Asthma & Allergies

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Asthma and Allergies

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat respiratory and allergic conditions, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. TCM utilizes a holistic approach that aims to restore the balance and harmony of the body’s systems, rather than solely targeting specific symptoms or disease pathways.(Li, 2011)

Herbal Remedies for Asthma

‘TCM practitioners often prescribe herbal formulas to treat asthma. Some promising herbal interventions include:’

  • Anti-Asthma Herbal Medicine Intervention (ASHMI): A herbal formula made from three herbs – Astragalus membranaceus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Ganoderma lucidum. ASHMI has shown beneficial effects in clinical trials, improving lung function and reducing symptoms in adults with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.(Li, 2011)
  • Boswellia serrata: This Ayurvedic herb has been shown to significantly improve asthma symptoms and lung function after a 6-week course of treatment.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)
  • Saiboku-to (TJ96): A Japanese herbal formula that has been found to improve asthma symptoms, reduce steroid use, and decrease airway inflammation in asthma patients.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)

Herbal Remedies for Allergic Rhinitis

‘TCM has also been explored for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, with some promising results:’

  • Chinese Herbal Formulas: A mixture of 18 Chinese herbs and the formula ‘biminne’ have both shown significant efficacy in treating seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, respectively.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)
  • Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs: A combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs has been found to have a significant effect on symptom scores and quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)

Potential Mechanisms of Action

‘The active compounds in TCM herbs are thought to exert their effects through various mechanisms:’

  • Immunomodulation: TCM herbs like Ganoderma lucidum have been shown to modulate the immune system, regulating the balance of T helper cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg) to suppress allergic inflammation.(Li et al., 2021)
  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Many TCM herbs possess anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the production of inflammatory mediators like histamine, leukotrienes, and cytokines.(Hamidi et al., 2015)
  • Antioxidant activity: Some TCM herbs have potent antioxidant effects, which may help counteract the oxidative stress associated with allergic diseases.(Opara, 2004)

Safety and Regulation

‘While TCM offers a potential alternative or complementary approach to treating asthma and allergies, there are some important considerations regarding safety and regulation:’

  • Herbal remedies may contain pharmacologically active substances that can cause undesirable side effects, and there are risks of adulteration, incorrect preparation, and inappropriate dosing.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)
  • Interaction between TCM herbs and conventional medications is another concern, as this can modify the action of the conventional drugs.(Opara, 2004)
  • Regulation and quality control of TCM products is an ongoing challenge, with issues such as contamination and misidentification of herbal species being reported.(Opara, 2004)

Overall, while TCM shows promise in the treatment of asthma and allergic diseases, further high-quality research is needed to fully understand its efficacy, safety, and optimal integration with conventional therapies.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

‘In addition to herbal remedies, TCM also utilizes other complementary and alternative approaches for respiratory and allergic conditions:’

  • Breathing Techniques and Yoga: Practices like controlled breathing and yoga have been proposed to improve respiratory patterns in patients with chronic respiratory illnesses, but the evidence for their efficacy is mixed.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)
  • Chiropractic/Spinal Manipulation: Despite some early promising results, rigorous trials have generally failed to demonstrate a clinically relevant effect of chiropractic/spinal manipulation in asthma.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)
  • Homeopathy: The evidence on the use of homeopathy in allergic diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma, is inconclusive, with some positive and some negative studies reported. Overall, homeopathy cannot be recommended as an alternative to standard treatment.(Passalacqua et al., 2005)

Conclusion

‘In summary, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a promising, holistic approach to the management of asthma and allergic diseases. Several TCM herbal formulas and interventions have demonstrated beneficial effects in clinical trials, though further high-quality research is needed to fully understand their efficacy, safety, and optimal integration with conventional therapies. Complementary approaches like breathing techniques and yoga have also been explored, with mixed results. Given the complex nature of these conditions, a multi-faceted, integrative approach combining conventional and complementary treatments may be the most effective way forward.’

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