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When You Can't Breathe

© Traute Klein, biogardener

First aid for congestion and breathing problems. Whether you have the sniffles, an allergy, a sinus congestion, a cold, the flu, or an asthma attack, here are quick ways of getting relief.

Background

I was in serious trouble. I had not been able to sleep properly all summer long. I had to ask for an extension to be able to complete my course work at university. I simply was unable to breathe except when I sat in the steam room at the health spa. My doctor told me not to go out on the street where the dust bothered me. Well, how was I supposed to live if I could not get out of the house?

There had to be a better way, and I was going to find it.

I make no apology to medical doctors. I gave them a chance, and they did not help me. I got help from natural health practitioners and from old folk remedies, and I am sharing what I know works for me.

Doing It My Way

Over the years, I have found different remedies most effective. I am sharing the ones here which I have found to give me quick relief even in emergency situations. I am also linking the articles in which I give more detail about each remedy.

Chinese Cough Syrup

A herbalist in Calgary sold me some Chinese cough syrup which is made up entirely of herbs and honey. A couple of drops of it at a time helps me to breathe better. I found it so effective that even after I moved back to Manitoba, I asked the Calgary herbalist to send me annual supplies of the syrup. I don't ever want to be without it, and I carry a little bit of it in a small bottle in my purse at all times.

I have recommended it to many people over the years, and all of them have never used any other cough syrup since. There is just one problem with this cough syrup. It tastes too good and needs to be hidden from young and old in the family, or else the bottle will mysteriously empty itself.

In Winnipeg this cough syrup is available at Safeway and Superstore, but the price is much lower at the Oriental Food Market in Chinatown.

Herbal Decongestant Tablets

These are available from several companies. Ask for them in health food stores. The most effective one I have ever used came from a Swiss company called Vogel, but I am no longer able to find it in Winnipeg.

The copyright of the article When You Can't Breathe in Natural Health is owned by Traute Klein, biogardener. Permission to republish When You Can't Breathe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.