Natural Cures Guide

Think of asthma as a form of respiratory high drama. Just as an actress might wring as much emotion as possible from a simple prop, so the lungs of a person with asthma seize and wheeze over something as innocuous as a pillow covered with cat hair. The difference? The actress has control over her scene; the person with asthma doesn’t.

What’s going on? People without asthma breathe easily despite a swamp of pollens, molds, animal dander, and cigarette smoke. For a person with asthma, inhaling certain irritants triggers a cascade of events. The smooth muscle encircling the airways constricts, diminishing their diameters. The mucous membranes swell and produce excessive mucus, further narrowing the air passages.

Unfortunately, asthma has become more common in recent years. About 14 million Americans–one-third of them children–have asthma.

Doctors prescribe asthma medications according to the disorder’s severity and how frequently attacks happen. Although many asthma drugs cause side effects, they have also saved lives. If you have asthma, you should work in close partnership with your doctor to try herbal remedies; never stop taking any asthma medication or change your dosage without your doctor’s approval. Some of the herbs traditionally used for asthma can interact with asthma drugs in negative ways. That said, there are herbs that have been shown through either years of traditional use or medical studies to help people with asthma regain their respiratory health.

Herbal Remedies

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

This herb has long been used by the Chinese to treat asthma. The leaves contain ginkgolides, which inhibit platelets-activation factor, a chemical involved in asthma and allergies. Small studies on humans show that taking ginkgolides orally reduces narrowing of the airways in response to inhaled allergens and it partially protects against exercise-induced asthma. Typical dosage: 40 milligrams of standardized extract three times per day, for six to eight weeks. Caution: Rare cases of skin allergies or gastrointestinal upset have occurred. Consult your doctor before using ginkgo if you us aspirin daily or take a blood-thinning drug such as warfarin.

Coffee (Coffea arabica) and Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Both of these beverages contain caffeine, a chemical cousin to the asthma drug theophylline. Researchers have found that a caffeine dose of 7 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight significantly improves the long function of people with asthma and prevents exercise-induced asthma attacks. Coffee has between 135 and 150 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup; tea has about 60 milligrams plus beneficial antioxidants. That means a 150-pound man would have to drink 3 to 3 1/2 cups of coffee to break an asthma attack. Because consuming a lot of caffeine isn’t good for your health, taking coffee or tea to prevent asthma is hardly practical. Still, if you start wheezing and have no other asthma drugs or herbs handy, a cup of java might be worth a try.

Garlic (Allium sativum) and Onion (A. cepa)

These allium family members have long been used to treat bronchitis and asthma. Lab tests show that onion extracts can block the production of certain chemicals involved in inflammation, thereby inhibiting allergen-induced asthmatic responses. The ingredients responsible for this action include mustard oils and quercetin. You can find quercetin, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substance, sold as a dietary supplement; follow the package directions for dosage. You can also include lots of onions in your diet. And don’t forget onion’s cousin, garlic. It also possesses anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulating, and antimicrobial properties. Typical dosage: up to three 500-to 600-milligram capsules per day; look for products that contain at least 5,000 micrograms of allicin in a daily dose. Or simply eat one or more raw cloves per day.

Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra)

This herb acts as an expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulator, and antiviral–all properties of potential benefit for people with asthma. Licorice slows the breakdown of the body’s corticosteroids such as cortisol, thus prolonging the anti-inflammatory effects of this hormone. Typical dosage: up to six 400-to 500-milligram capsules per day; or 20 to 30 drops of tincture up to three times per day. (Note: If you have asthma, you’ll want to use whole-root products rather than deglycyrrhizinated, or DGL, licorice, which does not contain the active ingredient glycyrrhizin.) Caution: Do not take licorice for more than six weeks unless under the supervision of a health practitioner. People who take corticosteroids should not take licorice without consulting their doctor. Do not take licorice at all if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, disease of the thyroid, kidney, liver, or heart; if you’re using diuretics; or if you are pregnant or nursing.

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)

This herb has a 5,000-year history of use in Chinese medicine as an asthma treatment. It contains ephedrine, which is similar in structure to your body’s own adrenaline. It decreases congestion and opens the airways. But because ephedra stimulates the cardiovascular and nerous system, it can also produce restlessness, anxiety, tremor, insomnia, headache, and elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Ephedra is best used under the supervision of a trained herbal practitioner. Typical dosage: 15 to 30 drops of tincture in water up to four times per day; or follow manufacturer’s or practitioner’s directions. Caution: Do not use if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, anorexia, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes, nor by those taking theophylline or MAO-inhibiting antidepressants. If you’re taking other asthma drugs, check with your doctor before taking ephedra. Do not combine with caffeine use; do not use while pregnant.

Coleus (Coleus forskohlii)

This plant is used in Ayurvedic remedies in India. It contains forskolin, a substance that relaxes the smooth muscle of airways, opening them for easier breathing. In an Austrian study, forskolin inhaled as a dry powder helped open the airways in asthma patients. So far, no studies have investigated the impact on asthma patients of whole coleus or forskolin taken in capsules. Despite this lack of research, forskolin is used in inhalers in Europe. In the United States, it’s available as a standardized extract in capsules. For dosage, follow manufacturer’s or practitioner’s instructions.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

This medicinal mushroom boasts several healthful effects, including an ability to reduce allergies. Reishi inhibits some of the chemical mediators of inflammation, including histamine. In China, it is used to treat asthma and other allergic diseases. Reishi can also benefit people with asthma because it acts as an immune tonic. Increased resistance to infections might derail colds and the flu, which often provoke asthma symptoms. Typical dosage: up to five 420-milligram capsules per day; or up to tree 1,000 milligram tablets per day.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

This herb is one of the main spices in curry. It contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antivial, antioxidant, and antitumor activity. Further research is needed to prove that this spicy component helps once it’s in the human body, but in the meantime, it won’t hurt to include turmeric on your spice shelf. Typical dosage: 250 to 300 milligrams in standardized capsules, up to three times per day; up to 1 teaspoon of ground spice in food per day; or 10 to 30 drops of tincture up to three times per day. Caution: Do not use if you have gallstones or any obstruction of the bile ducts.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

This common culinary herb has been used traditionally to ease asthma. One laboratory study conducted in Jordan shows that rosemary’s volatile oils can block the airway constriction induced by histamine, the chemical culprit of both asthma and other allergy symptoms. To a warm bath, add 5 to 10 drops of rosemary essential oil or a quart of rosemary tea (steep 1/4 cup of the needles in 4 cups of hot water for 10 minutes). You can also use the tea for steam inhalation, or just drink up to 3 cups per day.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

This herb can be taken as a tonic–part of your long-term daily regimen-to strengthen the immune system’s natural defenses. Typical dosage: eight or nine 4oo-to 500-milligram capsule daily; or 15 to 30 drops of tincture, twice daily.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory, mullein also fights some of the respiratory virus that tend to plague people with asthma. Typical dosage: up to 6 cups per day of tea (steep 2 teaspoons of dried leaves and flowers in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes); or 25 to 40 drops of tincture every three hours.

Herbal Steams: Good for Asthma?

Steam inhalation is an age-old remedy for loosening the respiratory mucus associated with cold and coughs. Adding aromatic herbs such as eucalyptus, peppermint, thyme, and rosemary as infusions or essential oils boosts the therapeutic effect. Theoretically, it would seem that an herbal steam is a good idea.

Well, maybe. Some essential oils notably spruce needle and pine needle oil, can worsen bronchial spasms. And for some people with asthma, just inhaling plain steam therapy for your asthma. Try plain steam first. If that doesn’t provoke and attack, try simmering 1/2 cup of herbs in 4 cups of water for 10 minutes and breathing the steam. If you tolerate the herbs well, then try substituting 3 drops of essential oil for the herbs.

In all cases, carefully pour water in a heat resistant bowl and place it on a sturdy table. Put a towel over your head and hold your face at least 12 inches away from the steam. If any of these steams sets off a bout of coughing or wheezing, stop.

Other Ways to Ease Asthma

Besides herbs, other therapies may help reduce your asthma symptoms.

*Acupuncture. Researchers have found that acupuncture often leads to significant improvement of asthma and other chronic lung conditions and often results in reduced need for medication. Side effects are minimal.

* Yoga. A number of studies have found that yoga training improves overall well-being, promotes greater relaxation, increases exercise tolerance, and lessens the need for asthma medications.

* Diet changes. Studies have shown that putting adults on a vegan diet–a diet that eliminates all animal products, including dairy and eggs–significantly improves asthma. Researchers believe this diet may work because it increases antioxidants and other helpful botanical chemicals and reduces pro-inflammatory chemicals that are abundant in animal foods. Even if you’ve not interested in becoming a strict vegetarian, your asthma may improve when you decrease the amount of meat, eggs, and dairy in your diet and increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, and grains.