Asthma is a respiratory condition characterized by inflamed and constricted airways. People that suffer from asthma often have trouble breathing and experience wheezing and coughing when exposed to a trigger, for example, stress or environmental pollutants. It is a chronic condition for which there is no cure but it can be managed with medication designed to help the airways relax and reduce inflammation. Herbs like forskolin may also help to alleviate symptoms, although evidence to show they are effective is mixed. Do not use forksolin in place of treatment prescribed by your doctor and get medical advice before using it.
Properties and Administration
Forskolin is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine and is derived from the root of Coleus forskohlii plant. It is used as an alternative treatment for a number of conditions including allergies, hypertension and asthma and according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects. This herb, which is supplied as a powder, should only be administered under medical supervision, RxList notes, and is inhaled using a device known as a Spinhaler inhalator.
Efficacy
The results of a study by R. González-Sánchez et al., published in the March 2006 issue of the "Journal of International Medical Research" show that forksolin is more effective than the asthma drug, sodium cromoglycate, in preventing asthma attacks in patients with mild persistent or moderate persistent asthma. However, an article published by M. Huerta and colleagues in the same journal in March 2010, found that forskolin was less effective than beclomethasone, a commonly-prescribed asthma treatment. As such, the authors state that more studies are needed in adult asthma patients to confirm whether forskolin may be a useful preventive treatment for asthma.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Forskolin is likely safe for most people when inhaled, RxList states. However, it may cause side effects including throat irritation, tremor and restlessness. It may also lower blood pressure. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you a heart condition or blood pressure problems. Forskolin may increase the risk of bleeding so stop using it if you are scheduled to undergo surgery. It may interact with other drugs including anticoagulants, anti-hypertensives and nitrates. Get medical advice before taking it.
Other Herbal Options
The UMMC website notes several other herbs that may help to improve lung function and alleviate asthma symptoms, including boswellia and pycnogenol. Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is an Ayurvedic medicine that may help to reduce the number of asthma attacks, although UMMC notes that more research is needed to prove this. Pycnogenol is extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine tree and may help to reduce asthma symptoms and boost lung function. Get medical advice before using either of these herbs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asthma
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Forskolin
- RxList: Forskolin
- PubMed: Forskolin Versus Sodium Cromoglycate for Prevention of Asthma Attacks: A Single-Blinded Clinical Trial
- PubMed: Forskolin Compared with Beclomethasone for Prevention of Asthma Attacks: A Single-Blind Clinical Trial
