life asthma patient can live a normal life without daily symptoms.without daily symptoms.

Doctors use many medications to control Doctors use many medications to control asthma, but complementary protocols asthma, but complementary protocols may enhance their effectiveness and may enhance their effectiveness and reduce the need for medication. reduce the need for medication.

ReferencesReferences

Thibodeau and Patton, “Structure and Thibodeau and Patton, “Structure and Function of the Body”, 13Function of the Body”, 13thth ed. 2008, p360- ed. 2008, p360-389389

Shiland, Betsy. “Mastering Healthcare Shiland, Betsy. “Mastering Healthcare Terminology.” 3Terminology.” 3rdrd ed. 2010. Elsevier Press. ed. 2010. Elsevier Press. St. LouisSt. Louis

ACHS Nat 307 class materialsACHS Nat 307 class materials http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Aromatherapy-Esshttp://www.altmd.com/Articles/Aromatherapy-Ess

ential-Oils-for-Asthmaential-Oils-for-Asthma last accessed 1.19.2011 last accessed 1.19.2011

http://www.tcmpage.com/hpasthma.http://www.tcmpage.com/hpasthma.htmlhtml– Last Accessed 1.19.2011, great info on acupunctureLast Accessed 1.19.2011, great info on acupuncture