In a recent study, asthma sufferers were given a series of therapies that were low cost and widely available, as well as asked to continue their usual medication.
The research included nutrition and supplements, a botanical medicine, yoga and keeping a diary.
The patients eliminated foods that are known to trigger inflammation of the airways, including dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, citrus, nuts and shellfish. They then reintroduced the foods individually to highlight which ones caused asthma symptoms. Those that had a negative effect on the patients’ symptoms were then removed for the rest of the study.
Those taking part also began to take fish oil and vitamin C supplements.
The herbal treatment in the study was an anti-inflammatory supplement made from hops.
As well as nutritional and herbal treatment, the patients were also taught yoga positions and pranayama breathing techniques chosen specifically to help with breathing.
They were also given a CD to enable them to practice at home.
Finally, participants attended a class where they were asked to write about a traumatic event in their lives.
Those included in the study were then asked to evaluate their quality of life and asthma symptoms over a six week period.
There was improvement in both quality of life and asthma symptoms among those given holistic therapy and their usual medication, compared to a control group who were only given their prescribed medication.
Lung function tests showed no improvement in either group.
While holistic and drug treatment can’t reverse the condition, the study shows that, used together, they can relieve symptoms and improve people’s quality of life.
The therapies used were low cost and could be used by anyone with asthma in the comfort of their own home without medical supervision.
