How to Use Turmeric for Asthma and its Benefits

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Asthma is a common upper respiratory tract disease which affects many people including children. An asthma attack causes inflammation in the lining of the airways and lungs.

An extract of the spice turmeric, known as curcumin has been found to help patients with bronchial asthma and other related issues. Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways which affects both adults and children.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment is the one responsible for giving turmeric its striking golden color. Also, it has varied pharmacological activities and is widely recognized for its ability to inhibit inflammation. Many in vitro and animal studies have reported inflammation to be the determining factor in asthma.

How to Use Turmeric for Asthma and its Benefits
turmeric for asthma / pixabay

Benefits of Turmeric for Asthma:

1. Anti-microbial Property

Curcumin has a broad spectrum anti-microbial activities. It acts against virus, fungi and bacteria. Topical curcumin is reported to effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, which is involved in upper respiratory tract infection.

Turmeric extract and black pepper extract are found to have anti-bacterial effect of various bacterial strains that can cause upper respiratory tract infection, compared to standard antibiotics. Researchers found that these anti-asthmatic plants can help reduce infections that cause asthma attacks.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Turmeric helps in dilating the blood vessels that allows for better air flow, relaxes the muscle spasms, restores normal breathing patterns, thins the blood and gives relief from the asthmatic inflammation, which causes breathing difficulty and swelling in the lungs.

3. Antioxidant

In asthma, the inflammation in your airways leads to an increased production of nitric oxide. FeNO exhalation gives a measure of the amount of inflammation in the airways in asthma. Curcumin’s antioxidant property is found to be beneficial in the treatment of asthma.

A clinical trial which was conducted wherein children suffering from asthma were treated with a standard asthma treatment and nutritional supplement. This supplement contained anti-inflammatory and antioxidants agents and one of them was curcumin. A reduction in exhaled FeNO levels was observed in the treated group which indicated reduction in inflammation.

Pepper extracts and turmeric are proposed to be viable alternative anti-asthmatic agents because they serve as antioxidants and scavenge nitric oxide that causes inflammation.

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4. Modulate Immune Responses

Curcumin contains immunomodulatory property, which means it can alter immune responses. It can reduce activity of your immune cells, stimulate immune responses in case of infections and reduce production of inflammatory chemicals.

Curcumin exerts immunomodulatory action in asthma by inhibiting the release of histamine by mast cells. Mast cells aggravate allergy by releasing histamine and participate in allergic reactions.

5. Regulates Asthma

In general, the allergic asthma is caused when the T – lymphocytes from your immune system releases a specific compound, which causes irritation and inflammation. Turmeric blocks the release of this and helps in regulating the frequency of asthma attacks.

How to use Turmeric for Asthma:

You can follow the below remedies to help in clearing the blockage of your airways by preventing congestion and phlegm in bronchioles. Also it helps reduce asthma attack along with its symptoms and intensity.

1. Turmeric for Asthma

Ingredient:

1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder

Directions:
1. Include turmeric in your cooking.
2. Consume 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder at least 3 – 4 times a day.
3. Dot this for 1 week to 10 days and then increase the dosage if it shows improvement.

2. Turmeric Tea for Asthma

Ingredients:

4 cups Water
1 tsp Turmeric powder
Lemon or honey
Saucepan
Sieve or strainer

Directions:
1. Bring water to a boil using medium heat.
2. Add turmeric powder or grated fresh root.
3. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 8 – 10 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and strain the tea.
5. Add raw honey or freshly squeezed lemon juice for additional flavor.
6. Stir it once
7. Drink.

3. Turmeric and Honey for Asthma

This mixture of turmeric powder and honey is another effective method for asthma, as well as other problems related to breathing.

Ingredients:

2 tsps Honey
1 tsp Turmeric powder

Directions:
1. Add turmeric powder and honey into a small bowl.
2. Mix them thoroughly.
3. Consume this mixture slowly.
4. Take this mixture daily to get rid of this problem.

Read More:
1. Warnings Signs of Asthma Attack
2. Relieve Asthma Attack With This Juice
3. 6 Best Exercises to Try If You Have Asthma

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