Herbs Treat Asthma 21
Herbal Supplements Treating Asthma
Heather Michel
McDaniel College
Dr. Weiner
Nutrition EPE 535
July 18, 2014
Herbal Supplements Treating Asthma
The word asthma comes from the Greek word for "panting." 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 can either be allergic or non-allergic. 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. 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. Descriptions of asthma differ significantly, depending on the medical perspective. 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.” Most of the descriptions by Western-thought organizations are similar to that of NIH. However, 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. 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 (symptom-free for very long periods), in which different herbs for asthma should be used respectively.”
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. The act also allows manufacturers to publish limited information regarding the benefits in the form of "Statements of Nutritional Support" as well as "Structure and Function Claims" (Bass & Young, 1996). Asthma sufferers may lessen their need for chemical treatments, prescription medications (steroids), and inhalers through lifestyle and dietary changes and nutritional 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. However, herbal medicine is distinct from medicine based on pharmaceutical drugs. Firstly, 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. Secondly, 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. Thirdly, 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. The RCHM believes that Chinese herbal medicine has a role to play in the treatment of respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis. In their chronic forms, they create great difficulty for conventional medicine, whilst Chinese Herbal Medicine has a great deal to offer.” TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, is not the only herbal option for asthma patients. There are nutrients and plant parts used by many cultures around the world throughout the ages, though some of them are included in TCM as well.
Black Seed was said to be “a remedy for everything except death” by the Islamic prophet Muhammed (SAWS). In Arab cultures, it is known as Habbatul barakah, meaning the "seed of blessing." According to GreenMedInfo.com (2013), "The seeds of the annual flowering plant, Nigella Sativa, have been prized for their healing properties since time immemorial. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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). According to WebMD, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that Black Seed might help boost the immune system and lessen allergic reactions by acting as an antihistamine, but there isn't enough information in humans yet. Others assert that many of Black Seed's traditionally ascribed health benefits have been thoroughly confirmed in the biomedical literature. The first modern study on Black Seed was published in 1959, and since then, hundreds of studies at international universities and articles published in various journals have shown remarkable results supporting the benefits and uses of Black Seed alone or combined with other complimentary herbs. In fact, since 1964, there have been 458 published, peer-reviewed studies referencing it. The benefits of Black Seed have been known for centuries by millions throughout the world, but recent studies suggest that two of the primary active ingredients in Black Seed, Nigellone and Thymoquinone, may relax breathing passageways and provide support for the respiratory tract. Amazingly Black Seed's chemical composition is very rich and diverse. It contains the phytochemicals thymoquinone and crystalline nigellone as well as anti-oxidants, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, fixed oils (EFA's 3/6/9), volatile oils, alkaloids, saponin, and fiber, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. There are still many components in Black Seed that haven't been identified and research is going on around the world to help shed more light into this remarkable little seed, according to Goreja (2013).
There was a study led by Asim (2010) to evaluate the effects of Black Seed oil (BSO) on ovalbumin (OVA) induced acute lung remodelling in E3 inbred rats. “Administration of BSO significantly reduced the level of allergen-induced lung remodelling. The effect of BSO on lung remodelling is probably mediated by the inhibition of arginase pathways and the expression of Edn1, MMP3 and growth factors. Our findings suggest that BSO might have useful implications in the treatment and future research into allergen-induced lung remodelling.” According to a study led by Shahzad (2009) to examine the effect of Black Seed oil as an immunomodulator in a rat model of allergic airway inflammation, “rats sensitized to ovalbumin and challenged intranasally with ovalbumin to induce an allergic inflammatory response were compared to ovalbumin-sensitized, intranasally ovalbumin-exposed rats pretreated with intraperitoneally administered black seed oil and to control rats… In conclusion, black seed oil exhibited a significant reduction in all the markers of allergic inflammation mainly by inhibiting the delayed type hypersensitivity and T-cell proliferation. The data suggests that inhibition of T-cell response may be responsible for immunomodulatory effect of black seed oil in the rat model of allergic airway inflammation.” GreenMedInfo carries a study led by Boskabady (2010) showing that Nigella sativa has potent antiasthmatic properties. The antiasthmatic (bronchodilatory) effect of the boiled extract of Nigella sativa in the airways of asthmatic patients was examined, and the results of the study showed that Nigella sativa has a relatively potent antiasthmatic effect on asthmatic airways. “Thymoquinone, one of the main active constituents within Nigella sativa (black cumin), is superior to the drug fluticasone in an animal model of asthma. Another study, this time in human subjects, found that boiled water extracts of black seed have relatively potent antiasthmatic effect on asthmatic airways." (Ji, 2013)
In Chinese medicine, Reishi is reported to help strengthen the lungs. 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) Red Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum), commonly known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, is an herbal mushroom known to have miraculous health benefits. 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. Red Reishi is primarily composed of water-soluble polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates), triterpeniods (ganoderic acids), and amino acids (proteins). Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions. Triterpenes are bitter in taste, and the level of the triterpene content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness. Regular consumption of red Reishi can enhance a body's immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving health conditions. A considerable number of studies in Japan, China, USA, and the UK in the past 30 years have shown that the consumption of red Reishi has been linked to the treatment of a vast range of diseases, common ailments, and conditions. (Rouse, 2013) From asthma to zoster, the applications of red Reishi seem to be related to a multitude of body organs and systems. 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. 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.
Another possible treatment for asthma is tangerine peels. 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. Antioxidants are chemical substances that neutralize the oxygen damage that can occur in human tissue. The high concentration of antioxidants in tangerine peel leads many natural health proponents and others to view the peel as a weapon in the fight against cancer (Crawford, 2014). Current thinking among scientific researchers is that antioxidants may protect human cells from damage caused by molecules called free radicals. That damage may lead to cancer. Thus, antioxidants may stop cancer from developing. Mao Shing Ni, a doctor of Chinese medicine, of Ask Dr. Mao, recommends the use of tangerine peel in tea and cooking. The list of health benefits includes aiding digestion, easing morning sickness in pregnant women and curing motion sickness. Other benefits include balancing blood sugar, activating liver detoxification, treating colds and flu and relieving stress.
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. Its healing ability is so powerful and instant that ancient herbalists often compare its efficacy to the force that can collapse the walls. 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. “In experiments radish seed extract has mitigatory but sustained antihypertensive effect, which is stable, reproducible and with no obvious toxicity and side effects. It destroys bacteria, eliminates phlegm, relieves cough, prevents asthma, improves urinary function, lowers cholesterol, prevents arteriosclerosis, and so on. Ancient herbalists believe that it shouldn’t be used along with ginseng as it would undermine the power of reinforcing deficiency. For the same reason, it can neutralize the abdominal distention caused by ginseng. However, experimental studies have shown that the combination of them had no influence on increasing mice’s anti-fatigue, anti-anoxia and anti-stress effects.” (Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1996, 5:300)