A Healthy You

• You've been diagnosed with asthma, and as much as you dislike that news, you can't change it. There's no quick fix or cure, but modifying your behavior and taking care of yourself will allow you to live a healthy and normal life. To ensure that your asthma is not related to any food allergies, see an allergist.
  
  Exercise, drink plenty of water and get at least seven hours of sleep per night. And because asthma is related to anxiety (your body responds to stress as a trigger, the same way it does cat dander, smoke or pollen) many asthmatics subscribe to relaxational exercise techniques such as meditation, yoga and pilates. Accupuncture and accupressure also are options to investigate.
  
  

Avoiding Triggers

• Asthma attacks are caused by triggers, and the more you understand what causes your body to react, the healthier you will be. Many common triggers include extreme heat or cold (outdoor climate), humidity, dust, household odors such as paint, bleach or heavy perfume, food allergies, smoke, pet odors and animal dander, and household cleansers such as furniture polish.
  
  Although it is not possible or even necessary to avoid all of those triggers all of the time, it is important to monitor your breathing to know when you have to avoid them. Asthma is different for each individual, and everyone's triggers will be different. The vital thing to know is what causes your asthma to flare up and how you can manage living well without having to limit your activities.
  
  

Herbal Remedies

• Many herbal remedies also may help breathing. Many herbalists who are also asthmatics swear by using hot tea and honey as both are supposed to work as decongestants and open airways, making it easier to breathe. Chamomile tea infused with honey is a particular favorite, and it is recommended that asthmatics have at least one cup of hot tea with honey per day (and sometimes several depending on the severity of their asthma). Other herbal remedies that act as bronchodilators (airway openers) and decongestants are ginger root, or a teaspoon full of tumeric with a glass of milk (two times per day), hot water infused with licorice root (left to soak for 10 minutes, then strained) to drink once per day.
  
  A healthy snack for an asthmatic is dry grapes soaked in cold milk for half an hour. Herbalists also recommend dropping a few drops of juniper oil in water to inhale. Whatever herbal remedy you decide is right for your asthma, don't hesitate to seek emergency care if you feel your symptoms flaring out of control.