Homeopathic Medicines for Asthma – A Gentle Approach for Respiratory Health

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. According to recent data, India accounts for about 13% of the total asthma prevalence with three fold and two fold higher rates of mortality and disability adjusted life years respectively.

The pathophysiological pathway leading to Asthma includes the inflammation of airways leading to bronchoconstriction which causes symptoms like chest tightness, wheezing, cough with excessive mucus production and breathing difficulties, the extent of which varies from person to person. Thus it has a significant potential to impact the person’s quality of life.

Since no permanent cure has yet been established for Asthma, therefore it becomes vital to understand its causes and risk factors for effective management to prevent acute exacerbations of Asthma.

Types of Asthma

Asthma can be classified into different types based on the causes and risk factors.

1. Extrinsic Asthma – It is also known as Allergic Asthma. It is triggered by a range of allergens such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, mold etc.
2. Intrinsic Asthma – It is also known as Non Allergic Asthma as it is triggered by internal factors such as stress and anxiety, infections like common cold and irritants like smoke, strong odors, air pollution and chemical fumes.
3. Exercise Induced Asthma – Triggered by exercise specially in cold or dry weather.
4. Occupational Asthma – Caused by workplace exposure to chemicals or dust such as factories, construction sites etc.
5. Medication Induced Asthma – Caused by beta blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin etc.

Other Causes of Asthma include:

1. Genetic Factors – Family history of asthma, atopic conditions like allergic rhinitis, food allergies and specific gene mutations increase the chances to develop asthma.
2. Lifestyle and dietary factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyle and poor diet.
3. Weather conditions like cold air can trigger bronchoconstriction, hot and humid temperature can promote the mold growth.

Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma typically involves three key pathophysiological processes that lead to hyper responsiveness with symptoms of acute exacerbations. These are:

1. Persistent productive cough
2. Shortness of breath
3. Wheezing
4. Chest tightness and pain

Lifestyle Management of Asthma

1. Practice breathing exercises like pranayama regularly to improve lung function.
2. Avoid known triggers like dust, pollen etc. as much as possible by wearing a mask.
3. Stay hydrated to help loosen the mucus and have a diet rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components and Vitamin C to boost immunity.
4. Steam inhalation should be done regularly in people with high susceptibility in order to clear congestion and ease breathing.

Homeopathic Management of Asthma

Unlike the conventional medicines that rely on inhalers and steroids for the treatment of asthma, Homoeopathy works on the underlying root cause thereby providing a holistic approach for its management.

Homeopathic medicines thereby provide an ideal personalized treatment rather than just suppressing symptoms by identifying the trigger factors of Asthma.

1. Arsenicum Album – It is best suitable for individuals who have stress induced asthma with wheezing and breathlessness that aggravates at night. These individuals are anxious and have a fear of suffocation with a feeling of tightness in the chest which worsens in cold air and improves with warmth.
2. Blatta Orientalis – Helpful in acute and severe episodic attacks of asthma with excessive mucus production which gets aggravated by dust and in damp weather.
3. Natrum Sulphuricum – Helpful in cases of cough with excessive and greenish mucus production specially in children after exposure to cold, damp weather with aggravation of symptoms in the early morning.
4. Antimonium Tartaricum – Suitable for asthma in elderly patients and children prone to respiratory infections. Characterized by rattling mucus in the chest with difficulty in expectoration causing suffocation and exhaustion forcing the individual to sit up for better breathing.
5. Spongia Tosta – Especially suitable in cases of exercise induced asthma with severe difficulty in breathing. Patient feels as if he is breathing through a sponge. Helpful in dry, barking cough with wheezing and tightness in the chest.
6. Ipecacuanha – Useful in cases of Asthma with violent coughing leading to nausea and vomiting.
7. Kali Carbonicum – Aids in relieving chronic asthma in weak and exhausted individuals with back pain and tightness in the chest along with shortness of breath especially between 3-4am.
8. Nux Vomica – Useful in cases of asthma triggered by environmental factors like cold air, mental stress and intake of heavy meals which worsens in early morning and improve with warmth and rest. Best suitable for patients who are irritable, sensitive to strong smells and have digestive issues.
9. Sambucus Nigra – Aids in relieving difficulty in breathing with gasping of air due to nasal blockage specially in infants and young children during sleep.
10. Medorrhinum – Useful in chronic cases of asthma with a family and personal history of allergic rhinitis, eczema and frequent infections. The symptoms aggravate at night, when lying down and in damp weather.

Conclusion

For cases of severe asthma attacks, urgent medical intervention with conventional treatment may still be necessary however a combination of homeopathy, lifestyle modifications and proper medical care can help individuals lead a healthier, symptom – free life.

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