Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airway. As a result, asthma sufferers often have difficulty breathing and may experience wheezing and coughing. If you suffer from asthma, your doctor will likely prescribe a reliever medicine which opens the airways making it easier to breathe, and a preventer medicine designed to reduce inflammation in the airways. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that some herbal medicines may also have anti-inflammatory effects and can help help to relieve asthma symptoms. However, there is little scientific evidence to prove they work. Consult a doctor before using herbs to treat asthma and never use them in place of treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Examples
University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, notes that boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, may hold promise in the treatment of asthma by improving lung function and reducing the number of asthma attacks. Pycnogenol, an extract of the French maritime pine bark, may also help to improve asthma symptoms.
Efficacy
The results of an early clinical trial published in the November 1998 issue of the "European Journal of Medical Research" show that 70 percent of asthma patients who received 300 mg of boswellia three times daily daily for six weeks experienced an improvement in symptoms, compared to only 27 percent of patients in the control group. Data published in the May 2002 issue of the "International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics" found that oral intake of pycnogenol reduced inflammatory mediators and improved lung function in asthma patients. However, an analysis of clinical data published in "Primary Care Respiratory Journal" in December 2010, concludes there is enough evidence to support a role for herbs in the treatment of asthma.
Use
UMMC recommends taking 3 mg of boswellia three times daily to alleviate asthma symptoms. Alternatively, you may prefer to take 1 mg of pycnogenol per pound of body weight, but not exceeding 200 mg, once daily. This doses are intended to be a guideline only. Talk to your doctor about the right dose and treatment schedule for you.
Side Effects
Pycnogenol may cause a hypersensitivity reaction, irritability and lower energy levels in some people, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes. Boswellia is likely safe for most people, states RxList, but it may cause side effects including abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea.
Contraindications
Do not use boswellia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also avoid this herb if you are using cholesterol-lowering drugs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pycnogenol may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents and immunosuppressants. Do not take pycnogenol alongside anti-coagulants as it may increase the risk of bleeding. Always consult a doctor before using herbs to treat asthma.
References
- netdoctor: Asthma
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asthma
- PubMed: Effects of Boswellia Serrata Gum Resin in Patients with Bronchial Asthma: Results of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 6-Week Clinical Study
- PubMed: A Review of the French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol), A Herbal Medication with a Diverse Clinical Pharmacology
- PubMed: Herbal Interventions for Chronic Asthma in Adults and Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pine Bark Extract
