Find out about cystic fibrosis symptoms, what causes cystic fibrosis and cystic fibrosis treatment from a natural health viewpoint alongside classical medical treatment.

What is cystic fibrosis disease?

Cystic fibrosis (CF), also known as mucoviscidosis, is a genetic disorder that affects various organs, notably the lungs, pancreas, liver, and intestine. This condition causes abnormally thick and sticky secretions due to the faulty transport of chloride and sodium across epithelial cells. As a result, organ tubes, particularly those in the lungs and pancreas, become obstructed. The most serious CF symptoms are coughing and difficulty breathing as result of multiple lung infections due to viscous secretions trapped in lungs. Other symptoms include frequent sinus infections, poor growth and weight loss, accumulation of thick mucus, persistent coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and gastrointestinal or endocrine problems.

Complementary natural suggestions in cystic fibrosis treatment:

In addition to regular medical treatments for cystic fibrosis, herbal remedies that reduce inflammation and clear mucus are beneficial. These herbs include cayenne, ginger, boswellia, hyssop, mullein, pineapple enzymes, garlic, and peppermint. Cystic fibrosis symptoms can also be eased with vitamin E supplements, natural rock salt brine or sole (a mixture of rock salt and water), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and mucolytics like herbs and long-term use of home salt therapy.

How to make sole: In a jar with a lid add rock salt crystals and pour over 2-3 inches spring water and let sit overnight. If all the salt has dissolved, add more salt crystals to the water. The sole is ready when it dissolves no more salt and is fully saturated. Keep the sole in a closed jar. It will not go bad because of the natural anti-bacterial and natural fungicide properties of salt. Natural unprocessed rock salt, beside sodium chloride, is full of other naturally occurring minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iodine, potassium. Some amount of these will also be absorbed through respiratory mucosa while breathing in the salt aerosol.

¹ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC372361/
² http://ajplung.physiology.org/content/288/5/L903.full