Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines for Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory disease that causes narrowing and swelling of airways and may be attended with the production of extra mucus. It results in breathing difficulty, chest tightness, wheezing on exhalation, and coughing.

Homeopathy is a safe science that offers effective, natural treatment for asthma. Initially, it helps in a significant reduction in symptoms of asthma like breathing difficulty, chest tightness and congestion, cough, wheezing, and chest pain. It aids symptomatic relief by reducing the inflammation and narrowing of the airways. With further treatment, the frequency of asthma episodes gradually gets reduced. Simultaneously, homeopathic medicines focus on treating the underlying cause of origin, that is an overactive immune system and chronic allergic tendencies. Here Homeopathy optimises the immune system and treats allergic tendencies to cure asthma from its origin. In severe acute asthma episodes, one can use inhalers and other recommended conventional medicines. In chronic cases, homeopathic treatment is the best alternative and it causes a reduction in dependency on corticosteroids and bronchodilators which is thought to be lifelong and primary treatment protocol in mainstream medicine.

Safe and side effect-free medicines

Homeopathy has a great advantage of being side effect-free thus ensuring 100% surety of being safe to treat asthma. Homeopathic medicines are safe because they are procured from natural substances and do not contain any harmful chemicals. No immediate or long-term adverse effects are noted from the use of homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathy treats the patient 

It is quite well known that ‘Homeopathy treats the patient and not the disease’. This means the medicines in homeopathy are selected as per the patient’s characteristic symptoms that appear at the mental and physical level, and not the disease symptoms. In other words, homeopathy treats as per individualization. Since no two persons are alike and have individual personalities, heredity and lifestyle, so the medicines differ from case to case. Homeopathic remedies selected as per individualization help eradicate asthma from its roots.

Offers cure rather than suppression of disease

There are no chances of suppression in homeopathy. We are quite familiar with the fact that if a condition is suppressed at any given time, then for the time being it becomes dormant and may express itself later on under certain favorable circumstances in a more harsh way. This suppression is completely avoided in the homeopathic treatment of asthma. Rather it follows an approach of cure by stimulating the self-healing system in the body using highly diluted natural medicines.

Non-habit forming

Homeopathic medicines are non-habit forming and do not create a lifelong dependency. One can easily stop their use, once the condition is treated to its maximum. The total treatment time for asthma in homeopathy varies from case to case as per various factors like the chronicity and intensity of complaint, and how quickly an individual responds to medicine.

Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines For Asthma

The leading homeopathic medicines to treat asthma are Arsenic Album, Spongia Tosta, Antimonium Tartaricum, Natrum Sulphuricum, Blatta Orientalis, Hepar Sulph, Ipecac and Lobelia Inflata. 

1. Arsenic Album – Top-grade Medicine for Asthma

The symptoms indicative of use of Arsenic Album in asthma is shortness of breath that gets worse after coughing. The characteristic to use it is asthma that gets worse around 12 am-1 am. Other symptoms are wheezing and suffocative cough with frothy mucus. Another important guiding feature for using Arsenic Album is asthma which alternates with skin rash or eczema.

When to use Arsenic Album?

It is indicated for asthma with shortness of breath and suffocative attacks that get worse around midnight.

How to use Arsenic Album?

If the symptoms match, it can be administered in 30C potency, which can be repeated 2 times a day. If there is no improvement at all with low potency, then it is advisable to consult a homeopath before taking 200C or 1M potency.

2. Spongia Tosta – For Short, Panting Breathing  With Dry Cough

Spongia Tosta works well for asthma with short and tough respiration, and panting. Along with difficult respiration, whistling from the chest on inhalation is noted. The cough is attended with extreme dryness of all the air passages. The cough, in this case, is deep, dry, barking, hacking type. In most cases, warm drinks bring relief from coughing.

When to use Spongia Tosta?

Difficult breathing with dry suffocative cough and extreme dryness of all air passages calls for indication of this remedy.

How to use Spongia Tosta?

It is best to start in 30C potency and can be taken once or twice a day. It can also be taken in high  (200C) potency. But one should observe the symptoms before taking in high potency.

3. Antimonium Tartaricum – For Asthma With Shortness Of Breath And Rattling Cough

Antimonium Tartaricum is an excellent remedy for asthma with rapid, short and difficult breathing as if gasping for air. The suffocation worsens on lying down, with a need to sit up. The cough is loose, there is excessive rattling and the lungs feel full of mucus. Mucus from the lungs comes out with much difficulty. Sometimes there is dizziness present along with cough. It gets better by lying on the right side and worse from cold and damp weather.

When to use Antimonium Tart?

Its use can be considered when symptoms such as shortness of breath, suffocation with loose cough and excessive rattling of mucus is present.

How to Antimonium Tart?

It is used in 30C potency once or twice a day.

4. Natrum Sulphuricum – For Asthma In Damp Weather

Natrum Sulphuricum is the most helpful medicine for difficult breathing in damp weather. The cough with thick, ropy, green phlegm is present. Natrum Sulphuricum also works well in humid conditions and when asthma worsens around 4 am and 5 am. Natrum Sulphuricum is also among the top-grade remedies for treating asthma in children.

When to use Natrum Sulphuricum?

It is helpful for humid asthma (difficult breathing during damp weather). Cough is marked with thick, ropy and greenish discharges.

How to use Natrum Sulphuricum?

It is commonly used in biochemic form in ‘6X potency’ and is taken in tablet form. The frequency and number of tablets depend on the severity of symptoms.

Unless recommended, it can be taken 3-4 times a day.

5. Blatta Orientalis – For Asthma Triggered by Dust Exposure

Blatta Orientalis remedy is for asthma triggered by dust. Blatta Orientalis is prescribed for shortness of breath, suffocative cough with difficult respiration and yellow, pus-like mucus. It can also be given for asthma triggered in rainy weather.

When to use Blatta Orientalis?

It is the perfect remedy for asthmatic symptoms triggered after dust exposure. Cough is suffocative with labored breathing.

How to use Blatta Orientalis?

Mother tincture is best to start with, which can be taken 1-2 times a day. But can be taken in 30C and 200C if there are not many changes. Usually, 1M potency is not recommended, until prescribed by an experienced physician.

6. Hepar Sulphur – For Asthma In Cold Air

Hepar sulphur acts wonderfully in asthma attacks, difficult respiration, whistling, wheezing, and preventing sleep at night with copious mucus expectoration. Yellow or whitish dirty mucus can also be present. Ailments get worse by cold air or slight draught of air and get better from covering up and heat/warmth.

When to use Hepar sulphur?

It is prescribed for cases of asthma which gets worse by exposure to dry, cold air. Cough is loose with yellow or whitish dirty mucus.

How to use sulphur?

Potency and dosage depend on age, causative factors and symptoms of the patient. In the majority of cases, it can be administered in 30C potency 3-4 times in a day.

7. Ipecac – For Difficult Breathing And Cough Ending In Vomiting

Ipecac is used to treat repeated attacks of asthma with difficult shortness of breath and gasping for air. There is a wheezing cough with mucus which is not easy to expel, though the chest seems to be full with an inclination to vomit.

When to use Ipecac?

It assists cases of asthma where shortness of breath along with wheezing and cough ending in vomiting is marked.

How to use Ipecac?

Chiefly, it works well in low potency i.e. 30C; normally repetition of dosage is limited to once to twice a day. Higher potencies are not recommended until discussed with a physician.

8. Lobelia Inflata  – When asthma is triggered by exertion

This medicine is helpful for cases of worsening of asthma from exertion. There is difficulty in breathing with a constricted feeling in the middle of the chest and a lump in throat sensation where this medicine is required. With chest constriction, there is an urge for deep breathing. A characteristic feature that may be present is a prickling sensation on the entire body before an asthma attack.

When to use Lobelia Inflata?

Its use is well indicated when asthma gets triggered from exertion.

How to use Lobelia Inflata?

This medicine can be taken in 30C power once or twice daily.

What Are The Causes Of Asthma?

Allergies: Allergens such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites can raise risk of developing asthma.

Environmental factors: Exposure to substances like allergens, toxins, fumes can irritate the airways making the person prone to develop asthma.

Genetics: If there is a family history of asthma or allergic disease, the risk of developing asthma is more.

Previous infections: People may be more prone to  acquiring this ailment if they have had a history of severe viral infections in infancy, such as respiratory syncytial viral infection (RSV)

Hygiene hypothesis: According to this notion, babies whose immune systems aren’t exposed to enough microorganisms during their early months and years won’t have the capacity to fend off asthma and other allergy disorders.

What Triggers Asthma Attacks?

It refers to the substances that irritate the airway and can bring on an asthma attack. Common triggers include:

1. Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mite, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste

2. Respiratory infections, such as common cold

3. Physical activity, exercise

4. Cold air

5. Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke

6. Certain medications like aspirin and beta blockers.

7. Anxiety and stress

8. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids rise up into your throat

9. Cold and humid weather

What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma?

The symptoms of asthma vary from one individual to another. The person can have symptoms at certain times called infrequent asthma attacks or have symptoms all the time. The signs and symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, cough, and wheezing (a whistling sound produced during breathing when airways are narrowed or blocked). Other features include chest pain, trouble in talking, difficulty in sleeping, and anxiety. In cough variant asthma the only symptom is persistent dry cough without any mucus expectoration. Wheezing and shortness of breath are absent in such cases. This type of asthma is common in children.

Pathophysiology Of Asthma

In asthma, there is chronic inflammation of airways (bronchi and bronchioles). Airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In asthmatic persons, these airways are highly sensitive and respond strongly to inhaled substances such as allergens. This leads to bronchospasms (constriction of muscles around the airways), resulting in the narrowing of airways.  As a result of the inflammation and bronchospasms, the airways get obstructed, leading to reduced airflow to the lungs.

Mucus production: During the attack, your body produces more mucus. This thick mucus clogs airways.

How to diagnose Asthma?

A doctor may suspect asthma from symptoms (like shortness of breath, difficult breathing, chest tightness, and cough) of the patient, checking the chest with a stethoscope to hear wheezing and a history of allergies in the patient or someone in the family. To diagnose it, the most important test recommended is spirometry. Spirometry is the best test to diagnose asthma and it measures the amount of air that is exhaled after a deep breath and at what speed and also the amount of air inhaled back in the lungs. In this test, the patient is asked to take a deep breath and then breathe out hard into a tube. This tube is attached to a machine named Spirometer that gives measurements of this test. The next test that may be advised is the peak flow meter test which evaluates how hard a person can breathe out with the use of a simple easy-to-use device. A low peak flow reading indicates that the lungs are not working well. Additionally, a chest X-ray is recommended to check for any problem like infection which may result in breathing difficulties or may trigger it.