Asthma is caused by the constriction of the airways within the lungs and some of these symptoms can be relieved by using herbal treatments.

Degrees of asthma are on the rise and now many children suffer the chronic wheezing and breathing difficulties associated with this condition. The most common triggers are dust mites, pollen, animal hair and even stress.

Conventional inhalers alleviate the symptoms associated with asthma, but there are also herbal treatments that can provide similar relief.

Soothing herbs such as lobelia and visinaga help to relax the muscles of the bronchial tubes and make breathing easier. Other herbs such as elecampane and nettle interrupt the body's overproduction of anti-inflammatory compounds and expectorant herbs such as honeysuckle and thyme may also prove useful.

Remember always to speak with your doctor to make sure that herbal remedies will not interfere with your prescribed medication.

During an asthma attack the muscle fibres lining the airways of the lungs go into spasm. As the airways (or bronchioles) become constricted, less air can travel into the lungs making it difficult to breathe. The lining of the bronchioles is covered in a layer of mucus and during an asthma attack the thickness builds up.

External, environmental conditions are usually the main contributing factors to asthma attacks. Pollution and pollen are the two biggest factors which aggravate sensitive airways and, if you're living somewhere in which these conditions are prevalent, you may fall victim to repeated asthma attacks. Unfortunately, you can seldom avoid these triggers in a city or during hay fever season.

In Spring gather strips and shavings of the Guelder rose, also known as crampbark to use in tinctures to help with breathing difficulties and to ease a tight chest.

The gumplant is a perennial herb that has colorful orange, daisy-like flowers. Its leaves and flowers are harvested during the flowering stage and dried. Infusions of gumplant have valuable anti-spasmodic and expectorant properties, helping to clear phlegm from the bronchial passages. It is also believed to desensitize the nerve ending in the bronchioles, helping to slow the heart rate and easing breathing during asthma attacks. Gumplant infusions also help ease anxiety caused by stress.

Baical skullcap, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine has shown promising results in clinic trials. The root of this perennial herb is harvested when the plant

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