Health Concern ~ Asthma

Asthma is a complex bronchial disorder with a wide variety of root causes.  Simply described an asthma attack occurs as the air passageways become inflamed and muscles may contract both of which limit the air being taken into the lungs.  As the body tries to compensate for this loss wheezing, coughing, excess mucus or other signs of shortness of breath occur.  Symptoms can also be complicated by previous medications used to treat the problem.

Asthma varies in severity.  Most suffering will have attacks of shortness of breath interspersed with longer periods of normal breathing.  Some will have more severe attacks and others suffer milder shortness of breath continuously.  With more severe attacks immediate medical attention should be sought.  There are a number of types of asthma and sometimes it appears to run in families.  The various types include: Allergic Asthma, Exercise-Induced Asthma, Cough-Variant Asthma, Work-Related Asthma, and Nocturnal Asthma.

Allergic asthma attacks (or even other forms) may be triggered by common allergens or everyday situations.  Some of the most common are:

·    Animals (pet hair or dander)

·    Dust

·    Changes in weather (most often cold weather)

·    Chemicals in the air or in food

·    Exercise

·    Mold

·    Pollen

·    Respiratory infections, such as the common cold

·    Stress

·    Tobacco smoke

Inhalers or other techniques to quickly open air passageways are helpful to some but in other cases tend to exacerbate the problem.  Therefore using them should be carefully tested to be assured they provide positive results.  Most experts in essential oils advise a slow and metered approach to using oils with attention to what the root cause and triggers for attacks might be.

Special Precautions: With potential life threatening diseases, it is always recommended to progress with treatment under the care of a licensed medical practitioner.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends: Bergamot, Breathe, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary

Essential oils based products: Life Long Vitality supplements

Also consider: Helichrysum, Lime, Marjoram, On Guard, Oregano, Thyme