Asthma Herbs

As summer approaches, allergies increase for many of us.  Whether it is dogs in the park or pollen in the air all around us, breathing freely can become a real struggle in the summer months.  For others it is hives, and for others summer is fine, but another season spells trouble.  Fortunately, there are dozens of herbs that have a long history of helping people with allergies and asthma.  Some of these herbs have been studied in modern times as well, so there are two levels of knowledge available to most people about these herbs.

Herbs that can be found in most kitchens are a great way to start combating allergies.  Thyme can be a great herb for clearing lungs of phlegm and keeping airways clear during asthma season. Considered a tonic for the lungs, Thyme is a wonderful herb to cook with when the lungs are not as healthy as they could be.  Not sure how to cook with this little leaf?  Carrots are a natural match for Thyme, as is fish.  Sprinkle a little over these foods near the end of cooking.  One note, Thyme tea is a strong tasting tea that many find unpleasant, so a teaspoon of thyme in hot water may be too much for most people.

Basil is another kitchen herb that can help maintain healthy lungs.  Especially valuable fresh, a little pesto can be a great way to bring some Basil into one’s diet.  A traditional motivational herb, Basil once had a reputation for lighting a fire under slowed down, depressed people.  This can be a great herb for those who have a hard time with asthma to combat not just poor lung health, but poor motivation as well. 

Caraway is another herb that gently improves and maintains lung health.  This herb is also associated with gas and other digestion issues.  Caraway seeds are another herb known to go well with carrots.  They also do well in dishes involving feta cheese, sauerkraut, potato salad, and many soups.

Thyme, Basil, and Caraway are all kitchen herbs and commonly available, are gentle herbs to improve lung health when they are used in recipes and on foods.  There are herbs that are classics for lung health that people do not cook with today, although some have been used as food in the past.

Elecampane is an herb with a long history helping people with lung issues.  A “cure-all” to the ancient Greeks and Romans, this herb has a reputation for moving mucus out of the lungs, as well as helping those with asthma.  Often used with children, in kid sized doses, Elecampane can be a great herb for many lung issues.  To those who will make the best use of it, it often tastes sweet, but there is a pungency and bitterness hiding this root, too.  Many like a little Elecampane in teas or syrups.

Mullein leaf is a delightful herb with a long history of use both the strengthen lungs and to calm them in mild asthma attacks.  Mullein leaf can be a very calming herb, even distracting during the day.

Once upon a time, taking this herb in a tea during a class on herbalism I found myself unable to concentrate.  So word to the wise, try Mullein leaf in the evening to judge its effects.   This herb can easily be found growing wild in our area, and finding a photo on-line to help with identification is easy.  If harvesting, be sure to do so away from highways and other, busy roads.  Herbs are great, but herbs that breathe car exhaust may not be as helpful as those grown away from a lot of car exhaust fumes.

Goldenrod can help some people.  Hay fever, often caused by goldenrod, has been successfully treated with a little pinch of the offending plant itself!  A weak cup of the tea, a drop or two of the tincture, or a little bitty piece of the leaf of the plant can do wonders to clear up asthma from hay fever.

These are just a few examples of herbs that can help those with asthma find better health.  Some herbs are used because they focus on the lungs, like Elecampane, or Coltsfoot; other because they aid the lungs as part of what they do, like Caraway, Honeysuckle, or Milkwort.  There are even stress coping herbs that are better for people with asthma.  Aswagandha is a great example of this.  It can make a wonderful alternative to Ginseng for those with asthma.  Jiao Gu Lan is another herb that has been used to help the body adapt to stressors that is also associated with lung health and may be a better choice for some than Ginseng. 

There is no one herb for any one problem because we are each unique and need our own unique remedies.  Many can be learned from nature, by cautious and researched experimentation , or from a professional  who has made herbs a central focus of their practice.  As always, check for any warnings these or any other herbs may have before taking them, but do explore.  Our world has many wonderful resources for us…it is almost as though the universe has provided what we need if only we can take the time to look around and realize it.

LIZ JOHNSON