COPD is chronic and worsens over time. However, natural treatments for COPD offer an alternative to traditional medications such as inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation, and oxygen therapy. Still, there are many natural remedies available to help decrease the devastation of COPD:
1. Consume ginger
Ginger helps to break down mucus, which, in turn, improves circulation to the lungs and reduces inflammation. Boil fresh ginger in water and strain out ginger, then drink it as a tea.
2. Ginseng
Ginseng has been shown to give some people relief from COPD symptoms and improve breathing.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which has many antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.
4. Red sage
Red Sage is an effective antioxidant and helps protect blood vessels from injury when oxygen is cut off and then resumed. People who have low blood oxygen levels can really benefit from using red sage.
5. Exercise
Exercising is difficult for those with COPD. However, studies have shown that exercise helps people with COPD improve their exercise tolerance. Not exercising can cause your muscles to lose their strength and make your overall health decline.
6. Mouth breathing exercises
This technique for breathing helps you to slow down your breathing down and be calm. Mouth breathing should be performed before and after exercising, or alongside any activity that causes shortness of breath. To do this breathing exercise, breathe in through your nose for roughly two seconds, pucker your lips, then breathe out two or three times as slow as you initially breathed in.
7. Diaphragm breathing
Another useful breathing technique is called diaphragm breathing, a.k.s., abdominal breathing. The abdomen rises as you breathe in and lowers as you slowly breathe out. The diaphragm is the main muscle used for breathing. With COPD, the diaphragm doesn’t work nearly as strongly. The diaphragm needs to be trained. Taking on more breathing work can help take the pressure of breathing off of the shoulders, back, and neck. Diaphragmatic breathing is not a simple technique to master, therefore, it is recommended that you get assistance from a health care professional or physical therapist trained in using it. This technique should be used when you’re relaxed, and should be done when sitting or lying down. As you become used to this type of breathing, the feeling of shortness of breath will naturally decline, especially if you practice two or three times a day. You can gradually build up your ability to use this technique by trying it while sitting, then trying it while standing, and lastly, trying this technique while performing an activity. Diaphragmatic breathing helps with certain activities, such as climbing stairs, going on long walks, carrying, lifting, showering, daily activities, and when exercising.
8. COPD diet
Those with COPD should eat a minimum of 20 to 30 grams of fiber every day. There are also many foods that may hinder breathing (i.e., excess salt and dairy) and with time, COPD patients may learn to avoid these foods completely if they trigger symptoms.
