asthma

Healing Wonders of Herbs

Guide to the Effective Use of Medicinal Plants

By Herminia de Guzman-Ladion,
R.N., A.R.P.T., P.T.R.P.

asthma

    Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes or airways.
    Symptoms are a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness
    of breath, wheezing and coughing.

Water Treatments

    1. Fomentation on the chest, 2 times a day.
    2. Steam inhalation, 2 times a day.
    3. Breathing exercises for 10-15 minutes when there is no
       attack of asthma, 4 times a day.

Breathing Exercises

    Position: Sit relaxed on a chair, with the back supported by a pillow.
    Breathe in through the nose. The purse the lips and pretend you
    are blowing through a straw. Blow out twice as long as you breathe in.
    Gradually increase the time of blowing. Relax after blowing and take
    3 or 4 normal breaths before retiring. These may be performed also
    when short of breath while doing other exercises and activities.

Herbal Medications
    1. Talumpunay leaves
        * Roll 2 dried leaves.
        - Use as cigarette every 6 hours.

    2. Kalatsutsi leaves
        * Roll 2 dried leaves.
        - Use as cigarette, one in the morning and one in the evening.

    3. Sampalok bark
        * Chop and boil a one-foot long piece of bark in
          3 glasses of water for 10 minutes.
        - Dosage:
          Adults: 1 cup every after meal and at bedtime.
          Children: 1/2 cup, 4 times a day (after meals and at bedtime.)
          Babies: 2 tsps., 4 times a day (after meals and at bedtime).
   
    4. Kulitis leaves Flowers
        * Boil 5 chopped young stems with flowers and leaves
          in 5 glasses of water for 10 minutes.
       

         - Dosage:
          Adults: 1 cup, 4 times a day.
          Children: 1/2 cup, 4 times a day.
          Babies: 2 tsps., 4 times a day.

    Note: This treatment is specially good for excessive mucus discharge.