Some home remedies, such as watercress syrup, green tea or pumpkin seed syrup, can help improve shortness of breath caused by common problems such as the flu or colds, for example.
These home remedies contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating substances that strengthen the body’s natural defenses, help combat inflammation of the respiratory tract or eliminate phlegm.
These home remedies can be used to complement medical treatment and help relieve shortness of breath. However, they should not be used in more emergency or serious situations such as asthma attacks or bronchitis. In these cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor so that the most appropriate treatment can be provided.
1. Watercress syrup
Some studies carried out with watercress in people with asthma and respiratory infections (1,2)showed that this plant can have strong analgesic, antibiotic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract, and can be used to relieve coughs and the sensation of shortness of breath that can occur with the flu or colds.
This syrup should not be used by people who are allergic to honey, propolis or pollen.
Ingredients
- 500 g of watercress leaves and stems;
- 300 g mel;
- 300 mL of water.
Preparation mode
Wash the watercress and chop into small pieces. Bring all the ingredients to a simmer and stir until it boils. Turn off the heat, let it cool, strain and transfer the syrup to a clean, dry, dark glass bottle. Take 1 tablespoon 4 times a day.
As a way of preventing respiratory problems, this syrup can be ingested especially during season changes and throughout the winter.
2. Green tea
Some studies show (3,4) than green tea, made from the plant Camellia sinensishas caffeine in its composition, a substance that helps relax the bronchial muscles, reducing shortness of breath and improving breathing.
Furthermore, the phenolic compounds present in green tea, such as epigallocatechin, which has antioxidant properties, help reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals in cells and inflammation of the respiratory tract, in addition to improving the action of the immune system, helping the body to fight flu or colds.
Green tea can be used in the form of teas, infusions or natural extract, and should be used with medical advice as excessive use can harm the liver.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the leaves or green tea bag to the cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain or remove the sachet and drink immediately. This tea can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day, or as advised by your doctor.
Green tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people who have insomnia, hyperthyroidism, gastritis or high blood pressure. Furthermore, as it contains caffeine in its composition, you should avoid drinking this tea at the end of the day or in quantities greater than recommended.
3. Lemon, garlic and ginger tea
Lemon, garlic and ginger tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to allicin, present in garlic, phenolic compounds such as gingerol, chogaol and zingerone, from ginger, and vitamin C from lemon, which help combat the symptoms of cold such as shortness of breath, cough, sore throat or general malaise.
Furthermore, this tea helps to strengthen the immune system and shorten the duration of the cold.
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut in half;
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice;
- 1 cm of ginger root or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger;
- 3 cups of water;
- Honey to sweeten (optional).
Preparation mode
Boil water with garlic. Remove from heat and add lemon juice, ginger and honey. Strain and serve afterwards.
Ginger should not be consumed by people using anticoagulants, and therefore should be removed from the tea in these cases.
4. Pumpkin Seed Syrup
Syrup made with pumpkin seeds is another good option for a home remedy for shortness of breath as it is rich in magnesium, which helps improve the respiratory capacity of the lungs, improving breathing.
Furthermore, pumpkin seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory substances that reduce inflammation of the bronchi, facilitating the passage of air and reducing symptoms of flu or colds.
This syrup should not be used by people who are allergic to honey, propolis or pollen.
Ingredients
- 60 pumpkin seeds;
- 1 tablespoon of honey;
- 1 cup of water;
- 25 drops of propolis.
Preparation mode
Peel the pumpkin seeds, add them with the honey and water. Blend everything in a blender and then add the propolis. Take 1 tablespoon of this syrup every 4 hours, when your asthma is most severe.
5. Inhalation with eucalyptus steam
Eucalyptus essential oil has eucalyptol in its composition, a substance with anti-inflammatory action in the respiratory tract, which helps reduce the production and facilitates the elimination of phlegm, which causes the sensation of shortness of breath, stuffy nose and runny nose, due to to flu and colds.
This essential oil should only be used for inhalation and should not be consumed orally.
Ingredients
- 3 to 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add drops of eucalyptus essential oil to boiling water. Then, cover your head with an open towel, so that it also covers the container containing the eucalyptus essential oil solution. Tilt your head over the container and breathe in the steam for 10 minutes. This towel helps keep the solution vapor for longer.
Eucalyptus essential oil should not be used by children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Furthermore, some people may be sensitive to eucalyptus oil, especially people with some type of respiratory allergy or asthma, and in this case, its use should be avoided.
6. Cat’s claw tea
Cat’s claw tea, prepared with the bark or root of the medicinal plant Uncaria tomentosais rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances, such as mitraphylline and chlorogenic and quinic acids, which help treat respiratory inflammation and alleviate shortness of breath caused by flu or colds.
Ingredients
- 20 g of peels and roots of cat’s claw;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the ingredients for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it rest in the covered container for 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea up to 3 times a day.
Cat’s claw tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with stomach problems such as gastritis or ulcers, for example.
