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Dr. Jared Hanson ND, LAc is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in New York City specializing in difficult cases of chronic conditions. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hanson at his New York City location, e-mail drjaredhanson@gmail.com or call 917-607-5035.

Natural Treatment for Asthma

Nutritional Supplementation for Asthma

Some of the most useful nutritional supplements used in the natural treatment for asthma are magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Magnesium acts to relax bronchial smooth muscle. It takes about six weeks of supplementation before the full effects are realized. Magnesium citrate is the preferred form (not magnesium oxide). The optimal total dose of magnesium is 800 mg per day but depending on dietary intake (whole food diets contain higher amounts of magnesium) you may not need to supplement that much. It should be taken split up twice or three times per day instead of all at once. If you develop loose stool while taking magnesium this is a sign of too high an intake and you should cut back.

Vitamin C lowers histamine levels and is the major antioxidant in the lungs. Asthmatics have been found to have a lower levels of vitamin C circulating in their blood. Studies demonstrating effective natural treatment of asthma with vitamin C have usually used 1000 to 2000 mg vitamin C per day. For general antioxidant status however I often recommend 2000 mg three times a day. Loose stool is a sign of taking too much vitamin C, but many people are comfortable with this dose.

Vitamin B6 taken in doses of 50 mg twice a day has been shown in scientific studies to be quite effective at decreasing asthma symptoms. However these effects have not been shown to be reliable in asthma sufferers who depend on steroids to control symptoms. There are many other supplements that have been shown to help, mostly different forms of antioxidants such as vitamin E, flavonoids, carotenes and selenium.

Acupuncture for Asthma

Acupuncture is a very effective natural treatment for asthma. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, asthma is thought to be a result of a Lung or Kidney deficiency, an accumulation of Phlegm, or an invasion of Wind-Heat or Cold. After using symptoms, tongue and pulse to determine which pattern best describes a patient, acupuncture points are chosen which best address the prevalent energetic disharmony.

Chinese medicine also employs herbal formulas as a natural treatment for asthma. One of the most famous is Ma Huang Tang, but patients should always consult with a healthcare professional trained in herbal medicine to determine which herbal formula is right for them.

Diet and Asthma

Vegan diets have been shown to reduce symptoms. It may take several months to reach maximal improvement. A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal products including meat, dairy and eggs. Its effectiveness in the natural treatment for asthma is probably due to a high magnesium intake and the avoidance of some common food allergens.

The recognition and elimination of food allergens is also a key dietary intervention in asthma. The most common food allergy affecting asthmatics is dairy but wheat, chocolate, citrus and food additives are also prevalent.

Homeopathy for Asthma

While the above interventions can be very successful in reducing symptoms, homeopathy can be used to address the underlying predisposition to develop asthma and is often one of the most successful elements in the natural treatment for asthma. Because homeopathic remedies are individualized to the patient, there is no one homeopathic remedy for asthma. Only a healthcare practitioner extensively trained in homeopathy, such as a naturopathic doctor, will have the necessary education and clinical experience to properly select appropriate homeopathic remedies. Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies are not individualized and do not yield reliable results.