11/17/2011: Jack from Coatesville, Pa, Usa: "My wife has severe asthma. Dry hot air at work I don't think helps. When she gets home she is still coughing. I try to keep the house a little cooler for her. If outside air is too cold she gets coughing. I always try to make sure she has a puffer with her at all times. Sometimes she gets coughing till she gets tears in her eyes. When she is at home she is puffing daily. It bothers me when she is in distress that I can't provide relief for her. She ain't big on black coffee but told her it's better than fighting for air. I did read somewhere that vicks vapor rub, INHALED through nostrils may help. DON'T put it in the nose. After much ragging, by me she is going to see a pulmonary specialist. I know when she gets home, she will walk in the door coughing. will try the ACV and post a update in a few days."

11/17/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Magnesium will help your wife as asthma is said to be caused by a magnesium deficiency. The magnesium relaxes the airways so she will breath better. My son used to wheeze all night and sometimes I had to give him ventolin. Since he has had magnesium (in the form of epson salt) in his bath the wheezing has stopped.

Also ventolin causes magnesium to be depleted from the body which in turn makes the deficiency worse."

11/17/2011: Steve from Las Vegas, Nevada replies: "Check out The Dr Buteyko breathing method, they have a very high success rate with healing asthma using a special breathing technique. http://www.guideforselfhealing.com/2006/06/18/intro-to-buteyko-breathing/

Steve"

08/24/2011: Kattis from Auckland, New Zealand replies: "I was just reading up on this.... I might have some good ideas for you.... Just read that epsom salts are incredible for Ezcema and on the subject of asthma. I have a lot of info so will give you a quick run down and get hold of me if you need more info. Earth clinic has tons of info and reviews on things too. Now there is a herb called Mullien it works wonders with the lungs , healing after smoking , and may lungs disorders.... So that is something to research. I have done a bit of research myself so let me know if you have trouble finding some. Alos big factor , what is his diet.. Do you know his blood type... I could help you figure out his trigger foods and also they say if you have yeast out of balance that is will affect your bodies in so many ways and asthma is one on them ..."

08/24/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "The best remedy for ezcema I think is sea water.

As for asthma. My son was verging on it (and has bad lungs) but since I have been giving him butter and lots of coconut oil (unrefined) it has stopped. Also I now have him on cod liver oil (fermented) and butter oil. The lungs need saturated fats to operate properly. I don't give him any polunsaturated fats.

A good book is "Nourishing Traditions"."

08/26/2011: Jeff from Cebu City, Philippines replies: "Nebulize with FGHP, dilute to about 1%, or add around 3 drops of 35% FGHP to his drinking water. That should help out his asthma. My sister also has asthma, but ever since she started drinking FGHP (every other day) there has been no sign of asthma. Hope it'll work for your son."

08/02/2011: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand replies: "There is a plant called Datura Stramonium.. In the Middle East it was called poor mans opium. If ingested (eaten )it will send a person onto a psychodelic trip that no one should have to bear..... But having said that, if the leaves and seeds are smoked it stops an asthma attack virtually straight away. Many years ago you could buy the leaves and seeds pressed into a cone and this was burnt and inhaled. The plant has been called "thorn apple", and" Jimson weed". Repeat never eat any part of the plant! .. But smoking it is ok, dont overdue it. Just inhale untill the attack has passed. Its best dried."

03/08/2011: Lisa from Waynesboro, Va replies: "It sounds like a diet change is needed, no dairy, sugar, eat veggies and stay away from processed foods, etc. Try to find out what you are allergic to and take care of your infections with hydrogen peroxide therapy and/or colloidal silver. The allergies lower your resistance, then it is a vicious cycle. A good diet gives your body a rest so you can deal with the other issues. I have asthma, allergy and candida problems with constant infections. the diet is the main thing."

01/01/2011: Lisa from Conyers, Ga replies: "Look under the Ailments tab, click on Asthma, there are some different suggestions from people that may be helpful. Good luck to you. ~lisa~"

01/02/2011: Tom from Regina, Sk replies: "Taaz:
I assume you're trying to get T= Ted?
Unfortunately, your request could go off the page since the site is set up more as a "self serve" first, with specific people responding only if they're around donating their time! Try something that will be cheap first, and this one is also very fast to work, too, when it does:
It's been put under " Breathing Cures", for whatever reason. When you get to the page at the URL, just look for it since it's on a short page, or just use the Search Box at top right of the page and enter 'potassium nitrate'. It will go to the post on desensitizing toothpaste. Just heed that Sensodyne is NOT to be used for this, since it uses a different molecule as the active ingredient.

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/breathing_cures.html"

01/02/2011: Maskeen from Dubai, Uae replies: "Dr john christopher, the doctor of 'incurables', recommended Indian tobacco or lobelia for asthma. http://www.herballegacy.com/Asthma.html"

01/05/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Hi Taaz, About 15 years ago my asthma got so bad that it took 1/2 hour to get out of bed. Ventolin then 5min gap then Becloforte then 15min gap and ventolin again then 5min gap then another preventative, also did this another 3 times a day. Also ended up with emergency treatment about 4-5 times in 12 months and then taking cortizone tablets.

Started taking cod liver oil capsules which gave me daily 12,000iu Vit A per day. Also discovered the plant Japanese Menthol, which eating a leaf or two would make breathing easier. As I was getting side effects from the meds and I was doing much better I weaned myself off the meds, but always kept ventolin on hand for an emergency. In a period of 18 months only went to emergency once.

Then I discovered a great book called 'Give Asthma The Big A' It is all about Vit A for Asthma written by a lady from Brisbane (I think). I now take a herb called Tulsi, either by capsule or tea, when my lungs are not well and on rare occasions cod liver oil. The herb tulsi (tulasi or holy basil) is now always in our home either in the form of tea or capsules. All the best in finding an answer for your son."

01/05/2011: Tom from Regina, Sk replies: "Maria:
This is interesting new news on asthma that made all the papers I see in October 2010.
Lungs have taste bud cells! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8084010/Lungs-have-taste-buds-scientists-find.html
Human lungs can detect bitter tastes in the same way as the tongue can and respond to the sensation in a particular way. The team from University of Maryland School of Medicine found that contrary to what they thought would happen, the airways in the lungs opened in response to a bitter taste. Senior author Dr Stephen Liggett said: "I initially thoguht the bitter-taste receptors in the lungs would prompt a 'fight or flight' response to a noxious inhaleant causing chest tightness and coughing so you would leave the toxic environment but that's not what we found. So, possibly in a real emergency, like caught with no medication or just out, maybe something like unsweetened baker's chocolate or anything else bitter could be tried?

But it would be necessary to know beforehand if one has an allergy or reaction to it under normal circumstances. There should be a feeling of the airways opening and easier breathing if this is found to work."

01/05/2011: Tom from Regina, Sk replies: "Maria:

FINALLY, someone from OZ! I was wondering why there's no information here on a homegrown product that's been out since the late 90's for asthma and allergies (they also make a skin cream that' supposedly excellent). It's a phytochemical mix extracted from ryegrass and commercialized, but not Rx, named ORALMAT. It is now sold all over the world, on internet online etc. , and the cost of trying to see if it works is less than one Rx for a puffer.

I put up a post last year about it, but I see it ended up under GSE! http://www.earthclinic.com/Supplements/grapefruit_seed_extract.html
Look for the date 08/28/2010, or just use your browser word search feature once at that page to find Oralmat. Have you tried it, or heard of it?"

[YEA]  01/05/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Just a quick addition. When I start to have breathing distress I immediately have a strong coffee. NEVER instant coffee. If there is a known allergen around we make up some coffee in a thermos to be ready. My husband has even made coffee for me in the middle of the night to get my breathing normal again. I have been using coffee for about four years now. I do not need it very often but when I do it works for me. I have not needed the ventolin since using coffee. Tried strong tea but this did not work for me. Also I have never been back to emergency nor have I seen another Dr regarding asthma."

01/06/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Hi Tom, Yes I know the drops you are talking about, but have never seen the cream. I tried the drops way back when they first came out before I found what worked for me. At the time they were expensive, about $19 per tiny bottle (10mls) whereas ventolin was just under $6 per puffer. Unfortunately they did nothing for me. At the time I followed the instructions and finished the whole bottle. Maybe there are some EC members from OZ or elsewhere who have used them or know of someone who has and hopefully they will let you know of their experience."

08/24/2010: Tom from Regina, Sk replies: "Natalie:

I realize this is many months after your request, and I still don't see this in the list of Asthma remedies even though it's been out for at least 5 years, so perhaps you could try to find this product:

Ryegrass extract, brand name ORALMAT. Developed in Australia 1990's?

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=274306
At the link, it'll tell you which large chain name store has it. Also available at their online website. Price was not mentioned. It's herbal, so it's not a prescription, and claims say it greatly reduces need for medication or eliminates the asthma altogether. Sounds in that respect a little like yamoa powder."

[YEA]  06/30/2007: Dwayne from Copper Basin, USA: "I have mild asthma and saline nose spary helps to releave my breathlessnes. I don't know why it works but it does. I have had times where I just couldn't seem to catch my breath but I haven't had that problem since. I just spary a little of the mist in the smeller and it relieves the symptoms. The brand I use is water and .65% salt. I am curious if I will be able to mix my own solution once i am out of this spray."

[WARNING!]  03/17/2009: Clarice from Boston, MA, USA: "This is not just a Big Fat Nay for salt pipe inhalation therapy for asthma, but a complaint about the poster who is pumping their "Salt Rocks" site under the very very thin guise of "offering extensive compiled information" (which is no different than any other site selling salt rock pipes).

I actually went to the Salt Rocks site that the poster put in their post and bought two salt pipes for two asthmatics in the family. The people involved are both non-smoking males, one 43 years and the other 58 years, both have low-sodium diets that generally exclude asthma-trigger allergens; the younger is a vegetarian, the elder is not. I got the pipes at Christmas time, and three months later, no improvement or help whatsoever in either person, and in fact, the elder person is worse, now having to have a heftier dose of Advair. And, while all the "information" promises no increase in blood pressure, blood pressure was elevated in the elder, and in the younger blood pressure went through the roof after starting salt inhalation; both cases higher than when taking the Advair (which is known to elevate blood pressure).

So, consider this a double nay for salt pipes, both of which have been relegated to the trash bin.

If it sounds too good to be true, guess what children, it is...except for the person selling it, of course."

EC: Thank you for letting us know about this! The post and url to the website have been deleted.

11/14/2008: Catherine from Wellington, New Zealand replies: "It would be worth your while to look up www.watercure.com. Water and salt are the treatment for asthma as well as most diseases with this therapy."

[YEA]  09/21/2008: Shelagh from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida: "Regarding asthma; I became afflicted about 6 months after my husband died, 21 years ago. After a couple of years, many medications, trips to the Emergency Room & terrifying bouts of being unable to breathe; I realized my doctors were not saving my life. I was dying a slow agonizing death by short breaths. I was unable to take even 5 or 6 steps without having to pause & struggle for a breath. I was in hell. I took my life back into my own hands.

I remembered a book my Great Grandmother had given me when I was 12 years old: Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss. It's still in print, updated & is my 'bible'. I poured through this book looking for something to counteract this asthma. I came across an anecdote using indian tobacco or lobelia. After reading this I called health food stores in my area until I found one that had some in stock. The man there was kind enough to have it waiting for me when I arrived. He explained how to use this tincture & prepared my first dose for me. I thanked him profusely, made my purchase and exhausted, headed home. I noticed a remarkable difference even as I drove the 5 miles home.

I also went on a mission to cleanse my body, mind & soul; high colonics, complete change of diet, meditation... getting back to my 'roots', as it were.

My son Spike was 11 when he contracted asthma. I put him on lobelia, taught him to take responsibility for his own health by eating thoughtfully, healthily and with INTENTION. What I mean by this is to eat with the intention of nourishing his body with good food, not just to feed a craving. Something society forgot along the way with advertisements bombarding us from all sides.

As to dosages; read the label. I was taking 15-20 drops of one brand but yesterday I handed a bottle to someone & her bottle said 5 or 6 drops.

Use caution not to overdo, or to take too much of any mucous clearing treatments toward the end of the day or you may end up like I was in the beginning; I was working so hard to get over the asthma that I went overboard for a while & ended up hacking & coughing crap up all night long- because of this I was unable to get rest & in effect I could have made myself more sick. After 2 days I spoke to a nutritionist who gently reminded me I was rushing the process.

Common sense definitely helps here as well; Steer clear of milk & milk products as these create mucous in our bodies. As do sugars & refined flours. When I'm 'off' it's usually when my natural diet is off balance.

Peace, Shelagh"

05/06/2009: Jen from South Ozone Park, Ny replies: "I like to know if i should use lobelia drops in water or under the tongue?"

EC: You might throw up if you try taking lobelia under the tongue -- it's very strong! People typically take it as directed on the bottle (water or juice).

[YEA]  04/06/2005: Olivia : "I have this steam inhaler and when ever I get weazy, it really helps my lungs and wind pipes open up! It doesn't cure but it helps and makes it more comfortable!"