Asthma is basically a disease of the lungs that causes difficulty in breathing. Asthma occurs when the air passages are obstructed in some manner or the other. The actual cause of asthma is not known and till now there is not a known and definite medicine that can cure asthma. Asthma can be triggered because of pollution, allergies, weather conditions, respiratory infections, sulphites in the food, and even because of some medicines. The most common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and also a feeling of tightness in the chest. As has already been stated that there is not known cure for asthma. However, asthma attacks can be prevented and the symptoms of asthma can be prevented by using a few natural foods and natural tips.

One of the best ways of preventing asthma is to know what triggers asthmatic attacks. These triggers and situations must be avoided so that the attacks can be avoided. Another way of preventing asthma attacks is to raise the level of carbon dioxide in the body. When the carbon dioxide level is low in the body, the air passages constrict resulting in shortness of breath. To ensure a balanced level of carbon dioxide is to hold the breath for 5-10 seconds. This exercise increases the level of carbon dioxide in the blood allowing a person to breathe easily and freely.

One of the best natural ways of preventing asthma is to take a balanced diet. When the body does not get the required amount of nutritional elements, several health problems may take place which may further trigger off asthma. To prevent asthma and to get relief from asthma attacks, the following natural foods can be included in the daily diet.

• Ginger: Ginger contains natural compounds and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation in the airway passages. Ginger also prevents the contraction of the airways thereby allowing easy breathing and prevents the onset of asthma attacks. Ginger can be eaten raw with salt or it can be added in water, tea or juices to get the best results.
• Mustard Oil: Mustard oil is another natural food that can help to provide relief from asthma attack. Mustard oil has anti-inflammatory properties and a smell that clears the air passages and enables one to breathe easily.
• Figs: Figs have nutritional properties that help to overcome several symptoms of asthma. Eating soaked figs helps to drain out phlegm from the respiratory passage and thus clears the air passage for easy and smooth breathing.

• Garlic: Garlic with its unique scent is another natural food that can help to prevent asthma and provide relief from its symptoms. Garlic can help to clear out congestion from the lungs and the chest and thus helps to prevent wheezing during asthma attacks.
• Coffee: Coffee contains caffeine which is a bronchodilator and thus coffee can help to overcome asthma attacks. Drinking coffee relaxes the air passages and prevents them from restricting thereby helping to prevent asthma attacks from occurring in the first place.
• Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil contains a chemical called eucalyptol which helps to break down mucus. Eucalyptus oil has decongestant properties and therefore helps to keep the air passages clear. A massage with eucalyptus oil or just breathing in the aroma of the oil can help to clear the airways of the respiratory tract and therefore helps to prevent asthma attacks.
• Honey: Honey is another natural remedy for asthma. Honey contains ethereal oils that can help to keep the air passages free and clear for easy and problem free breathing.
• Onions: Onions have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to prevent the inflammation of the airways and also the contraction of the airways. Onions also contain sulphur which decreases the inflammation of the lungs and thus prevents the various symptoms of asthma from taking place.
• Lemons: People who suffer from asthma has a deficiency of Vitamin C. Including lemons which are rich in the anti-oxidant Vitamin C in the diet can help to reduce the symptoms of asthma.

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