A Natural Treatment For Asthma
A plant-based compound significantly improves lung function in
patients with moderate to severe asthma, producing results
comparable to those of the steroid drug prednisone.
ASHMI
The mixture consists of the extracts of three herbs, and is
called the anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI).
ASHMI is a simplified version of a 14-herb medication used to
treat asthma in Chinese hospitals.
First Controlled Study
It is the first time a controlled study has shown Chinese herbal
medicine proving as effective as a corticosteroid for aiding
asthma patients. The study was conducted on over 90 patients who
were given either oral ASHMI, prednisone, or a placebo.
After four weeks, both the ASHMI and prednisone groups showed
significant lung function improvement. There was a slight, but
still measurable, greater improvement in the prednisone group.
Doesn't Impair Adrenal Function
ASHMI, however, unlike prednisone, also has the benefit of
having no negative effects on adrenal function.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology September 2005;
116(3): 517-524MSNBC October 17, 2005
Dr. Mercola's Comment:There aren't many things that are
important to do in life, but one of them for sure is breathing
and when you can't get a full breath it is a major problem.
That is in large part why asthma can be such a frightening and
frustrating condition, it's no wonder people will try anything
-- including a toxic drug -- to stop it. Although steroids
clearly work for asthma and many other conditions, they do so at
great risk to your health.
Aside from their considerable toxicities though, steroids in no
way shape or form treat the underlying cause which, if left
untreated, will continue to devastate your health.
Although most supplements also fall into the category of not
treating the underlying cause, especially herbs, they are
typically far less toxic.It appearsthis novel natural,
plant-based compoundwill prove to befar saferthan dangerousthe
corticosteroid drug prednisone.
But if you're looking to reduce your dependence on any asthma
crutch, here aresome simple lifestyle changes you can make:
- Eat a healthy diet, being especially careful to reduce
or avoid sugar, fruit juices, most grains and pasteurized dairy
products.
- Replacing commercial milk with raw milk from grass-fed cows
is also usually well tolerated and highly health promoting.
However, even raw milk may worsen asthma so you will need to be
careful here.
- Include generous amounts of omega-3 fats in your diet. I
find Carlson fish oil and cod liver oil to be one of the most
superior brands available as it conforms to the strictest
guidelines for purity and freshness.
Please remember that for most Americans we are now in the cod
liver oil time of year, as we simply don't have access to enough
sunshine on our bare skin to help us produce vitamin D.
Important NEW Information About Cod Liver Oil Capsules
You have to be VERY cautious about using cod liver oil capsules.
If for some reason you are not using the more economical liquid
you need to understand that most brands of cod liver oil
capsules can provide excessive doses of vitamin A (unlike the
liquid) that can cause you a problem if you take dose in the
10-15 capsules per day that you will need to meet your omega-3
needs.
I reviewed this issue with Carlson and they were able to develop
a low vitamin A cod liver oil capsule that won't get you into
trouble. Interestingly they also taste great if you chew on
them, almost like candy and I frequently chew them as a treat in
the winter.
SO when you take cod liver oil if you feel you need to take the
capsules the choice is very clear. Get Carlson's low vitamin A.
If you can't find them we do have them in our store for your
convenience.
For more severe and resistant cases of asthma, allergy skin
testing can be appropriate. Traditional allergy treatments are
one of medicine's safer and better approaches; however it has
great room for improvement.
Additional Asthma Alternatives
My experience with conventional allergy testing, whether done
through the blood (RAST) or skin is that only 20 percent to 30
percent of patients do exceptionally well with it. It is also
highly inconvenient, as patients need to go to the doctor's
office every week for months or years. It clearly does not work
for the majority of patients.
For the past several years, I have been using a much improved
version of this testing, which is taught by the American Academy
of Environmental Medicine, called Provocation Neutralization
(PN). The success rate for this approach is in the 80 percent to
90 percent range and patients can receive their treatment at
home.