Dr. WeinerNutrition EPE 535July 18, 2014

Herbal Supplements Treating Asthma

Heather Michel

McDaniel College

Objectives:

1) To inform about the condition called asthma2) To show non-Western herbal treatments for

asthma3) To describe many of the herbs used in treating

asthma4) To relate the research to my personal life

Herbal Supplements Treating Asthma

›About 20 million Americans have asthma, including 9 million children. In fact, asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness. About half of all cases develop before the age of 10, and many children with asthma also have allergies.

Asthma is a big problem

› Non-allergic asthma does not involve the immune system. Attacks can be triggered by stress, anxiety, cold air, smoke, or a virus. Some people have symptoms only when they exercise, a condition known as exercise-induced asthma.

› In allergic asthma, an allergic reaction to an inhaled irritant -- pet dander, pollen, dust mites -- triggers an attack. The immune system springs into action, but instead of helping, it causes inflammation. This is the most common form of asthma.

Asthma can either be allergic or non-allergic

› According to RCHM, the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, (1987),

› “Asthma is a respiratory disorder characterized by constriction and inflammation of the air passages. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, breathing difficulty, and/or tightness in the chest.”

In this case, asthma is reduced from a chronic disease with no

cure to a disorder with symptoms.

› According to NIH, the National Institute of Health, (2012),

› “Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing, often at night or early in the morning. Asthma has no cure. Even when you feel fine, you still have the disease and it can flare up at any time. The exact cause of asthma isn't known. Researchers think some genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma, most often early in life.”

What is asthma and how is it treated?

In light of insufficient Western knowledge and treatment options of asthma, many people are looking to herbal supplements to help clear up their ailment.

› Chinese Herbs for Healing (2012) states,

› “Chinese medicine believes that the root cause lies in deficiency combined with underlying chronic phlegm in lung… and adverse rising of lung Qi, which in turn induce these symptoms and signs. Clinically it divides into the attack stage and chronic remission stage, in which different herbs for asthma should be used respectively.”

Asthma’s cause and treatment

› The status of herbs changed in the United States with the passage of Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994(DSHEA). This law created a new category called "Dietary Supplements" which includes herbs. These substances are not food additives, nor are they drugs. It allows manufacturers to publish more complete directions for use than previously allowed including warnings, contraindications, and side effects. It also allows manufacturers to publish limited information regarding the benefits in the form of "Statements of Nutritional Support" and "Structure and Function Claims”. (Bass & Young, 1996)

Herbs are Dietary Supplements

› According to the RCHM (1987), “There is a growing body of research which indicates that traditional uses of plant remedies and the known pharmacological activity of plant constituents often coincide.”

Herbs and Pharmaceuticals often coincide

Bala

nced • Because of the

complexity of plant materials, it is far more balanced than medicine based on isolated active ingredients and is far less likely to cause side-effects. Co

mbi

natio

ns • Because herbs are typically prescribed in combination, the different components of a formulae balance each other, and they undergo a mutual synergy which increases efficacy and enhances safety. Co

rrec

t Im

bala

nces • Herbal medicine

seeks primarily to correct internal imbalances rather than to treat symptoms alone, and therapeutic intervention is designed to encourage this self-healing process.

Herbal medicine is distinct from medicine based on pharmaceutical drugs

› Traditional Chinese Medicine is not the only herbal option for asthma patients. There are minerals and plant parts used by many cultures around the world throughout the ages, though some of them are included in TCM as well.

Herbal Options

According to GreenMedInfo.com (2013), "The seeds of the annual flowering plant, Nigella Sativa, have been prized for their healing properties since time immemorial. The earliest record of its cultivation and use come from ancient Egypt. Black seed oil, in fact, was found in Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb, dating back to approximately 3,300 years ago.”

BLACK SEEDA remedy for everything except death, according to Prophet Muhammed (SAWS)

Black Seed's medicinal use has a very rich traditional history that goes beyond ancient Eygptian and Biblical times. Some sources suggest that a biblical reference to it is noted in the Old Testament (Isaiah 28: 25, 27). Research suggests that it was used as early as the 5th century B.C. by Hippocrates and by Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides. For centuries, the Black Seed herb and oil have been used by millions of people in Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa to complement their health. Black Seed is grown in various countries and therefore known by many names such as Black Cumin (Egypt), Black Caraway (Turkey), Kalonji (India/Pakistan), Habbatul Baraka or the Blessed Seed (Middle East), among others.

BLACK SEEDA remedy for everything except death, according to Prophet Muhammed (SAWS)

While frequently referred to among English-speaking cultures as Roman coriander, black sesame, black cumin, black caraway and onion seed, it is known today primarily as black seed, which is at the very least an accurate description of its physical appearance. Ever since its introduction to the United States in the late 1980's, it has been commonly referred to as 'Black Seed' or 'Black Cumin' and often used as a spice in traditional Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern and Persian cuisines.

BLACK SEEDA remedy for everything except death, according to Prophet Muhammed (SAWS)

Historically, Black Seed has been used for headache, toothache, nasal congestion, intestinal worms, “pink eye”, abscesses, and parasites. Today, Black Seed is used for treating digestive tract conditions including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu, swine flu, and congestion. Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, treating cancer, and boosting the immune system. Women use Black Seed for birth control, to start menstruation, and to increase milk flow. Traditionally, it has been used to bolster vitality, aid digestion, respiratory, kidney, liver, inflammatory and circulatory support.

BLACK SEEDA remedy for everything except death, according to Prophet Muhammed (SAWS)

Highly aromatic and spicy, this tiny seed and its fixed oil is used for a variety of supportive health benefits to help restore the natural balance of the body's vital organs and strengthen its natural defenses. While it is remarkable that this seed has the ability to positively modulate so many different biological pathways, this is actually a rather common occurrence among traditional plant medicines (Ji, 2013).

BLACK SEEDA remedy for everything except death, according to Prophet Muhammed (SAWS)

Reishi mushroom is a strong anti-inflammatory and immune regulating herb. Whole Reishi mushrooms can be used in foods; otherwise you can use Reishi in the form of a concentrated herbal tincture. (Rouse, 2013) It is non-toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects. When it is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally. Generally, Reishi is recommended as an adaptogen, immune modulator, and a general tonic. Red Reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma.

REISHI MUSHROOM In Chinese medicine, Reishi is reported to help strengthen the lungs

The role of Red Reishi in maintaining a healthy lifestyle can best be explained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view because none of the known active components taken alone is as effective as the consumption of Reishi itself. Reishi is an important adaptogenic herb in TCM in helping the body maintain this balance and also restore the balance when one is sick.

REISHI MUSHROOM In Chinese medicine, Reishi is reported to help strengthen the lungs

The major scientific study published in the 2004 issue of "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" shows that tangerine peels have more powerful health benefits than the juice and could have significant potential for lowering cholesterol in people. Reporting on the study, Science Daily explains that the peels were found to contain 20 times the antioxidants in juice.

TANGERINE PEELSThe peels are healthier than the fruit

Radish and turnip seeds make up Lai Fu Zi in Chinese Herbal Medicine. It descends lung qi and reduces phlegm, thereby eliminating chronic cough or wheezing due to excess syndromes. Zhang Xi Chun, the famous physician in 19th century, was full of praise for this herb and believed that it should be good at transforming qi, instead of breaking qi as it had widely been thought to be.

RADISH AND TURNIP SEEDSThe force that can collapse the walls, according to ancient herbalists

The physicians of both ancient Greek and ancient Roman civilizations, including the father of medicine Hippocrates, used mustard seed medicinally. Some people apply white mustard directly to the affected area for cough and colds and chest congestion.

WHITE MUSTARD SEEDSprobably originated in the Mediterranean region

The fruit is used to treat phlegm obstruction in the lungs causing cough, chest congestion, dyspnea, and sticky sputum that is difficult to expectorate. It also clears phlegm to open the orifices, clears heat toxin, and shrinks swelling according to Tom Leung, founder of Kamwo Herbal Pharmacy.

CHINESE HONEY LOCUST FRUIT Zao Jia(o), in Chinese, warms and resolves cold-phlegm and stops cough

The herb both encourages the Lung qi to flow more easily and directs it downward. It is important for treating either externally-contracted or internally generated wheezing. It is also used for deep-rooted toxic sores without a head caused by localized accumulation of dampness (or phlegm) and cold, which prevents nourishment from reaching the area, and thereby causing a breakdown in the tissues. Combined with herbs that restore nourishment, the warm, dispersing nature of Ephedrae Herba can be instrumental in breaking up the congealing of the gathered yin pathogens, thus allowing nourishment to reach the area and repair the tissues.

EPHEDRAE HERBA Má Huáng disseminates and facilitates the Lung qi, calms wheezing, and stops coughing due to wind-cold obstructing the Lungs

Based on the SloanKettering Cancer Center, studies on mice indicate that astragalus may inhibit airway hyper-reactivity that happens in cases of allergic asthma. An animal study utilizing the traditional Chinese Uighur asthma medicine Ravan Napas demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects (compared to the control group) in the asthmatic rats. This formula used A. mongholicus in combination with hyssop, fennel, safflower, turnip mustard, mallow, red date, and tienshan violet. (Abdureyim, 2011)

ASTRAGALUScould also have benefits against allergic asthma

The Fritillaria bulb is best for cough with stifling sensation in the chest and upper abdomen (constrained qi). “Fritillaria refers to the bulb (corm) of Fritillaria cirrhosa or Fritillaria thunbergii of the Lily Family (Lilaceae). The Chinese name, Bei Mu, refers to the appearance of the bulb being similar to that of the cowry shell (bei) of which the plant is the source (mu = mother). Chuan Bei Mu is the smaller fritillaria bulb from the Chuan province. Also in this category is Zhe Bei Mu which is the larger bulb from Zhe province. Fritillaria cirrhosa, known as Chuan Bei Mu (chuan = from Sichuan Province) has a very small corm which is considered superior, in terms of medicinal benefits, to that from Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu; mainly from Zhejiang Province) which has a larger corm.

FRITILLARIA bulb clears heat, transforms phlegm, and stops many types of cough

In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, people who took boswellia had fewer attacks and improved lung function. Boswellia may help leukotreine modifiers work better.

BOSWELLIA an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian system of health care

A few preliminary studies suggest that inhaledforskolin powder seemed to relieve symptoms, but more research is needed to know for sure. People who have diabetes or thyroid conditions should not take forskolin. If you take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), taking forskolin may increase your risk of bleeding. Pregnant women should not take forskolin. Forskolin interacts with calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan), nifedipine (Procardia), and diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor) and with nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, and Nitrostat) and isosorbide (Imdur, Isordil, and Sorbitrate).

COLEUS FORSKOHLII an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian system of health care

NUTRIENTSSubstances that are essential for growth and good health

Magnesium has been shown to have a

bronchodilating effect

Selenium has been shown to be

anti-inflammatory

ZincLabile Zn plays a major role in the control of inflammation via a

number of mechanisms

Vitamin Cchildren with asthma had significantly less wheezing when they ate a diet rich

in fruits with vitamin C

Omega-3fish oil supplements may reduce inflammation and

symptoms

› In conclusion, this issue affects me personally as my 4-year-old daughter had an unexpected asthma exacerbation a few months ago. We didn’t even know she was prone to asthma, except that she had trouble breathing in two unrelated incidents the year before. It was assumed that she was simply allergic to mold and dog hair during those incidents. I have since done much research and found that most accounts of Western medicine include something similar to the statement, “The cause for asthma is unknown, and therefore it is difficult to cure.” It is in the realm of alternative medicine, specifically Traditional Chinese Medicine, that I found theories on the cause and cure for asthma.

Conclusion

› The herbal supplements recommended in TCM are available in the United States and are widely prescribed by licensed Chinese Herbalists. Whereas Western medicine focuses on the cure after the disease has already occurred, TCM, established over 2,000 years of human observation, focuses on disease prevention by sustaining the right balance within the body through proper nutrition, exercise, and meditation.

Conclusion

› Embedded in an abstract of a scientific study led by Büyüköztürk (2005) is found this statement: “Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) is known to have beneficial effects on a wide range of diseases including asthma. However, the mechanism of action in asthma and other allergic diseases is not entirely clear.”

› This statement about Black Seed sums up the current Western thought-process concerning herbal supplements: they work really well, but we don’t know why. For millions of patients, why doesn't matter, as long as it works.

Conclusion

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