Before talking about home remedies for childhood asthma, we will define asthma as a lung disease that can be acute or chronic. An asthma attack occurs when there is an obstruction of the air flow inside the lungs.
The exact cause of the condition is not known, but it can be caused by allergic reactions, infections in the respiratory system, emotional disturbances or medications.
Symptoms of asthma in children 5 to 11 years
The symptoms of asthma in this age range usually get worse during the night hours, when playing a sport when there are colds or triggers such as cigarette smoke or the elements that cause allergy. These symptoms are:
Cough
Chest sounds when breathing, similar to a whistle
Difficulty breathing
Pain or tension in the chest
Loss of interest in physical activities
Asthma attacks:
Severe attacks of this disease should not be ignored because they become dangerous without the necessary attention. Some manifestations of the attacks are:
Trouble breathing
Persistent cough
Difficulty speaking normally
Absence of improvement, even after using an inhaler
Inability to breathe with a straight back
Home remedies for childhood asthma
The following are some of the most effective home remedies when dealing with childhood asthma. Although you should not suspend medical attention, these natural recipes will have positive effects on the health of your children.
- Ginger: Cut a piece of ginger into very small pieces and then put them in a bowl of boiling water. Cover and let the infusion stand for about 5 minutes; it can be consumed once it has cooled and to improve its flavor, sweeten with a little honey. Ginger helps reduce inflammation in the airways and inhibits air blockage.
- Mustard oil: When an asthma attack occurs, massaging with mustard oil can help clear the airways and improve breathing. Heat a little mustard oil and when it has cooled a little, massage the chest and upper back.
- Figs: The nutritional properties of figs improve the functioning of the respiratory system. Wash a couple of figs and put them to soak in a cup of water throughout the night. The next morning, give your child the water before breakfast.
- Garlic: Although it is not the most enjoyable food for children, garlic helps clear up congestion in the lungs, especially during the early stages of asthma. Boil two or three cloves of garlic in half a cup of milk. When it has cooled to room temperature, it should be drunk at least once a day.
- Coffee: It is convenient to consume it during the attacks because it helps to dilate the bronchi. It relaxes the respiratory tract and cleans it so that the air passes without a problem. This remedy should not be used in very young children because of the adverse reactions that caffeine can cause.
- Eucalyptus oil: This plant has properties that help decongest and release mucus. Put a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil on a paper towel and put it near the child’s nose so he can breathe in the essence and aroma of this oil.
- Honey: It is one of the home remedies for childhood asthma most effectively because honey helps cleanse the respiratory tract. Put a teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm water and give it to your child; you can also add a little cinnamon powder to make the effects faster.
- Lemon: Children and adults with asthma often have a deficiency in vitamin C levels and lemon has large amounts of this vitamin as well as antioxidants. Squeeze half a lemon and put the juice in a glass of water with a little sugar. You can drink it daily because it has no contraindication.
Other healthy sources of vitamin C are oranges, papaya, blueberries, and strawberries. The nutrients you find in these fruits minimize the most frequent symptoms of asthma.