Wheezing, Muscle Spasm and Nerves
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Amanda
Posted on: August 31, 2005

I am writing in concern of my mother who has had two back surgeries. She has tremendous amounts of nerve damage. She smokes cigarettes, and a result of that she is wheezing badly. The muscle spasms are from her back surgeries and she is on pain medication, but i was trying to find out if there was something herbal that she could take to to ease the muscle pains. She can’t stand or sit for long periods of time. I know the best thing for the wheezing is for her to stop smoking, but you know how stubborn old mules are? Is there anything that she can do for the wheezing herbally? Is there is anything that she could do for her nerves? She is on a nerve pill but it doesn’t seem to work all of the time.

Taking herbs that have relaxing or sedating actions while taking drugs that also have these actions can be dangerous. I suggest that you start by looking at your mother’s diet, eliminating nerve stimulants like caffeine, and adding foods like oats (oatmeal or oat groat porridge) that strengthen the nerves. Occasional cups of chamomile tea can help to relax the nerves without causing excess sedation. For help with bronchial congestion and wheezing, eliminate all dairy from the diet, and suggest drinking lots of water to keep respiratory secretions fluid. The following external methods of helping with muscle and nerve pain are safer and probably more effective than taking more medication internally in the form of herbs.

Externally, applying a compress of St. John’s wort tea, or rubbing in St. John’s wort oil are effective ways of nourishing nerve tissue and decreasing nerve pain.

Hot and cold compresses are effective in healing nerve pain, by increasing circulation to the affected area: dip a cloth in water that is kept on a stove burner, to a heat that is not too hot for you to wring out the cloth; wring out the cloth and apply to the affected area for 20 seconds; keep a bowl of ice cold water beside you; dip another cloth in the ice cold water, wring out and apply for 10 seconds. Repeat this hot-cold procedure 10 tiimes, three times daily. Always end with the cold water compress.

Comfrey oil, applied externally, helps to heal tissue (bones, ligaments, muscles), and may be helpful for recovery from back surgery.

Acupuncture is effective in relieving bronchial spasms.

A eucalyptus steam inhalation can promote relief of bronchial spasms. The steam inhalation method is: boil 2 liters of water; allow the water to cool for 3 minutes; drop 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil onto the water; cover the head and the pan with a towel, and breath in the vapours for 5 – 10 minutes. This can be done 3 times a day.

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