OPC Antioxidants for Asthma

OPC Antioxidant is derived from grape seed extract and pine bark extract. OPC Antioxidants are considered a Super Antioxidants and are scientifically known as Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins – OPC’s, Proanthocyanidolic Oligomers – PCO’s, Procyanidins or Proanthocyanidins.

Grape Seeds are a Main Source of OPC Antioxidants

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s) are considered Super Antioxidants because they are unique phytochemicals known as flavonoids that have powerful antioxidant capabilities. OPC is highly water soluble so your body is able to absorb it quickly.

Clinical trials were performed to compare the effectiveness of OPC Antioxidants versus vitamin C and vitamin E with astonishing results. OPC Antioxidants may be as much as 50 times more potent than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C in terms of bioavailable antioxidants. In fact, OPC Antioxidants work with the antioxidant glutathione to restore and recycle oxidized vitamin C which actually increases vitamin C’s effectiveness.

OPC Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that are found throughout nature and are present in a variety of food and botanical sources. The two main sources of commercial OPC Antioxidants are grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera) made from wine grapes and pine bark extract, known as Pycnogenol, made from from the French maritime Pine Tree.

Pycnogenol was the first source of OPC Antioxidants discovered and the process used to extract it was originally patented in the 1950’s. Pycnogenol is not a generic name for OPC Antioxidant, it is simply a trademarked name for pine bark extract.

Benefits of OPC Antioxidants

Because of the unique properties of OPC Antioxidants, including their ability to cross your blood-brain barrier and their high water solubility, OPC Antioxidants have been shown to produce some remarkable benefits when taken regularly. Here are just a few examples:

• OPC Antioxidants can help protect your brain and spinal nerves against free radical damage.
• OPC Antioxidants can help protect your liver from damage caused by toxic doses of acetaminophen.
• OPC Antioxidants can help to strengthen and repair connective tissue, including that of the cardiovascular system.
• OPC Antioxidants can help support your own natural immune system.
• OPC Antioxidants have proven effective in slowing certain characteristics of the aging process.
• OPC Antioxidants help to moderate your body’s allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production.

Currently, there are numerous studies in various stages of completion, testing the effectiveness of OPC Antioxidants in the treatment of some devastating diseases and ailments including: Asthma, Fybromyalgia, AIDS, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, and Macular Degeneration.

OPC Antioxidants are certainly not a wonder cure, but they have proven a very effective and beneficial antioxidant that could be the anchor of your supplementation program.

Another article I’ve written which you may be interested in is about Lingzhi Mushrooms. There has been some therapeutic success using OPC Antioxidants in combination with Lingzhi Mushrooms for asthma management. If you have a moment, take a look.

Buy OPC Antioxidants:

OPC Antioxidant for Asthma was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. Vitamin C Versus Air Pollution
2. Eclectic Institute Compound Herbal Elixir
3. Lingzhi – Mushroom of Immortality

Licorice root asthma treatments have a well earned reputation as being highly effective. Licorice Root aka Gan Cao in Chinese Medicine, has been successfully used for thousands of years to relieve breathing problems caused by asthma, bronchitis, and many other chronic and short-term respiratory illnesses throughout the world, .

Licorice Root is a Remarkable Healing Herb

Licorice root has been shown to effectively soothe swollen airways, acting as an effective anti-inflammatory. It has also been found to effectively inhibit histamine release, inhibit coughing and has demonstrated highly effective expectorant effects.

Licorice root eases congestion and coughing, helping to loosen and thin mucus and airways. It aids in the relaxation of bronchial spasms and soothes soreness and tightness in the throat.

In addition to its use as an asthma treatment, Licorice root has a well documented history of aiding in the treatment of colds and flu, depression, emphysema, gingivitis, HIV support, viral infections, fungal infections, ulcers, psoriasis, tuberculosis and arthritis.

Licorice root has also been proven to be an effective anti-allergenic useful for the treatment of bronchial asthma, hayfever, conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. Licorice Root also has an aspirin like effect, which helps in the treatment of fevers and pain relief from headaches.

Traditional methods of taking Licorice Root include drinking it as a tea, chewing on the root (not recommended) and in capsule form.

Mild side effects have been documented in the prolonged use of Licorice root, including water retention, increased blood pressure, and mild adrenal stimulation. Prolonged use should definitely be avoided if you suffer from high blood pressure. Be sure to discuss treatment options with your care providers.

Licorice root is available for sale in all parts of the world as an extract, pill and capsule, both in formulations containing a combination of multiple herbs and by itself.

Also known as: Chinese Licorice, Gan Cao, Gan-Cao, Kan-ts’ao, Kuo-lao, Licorice, Licorice Root, Ling-t’ung, Liquorice, Mei-ts’ao, Mi-kan, Mi-ts’ao, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood, Yasti Madhu

Buy Licorice Root:

Licorice Root – A Great Tasting Asthma Reliever was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. ASHMI Asthma Treatment
2. Kushen – Sophora Root
3. MSSM-002 – Chinese Herbal Asthma Treatment

If you’re an asthma sufferer, you may want to swap your prescription medications for some powerful (and effective) Chinese herbal remedies, especially one called ASHMI.

Chinese Herbs and Herbal Remedies Can Be Effective in Treating Asthma Symptoms

In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005, vol. 116, issue 3), researchers from Weifang Asthma Hospital and Weifang School of Medicine in China, along with Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, reported that an oral combination of three Chinese herbs could be as effective as conventional asthma medicines — without the side effects.

Corticosteroids, a common conventional asthma treatment, can increase susceptibility to infection and slow growth rates in children. Their search was for an equally effective asthma treatment minus the adverse side effects.

91 patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma were admitted to the Weifang Asthma Hospital for a four week double-blind study. 45 of the asthma patients received 20mg of prednisone per day and placebo capsules resembling ASHMI. 46 of the asthma patients were given an herbal combination called ASHMI (antiasthma herbal medicine intervention), plus placebo tablets resembling 20mg of prednisone.

ASHMI was comprised of three Chinese herbal extracts: Lingzhi (Reishi Mushroom), Kushen (Sophora Root) , and Gancao (Licorice Root). ASHMI did not include Ma Huang, which is used globally as an asthma herbal remedy.

The results were rather remarkable. ASHMI had a beneficial effect on both TH1 and TH2 cytokine levels and absolutely no adverse effects on adrenal function in the study participants. Additionally, the ASHMI group experienced significantly less gastric discomfort and no weight gain. The prednisone group experienced both significant weight-gain and gastric discomfort.

On the other hand, the effect of prednisone on lung function was reported by the researchers to be “slightly, but significantly greater” than that of ASHMI, the cost of which, among others, is gastric discomfort and significant weight-gain.

The researchers are “pleased” with the trial results and conclude that their findings “…show that ASHMI is effective and well-tolerated in nonsteroid-dependent patients with moderate to severe asthma.” Their research continues and I will report any relevant news on this unconventional, yet remarkable, asthma treatment.

Clear Breathing with Chinese Herbs was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. ASHMI Asthma Treatment
2. MSSM-002 – Chinese Herbal Asthma Treatment
3. Kushen – Sophora Root

If You're Having an Acute Asthma Episode, Contact Your Doctor Immediately

Common signs of an acute asthma episode are:

• Your coughing and/or wheezing will not stop.
• You’re breathing very fast but can’t catch your breath(Tachypnea).
• Your chest feels tight.
• You’re feeling tired AND out of breath.
• You’re agitated and anxious.
• Your pulse rate has increased.
• You’ve got allergy-like symptoms, including but not limited to a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, scratchy throat.
• Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath while you’re exercising or immediately afterward.
• You feel chest or abdominal pain.

Common signs and symptoms of increasing respiratory distress and acute breathing difficulty can include:

• Your inability to complete a sentence.
• You’re experiencing retractions (increased use of chest, neck, or abdominal muscles).
• You need to sit or lean forward in order breathe easier.

Make sure that you have an Asthma Action Plan in place so that you can successfully and efficiently regain control and normalize your breathing. Read Asthma Attack Action Plan – Are you prepared? as a primer if you haven’t set one up for yourself yet.

Also, be sure to read Asthma Triggers – Do you know what yours are?, Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?, Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California and Indoor Asthma Triggers – Asthma Proof Your Home if you’re unclear about your triggers or what you can do to help yourself.

The absolute best way to get through an acute asthma episode is to never have to deal with one.

There is no reason why you can’t fully and confidently participate in the life of your choice. Camp, hike, bike, jog, ski, join sports leagues, take exercise classes. Just be sure you have planned ahead – just in case.

Acute Asthma Episode – Common Signs was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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Compound Herbal Elixir produced by the Eclectic Institute is recommended and used widely as a cough and asthma treatment by physicians and naturopaths worldwide.

Compound Herbal Elixir 2 oz. by the Eclectic Institute

I first heard about this herbal compound from an article I read entitled “Notes on the Herbal Treatment of Asthma.” I was researching white pine bark for an update to my “OPC Antioxidant” article and came across it by accident.

Compound Herbal Elixir, in particular, intrigued me because of it’s unique mix of ingredients, especially the Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), white pine bark (Pinus strobus) and the wild cherry bark (Prunus spp.).

Here is the full list of ingredients found in Eclectic Institute Compound Herbal Elixir:

• Dried Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
• Dried organically grown Elecampane root (Inula helenium)
• Fresh organically grown Red Clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense)
• Dried wildcrafted Wild Cherry bark (Prunus spp.)
• Dried organically grown Horehound flower & leaf (Marrubium vulgare)
• Fresh organically grown Gumweed flower & leaf (Grindelia robusta)
• Dried wildcrafted Lobelia leaf & seed (Lobelia inflata)
• Dried Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Fresh Freeze-Dried Lomatium root (Lomatium dissectum)
• Dried wildcrafted White Pine bark (Pinus strobus)
• Fresh wildcrafted Poplar bud (Populus spp.)
• Bitter orange essential oil
• A base of kosher vegetable glycerin & water
• Organic Grape Alcohol Content of 15%

According to the “Eclectic Institute,” the ingredients found in their “Compound Herbal Elixir” were carefully chosen for their ability to work together simultaneously in treating your asthma symptoms, purifying your bloodstream and stimulating your immune system.

Once my wife and I have about 3 or four months of usage under our belts, I’ll write an update to this article and let you know how well this product has performed for us.

In the mean time, if you’d like to purchase the Eclectic Institute’s Compound Herbal Elixir, you can find it here:

Where to Buy the Eclectic Institute’s Compound Herbal Elixir:

Eclectic Institute Compound Herbal Elixir was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. MSSM-002 – Chinese Herbal Asthma Treatment
2. Kushen – Sophora Root
3. Lingzhi – Mushroom of Immortality

Kushen is the Chinese name of the root of Sophora flavescens. It is also known as Sophora Root and is a member of the pea and bean family.

Kushen (Sophora Root) is used to treat asthma in Chinese medicine.

Kushen has been used successfully as an herbal medicine to treat a wide variety of conditions for thousands of years.

My interest in Kushen (Sophora Root) was piqued because of two compounds found in Kushen: Matrine and Oxymatrine.

Kushen has been shown to be of significant benefit in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, eczema, fever, insomnia, cardiac arrhythmia, cancer, dysentery, inflammation, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, vaginitis, psoriasis, and conjunctivitis.

The alkaloids Matrine and Oxymatrine, as found in Kushen, inhibit histamine release, inhibit the urge to cough (antitussive), and demonstrate expectorant effects.

One study in particular shows a great deal of promise in the use of Kushen in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory disorders. 517 cases of asthmatic bronchitis were treated with Kushen, resulting in an 86.5% effectiveness rate and a 38.8% marked effectiveness rate.

Kushen can be (and usually is) consumed in extract form in with other medications. Due to its generally slight side effects, and low toxicity, it is considered to be a safe and effective medication in traditional Chinese Medicine. The side effects of Kushen are evident only at extremely high dosage levels, which include dizziness, gastric upset and evidence of immunosuppression.

Kushen is found in the desert area of northern part of China, especially in Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia. It is mainly found in the desert area of Ningxia.

Kushen is readily available all over the world. It is often used in formulations containing a combination of multiple herbs, but can also be found as a full spectrum extract.

Also known as: Ku Shen, Ku-Shen, Sophora, Sophora Root

Where to buy Ku Shen / Sophora Root:

Kushen – Sophora Root was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. ASHMI Asthma Treatment
2. MSSM-002 – Chinese Herbal Asthma Treatment
3. Licorice Root – A Great Tasting Asthma Reliever