Tackling Asthma The Natural Way

Whilst asthma cases are on the increase nationally, year on year, hospital sources report that 2008 has seen a worrying surge in new referrals of asthma following attacks. I am an asthma sufferer myself and certainly much can be done simply to help alleviate the problem by changing everyday habits and reactions.

One treatment that I recommend is frankincense, traditionally used in church because it is so effective at putting people into a relaxed and meditative state. Frankincense slows and deepens the breathing and it can also interrupt ‘mental chatter’ - the repetitive thoughts of worry and anxiety. On its own it is not a popular scent with everyone, so I recommend mixing it with palma rosa (again good for anxiety) or with orange sweet (uplifting for those who become depressed about their condition).

My recommendations for application are:

Put three drops of each oil into the bath each night. This is beneficial for people with sensitive skin, and is best mixed with milk or vodka before, because it will disperse better. My tip is to run the hot tap first and then add the oils. Close the bathroom door for three minutes to let the steam fill the room, this is an additional help to sufferers. Add cooler water before bathing, and inhale the healing aromas while you relax in the bath.

Add two drops of frankincense and one of palma rosa into a shampoo or shower gel. (As a general rule bathe rather than shower, since the stimulating effect of a shower can actually aggravate anxiety).

Use one of Potions & Possibilities Lavender Body Sprays and add 12 drops of frankincense, six of palma rosa and six of orange sweet. Shake well and spray onto chest and neck as required. N.B. – Our sprays contain grain alcohol, which enables them to disperse the oils. An alternative would be 80% water, 20% vodka and then add the essential oils.

By putting drops of the oils on a tissue or clean handkerchief and placing by a radiator, you can disperse the aromas into the air as an alternative.

If you dry clothes and bed linen in a tumble dryer, put a few drops of oils on a handkerchief then add that to the load. N.B. - Asthma can be aggravated by grass pollen if laundry is dried outdoors, personally I dry all the children's laundry in the dryer. It's not widely known but you can wash clothes without washing powder, particularly if you are only "freshening" them. Instead turn the dial to 60 degrees, hot enough to kill house dust mites and other pathogens.

If you have any tips to help asthma or any other questions please email me at julie@info.co.uk.