Living With Asthma.
I just wanted to write a bit about my personal experience with having asthma. My symptoms developed suddenly around age 20 years. I have never smoked and was devastated to be told I had an incurable lung and airway problem. It seems to have developed from living in a rented flat during my nursing training and there was a degree of some nasty mould looking thing that appeared from behind the wallpaper in the bathroom. I must have inhaled it and within 10 minutes I was wheezing and gasping for air as my airways began to close. I have never been so terrified in my life. Luckily I managed to call the ward I was working on and one of my friends answered and deciphered my wheezy call for help! I was rushed to the adult hospital and narrowly avoided being put on a ventilator. It was terrifying!!
Over time after numerous tests and experiments with various inhalers I achieved a good level of oxygen exchange. I have had several further pulmonary crisis over the years mainly due to having a chest infection and the most recent being post COVID. Thankfully I did not require too much medical intervention. Generally my asthma is well controlled with my Fostair inhaler and Salbutamol if I need it. I have tried to improve my lungs over the years by trying to keep fit and practice deep breathing exercises.
Over the last 3 years I have become a huge fan of drinking Mullein Tea. This is made from the whole of the Verbascum thapsus plant. This plant has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments but primarily issues with the airway. There needs to be more extensive studies done but there is a lot of positive feedback on its anti inflammatory and expectorant effects. The plant is crushed to small tea sized leaves. It has a light furry appearance. I put two or three teaspoons in a teabag or diffuser and pour on boiling water. It can be drunk when cool enough, it does not have a very distinct taste and you can add lemon or honey if you want.
Personally I have found this tea has had an amazing effect on my lung capacity. It has helped open up my airways and I have been able to cut back on my steroid inhaler! Mentally I think it has made a huge impact as well, knowing that I can reduce my drug intake and get the health benefits of a natural tea. Having researched the tea before trying it I couldn’t find any documented negative side effects but as you know it may not be for everyone. I know there are a vast amount of differing degrees of airway and lung problems but if it might just help even a tiny bit to alleviate the issues maybe give it a go.
Please check with your GP before using if you are unsure. If nothing else you will get a lovely cup of tea.
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