Emergency Home Remedies for Asthma Attacks

 Signs of an asthma attack

 

An asthma attack may be minor, but it can become dangerous very quickly.

During an attack, the airways become swollen and inflamed. The muscles surrounding the airways simultaneously contract and produce extra mucus, causing the bronchial tubes to narrow. This makes it very difficult to breathe properly.

Signs of an asthma attack include:

    coughing that won’t stop
    wheezing when breathing both in and out
    difficulty talking
    very rapid breathing
    pale, sweaty face

While asthma attacks can be very serious, treating symptoms quickly at home can help prevent them from escalating. There are several home treatments that can be effective in an emergency.
1. Caffeinated tea or coffee

The caffeine in black or green tea and coffee can help treat asthma. It works similarly to popular asthma medication theophylline, which opens up the airways. Caffeine has the ability to improve breathing function in people with asthma for up to four hoursTrusted Source. So black tea and coffee can help with an asthma attack in an emergency when you’re without your inhaler.

The coffee or tea should be warm for faster relief.
2. Eucalyptus essential oil

Eucalyptus oil has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for a number of conditions, and inhaling its vapor can aid those with breathing problems like asthma or bronchitis.

To use eucalyptus oil to treat asthma, put a few drops into an oil diffuser and sit near it, taking deep breaths if possible. If you don’t have an oil diffuser, boil a cup of water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it. Then breathe the vapor in slowly.

Other essential oils that show promise are lavender and basil.

Because essential oils aren’t monitored by the FDA, it’s important that you research the brands you choose for purity, safety, and quality.

Essential oils may actually cause an asthma attack in those whose symptoms are easily triggered by chemical smells. So err on the side of caution, and introduce essential oils one at a time.

  3. Mustard oil

For immediate asthma relief, mustard oil is one of the best emergency home remedies there is. The mustard oil we’re talking about here is the fatty oil containing isothiocyanates made from pressing the mustard seeds. This is different from mustard essential oil, which is a medicinal oil sold in small quantities that you should avoid applying directly to your skin.

Mustard seed oil can provide relief from an asthma attackTrusted Source and help open the air passageways, improving lung function.

Massage a mixture of warm mustard oil and salt into your chest several times daily until symptoms subside.

Mustard plasters made from mustard seed powder have a similar effect. These plasters are a poultice that has a warming sensation. Mustard plasters should be left on for less than 15 minutes, as they can burn. Check your skin often under the poultice.
4. Sitting upright

Sitting straight upright with good posture will help open up your air passageway as much as possible, allowing you to breathe more efficiently. You shouldn’t lie down, as this could make it harder to breathe. Some people find it helpful to use a chair or place to sit that has a back they can lean against.
5. Trying to take slow, deep breaths

This can be extremely challenging when you’re having an asthma attack, but it offers several benefits. The first is that it prevents hyperventilation, which is inefficient at helping you to breathe well and could result in getting less oxygen. Deep breaths also can help you stay calm, evoking a relaxing response. Staying calm can help prevent your chest from tightening up and making it even harder to breathe.
When to seek medical help

If you’re unable to get your asthma attack under control, you may need to seek emergency medical attention. Go to the nearest ER if you experience any of the following symptoms:

    severe breathlessness or wheezing, especially early in the morning or late at night
    needing to strain your chest muscles to breathe
    symptoms not subsiding after you’ve used home remedies or a rescue inhaler
    inability to speak more than short phrases because of the shortness of breath

Preventing asthma attacks

The best way to prevent asthma attacks is to avoid known irritants. Common irritants include cold air, pollen, mold, and dust.

You can also get an annual flu and pneumonia vaccine, which can help prevent asthma flare-ups caused by viruses.

As well, you should take any medications that have been prescribed to you at all times, even if you’re feeling well and haven’t had an attack lately.

home remedies skin-deep issues and cramps and stomach aches

On purging skin-deep issues

 

In Honduras, my mom would use ashes from firewood when her siblings had breakouts or rashes on their skin. The ashes would apparently lift bacteria, chemicals, and dirt to the skin’s surface so that when the ashes were washed away, so were the toxins.
It’s similar to how people now use charcoal face masks for issues like excess oil.
— Amelia, Chicago
For mosquito bites, my mom would hold half a lime over the flame of the stove. Once the lime was charred, she would let it cool only slightly, as it needs to be fairly hot to work. Then, she would rub the charred part on the bite — the more juice, the better.
This sped up the recovery process and eliminated the itch. I definitely still do this today because it’s so effective and cheap. My mom learned this from her mom and her mom-in-law. They all utilized this little trick.
— Julyssa, Chicago

 On relieving cramps and stomach aches

 

My mom would swear on a tea made from onion skins that her mother and grandmother used to make her that would relieve period pains. As a picky (and naive) teenager, I always refused her offer and popped one too many Midol pills.
But one day, my pain was too unbearable, so I gave in. To my shock, it worked.
Sure, it didn’t taste amazing and I sweetened it a bit with honey, but the onion tea soothed my menstrual cramps faster than any pill. Since then though, I’ve found other better tasting teas that do the trick, but this one experience will always stay in my book as one of the many definitions of “mother knows best.”
— Bianca, New York City
Passed down from my great grandmother, I was given spoonfuls of castor oil for various reasons, but mostly as a way to help stomach aches. It tastes awful, but it definitely works for me. Personally, it usually takes two to three spoonfuls for it to reach its fullest potential.
— Shardae, Detroit

Home Remedies On tackling colds and flus

On tackling colds and flus

 

From a young age, my mother always emphasized the importance of our Mexican culture. Whenever we were sick, she always had a remedy she learned from her mother to help us feel better.

When we had a cold, she would have us sit down on a chair with a bucket of very hot water at our feet. She would spread vapor rub on the soles of our feet and have us dip them in the water.

While our feet were soaking, we had to drink a hot cinnamon tea. We would always feel better after this. I’m open to trying it again for my own children in the future.
— Amy, Chicago

Besides dousing me in vapor rub, [my mother] used to make me sleep sitting upright because it apparently alleviated the onset of a cough almost immediately.
I would just use it as an excuse to read past my bedtime.
— Caylee, Chicago


Growing up in a Nigerian home, I grew up with a holistic understanding of wellness. One common cold cure that my mother passed on to me is this: fill a basin with hot water (not warm, hot) and mix in a teaspoon of Vicks Vaporub, then grab a dish towel.

Wet the dish towel with the mixture and place it over the top of the basin. Put your face onto the cloth and breathe deeply for 5 to 10 minutes. This will clear your sinuses and undoubtedly have you breathing right again.
It has yet to be published in any health journals I’ve read, but I hold it as a sacred remedy.

— Sarah, New York City

When we were younger, whenever one of my sisters or I would start to feel sick, my mom would have us gargle salt water. If we had a sore throat, runny nose, or any flu-like symptom, we would sometimes wait to tell her because we knew the first thing she’d do is reach for the Morton Salt.
Her mother always had her do it, and she believed that salt killed the bacteria in the throat.
It did always seem to work, or at least help. I guess I’ll eventually make my children do it too since I don’t want the burden of ending this superstitious cycle.
— Charlotte, New York City

My mother lives by ginger. She’s always been a big advocate for starting from within to rectify an issue. I’ve never known a time when there wasn’t a freshly brewed pitcher of ginger beer in the fridge. It’s honestly her cure-all when cramping, congested, or groggy.
She grinds up the ginger with lime and keeps straining until smooth. She then adds cloves and drinks it daily. She claims it helps with strengthening her immune system. The stronger the batch, the better!
— Hadiatu, Chicago

My mom is Greek and swears by hot red wine for colds. Mind you, “hot red wine” does not mean mulled wine, but putting any red you bought at the grocery store in a mug and microwaving it for 30 seconds.
She believes the alcohol cures you, but I think it just makes it more bearable. I loved it because it meant I was able to drink when I was younger.
— Jamie, Chicago

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Top 20 Uses for Honey in Home Remedies

Top 20 Uses for Honey in Home Remediesis 

 

Honey a delicious and natural sweetener many of us are already familiar with. For those looking to eat fewer processed foods, honey may seem like a good natural choice as a sweetener, but first you must know that not all honey is created equal.

Most commercial honey sold in stores is heated to high temperatures and pasteurized, getting rid of most of the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants and other nutrients that are heat-sensitive.
Commercial honey has also had most of the pollen removed. Bee pollen is considered to be one of the most nutritionally-complete foods available due to its high amino acid and antioxidant content.
Although most commercial honey is not beneficial to your health, raw honey has multiple health benefits. Raw honey is unheated, unprocessed and unpasteurized. Therefore, it is able to keep all of its nutrients intact, as they are not destroyed by processing.
Raw honey contains bee pollen, has a high content of antimicrobial agents, and is full of antioxidants. It will generally have a honey comb included in the jar along with the honey.
Since it is not processed, it will usually crystalize easily and may not be in an easy to use liquid form. It will also usually not be clear, as we are used to with commercial honey, but may be a little cloudy due to the pollen and nutrient content.
The best way to buy raw honey is from a local honey producer in your area. Many larger farmer’s markets may have a honey stand which may offer raw honey. Raw honey will likely be more expensive than traditional honey, so be prepared. Make sure to ask questions about where the honey is sourced from and if it has been processed.

Types of Honey

There are several types of honey each with their own nutritional benefit and usage.
Manuka honey is a common natural healing agent that has been used for centuries as a topical antibiotic on wounds and acne. It can also be used for sore throats, colds, and other common ailments due to these properties. Other types of honey with antibacterial properties are eucalyptus and linden honey.
Acacia honey helps cleanse the liver and digestive tract.
Buckwheat honey, usually darker in color than its other counterparts, is full of antioxidants due to that deep color.
Neem honey has been used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes.
If you’re ready to incorporate raw honey into your diet then check out these honey uses.

20 Uses For Honey in Natural Remedies

1. Improve digestion – Use a tablespoon or two to counteract indigestion since it doesn’t ferment in the stomach.
2. Relieve nausea – Mix honey with ginger and lemon juice to help counteract nausea.
3. Acne cure – It can be used as an affordable face cleanser to fight off acne, gentle on sensitive/all skin types. Take half a teaspoon, warm between hands and spread on face gently, leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry.
4. Exfoliator – Honey makes a great exfoliator! Use honey on dry winter skin by adding two cups of honey to a bath, soak for 15 minutes, then add one cup of baking soda for the final 15 minutes.
5. Improve diabetes – Consumption of raw honey can reduce risk of developing diabetes and help aid medication used to treat diabetes. Raw honey increases insulin and decreases hyperglycemia. Add a little at a time and see how your blood sugar reacts to it.
6. Lower cholesterol – It can help reduce cholesterol and therefore decrease your risk for coronary artery disease.
7. Improve circulation – Raw honey makes your brain function optimally by strengthening the heart and improving blood circulation.
8. Antioxidant support – Consumption of raw honey increases plaque-fighting antioxidants.
9. Restore Sleep – Raw honey promotes restorative sleep. Add a tablespoon to warm milk to help increase melatonin and help you sleep.
10. Pre-biotic support – Raw honey is full of natural prebiotics which promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestine.
11. Improve allergies – If sourced locally, raw honey can help reduce seasonal allergies.
12. Lose weight – Substituting raw honey for white sugar can help in weight management
13. Moisturize – A spoonful of raw honey mixed with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon can be used as a hydrating lotion.
14. Hair mask – Raw honey hair mask can help boost shine, mix 1 tsp of raw honey with 5 cups of warm water, rinse thoroughly , air dry and style as usual.
15. Eczema relief – Use to treat mild eczema. Use it as a topical mixture of equal parts of honey and cinnamon.
16. Reduce inflammation – Raw honey has anti-inflammatory agents that can treat respiratory conditions such as asthma.
17. Heal wounds – Raw honey used topically can help quicken healing time for mild burns, wounds, rashes, and abrasions.
18. Cure UTI – Honey can help improve urinary tract infections due to its antibacterial properties.
19. Shampoo – Raw honey can cleanse and restore the health of your hair and scalp. Try this homemade shampoo recipe.
20. Relieve sore throat – Honey uses for sore throats is another fantastic remedy.  Simply mix it with lemon essential oil and peppermint oil for fast acting benefits.

As you can see, there are many uses for honey in personal care products, as medicine, and of course, a way to naturally sweeten up your diet without the negative side effects of sugar.  I recommend going to your local farmers market, health food store, or buying raw honey online.

home remedies to curb cold and cough

home remedies to curb cold and cough

 

 1. Steam:   If your little one suffers from cold and has trouble breathing, get him/her to take steam. Make the kid stand in the bathroom with hot water running or simply heat water in a wide bowl and make the kid inhale the hot fumes for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Adding eucalyptus oil can also help soothe your child's system.

2. Honey: Known for its soothing effect, dip your finger in honey and let your baby lick it two three times in a day. If your child is older than five years, mix a spoonful with cinnamon powder and ask him/her to have it.

3. Carom Seeds: Boiling water along with carom seeds (ajwain) and tulsi leaves can help to keep the cough in check. It also helps in relieving chest congestion.

4. Massage: Massages work best for children who are below two years of age. Mix mustard oil with garlic and massage your baby's chest, back and neck area. Also cover the baby's palm and feet with the oil for a quick relief. 

 5. Keep your kid hydrated: When your kid is going through a bout of sneezing and coughing, it is very important to keep him/her hydrated. Drinking water at regular intervals will help fight the common cold and reduce the inflammation in the throat along with washing out the infection. Other fluids in form of warm soup or a fresh juice are also beneficial for replenishing the body's lost energy.


6. Salt gargling: A glass of hot water with a teaspoon of salt can be useful to ease a sore throat. Ask your kid to gargle with salt water twice a day. The saline water helps soothe the pain.

7. Turmeric milk: Due to its antiseptic properties, turmeric is known to treat viral infections such as cough and cold. Add turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and make your kid have it every night. It provides instant relief for an aching throat and runny nose. Since it is a rich source of calcium, milk also provides energy to your kid.