Asthma studies looking for participants

January 19th 2011

I've been told that in one small village in the Philippines, consuming live day-old baby mice is seen as the most effective cure for asthma, however their neighbours swear by lizards.

While ancient Egyptians heated a mixture of herbs on a brick,the fumes of which the asthma sufferer inhaled for relief, the Chinese believed in herbs containing the stimulant ephedrine for centuries as a treatment.

Possibly the most interestingly equipped historically have been the Indians against this disease, trying a vast armoury of herbs and spices with concoctions like warm mashed bananas with black pepper to be ingested while rubbing rock salt and ghee onto the sufferers chest.

It would appear Asthma has been around almost as long as man himself.

According to the WHO,some 300 million people currently suffer from asthma and it is the most common chronic disease among children.

Scientists today still work to find out more about what triggers it and what relieves it

Currently our science community needs volunteers in both Auckland and Christchurch to take part in Asthma studies. The studies vary and need people both on and off medication who are over 18 years of age.

To find out more about these studies please go to New Zealand's only health participant's website www.getparticipants.com

ENDS

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