Asthma

Why it works: Direct adenylate cyclase activator → ↑ cAMP. Forskolin directly activates adenylate cyclase (independent of β-receptors), raising intracellular cAMP. In airways this can (a) relax...

Instructions: Inhaled (acute use): Small RCTs used a single 10 mg dose of dry-powder forskolin (aerosolized) for bronchodilation during testing. This is investigational—not a marketed inhaler. A...

Warnings: Hypotension & heart-rate effects: Because forskolin is a vasodilator/inotrope in some settings, it m...

Studies: Overall: Evidence for asthma is limited, older, and mixed—ad...

Why it works: Bronchodilation via calcium antagonism: Magnesium relaxes airway smooth muscle by opposing calcium entry and modulating intracellular calcium handling; it may also enhance adenyl c...

Instructions: Adults (acute severe exacerbation, after first-line therapy):. • Magnesium sulfate 1.2–2 g IV (typically 2 g) infused over ~20 minutes. Considered when peak flow/FEV₁ <50% predicte...

Warnings: Monitor and avoid in high-risk settings; toxicity can be serious.. • Adverse effects (dose/infusion...

Studies: Intravenous magnesium sulfate (ED use):Adults: Cochrane revi...

Why it works: Antioxidant + anti-inflammatory effects in the airways. Asthma airways show oxidative stress; antioxidant defenses (including vitamin C) in airway lining fluid can be reduced, whic...

Instructions: There is no guideline-endorsed dosing for treating chronic asthma with vitamin C. The only dosing with some trial support is for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB):. EIB (e...

Warnings: Stay under the adult UL (2,000 mg/day) unless a clinician advises otherwise—higher doses add side-ef...

Studies: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (best signal):Systemati...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergic actions (preclinical): Major skullcap flavones (baicalin, baicalein, wogonin) dampen type-2 airway inflammation in animal and cell models—lowering...

Instructions: There is no standardized, evidence-based dosing for asthma with skullcap alone. What exists are traditional TCM usages and a few clinical studies of multi-herb formulas that includ...

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but reported): Case reports and reviews describe herb-induced liver injury (HILI)...

Studies: Human trials of skullcap alone for asthma: None of high qual...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & immunomodulatory actions. Key licorice constituents (e.g., glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid and flavonoids like liquiritigenin/isoliquiritigenin) can dampen airwa...

Instructions: Common forms & typical adult doses (for cough/expectorant use):. • Tea (herbal infusion/decoction): 1.5–2 g of cut root in ~150 mL water, 2–4×/day, short-term. European Medicines A...

Warnings: Avoid if you have hypertension, cardiovascular, kidney or liver disease, or hypokalemia, or if you’r...

Studies: Randomized controlled trial, adults (Egypt; 80 participants;...

Why it works: What it is: Ephedra (a.k.a. ma huang) is a plant whose main active compounds are ephedrine-type alkaloids. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic that stimulates β-adrenergic receptors (br...

Instructions: For U.S.-labeled OTC tablets (examples: Primatene® Tablets; Bronkaid®): product labeling specifies indication (“temporary relief of mild symptoms of intermittent asthma”) and stric...

Warnings: Serious cardiovascular & neurologic risks (Ephedra supplements): The FDA banned dietary supplements...

Studies: Randomized trials (1970s):Children: Double-blind crossover t...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory pathway effects relevant to asthma. Curcumin down-regulates NF-κB and COX-2, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) that drive airway i...

Instructions: Forms & doses studied (examples from trials):. • 500 mg twice daily curcumin capsules for 30 days (add-on to standard therapy). Europe PMC. • 1,000 mg twice daily curcumin for ~6–8...

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but serious). Australia’s TGA investigated turmeric/curcumin products and found a...

Studies: Positive signal: A randomized trial in 77 mild–moderate asth...

Why it works: Targets leukotrienes (inflammation pathway central to asthma). A key boswellia constituent—AKBA (3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid)—directly inhibits the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enz...

Instructions: Form & standardization: Use an oral extract of Boswellia serrata (capsules/tablets). Many commercial extracts are standardized to boswellic acids (commonly ~30–40%); some specialty...

Warnings: Do not substitute for prescription therapy. If you have asthma, follow your clinician’s plan; discus...

Studies: Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (40 adults with chronic...

Why it works: Leukotriene pathway inhibition. Butterbur’s sesquiterpenes (petasin, isopetasin, neopetasin) inhibit leukotriene synthesis in human leukocytes—the same inflammatory pathway targete...

Instructions: There is no universally accepted or guideline-endorsed dosing for asthma. In the largest asthma study to date (open-label):. • Product: Petadolex® (PA-free butterbur root/rhizome C...

Warnings: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs): Raw butterbur contains PAs that are hepatotoxic, pulmonary-toxic, and...

Studies: Open, non-randomized trial (2004, n=80; adults & childre...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & immunomodulatory actions. The main bioactive, thymoquinone, down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress pathways relevant to asthma airway in...

Instructions: There’s no universally accepted medical dose, but two human trials give practical reference points:. Oil capsules (add-on):. • Dose: 500 mg black seed oil capsules, twice daily (to...

Warnings: Do not inhale or nebulize oils. Inhaling oily substances (including plant oils) can cause exogenous...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (oil, 4 w...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern → mechanism): MXSGT is a classic Shang-Han-Lun formula that clears Lung heat, disperses Lung Qi, and relieves wheeze. It’s traditionally used for heat-type w...

Instructions: Who it’s for (pattern differentiation):. • Consider only when the presentation fits Lung-Heat wheeze: fever (may be low-grade), thirst, cough/wheeze with thick yellow sputum, nasal...

Warnings: 1) Ephedra (Ma Huang) risks & legal status. • Ephedra-containing dietary supplements were banned by...

Studies: Asthma-specific evidence:Preclinical (animal/cell) evidence...

Why it works: Pattern + pharmacology fit. In TCM, Ding Chuan Tang treats wheeze/cough when phlegm-heat congests the Lungs with an external wind-cold constraint (typical signs: thick yellow sputu...

Instructions: Always work with a licensed TCM practitioner—this formula is pattern-specific and contains Ephedra and Ginkgo seed, which have real safety considerations (see warnings). Do not sto...

Warnings: Because Ding Chuan Tang contains Ephedra and Ginkgo seed, safety screening is essential.. Ephedra (M...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (children...

Why it works: TCM pattern & therapeutic goal. Bu Fei Tang is a classic formula for Lung-Qi deficiency—think chronic cough, shortness of breath on exertion, spontaneous sweating, easy colds. In T...

Instructions: Important: In TCM, use is based on pattern differentiation by a qualified practitioner. Bu Fei Tang is typically used between attacks, not during an acute asthma exacerbation.. • W...

Warnings: Not for acute attacks. Do not use Bu Fei Tang to treat an acute asthma exacerbation; seek guideline-...

Studies: Asthma context & TCM airway-remodeling evidence (umbrell...