Emphysema

Note: While all of the following therapies and self-care approaches can significantly relieve emphysema symptoms over time, they will be of little avail if you continue to smoke and/or be exposed to second hand smoke.

Ayurvedic Medicine

As always the fastest most effective way to receive tailored advice to your own situation, you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Ayurvedic practitionershere

Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:

To help ease emphysema symptoms, Ayurvedic physicians recommend boiling two to three cloves of raw, organic garlic in water. Once the cloves become tender, crush them, add to the water and drink the entire mixture in order to relief chest pain and ease breathing.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

To receive bespoke advice based upon your own situation you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners here

Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:

Xing Su San (apricot kernel and perilla leaf powder);   Du Qi Wan (capital Qi pill) and Zhi Gan Cao Tang (honey-fried licorice decoction.)

Acupuncture has also proved successful.

Aromatherapy

Inhaling the steamed vapors of the essential oils of eucalyptus and pine can help relieve symptoms of emphysema, as can massaging the essential oils of cedarwood, eucalyptus, or peppermint into the chest once or twice each day.

To ensure positive results, always check that the essential oil is a 100% pure plant distillation and that it comes from a reputable source.

Homeopathic Medicine

Owing to the principles behind homeopathy (link to full description of what it is) it is essential you see a licensed practitioner to receive your own personalised prescription.  Find your closest Homeopath here

Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:

The homoepathic remedies Aspidosperma and Carbo vegetabilis can help to ease symptoms of emphysema.

Herbs

Useful herbs for managing emphysema symptoms include coltsfoot tea and thyme, both of which can help reduce the build-up of mucus and sputum in the lungs and respiratory tract. Peppermint tea can also be used for this purpose. Anise oil mixed with honey can be helpful when taken before each meal. Ephedra can help reduce coughing and bronchial spasms, while mullein can aid in eliminating fluid build-up in the lungs and fighting and preventing associated infection. Other useful herbs include comfrey, fennel seed, fenugreek, licorice root, red poppy flowers, rosehips, rosemary, slippery elm, violet, and white horehound.

Other

Yoga – The physical postures and breathing exercises comprising the practice of yoga have long been proven by scientific research to promote feelings of relaxation while simultaneously strengthening the body. Research conducted since the 1970s has shown that regular yoga practice not only relieves stress, and stressful emotions such as anxiety and depression, but also improves blood pressure rates and overall cardiovascular health. Yoga is also effective for reducing pain, improving gastrointestinal and respiratory function, and for improving cognitive function and enhancing sight and hearing.

Note: If you are just beginning to explore yoga, it is recommended that you initially do so under the guidance of a trained yoga instructor who can guide you to become aware of the subtleties involved in each yoga posture as well as the corresponding method of breathing.

Qigong –Is a wonderful form of exercise, breath work and meditation to relieve stress and tension in the body.  See article section for more information about the art of qigong.

Rebounder – Use a rebounder (mini trampoline). Rebounding helps build strength and endurance, and works out your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Rebounding keeps you fit and healthy both on the outside and inside and is a fantastic all round workout.

Tai Chi  – This is an effective practice for clearing and strengthening the lungs.

Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can be helpful for relieving symptoms: Carrot, celery, potatoes, spinach, wheatgrass, watercress, and one clove of garlic; barley juice with a clove of squeezed garlic; and the combined juices of grape, orange, lemon, and black currant.

Improving Indoor Air Quality: Improving the quality of your indoor air, both at home and at work, is an essential self-care step for helping to treat and prevent respiratory conditions, including bronchitis. Healthy air is warm, free of pollutants and odors, has a relative humidity of between 35 to 60 percent, and is high in oxygen and negative ions (3,000 to 6,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter). Today’s technology makes it easy to ensure that your indoor air meets the above criteria. A negative ion generator can not only increase the oxygen and negative ion content of indoor air, but can also cleanse it of harmful animal dander, bacteria, dust, mold, pollen, and viruses. Moreover, negative ions help to soothe and repair damaged mucosa of the nasal, lung, and bronchial pathways. For best results, choose a self-regulating negative ion generator that emits at least one trillion negative ions per second.

You should also use a humidifier to keep your indoor air moist, especially during winter months, when air tends to be drier. Choose a warm mist unit. Adding plants to your home and work environments can also help keep air moist. Certain plants, such as chrysanthemums, philodendron, and spider plants, can also help to keep your air free of circulating dust and microorganisms, since they act as natural air filters.

Also be sure that your home and work environments are properly ventilated, and avoid the use of synthetic materials in your home and workplace, including plastics.

Lifestyle: Avoid exposure to second hand smoke and excessively cold or dry air. Also make it a point to get plenty of good sleep each night, sleeping in an environment that is free of dust and contains warm, moist air.