Dr. Nicole Sundene
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
Asthma can be a frustrating condition, especially when there is poor air quality. Between the fires, humidity and monsoons… my asthma has been horrible. So let me show you how I make my “Coconut Cough Syrup” by grating up a bunch of organic carrots to combine with cinnamon, ginger, licorice, cloves and star anise… and bringing it to a boil in organic coconut milk to help soothe my irritated respiratory pathways. This recipe is for asthma prevention, and is not a substitute for medicine. Although there are studies for coconut helping acute asthma I do not recommend that and it can be dangerous!!
Carrots are rich in beta carotene and thus an anti-inflammatory agent for the mucous membranes, beta carotene is necessary for repairing damaged cells. I happen to have a beautiful bunch of organic carrots I need to use up but you can also use butternut squash, yams, sweet potatoes, or squash. Most orange veggies are rich in beta carotene and make a delicious and powerful therapeutic “soup” I like to sip throughout my day when my lungs are not happy.
Licorice- Is a potent demulcent herb that helps soothe irritated membranes. You can feel the slippery quality in your mouth as you sip it very similar to aloe vera. Unless a patient hates the taste of licorice, or they have hypertension or other conditions causing licorice to be a poor herbal choice, I believe licorice is one of the absolute best herbs for coughs, sore throats and irritated mucous membranes. Specifically because it is also an antiviral herb and those of us with asthma are more susceptible to viruses and infections. Licorice tea is an excellent preventive daily tonic herb for asthma.
Coconut Milk is rich in the Phospholipids, the lungs need to heal and repair, it is antiviral and antifungal. I also increase my Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, flaxseeds, and walnuts to reduce inflammation.
The more herbal medicine plants you can incorporate into your diet the less herbal capsules you need to take! As always, please check with your own doctor before implementing any new herbs as medicine. Or if you need a Naturopathic Doctor, simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit. I would love to help with asthma!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
This has really been helping me a lot since I found your recipe. Thank you for your recipes they are so helpful. Please keep up what you are doing it is very much needed and I don't need to use my albuterol inhaler every day anymore and am no longer taking singulair. I like the way this tastes and I like that I am doing something good for my lungs. I also didn't realize the connection between the lungs and thyroid and the thyroid med is also helping the shortness of breath. Before I found you my asthma just got worse and worse every single year and now I have not even gone to see my pulmonologist because I don't need the singulair. I wish everyone with asthma knew about Naturopathy!