In a recent review of five clinical studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal antiasthma remedies, a team of doctors from Mount Sinai School of Medicine concluded that these remedies may do a better job of balancing the immune system than standard Western medicine.
In these studies, Chinese herbs were used alone or in combination with Western medicine. The best-studied formulation consists of three herbs—gan cao (radix glycyrrhizae uralensis), ling zhi (ganoderma lucidum), and ku shen (radix sophora flavescentis)—and is called antiasthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI). In trials that that compared ASHMI with the corticosteroid prednisone for patients with asthma, both groups had significant improvement in lung function. The prednisone group showed slightly better improvement in lung function but gained an average of more than six pounds in four weeks of treatment. In addition, prednisone suppressed serum cortisol levels that were already below normal. The ASHMI group only gained an average of less than two pounds, and serum cortisol levels returned to normal in these patients.
Other TCM formulas studied include Ding Chuan Tang (Stop Wheezing Decoction), which improved airway stability as an add-on therapy; and modified Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogonis Decoction), which improved lung function when added to standard asthma therapy, as compared to standard asthma therapy plus placebo. Another trial found that patients used less standard asthma medication and had improved symptoms when taking a combination of modified Mai Men Dong Tang and Lui Wei Di Huang Tang (Rehmannia Six Decoction). A study of the single herb ku shen found that it reduced the need for inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists.
In practice, Chinese herbal formulas are tailored to individual need, so it is best to see a qualified practitioner of Chinese Medicine for proper treatment.
Sources:
http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2808%2902448-2/abstract
http://www.jacionline.org/article/PIIS0091674908031527/fulltext
http://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2010/02/09/traditional-chinese-herbal-medicine-asthma-allergies?page=0,0
