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Breathing

When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes you can have mild breathing problems because of a stuffy nose or intense exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease.

Many conditions can make you feel short of breath:

  • Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia
  • Problems with your trachea or bronchi, which are part of your airway system
  • Heart disease can make you feel breathless if your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Allergies

If you often have trouble breathing, it is important to find out the cause.


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Felter's Materia Medica on Breathing

ACONITUM NEPALLUS
   The dried tuberous root of Aconitum Napellus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Mountains of Europe and Asia, and northwestern North America.... / ...lained by some as due to depression of the vaso-motor center. In small doses aconite quiets hurried breathing, but large doses may cause death through respiratory paralysis. Temperature is lowered by ... / ...approaching from the extremities to the body. Excessive sweating comes on, rapidly lowering the body temperature, dimness of vision, 1

ADONIS VERNALIS
   The whole plant of Adonis vernalis, Linné. (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Southern Europe, Siberia, and Labrador. Dose, 1/2 to 3 grains. Common Name:... / ...ntractions, raises blood pressure, and thereby acts as a diuretic. It also causes deeper and slower breathing, and in proper cases overcomes dyspnea. Large doses paralyze the heart and blood vessels. ... / ...in epilepsy, administering it with bromide of potassium. It should not be given when there is gastro-intestinal irritation or inflammation. 1

ÆSCULUS GLABRA
   The bark and fruit of Aesculus glabra, Willdenow (Nat. Ord. Sapindaceae). A small fetid tree common to the central portion of the United... / ...tive sensation prominent and dyspnea prolonged, it relieves such conditions as continuous asthmatic breathing. There is a sense of constriction back of the upper portion of the sternum, with or withou... / ...Aesculus deserves further study to determine its status as a remedy for nervous disorders, and especially its control over visceral neuralgias. 1

AGARICUS (Amanita muscaria)
   The fungus Amanita muscaria, Persoon; (Agaricus muscarius, Linné.) (Nat. Ord. Fungi.) An extremely poisonous fungus found in the pine forests of... / ...ably due to muscarine, which produces ptyalism, weeping, vomiting, depressed circulation, difficult breathing, muscular weakness, minutely contracted pupils, tetanic contraction of the viscera with su... / ...by Eclectic practitioners. Muscarine is used in atropine and belladonna poisoning, sometimes being employed in place of eserine (physostigmine). 1

APOCYNUM CANNABINUM
   The root of Apocynum cannabinum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Apocynaceae) gathered in autumn after the leaves and fruit have matured. Grows throughout the... / ...tral and tricuspid regurgitation, with rapid and weak heart action, low arterial tension, difficult breathing, cough, and tendency to cyanosis. Action.—Apocynum acts powerfully upon the heart, slowin... / ...may be looked for. Under these circumstances we have removed enormous dropsical swellings with it, giving quick relief from dyspnea and1

ARNICA MONTANA
   The dried flower-heads of Arnica montana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A perennial of Siberia and the cooler parts of Europe; also found in... / ...spiration due to central vagal impairment, it is a most important stimulant. It should be used when breathing can be carried on chiefly only by force of the will, and becomes weak and shallow when the...1

ASAFOETIDA (Ferula fetida)
   A gum-resin derived from the rhizome and rootlets of Ferula Asafetida, Linné; Ferula foetida, Regel, and other species of Ferula (Nat. Ord.... / ...onchial cough” (American Dispensatory). Action.—Asafetida is a general excitant causing quickened breathing and heart-action, genito-urinary irritation, increased sexual desire, and mucous feces. It... / ...or tardy or imperfect menstruation. Asafetida is contraindicated by inflammation. It may be given in emulsion, tincture, or pill or capsule. 1

BAPTISIA
   The recent root and leaves of Baptisia tinctoria, Robert Brown (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae), a perennial shrub-like plant, indigenous to North... / ...to secrete more freely and probably increases hepatic secretion. Baptitoxine is said to quicken the breathing and accelerate and strengthen the heart-beat; but in toxic doses it paralyzes the respirat... / ...healing of the ulcerated surfaces. In all of the local disorders mentioned, baptisia should be given internally as well as applied locally.1

BELLADONNA (Atropa belladonna)ATROP
   The (1) dried root and the (2) dried leaves and tops of Atropa Belladonna, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Europe and Central Asia; also... / ... so produced; circulation sluggish, with soft, oppressed, and compressible pulse; cold extremities; breathing slow, labored, and imperfect; hebetude; the patient sleeps with eyes partially open; coma;...1

CACTUS (Selenicereus spp.)
   The fresh, green stems and the flowers of Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britt. & Rose (and other Selenicereus species—MM) (Cereus grandiflorus,... / ... fear of impending death. Associated with these are praecordial weight and oppression and difficult breathing. The control over the nervous system is somewhat like that of pulsatilla, and the effects ... / ...organ were held with a strong band, it is often the most prompt of all cardiac remedies. It is a good remedy in the heart troubles produced by to1

CAMPHORA
   A stearopten (having the nature of a ketone) derived from Cinnamomum Camphora. (Linné), Nees et Ebermeier (Nat. Ord. Lauraceae). China and... / ...the pressure falls. Respiration is slightly stimulated by it, large doses causing slower and deeper breathing. In general it may be said that small doses of camphor stimulate, while large quantities d... / ...due to gaseous distention of the stomach, or to nervous irritability. In occipital headache, from mental strain, or overstudy, small doses of 1

CANTHARIS
   The dried beetles, Cantharis vesicatoria (Linné), De Geer. (Ord. Coleoptera.) Southern Europe. Dose, 1 grain. Common Name: Spanish Fly; Synonym:... / ... the abdomen, excessive burning thirst, profuse ptyalism, with cadaverous odor of the breath, rapid breathing, small thready pulse, griping and purging, profuse urination followed by suppression, exce...1

COCAERYTH5
   The dried leaves of Erythroxylon Coca, Lamarck, and its varieties. (Nat. Ord. Erythroxylaceae.) South American Andes-Peru, Bolivia, and Chili.... / ...or for a more prolonged use in advanced phthisis, to give rest, quiet gastric irritability, and aid breathing. For all prolonged states of mental depression, as neurasthenia, hypochondria, melancholia...1

COLCHICUMCOLCH
   The dried (I) root and (II) seed of Colchicum autumnale, Linné (Nat. Ord. Liliaceae.) England and other parts of Europe. Dose, Corm, 1 to 5... / ... by the use of emetics or the stomach pump. Opium may be given to relieve pain, atropine to sustain breathing, and artificial heat to maintain bodily warmth. Therapy.—Colchicum is an extremely danger...1

COLOCYNTHIS
   The dried, peeled pulp of the fruit of Citrullus Colocynthis (Linné,) Schrader. (Nat. Ord. Cucurbitaceae.) Mediterranean basin of Europe, Asia,... / ...ilical region minute doses give excellent results. When gaseous accumulations cause disturbances of breathing, or cardiac palpitation, with loud belching and expulsion of flatus, and nausea and vomiti... / ...of the fifth nerve, when the characteristic cutting pain prevails. It should be given also when colicky pain precedes or accompanies amenorrhoea.1


References

1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.