Article

More Questionable Asthma Remedies

Topic: Health EducationFeaturing Janet MartinPublished October 10, 2012
No ratings yet665 viewsSign in to rate

If you have asthma, you’re not alone. About 20 millions Americans have the disease and the figures are growing. To make matters worse, the market is littered with questionable asthma remedies that are more dangerous than the disease itself.

To show you what I mean, here’s a short ...If you have asthma, you’re not alone. About 20 millions Americans have the disease and the figures are growing. To make matters worse, the market is littered with questionable asthma remedies that are more dangerous than the disease itself.

To show you what I mean, here’s a short list of controversial therapies you should avoid:

Alcohol - are you fond of drinking? Quacks say this can cure asthma! This wild notion originated in 1863 when London physicia
Dr. Henry Hyde Salter reported that drinking large quantities of Scotch whiskey, gin and brandy could stop an asthma attack.

While there is some evidence that alcohol can temporarily dilate clogged airways and relieve breathlessness, it is not an acceptable way of treating the disease. For one, wine contains sulfites that can bring on an attack.

Another thing to consider is that one good drink could lead to another and before you know it, you may end up an alcoholic. Rather than get rid of asthma, you may suffer from hallucinations, tremors, convulsions, a damaged heart and liver, and other ill effects.

Spider webs - at one time, eating spider webs rolled into a ball was believed to ease the symptoms of asthma. The ancient Egyptians, on the other hand, relied on camel and crocodile dung!

Of the three, a spider's web does seem to have some benefits. Researchers say it contains arachnidin which can fight fever but there is no evidence that it will control asthma.

Ionizers - ions are unstable molecules which are believed to have good or bad effects on people. Places with a lot of positive ions such as polluted cities can supposedly make you restless, anxious, depressed and raise your blood pressure. In contrast, negative ions, which are found in caves and mountains, are said to have a relaxing effect.

To regulate the amount of ions in the air, various manufacturers have come up with negative ion-generators. This expensive device supposedly cleans the air of smoke, dust and other invisible particles that can trigger an asthma attack. It does so with the help of a carbon filter which removes large particles and odors.

Fine electrically charged needles or wires later impart an electrical charge to the air. This, promoters say, creates ions or negatively charged gas molecules that cling to airborne particles and stick to walls and other surfaces.

While owning an ionizer may sound like a good investment to an asthmatic, controlled trials have failed to show any significant benefits from the use of this device. In fact, some of these machines may harm you. This is true for models which emit ozone, a toxic gas that can irritate the eyes and affect the lungs. If you want clean air, turn to other air filters.

Bee pollen and royal jelly - these expensive products are said to have anti-aging properties and are promoted for asthma. This belief stems from the dramatic effect these substances have on bees. Royal jelly, in particular, makes queen bees grow. These substances also contain some vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Unfortunately, what's good for bees isn't necessarily good for man. For one, these products provide inadequate nutrients. Pollen's main components are sugar, fat and water. And to benefit from royal jelly, you have to eat 700,000 times as much as the bee larva does.
For asthmatics, this is something short of suicide for pollen and royal jelly can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Instead of relieving your asthma, you may end up in a hospital emergency room - dead!

If you’re fat, losing weight can help prevent asthma attacks so it’s best to keep in shape. To do this, take Phenocal, a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to give you the body you want. Check out http://tinyurl.com/8jkw6ma for details.

Article author

About the Author

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine www.thearticleinsiders.com.

Further reading

Further Reading

4 total

Article

When you’re trying to stay on top of your health, it can feel like you’re juggling multiple appointments at different locations—one for your family doctor, another for dental work, and maybe a separate trip to the pharmacy. That constant back-and-forth can be tiring, especially when all you really want is convenient and reliable care in one place. That’s where integrated medical centers come in. They bring several healthcare services together under one roof, helping y

November 12, 2025

Article

Rumah Zakat Yogyakarta is the regional face of a nationwide philanthropic movement that seeks to turn faith-driven giving into long-term social transformation. More than a charity that distributes aid, Rumah Zakat in Yogyakarta integrates zakat, infak, and sedekah into targeted programs across education, health, livelihoods, and the environment — all designed to lift vulnerable families out of dependency and toward sustainable self-reliance. This article explores who they a

November 3, 2025

Article

When most people think about root canals, the image that comes to mind is far from pleasant. Long appointments, discomfort, and outdated tools are common fears—but that’s quickly becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to modern endodontics, root canal therapy is now faster, more precise, and significantly more comfortable than ever before. A Quick Look at Endodontics Endodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on treating problems inside the tooth—specifically the dent

August 27, 2025

Article

Image source: Unsplash Running is more than just putting one foot in front of the other—it’s a blend of mechanics, mindset, and consistency that shapes long-term progress. Understanding how your body moves and how your mind responds to challenges can transform your performance and reduce the risk of injury. By focusing on technique and building mental toughness, Quentin Geczy showcases how runners can train smarter rather than harder. Small adjustments in form, paired wit

August 14, 2025