Traditional Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. Some herbs have been used historically for strengthening the lungs. Current medical research has investigated the effectiveness of some of these Chinese herbs and has found them to help improve lung function. However, the advice of a medical professional should be sought before trying to treat any lung condition with herbs.
Astragalus
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common category of lung cancer that spreads more slowly than other types of lung cancers. Treating non-small cell lung cancer has been a challenge to the medical community. The treatments currently available, chemotherapy in particular, are highly toxic and also have a low success rate, according to a study published in January 2006 in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology." However, clinical investigations have found that Chinese herbs can help improve treatment outcomes in this type of lung cancer when combined with chemotherapy. One such herb is astragalus, which was found to improve survival rates, reduce toxicity from chemotherapy and improve tumor treatment response. Astragalus is actually a term referring to a family of over 2000 types of herbs and shrubs native to China and used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Astragalus has also been studied in relation to treating HIV and other infection-related diseases.
Sophora flavescens
Refractory chronic asthma is a condition where the airways become inflamed making it extremely difficult to breathe. Patients with refractory chronic asthma who took Sophora flavescens were able to reduce or completely eliminate their dependence on corticosteroid and beta-agonists, which are asthma medications, according to the findings of a study published in July 2007 in the "Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology." Sophora flavescens is a bitter-tasting herb that has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine made from the root of the plant. The participants started treatment with 4g of dried root three times daily for 3 months, and then 2 times daily for 6 months. Afterward, they reduced their intake to once daily for 27 months. The researchers explain that Sophora flavescens reduced the allergic airway response characteristic of the condition.
Angelica dahurica
Angelica dahurica is a warm-tasting root herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for pain, swelling, and opening nasal passages. Asthmatic mice fed Angelica dahurica showed lower airway eosinophilia, which was reported in a December 2009 study found in "Food and Chemical Toxicology." Eosinophilia occurs when too many eosinophils are present in the blood stream. Eosinophils are white blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow. Eosinophils serve to support the body's immune response, but when levels are too high, they instead harm the body. Eosinophil levels were decreased in the mice who received the Angelic dahurica, indicating that Angelica is effective in the treatment of asthma.
References
- "Journal of Clinical Oncology": Astragalus-Based Chinese Herbs and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Advanced Non--Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials: Michael McCulloch et al; January 2006
- "Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology": Traditional Chinese herbal remedies for Asthma and Food Allergy: Li Xiu-Min, et al; October 2009:
- SciVerse: "Food and Chemical Toxicology": Anti-Asthmatic Effects of Angelica Dahurica Against Ovalbumin-Induced Airway Inflammation Via Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase-1: Lee Me-Young et al; December 2004:
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