Health Benefits Of Tea

Health benefits of drinking tea 

The question,  Why you enjoy tea might have never popped up in your mind,  while sipping it in front of a fire place  in a cold winter morning.How drinking tea is good for you

Tea has long been an institution, with millions of cups supped each day, making it an unlikely staple of modern-day living. But now it seems that green tea and even the humble brew could also offer more than a simple caffeine fix with tremendous health benefits to be found in tea.
A number of scientific researchers have been investigating the possible health benefits contained within tea. And now it appears there’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that drinking tea could actually ward off some very serious conditions, including cancer, obesity and dehydration. Studies have suggested that drinking three or more cups of tea a day could actually be better for you than drinking the same amount of water, with the antioxidants contained within tea boosting the body’s health, at the same time as rehydrating it.

The main health benefits of tea drinking

Here are some of the key health benefits that scientists reckon tea drinking can have on the body:

• Tea reduces the risk of heart disease — Tea can potentially improve the blood flow around the body, by widening key arteries and reducing the risk of clots. Tea also contains antioxidants called ‘flavonoids’, which may slow down the onset and risk of heart disease.

• Tea hydrates the body — Although water is the prime fluid for rehydrating the body after exercise or a long day in the office, some scientists believe that drinking tea could be equally useful. Although high in caffeine, tea is still great for hydration as it provides a rich and flavoursome source of water.

• Tea prevents tooth decay — Believe it or not, a regular supply of tea can really strengthen your teeth and lower the risk of tooth decay. Tea is a great source of fluoride, which can bolster tooth enamel. The antioxidants contained within a cuppa have also been known to fight against bacteria and gum disease. So get slurping!

• Slimming through tea drinking? — Some scientific studies have suggested that regular tea drinking can help to keep body fat down by speeding up the burning of calories. If nothing else, it’s less fattening than sipping on a soft drink.

• Boosting memory power with tea — Many scientists believe that certain types of tea, such as green tea, can strengthen memory cells in the brain, and offer protection from the development of dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease. No wonder old people drink so much tea!

• Beating cancer through the power of tea — Some high-profile studies have recently suggested that tea drinking could seriously help your chances of avoiding cancer. Although research is still developing in this area, reports indicate that prostate, mouth and breast cancer cases are much lower amongst those who regularly drink five or more cups of tea a day.   
• Types of healthy tea
  With so many potential health benefits, there’s never been a better time to put the kettle on. But which form of tea is the most beneficial to you? Is that large cup of creamy, sugary black tea really going to help your body feel better? Let’s find out…
    
  Health Benefits of Green Tea
  
  
  
  Following new scientific developments, research into the health effects of green tea has advanced significantly. Studies have shown that green tea is made of several main components that contribute to its character: catechins (texture), caffeine (bitterness), and theanine (flavor), as well as various vitamins and minerals. Present in large quantities of green tea, catechins (including EGCG) are a type of polyphenol that is also a component of red wine. Catechins also give green tea its signature texture, and as a potent antioxidant, hinders dangerous free radicals in the body. Caffeine gives green tea its bitter taste, while increasing alertness, and relieving fatigue. Theanine, an amino acid, gives green tea its taste and acts as a mild relaxant. Theanine helps to relieve the jittery effect that caffeine can sometimes produce in sensitive individuals. This makes it a great alternative to coffee which not only has higher levels of caffeine, but does not contain theanine to regulate the unpleasant physical side effects. These are the main research properties included in green tea. Green tea contains a well-balanced mix of these ingredients.
    
  Health Benefits of White Tea
  
  
  
  White Tea is the least oxidized of all types of tea. Because of this and the higher proportion of young bud leaves, white tea is usually very low in caffeine, which makes it a good choice for people who are watching their caffeine intake. Many people believe white tea to be even better for you than green tea because it has been processed less. Research has shown that white tea contains the same free radical fighting catechins as green tea. White tea may help to prevent heart disease, cancers and stroke, as well as helping to treat diabetes. High levels of calcium and fluoride may help maintain healthy teeth, gums and bones. White tea is an excellent addition to your daily routine.
  
  

  Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

  

  Oolong Teas are unique because they span an oxidation range of 20-80%, where some are closer to green teas, and others are more similar to black teas. Caffeine levels vary accordingly, where greener oolongs will have less caffeine content and darker oolongs will have higher caffeine content. Oolong teas, because they have higher oxidation levels than green tea, will also have lower catechin levels, although catechins are still present. However, although catechins decrease with oxidation, theaflavin and thearubigin levels increase. These polyphenols may help in defending the body against stroke, dementia, heart disease and cancer. In addition to this, oolong teas have long been believed to aid in digestion, so have a cup with or after your next meal.
  

  Health Benefits of Black Tea

  

  Black teas contain the highest levels of caffeine among all types of tea. For someone who is looking for an efficient energy boost, this would be a great choice. However, for caffeine sensitive individuals, consumption of black tea should be moderate. Black tea does contain low levels of catechins, but is noted for having the highest levels of theaflavins and thearubinins. As more research is showing, these compounds may be just as effective as the catechins in green tea in preventing heart disease, stroke and cancer, and lowering cholesterol. So don’t think that that your morning black tea isn’t as healthy as your cup of green tea in the afternoon. You are just consuming a different variety of healthy compounds.
  

  Health Benefits of Pu-erh Tea

  

  The unique processing of Pu-erh teas, where the leaves are literally fermented and aged, chemically changes the makeup of the tea. Pu-erh tea has varying, but generally low levels of caffeine. It also contains very high amounts of flavonoids, which are aggressive in lowering LDL cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown that pu-erh has the ability to break up fats, which makes this tea especially effective at aiding digestion after particularly heavy or greasy meals. Traditionally, this type of tea was also believed to aid in weight loss, and is now included in many “slimming” tea formulas. Recent studies have shown that this type of tea may decrease body mass and increase metabolism. While it may or may not aid in maintaining a healthy weight, the other benefits to the heart and body are important enough to consider trying this unique tea.
  

  Health Benefits of Herbal Tea

  

  Herbal “teas” or tisanes are not true teas, because they do not derive from the Camellia sinensis plant, however these tisanes have some virtues of their own. Most notably, these infusions do not contain caffeine, which makes them acceptable for young children, the elderly or for evening tea drinking. A specific example, rooibos, a red bush from South Africa, has high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, as well as being caffeine free. Lavender has been used for generations to promote relaxation and to calm the mind and body. Chamomile, while also having strong calming powers, has been used as a natural pain reliever when prepared in strong infusions. Peppermint is used by many traditions, especially in Moroccan culture, as a tea to help aid in digestion and to clear the sinuses. These herbs, while not having the super powers of the Camellia sinensis plant should not be overlooked, as they do have their own more subtle benefits and can be enjoyed by anyone at any time of the day.
  

  Bad Effects and Safe Zones

  Black tea is safe for most adults. People who drink black tea or other caffeinated beverages all the time, especially in large amounts, can develop psychological dependence. Caffeine is probably safe in children in amounts commonly found in foods
  

  Precautions & Warnings

  

  Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Consuming more than 200 mg of caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other negative effects, including symptoms of caffeine withdrawal in newborns and lower birth weight.
  If you are breast-feeding, drinking more than 2 cups a day of black tea might cause your baby to become more irritable and have more bowel movements.
  Use black tea with caution if you have anemia ,anxiety disorders ,bleeding, disorders, heart problems, diabetes, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, glaucoma, cancer, fibroid, endometriosis ,high blood pressure ,and osteoporosis
  Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with BLACK TEA: Taking these antibiotics along with black tea can increase the risk of side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heart rate, and other side effects.
  Estrogens interacts with BLACK TEA: Intake of estrogen pills and drinking black tea can cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects. If you take estrogen pills limit your caffeine intake.
  Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BLACK TEA: Having black tea along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Eg: aspirin
  Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with BLACK TEA: The body breaks down the caffeine in black tea to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine.
  Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with BLACK TEA: Black tea might increase blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. By increasing blood sugar, black tea might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications.
  
  
  

Green Tea :- Positive & Negative Effects

GREEN TEA : Health Benefits & Negative Effect

Green tea, native to India and China, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally, but has only recently gained popularity in the new age economies.

Only in recent years scientists have been investigating its medicinal properties, and EHC recognizes the healthy power of tea while helping readers get the most out of their cups.
In China, there is a proverb that “better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea of one.” They were using the tea as a cure of headache to depression. Now it has spread to all parts of the world and became synonymous to health drink. Over the last few decades, green tea has undergone many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long health benefits. Some evidence suggests that regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease. Tea’s health benefits are largely due to its high content of flavonoids – plant-derived compounds that are antioxidants. Let’s look at some of the benefits of green tea.
Against Cancer – Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.
Against Herpes – Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes. First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.
Against Heart Disease – Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.
Anti-aging – Green tea contains an antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.
Weight Loss – Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally. It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day. That translates to 7 pounds in one year.
Protects Skin – It reduces the damage caused by free radicals and too much sunlight. It even helps prevent skin cancer.
Lowers Cholesterol – At the same time, it increases the ratio of good to bad cholesterol.
Boosts Memory – For this reasonm it may be beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Immune Booster – Its vitamin C content and the potent antioxidants inside make boost the immune system. So much so that some people claim they use it to recover from colds and flu.
Against Asthma – It contains theophyline that can reduce the muscles, even the ones supporting the bronchial tubes.
Reduces Anxiety – L-theanine (a type of amino acid) has relaxing effects.
Against Allergies – EGCG is considered the most important of green tea’s agents. When you buy green tea extract, usually its EGCG content is prominently displayed. This antioxidant proved to be beneficial in relieving allergies.
Against Arthritis – Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
For Bones – The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.
Early research indicates that it may help stop HIV spreading in the immune system. A Japanese study indicates that EGCG prevents HIV viruses from binding with healthy white blood cells. Green tea has a long tradition in Japan.

Green tea can even help in preventing tooth decay. As the bacteria destroying abilities of green tea helps in preventing food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that cause dental plaque.
Drinking a cup of tea a few times a day helps in absorbing antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. In green-tea drinking cultures, the usual amount is three cups per day. Allow tea to steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins. The best way to get the catechins and other flavonoids in tea is to drink it freshly brewed. Decaffeinated, bottled ready-to-drink tea preparations, and instant teas have less of these compounds. Tea can impede the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem.

The negative effects of green tea

Green tea is a beverage made from extracts from the Camellia sinensis plant.

Green tea is often used to increase mental awareness, prevent dizziness upon standing and reducing the risk of bladder, esophageal, pancreatic and ovarian cancer. However, as with most supplements, there are negative effects associated with imbibing green tea.

Allergic response

In rare cases, you may develop a severe allergic reaction to green tea. Difficulty breathing, tightness or closing of your throat, hives and swelling of the face and tongue are all possible symptoms of an allergic response, Drugs.com warns. If you experience any of these effects right after taking green tea, seek immediate medical attention. Severe allergic responses can lead to respiratory arrest and death. Once you know you are allergic to green tea, avoid it and any other foods or beverages that contain it

Gastrointestinal effects

Green tea can negatively affect your digestive system, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Some people taking green tea will develop stomach pain, heartburn and constipation. Conversely, some patients will experience severe diarrhea once they take large amounts of green tea. Furthermore, green tea decreases the rate your gastrointestinal can absorb iron. This decrease in iron absorption may lead to iron-deficiency anemia.

Psychological effects

Large doses of green tea, usually more than 5 cups a day, may cause changes in behavior and other psychological effects. You may experience an increased sense of nervousness and anxiety, Drugs.com reports. Some patients will become more irritable and possible violent. You may also notice that you are having problems in sleeping. These negative effects disappear as the dosage of green tea is decreased.

Caffeine overdose

One of the more severe side effects of green tea is a caffeine overdose. Excessive and long-term intake of green tea increases the amount of caffeine within the body . The initial symptoms of caffeine overdose include a severe headache, abnormal heartbeat, tremors, dizziness, convulsions, confusion and a ringing sensation in the ears, MedlinePlus notes. Dosages greater than 10 g to 14 g per kg can kill you. If you think you have overdosed on green tea, seek emergency medical attention.

Kidney Stones

While high fluid intake is commonly recommended in people who have a history of kidney stones, tea has been found to increase the oxalate levels in the urine. Calcium oxalate stones are one of the more common types of kidney stones. There are concerns among some health care professionals that drinking tea can increase the risk of stone development.

Medication Interactions

Green tea can interact with a number of medications or supplements. Among the most important of these, green tea may inhibit the action of adenosine, a heart medication; reduce the sedative effects of benzodiazepines; increase blood pressure in people who take propanolol and metoprolol, and reduce the effects of lithium and clozapine, which are taken for mental illness. Green tea may cause a severe increase in blood pressure in people who take monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which are used to treat depression. Green tea in high amounts can interfere with the anticoagulant Coumadin, making it less effective. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, tea can also interfere with the absorption of iron from plant substances and supplements; a cup of tea can decrease the amount of iron absorbed by about 70 percent.

Cancer

When it comes to cancer, green tea has pluses and minuses. Although green tea shows some promise in various studies on cancer prevention, the University of Maryland notes that at least one large study indicated it may increase the risk of esophageal cancer, and that the stronger and hotter the tea, the higher the risk. Green tea also has mixed results in chemotherapy. The combination of green tea with doxorubicin and tamoxifen showed the drugs were more effective in laboratory tests. But green tea extract can stimulate a gene in prostate cancer cells that may decrease sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, and the University of Maryland recommends that men receiving chemotherapy for prostate cancer should not drink green tea.

Asthma :- BRONCHIAL ASTHMA & AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

BRONCHIAL ASTHMA AND AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

 Bronchial asthma is a common disease affecting 10-20 per cent of the population. In the vast majority of cases, the disease is mild and often unrecognised. There is evidence that the prevalence of asthma is increasing. In spite of better understanding of the pathophysiological processes involved in this disease, mortality from asthma has not been influenced, and in our country, it has been increased!
Asthma means twitchy airways! These narrowed airways may lead to coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, symptoms often being worse at night.
Invasion of allergens into our daily life is the prime cause for it. Increasing industrialisation and spreading urbanisation are the provoking factors for it. Surprisingly, in a majority of the cases, allopathic drugs such as beta-antagonists, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often cause acute attacks of asthma. It is often aggravated by non-specific factors such as cold air, tobacco smoke, dust and acrid fumes, respiratory viral infection and emotional stress.
Asthma is a clinical condition characterised by attacks of wheezing, breathlessness and cough due to the narrowing of the air passage within the lungs. There are two types of asthma—extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic asthma occurs in the younger age group. Patients are usually sensitive to pollen, house mice, feathers, food, fur, and drugs and have a family history of similar sensitivities. Exposure to the precipitating factor causes an inflammatory allergic reaction in the mucous membrane. This type of asthma tends to be sporadic. Intrinsic asthma tends to occur in older patients. It is a chronic condition. It has no apparent allergic cause or family history. This type of asthma is precipitated by bronchial infections, chronic bronchitis, strenuous exercise, stress or anxiety.
Throughout the world, bronchial asthma is on the rise. Out of sheer desperation, sufferers readily fall for any wonder cure. Consequently, hundreds of traditional healers make tall claims of having found a permanent cure for asthma. Most of these healers are quacks. Bronchial asthma is a complex disorder, which needs to be treated by a qualified medical doctor. Instead of searching for symptomatic relief or a magical cure, it is always better to concentrate on predisposing conditions and causative factors. If you identify them, then you can avoid frequent attacks. 

Ayurvedic View

Bronchial asthma is known as tamaka svassa in Ayurveda. This medical science emphasises on gastro-intestinal factors apart from the respiratory afflictions to be the cause for bronchial asthma. That is why in the preliminary stage of the disease or just before its onset, the patient complains of indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea.
It is mainly a kapha syndrome, though differentiation of humoural types also exists. In other words, bronchial asthma can be from any of the three humours—vaata, pitta or kapha. Most often, the disease is kapha in nature.
Vaata type asthma, is characterised by dry cough and wheezing. Additional symptoms are thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, constipation, anxiety and craving for warm drinks. Attacks occur predominantly at vaata time—dawn and dusk.
Pitta type asthma is characterised by cough and wheezing with yellow phlegm. Other symptoms are fever, sweating, irritability and need for cool air. Attacks are at pitta time—noon and midnight.
Kapha type asthma is characterised by cough and wheezing with abundant clear or white phlegm. The lungs are often congested producing a whistling sound.
Attacks are at kapha time—morning and evening.        
      
Guidelines & ayurvedic remedies

The treatment of asthma consists in the employment of remedies to allay the paroxysms, and in the adoption of measures likely to prevent the recurrence.
According to Ayurveda, the asthma of recent origin can be treated effectively but if it becomes chronic, it can only be managed. It is not the drug alone that can give relief from asthma but regulation of diet and the change of conceptual thinking can also play a great role. Along with proper medication and control over eating and living, asthmatics can get better and quick results.

	During an acute attack, a hot chest and shoulder pack, repeatedly given every half an hour, will have a sedative effect upon the nerves and a relaxing influence generally, giving the quickest and most satisfactory relief.
	Hot milk or hot water when sipped little by little, provides immediate relief from the attack. The inhalation of steam-laden air may be provided by using an ordinary teakettle, attaching a funnel to the spout, and inhaling from the upper wide end of the cone. This is very effective in relieving spasms. In many acute attacks, relief will be found in a simple hot hand-bath or hot foot-bath (immersing hands or feet up to the elbows or knees).
	Concussion to the cervical vertebrae from the fourth to the seventh for six to eight minutes with half minute interruptions every minute is excellent to relieve attacks.
	A creeping plant known as somalataa (Ephedra vulgaris) is found to be highly efficacious in relieving asthma. This grows in western Himalayas in abundance and is sent in hundreds of tonnes to western countries where ephedrine is prepared from it. The powder made from the whole plant, after drying in the shade and is given in the dosage of 100 to 250 milligrams, mixed with honey or water at the intervals of 8 to 4 hours.
	At the time of a full attack, wrapping a hot brick in a rough cloth and then giving dry fomentation with it to the chest is found to be useful in asthma. Smearing chandanaadi oil and then giving heat fomentation is also good. Turmeric paste used as poultice on the chest or warming the chest with it is very soothing.
	Only the use of pippalee (Piper longum) powder along with pure honey, makes an attack of asthma subside.
	The rhizomes of turmeric are to be baked in hot sand slightly and made into fine powder. This is to be taken 3 grams twice a day with sugar. The dose can be increased up to 10 grams in due course.
	During an acute attack of asthma, drink some hot water with the juice of one clove of garlic.
	Take the juice of the whole plant of Solanum surattense (chote kateri)—7 to 14 ml as such, or with Trikatu (equal parts of dried ginger, long pepper and black pepper)—one gm twice a day. You can even take Terminalia bellirica powder (baheda)—3 to 6 grams with 4 to 6 grams honey twice a day.
	Mustard oil (sarason) is a good remedy. Take a spoonful with jaggery, twice a day.
	If you wish to use a compound formulation, then here is a medicine for you. Prepare a decoction by boiling equal parts of root of Adhatoda vasica (adoosaa), rhizome of turmeric, stem of Tinospora cordifolia (giloa), and the fruit of Solanum surattense (chote kateri). Take this decoction internally, 14 to 28 ml. with one gram of powdered black pepper twice a day.
	Smoke leaf of Datura stramonium (dhatura). This gives instant relief but needs medical supervision.

Specific Medicines

Kapha kartari: This cuts the kapha like scissors, hence the name. About 200 milligrams of this powder is to be wrapped in a betel leaf and chewed slowly. As soon as the saliva mixes with the powder and reaches the stomach, its effect will be clearly felt. Even when the attack subsides, four doses of it are to be taken for the next 24 hours.
Bhaarangee guda: It is a good remedy for asthma. It also relieves all types of coughs. A dose of 12 grams is taken together with one boiled fruit of hareetakee (harad/Termilalia chebula).
Kanakaasava: It is a proven medicine for asthma and allied-complaints like cough, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, chronic fevers and haemoptysis. The principal ingredient in this preparation is kanaka (Datura stramonium), which has been a reliable drug for asthma. 10-30 ml of this medicine is to be taken twice a day after meals.
Chyavana praasa and Agastya rasaayana: The main ingredient of the former medicine is amla, the richest source of vitamin C in nature. A peculiarity of this fruit is that its vitamin content is not lost by exposure to heat, as is the case with other drugs and fruits. The latter preparation is indicated in cases of asthma where the patient is constipated. However, chyavana praasa is the better remedy. Both the medicines can be taken in one teaspoonful doses thrice a day, preferably before food intake. They are slow acting remedies but are surer in the efficacy. In chronic cases, their effect is evident from the increasing gap between successive attacks.
Sitopalaadi choorna: This should be taken three or four times a day in one teaspoonful dose with honey. Since the drug is likely to cause irritation of the throat, it is better when mixed with honey and taken as a linctus.

During Acute Attack

	In severe cases, any of the following medicines can be tried with the advice of the physician—Swaasakaasa chintaamanee rasa, Swaasa kuthaara rasa etc.
	In case a patient has a long history of asthma and other complications are present, the panchakarma therapy of Ayurveda gives satisfactory results.

Home remedies for asthma treatment

• Take a mixture of 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice twice a day.
• Take a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste.
• Drink a glass of 2/3 carrot juice, 1/3 spinach juice, 3 times a day.
• Mix 10 - 15 drops of garlic juice in warm water and take internally.
• Grind to powder form - 2 gms each of Nagar (Nut grass, Cyperus rotundus) and Bharangi and mix them in water to prepare a paste which should be taken, with warm lukewarm water, twice daily.
• Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon of Indian bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala) powder and have it before going to bed at night. This will help you in preventing the attack of asthma at night.
• Take 10 cloves of garlic boiled with 30 ml of milk once a day.
• Make paste of Black resin,dates, long Pippli (Piper longum) and honey, in equal quantity.Take one teaspoonful of it morning and evening with warm milk.
   
  Natural home remedy using honey:
  
  
  1. Fill a saucer with honey
  2. Hold it beneath the nose and inhale
  3. This helps to ease the breathing
  
  
  Natural home remedy using fenugreek seeds, ginger and honey: 
  
  
  1. Take 2 tbsp of fenugreek seeds 
  2. Mix in 1  L of water
  3. Let it simmer for 30 min
  4. Strain the liquid
  5. Crush ginger to make 2 tsp of ginger paste
  6. Press the paste on a sieve and extract juice
  7. Add ginger juice to the strained liquid
  8. Add 1 tsp of honey 
  9. Mix well
  10. Drink 1 glass of the mixture every morning
  
  
  Natural home remedy using Indian gooseberry powder and honey: 
  
  
  1. Take 2 tsp of Indian gooseberry powder
  2. You may de-seed and crush 1 Indian gooseberry and use it in place of the powder
  3. Mix 1 tsp of honey
  4. Have this once every morning
  Diet and other considerations 
  
  

  	Avoid foods that can aggravate asthma. Common foods, which trigger asthma, are animal foods, milk products, food items which take more than two hours to digest, mucous producing foods such as curd, bananas, sugar, sweets, black gram, etc.
  	Drink plenty of liquids, 8 to 10 glasses a day, to keep secretions loose.
  	Find out what triggers your asthma, and get rid of things that bother you at home and work. Upper respiratory infections, either viral or bacterial often trigger an asthmatic attack. Exposure to smoke, perfumes, paints or other strong chemical odours are common culprits.
  	Change in weather, exposure to moulds, animal dander, grass or tree pollen triggers asthmatic attacks. Certain food colourings and preservatives may trigger asthma. Drugs, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors can precipitate an asthma attack.
  	Make a special effort to keep your bedroom allergen-free. Sleep with a foam or cotton pillow, not a feather pillow.
  	Use a plastic cover over the mattress. If possible, wash your mattress in hot water every week.
  	Dust your room often, but not with a broomstick. Vacuum cleaning is the better option. Wear a dust filter mask when you do so.
  	Avoid using perfumes.
  	Wear a scarf round your mouth and nose in cold weather. Doing so will warm the air as you breathe in and will prevent cold air from reaching sensitive airways.
  	Mild exercise, like swimming, is good for asthmatics. However, some asthmatics are allergic to chlorine, which rules out swimming in a public pool.
  	During an asthma attack, sit up straight or bend forward. Do not lie down.
  	If you have an air conditioner, change its filter regularly.
  	Make a paste of rock-salt and old ghee or mustard oil. Rub it on the chest. Alternately, you can massage Saindhavaadi tailam on the chest.
  	Place a hot towel over the chest. This helps to relax muscles and restore normal breathing.
  	For an acute asthma attack, try steam inhalation. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a bowl of hot water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel. Be careful that the water is not so hot that the steam burns your face.
  	You should not suppress natural urges like urination, thirst and cough. In addition, you must avoid smoking and moving in the sun.
  	It may be useful to assess the alignment of your spine. Often the upper throacic vertebrae are not in alignment with the spine after an asthmatic attack. This ultimately puts greater pressure on the lungs and possibly precipitates another attack. Getting a professional massage, specifically between the shoulder blades with Chandana bala laakshaadi taila can reduce the frequency of attacks.
  	Yoga benefits asthmatics. The integral yoga approach to asthma includes correction of distorted posture and faulty breathing habits, methods for the expectoration of mucous, teaching a system of general muscle relaxation, techniques for the release of suppressed emotion and for reducing anxiety.
  	In yoga, the purpose of functional breathing exercise is to learn to engage both abdominal muscles and the diaphragm in breathing. The duration of exhalation should double the inhalation.
  	During the process of breathing, you must learn to relax. Asanas such as suryanamaskaara, shashankaasana, pranamaasana, sarvangaasana, supta vajraasana, ushtraasana, hasta-uttanaasana, uttita-lolaasana, dwikonaasana, matsyaaasana are helpful. Pranaayaamas like naadi-shodhana, bhastrika, kapaala-bhaati are beneficial. If you want to try some higher range of yoga procedures, shat karmas such as vastradhauti, shankha-prakshaalana, jalaneti are considered therapeutic. Other yoga related aspects like yoga-nidra, antar-mouna, meditation and relaxation techniques are useful to remove the source of nervousness.
  	The first and foremost thing is to keep the bowels regular. Constipation should not be allowed to supervene. Exposure to cold should be avoided. Edibles, which are hard to digest, should also be avoided. The supper should contain easily digestible and light food. It is better if the food is taken before sunset. Boiled water should invariably be taken. If milk increases coughing or phlegm, it may be boiled with, equal quantity of water and two or three numbers of pippalee (long pepper) crushed and ground.
  	Curd, buttermilk, bananas, guavas and fried foods are to be avoided. All sour substances should be banned. Smoking—both active and passive, should be strictly prohibited.
  	Allergens and other substances liable to provoke attacks of asthma are to be avoided. For example, pollen may be avoided by not being exposed to flowering vegetation and closing the bedroom windows. Mites in house dust may be prevented by cleaning mattresses and blankets with vacuum cleaners. Animal dander is best avoided if contact with dogs, cats, horses or other animals is avoided. It will be good if feather pillows are substituted with cotton pillows. Often, allergens are produced from certain foods such as fish, eggs, milk, yeast and wheat. These should be carefully identified and eliminated from diet. Exposure to chemicals is to be avoided. If it is not possible, it is better to change the profession. In addition, indiscriminate usage of chemical pain relieving drugs should be avoided. Physical and mental stress should be avoided.