Asthma Kid Tip of the Day:

Ayurveda considers excess mucus to be a poison in the body that can be removed by omitting certain foods from the diet (namely meat and dairy, but also sugar and foods high in yeast), oil pulling, or using a netti pot among other methods. Since mucus is made up of protein and sugar, people with excess mucus (one cause of asthma) can also try supplementing enzymes like bromelain that help to break down protein in the body.

Bromelain is derived from Pineapple fruit and can be bought in capsule form at most health food stores. Additionally, the fresh fruit also contains anti-inflammatory properties, so asthmatics, eat up! This is a delicious ally of allergy and asthma sufferers everywhere! And no, piña coladas do not count.

Oil pulling is a method performed by swishing a tablespoon of cold pressed, unrefined sesame or sunflower oil backwards and forwards in your mouth - first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, before brushing your teeth or drinking any liquids, including water. Fifteen to twenty minutes is best, and at the end, the oil should turn from yellow and translucent, to white, thin and frothy.Don't swallow the oil, and rinse mouth with water when finished. Ayurvedic tradition teaches that during this process, the oil and the enzymes produced by swishing draw out toxins and bacteria and stimulates the body's elimination abilities. Daily oil pulling has been reported to improve gum disease, asthma, constipation, migraines, kidney disease, arthritis, other chronic and autoimmune disorders, and whiten teeth. All of these conditions have one thing in common, a toxic build up in the body! What do you have to lose? Toxins? And at the very least you'll have a lovely smile in the end!