Asthma isn't a minor wheeze-disease. It kills over 3,000 people every year, and you may be one of them.
Still with us? We’re going to tell you all about home remedies for wheezing, as well as how to tell if your wheezing may result in a serious problem which may require urgent medical intervention.
Causes
As you probably suspect, wheezing has a myriad of causes. It results from a narrowing of the airways and generally indicates some difficulty breathing. This narrowing can be caused by an infection, an allergic reaction, inflammation from asthma or even a physical obstruction.
The last cause may be inhaling an object, but may even be a tumor! Please don’t panic – this is very, very rarely the case and wheezing is by far not the only symptom of a tumor.
As you may already know, asthma is the most common cause of recurrent wheezing. Other probable causes of wheezing include:
- allergies
- anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction to medication or an insect bite)
- bronchiectasis (a chronic lung disease in which mucus clearing is obstructed due to abnormal widening of bronchial tubes)
- bronchiolitis (most commonly in young children) and childhood asthma
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- lung cancer
- heart failure
- smoking
- strained or pulled abdominal muscles.
A very rare cause is sleep apnea, a condition in which you stop and start breathing during sleep. This is rare because the condition itself is quite rare.
Last but not least, wheezing may be caused by a dysfunction in vocal cord movement.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of wheezing include difficulty breathing accompanied by a musical or whistling sound, usually when exhaling. You may also experience a tightening in the chest. If you exhale quickly and plug your ears, you will be able to hear wheezing more loudly. You can also hear it when you hold a stethoscope at your neck or over your lungs.
Should I Call my Doctor?
If you are like most of us, you don’t have an action plan and you have never wheezed before. If you don’t have a history of asthma and any idea how to treat wheezing, you should call a doctor.
There are also some other signs and symptoms of a serious condition, and if these are present, there shouldn’t be a doubt in the mind of those around you as to whether to call the medical emergency number (112 in Europe, 911 in the United States).
If you have a fever of 101° or above, this may mean you are suffering from a respiratory infection such as sinusitis, acute bronchitis or perhaps even pneumonia. If your wheezing and coughing get worse and the color of your mucus changes, you may have bronchitis or emphysema.
Wheezing is a symptom of a serious problem if you also have hives, your face or neck swells, your skin acquires a bluish tint and / or you pass out.
Wheezing Treatments
If none of the above symptoms are present, there are ways to treat wheezing at home so it stops bothering you. Please do not take wheezing lightly at any rate – if left untreated, it may develop into one of the serious conditions described above and may even cause death. Treating it with homemade remedies like the ones I’m going to tell you about here will make sure it subsides and eventually stops, enabling you to lead a healthy, worry-free life.
1. St. John’s Wort also Alleviates Depression
There is scientific evidence that St. John’s Wort boasts a variety of anti-depressive, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Most of its health benefits are derived from hypericin, hypoforin and a number of flavonoids. It is quite a reliable treatment for wheezing. This herb relaxes the lung muscles and widens the bronchial tubes, making it easier to breathe. It is also a viable treatment for overactive digestion. The herb has properties inducing relaxation, breaking the cycle of stress – difficulty breathing.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried St. John’s Wort
- 1 cup of hot water
Process:
- Steep St. John’s Wart in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Drink this tea twice a day for a period of up to two weeks.
Notes: St. John’s Wart may have harmful side effects if taken in combination with certain medication, especially such treating anxiety or depressive disorders. It can also diminish the effect of certain types of drugs.
2. Lemons are Really Rich in Vitamins and Nutrients
As we all know, lemons have a really high Vitamin C content, making them a great home remedy for wheezing, especially if you suffer from asthma, as asthmatics often have a Vitamin C deficiency. Lemons boast a variety of other vitamins and antioxidants, which can help reduce asthma symptoms.
Required Ingredients:
- Glass of water
- Half a lemon
- A little bit of sugar
Process:
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water and add some sugar, because it’s really bitter. Drink this on a regular basis so as to reduce wheezing attacks.
Notes: Lemons are not the only fruit that can help against wheezing – so can oranges and papayas - but they have the highest Vitamin C content. The downside is the really bitter taste. You may add sugar, but not more than a teaspoon because sugar is not good for you. Please click here to learn more.
3. Onions have Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Onions have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce narrowing of the airways, which causes wheezing. Onions are also high in sulfur, which helps decrease inflammation in the lungs. We highly recommend eating raw onions, which also have a host of anti-inflammatory properties. Unfortunately, some of these are lost when they undergo thermal processing. If you cannot stand the taste of raw onions, however, go ahead and cook them. They work great in lots of recipes.
Note: Onions give bad breath, so make sure you eat them in the evening unless your job doesn’t entail contact with other people. If you’re dating, do not forget the golden rule: If one eats onions, both must eat onions (same goes for garlic, also on this list).
4. Honey is Delicious
One of the oldest natural cures in the world for wheezing is honey. Honey is not only delicious, but extremely beneficial. The ethereal oils and alcohol in honey help reduce asthma symptoms. For some people, it is enough to just open a jar of honey and inhale the smell.
Required Ingredients:
- One teaspoon of honey
- A glass of hot water
- Half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder
Process:
Mix one teaspoon of honey into a glass of hot water and drink it slowly in the morning, afternoon and evening. Before you turn in, mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey and swallow it. This will help eliminate phlegm from your throat and improve your sleep. Cinnamon powder and honey will also help you lose weight – learn more by clicking on the link above!
Notes: Do not consume honey if you are diabetic.
5. Ginger Reduces Inflammation
Ginger is a well-known natural cure for various illnesses, including asthma. Research has shown that ginger can inhibit airway contraction and help reduce airway inflammation. The data also shows that ginger possesses a number of very healthy compounds that may contribute to and enhance the muscle relaxant effects of certain wheezing medication.
Required Ingredients:
- Ginger juice
- Honey
- Pomegranate juice
Process:
- Mix equal amounts of the above ingredients. Drink one tablespoon of the mixture up to three times a day. If you don’t think you’ll be able to remember that, mix one teaspoon of ginger powder in a big cup of water and drink one tablespoon of this before you go to bed.
- Another recipe with ginger against wheezing is with fenugrek seeds. You have to boil a tablespoon of the seeds in a cup of water and mix it with ginger juice and honey, then drink it in the morning and in the evening.
- Alternatively, you could cut three centimeters of ginger into small pieces, boil them and drink the mixture when it cools down. You can also consume raw ginger with salt.
Notes: Do not consume ginger if you suffer from calcium oxalate kidney stone disease.
6. Garlic is also Great for Cooking
Garlic is a great food with many amazing nutritious properties and vitamins. The following garlic remedy can help clear mucus in your lungs if you are in the early stages of asthma:
Required Ingredients:
- Several cloves of garlic
- One cup of milk
Process:
- Boil the cloves in the cup of milk, let it cool to room temperature and then drink it. You can also put garlic in your dishes – the flavor will make them absolutely delicious. There are many great recipes with garlic out there.
Note 1: It has been claimed that dairy products, including milk, are linked to higher incidences of asthma and related illnesses of the respiratory system. Research has shown this not to be the case.
Note 2: Check the golden rule of garlic under #3 Onions above. It’s even truer for garlic than onion!
7. Mustard Oil Massages - a Delight for the Body and Soul
Photo Credit: organicfacts.com
Massaging with mustard oil can help clear the airways and restore normal breathing if you are having an asthma attack. This oil also has a host of other benefits. It helps remove dark spots and blemishes, acts as a natural sunscreen, provides lip care, stimulates sweat glands and many more.
Required Ingredients:
- Mustard oil
- Camphor
- Bowl
Process:
- Heat up the mustard oil and a small amount of camphor, then let them cool. Pour in a bowl and gently rub on the chest and back. Do this a couple of times a day until the wheezing stops.
8. Figs Help Drain Phlegm
Photo Credit: cashmirbox.com
Figs are a great source of fiber, minerals and vitamins. Both dried and fresh figs have a long and rich history. They are also a great ingredient, adding a unique taste to all kinds of dishes. They are an excellent home remedy for wheezing because they have a natural property to drain phlegm, secreted by the mucous membranes.
Required Ingredients:
- Three dried figs
- A cup of water
Process:
Wash the figs and soak them in the water overnight. In the morning, eat them and drink the water on an empty stomach. Do this every day for several months.
9. Eucalyptus oil also improves skin health
The decongestant properties of pure eucalyptus oil make it an effective treatment for wheezing and other asthma symptoms. Research on eucalyptus oil shows that it has a variety of anti-microbial and immune-modifying properties. It contains a chemical called eucalyptol, which is the reason it can break up mucus.
This wheezing treatment is very simple. All you need to do is put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a paper towel and leave it on your night shelf. You will breathe it in when sleeping and it will clear your airways naturally. What’s more, it has a very pleasant aroma.
The second treatment with eucalyptus oil involves pouring a little bit in a pot of boiling water and breathing in the steam. It is recommended you breathe slowly and deeply for optimal effects.
Click here to learn more about the biological properties of this oil and other interesting scientific facts.
How to Prevent Wheezing
- Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet
- Eat spices like rosemary, oregano, turmeric
- Avoid processed and packaged foods
- Eat fish like salmon, cod, or herring or take omega-3 supplements
Conclusion
Did you enjoy our list of home remedies? Wheezing can potentially be life-threatening - now you know how to cure yourself without taking expensive medication! Please tell us what you think in the comments and share this article so you can help other people out there who also suffer from wheezing.
Lacy Ryan
A Doctor of Public Health, Lacy Ryan has accrued more than ten years of experience, making a name for herself as a researcher, writer, policy analyst, and project manager specializing in public health and international development.She earned her PhD in Community and Behavioural Health at the Colorado School of Public Health, her Master’s Degree in Global Health and Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, and her Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Biomedical Sciences (with minours in Biology and Psychology) at the University of Waterloo.
