This document discusses the author's personal journey with allergies and asthma. It describes how the author's health declined after living in homes with mold and using fewer natural remedies. The author has tried many alternative treatments for asthma with varying degrees of success, including essential oils, herbs, probiotics and lifestyle changes. The author remains dedicated to finding the most effective natural solutions to manage asthma symptoms without relying solely on medications that can have side effects.

1. Healthy Plants Healthy You
A Journey to Natural Health
And Healing
In Search of
Alternative Treatments
For Allergies and Asthma
Created By: Debra Smith
April 25, 2015
All rights reserved

2. A little About me
Being raised as a farm girl on my grandparents’ dairy farm in the 60’s and 70’s, I experienced
fresh foods and old time natural remedies. Sadly my grandfather sold the farm before he passed
away when I was in the eleventh grade. A year later after graduating high school I moved away
to begin my independent venture of life. I have always wished I could have been older or my
grandfather could have lived longer so I could have learned all there was to know about farming
including his knowledge of plants.

3. Change Contributes
to
Health Deterioration
Throughout the years of my life much has changed including available products from the major
grocery stores or supermarkets. Coincidentally, with the increase in the number of products
available including processed foods, a decrease in the consumption of natural foods, an increase
of asthma, allergies, and other health related illnesses have reportedly occurred. One of the
many sources reporting an increase in asthma is the EPA (United States Environmental
Protection Agency).

4. According to the United States EPA Administrator,
“1 in 10 kids in America today Suffer from Asthma”
Click screen to watch

5. “Nearly 26 Million Americans
Continue to Live with Asthma, EPA
says / SC, IN, TX programs honored
as national models for asthma care”

6. Up Close and Personal
Allergies, Sinus Headaches,
Chronic Bronchitis, Flu, Pneumonia,
Asthma.
It’s a Continuous Battle
As my family is one affected by allergies and asthma, including myself, I have been researching
and trying healthier alternative products for quite some time. My reasoning is in knowing there
is a better solution besides over the counter and prescription medications which may possibly
have side effects contributing to health degradation.

7. My major researching began when I discovered and tried tea tree oil, aka Melaleuca Oil,
and Melaleuca alternifolia among others. According to medicinenet.com’s article “tea tree oil
(Melaleuca Oil): Side Effects and Dosage” tea tree oil is best known for its antifungal and
antimicrobial properties and is used to treat “minor cuts, scrapes, burns, abrasions, insect bites,
and stings” (OMUDHOME). Tea tree oil has many other uses as well which I have personally
used with very satisfactory results. Many testimonials referencing the same can be found online.
My First Experience With Essential Oil
Image Source from Creative Commons: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-z6sR-
Mm4/VPqDdi0JOII/AAAAAAAANUA/P7--
Gbw7ucQ/s1600/Melaleuca%2BAlternifolia%2BOil.jpg

8. I didn’t use the brand pictured but some years prior to becoming ill
I did use tea tree oil products for personal care, laundry,
household cleaning, car cleaning, pet washing, even vitamins. Our
whole family was healthy, even during the winter months while
many others in the community were catching the colds, flu, and
the normal winter time viruses.
Unfortunately I went back to the normal cheap products to cut
costs as the economy became worse, including construction, which
is the type of business we were in.
When the next bout of viruses came around we all caught them.
In addition to that, we were renting an old mobile
home infested with black mold. We had a steady supply of
ibuprofen, allergy medicine, and cough syrup. It didn’t help.
My health continued to decline until I was diagnosed
with Bacterial Pneumonia and given what the doctor
Said was the Strongest Antibiotic to treat it. Afterward
I acquired Asthma and COPD.

9. SOME Asthma Triggers
Asthma Triggers Image Source: 7mike5000
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Asthma_triggers.
PNG

10. Asthma triggers can lead to a full blown Asthma Attack. I had pretty much lived with
all of these triggers before without any allergies, let alone asthma. The main thing that
had changed in my life was we had been living in homes where we used kerosene
heaters and/or wood stoves and fireplaces to keep warm in the winter.
Additionally, WE had been subjected to living with unresolved MOLD
problems in the last home we rented for a period of approximately 6 YEARS!
An article titled “Mold Exposure” at medicinenet.com reports
Asthma attacks may be caused by mold or mold spores in people who have
asthma and are allergic to mold. Even in some nonallergic individuals, mold can
irritate the eyes, skin, and airways. For example, the "black mold" Stachybotrys,
along with some other types of mold, produces toxins known as mycotoxins that
can cause irritation of the skin and airways in susceptible individuals . . . In 2004,
the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor
exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheezing in
otherwise healthy people. Mold also was linked to the worsening of asthma
symptoms in people who have asthma. Mold was also reported to be linked to
hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to this immunologic
condition. This uncommon disease is similar to pneumonia and can develop in
susceptible individuals after brief or prolonged exposure to mold.

11. “Worst Cities for Asthma
No. 9: Atlanta, Ga.”
“Poor air quality and lagging smoke-free laws are part of Atlanta's asthma problem. Atlanta
also has fewer asthma doctors and more people without health insurance than the average
American city. Both make it a challenge to get proper care. Statewide, more than half of
Georgia's children and three-fourths of its adults with asthma have never received a treatment
"action plan" from their doctor.”
We lived approximately 1 ½ hours south of Atlanta in an old Mill Town

12. Regardless of the reason(s) the verdict was in:
I was (am) another statistic. I am living the best I can with
Asthma and trying my Best to Overcome it.
As I am writing this there has been another statistic, my
son in law’s mother, living with Asthma/COPD like me drew
her last breath during the night just two nights ago. She
was just three years older than me. So I do thank God for
each and every day of my life.

13. The Normal Breath of Life
in contrast to
Gasping for a Breath
Asthma Attack
Normal Breathing
Asthma Attack
Image and Sound source: University of
Virginia School of Medicine
Trying with ALL your
MIGHT to Breathe!
Click each Audio
Icon to Hear the
Difference

14. In doing more research I have found what may be
happening in addition to Allergies. Evidently my
coughing condition is not so uncommon. I found the
following comment at medicinenet.com
“I found an article about sensory neuropathic cough,
awesome research about people that are still
coughing after so many years with no cure. Also visit
you tube and type on search field the title of sensory
neuropathic cough, two short videos were Dr. Robert
W Bastian explains his findings. I am glad Dr. Bastian
took his time to research this awful cough. I was able
to help my mother; she has been coughing for ten
years. Very awful.”
COUGHING, COUGHING,
AND MORE COUGHING!!!

15. Sensory neuropathic cough
Dr. Robert W Bastian
I searched and found that this
just may be the reason for my Chronic
Coughing and not being able to eat or
drink at times without feeling like it is
going down the wrong pipe and into my
chest.
Click audio icon to read about
SNC and listen to an interview with a
SNC patient. To watch and listen to

16. “Laryngospasm
Sudden, Terrifying Difficulty
Breathing”
• Watch and listen as Dr. Bastian
explains and displays what a
Laryngospasm is and what it
sounds like.
(Click the cam)

17. Plumb Sings
“How many
times have
you given me
strength to
JUST KEEP
BREATHING”

18. NEED YOU NOW (How Many Times)
by Plumb (official lyric video)
*I first heard this song after having a major Asthma Attack where I
prayed please don’t take me away from Joe (our youngest)
like you took mom away from me – Coincidence?*

19. Are my prescriptions making
me Worse???
These are just a couple,
the ones used daily
more than once

20. Prescribed for Asthma – Daily Use
Symbicort Possible Side Effects
SYMBICORT can cause serious side effects, including:
Pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections.
People with COPD may have a higher chance of pneumonia.
Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
change in amount or color of mucus, fever, chills, increased
cough, or increased breathing problems
Serious allergic reactions including rash, hives, swelling
of the face, mouth and tongue, and breathing problems
Immune system effect and a higher chance of infection.
Tell your health care provider if you think you are exposed
to infections such as chicken pox or measles, or if you have
any signs of infection such as fever, pain, body aches, chills,
feeling tired, nausea, or vomiting
Adrenal insufficiency. This can happen when you stop
taking oral corticosteroid medicines and start inhaled
corticosteroid medicine
Symbicort Image Source
Medscape
Using too much of a LABA medicine may cause chest pain, increase in blood pressure, fast and irregular heartbeat,
headache, tremor, or nervousness
Increased wheezing right after taking SYMBICORT. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden wheezing
Eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts. You should have regular eye exams while using SYMBICORT
Lower bone mineral density can happen in people who have a high chance for low bone mineral density (osteoporosis)
Slowed growth in children. A child's growth should be checked regularly while using SYMBICORT
Swelling of blood vessels (signs include a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of arms or legs, flu like symptoms,
rash, pain or swelling of the sinuses), decrease in blood potassium and increase in blood sugar levels
Common side effects in patients with asthma include nose and throat irritation, headache, upper respiratory tract
infection, sore throat, sinusitis, stomach discomfort, flu, back pain, nasal congestion, vomiting, and thrush in the mouth
and throat.
Common side effects in patients with COPD include inflammation of the nasal passages and throat, thrush in the mouth
and throat, bronchitis, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infection.
http://www.mysymbicort.com/#isi

21. Ventolin hfa 90 Possible Side Effects
• VENTOLIN HFA can cause serious side effects,
including: worsening trouble breathing,
coughing, and wheezing (paradoxical
bronchospasm). If this happens, stop using
VENTOLIN HFA and call your healthcare provider
or get emergency help right away. Paradoxical
bronchospasm is more likely to happen with
your first use of a new canister of medicine.
• heart problems, including faster heart rate and
higher blood pressure
• possible death in people with asthma who use
too much VENTOLIN HFA
Image source:
ventolin.com
Another Asthma Prescription
Daily Use
serious allergic reactions. Call your healthcare
provider
or get emergency medical care if you get any of
the
following symptoms of a serious allergic
reaction:
rash
hives
swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue
breathing problems
changes in laboratory blood values (sugar,
potassium)
Common side effects of VENTOLIN HFA
include: sore throat
upper respiratory tract infection, including
viral infection
cough
muscle pain
your heart feels like it is pounding or racing
(palpitations)
chest pain
fast heart rate
shakiness
nervousness

22. There Must Be Better
AlternativesMy searching over the years has led me to a variety of natural alternatives for
allergies and asthma. Besides the tea tree oil, I have tried, lavender,
peppermint, and eucalyptus oils. I have tried EmergenC, Clear Lung,
probiotics, natural cough syrups(with Elderberry) LOCAL honey and
LEMON, GARLIC, aloe drinks, coconut water, a variety of
juices, medicinal teas, yogurt, and MUCH more. I
have even used onions on my chest and on the bottom of my feet.
My sister in law had suggested that as well as the turmeric and
cinnamon.
While I must say they all do help, I am still on a quest to find the best
solution, something that will work much better. My latest almost daily
solutions are turmeric which is supposed to help bronchitis as well as improve
memory, cinnamon, which is supposed to help sinuses, and
COCONUT OIL which HAS AMAZING BENEFITS!

23. Coconut Oil has relieved my
sinus headaches, helped loosen
congestion in throat, chest, and
nose. It has also helped my
digestive system.
I am amazed at how well it
softens skin and is even
reducing wrinkles.
My brother (from Michigan)
even used it for his sunburn
recently.
Image /
Infographic-Benefits-Source:
http://www.naturalnews.comof-Coconut-
Oil.html

24. Coconut
Oil
Turmeric
(Organic-
mailed to
me from
my sister
in law in
Michigan)
Cinnamon
*I Use in
my
morning
coffee*

25. Could it be as Simple as
Nutrition?

26. Credits
Asthma Triggers Image Source: 7mike5000
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Asthma_t
riggers.PNG
AtN Video 1: My Morning Smoothie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyXeSMRHi9U
EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency)
http://www.medicinenet.com/mold_exposure/page2.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/worst_cities_for_asthma_pictures
_slideshow/article.htm

27. NEED YOU NOW (How Many Times) by Plumb (official
lyric video) Plumb (official) (YouTube)
OMUDHOME Pharm.D., OGBRU, and Charles PatCharles
Patrickrick Davis, MD, PhD. "Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca
Oil): Side Effects and Dosage." MedicineNet.
MedicineNet, Inc.
Prescription Side Effects
http://www.mysymbicort.com/#isi
Symbicort Image Source
http://images.medscape.com/pi/features/drugdirectory/octupd
ate/ZNC03703.jpg
Tea Tree Oil Image http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-z6sR-
Mm4/VPqDdi0JOII/AAAAAAAANUA/P7--
Gbw7ucQ/s1600/Melaleuca%2BAlternifolia%2BOil.jpg
University of Virginia School of Medicine
U.S. EPA Administrator McCarthy on Asthma Awareness Month