How to Treat Asthma With Chinese Herbs

Asthma, referred to as "xiao chuan" in Chinese, is a chronic respiratory disease that restricts the airways and causes difficulty breathing, wheezing and tightness in the chest. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates that asthma affects 22 million Americans. Asthma is most prevalent during childhood and into adolescence, but many sufferers experience lifelong battles with asthma. Asthma is commonly treated with steroids, but Chinese medicine offers alternative herbal remedies that are used both to strengthen the body to prevent asthma attacks and to ease the symptoms of sudden attacks. The Chinese commonly associate asthma with immune deficiency and kidney or lung weakness so the common herbal remedies are aimed at these areas of the body.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup water
• Saucepan
• 1 teaspoon dried gingko biloba leaves
• Cheesecloth
• Small bowl
• Spray bottle
• Tea
• One teaspoon dried magnolia flowers
• One teaspoon dried rehmannia root
• ½ teaspoon dried don quai root
• 3 cups water

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Instructions

Throat Spray for Sudden Symptoms

• 1

  Bring the water to a rolling boil in the saucepan.

• 2

  Add the dried gingko biloba leaves and allow to steep for 15 minutes.

• 3

  Strain the gingko biloba through the cheesecloth over the small bowl.

• 4

  Allow the liquid to cool, then pour into the spray bottle.

• 5

  Spray liberally to the back of the throat during an asthma attack to open the bronchial tubes.

Tea for Asthma Prevention

• 6

  Bring water in saucepan to a rolling boil.

• 7

  Add dried herbs and steep for 20 minutes.

• 8

  Drink one cup of tea per day to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms.