Magnolia buds are out in Melbourne. We use them for the nasal congestion of colds,sinusitis, and hayfever. The hairs can be a little irritating though so the buds are put in cloth bags when we brew tea from them.
The drawing is from “Famous Flowers of China”
It was a bad week for asthma sufferers in Melbourne, and also for some that were susceptible to airborne allergens but who had never had an asthma attack before. A heads up to hayfever sufferers: if you’re allergic to pollen enough of it could potentially cause an asthma attack.
Studies have shown that Chinese medicine treatment with acupuncture, herbs, and moxibustion can reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks, and reduce the need for both preventative and symptom relieving medication (eg 1, 2). Other studies show how Chinese medicine treatment regulates the immune system in ways that confirm that it can treat asthma. (eg 3.)
There’s an article here on conventional approaches ways to prepare for thunderstorm asthma:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-26/we-couldve-seen-thunderstorm-asthma-coming-and-ways-to-prepare/8058682