Positive Health Online

Abstract

BIELORY and LUPOLI, Asthma and Allergy Research Center, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 071032499 USA review (235 references) the role of herbal-based medicines in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis .

Background

Methodology

A comprehensive literature search was conducted through MEDLINE and from bibliographies of the identified papers. Studies pertaining to the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis were identified and analysed according to design, inclusion and exclusion criteria, population studied, variables, tested, methods of treatment and outcomes. The data were reviewed and divided on the basis of culture and the effects of medicinal plants in asthma and allergy.

Results

A number of studies supported the use of certain herbal medicines for asthma and allergy. Derivatives from specific medicinal plants were identified as the anti-asthma components and some mechanisms of action were explored. The results showed positive effects of these herbs upon bronchodilation, pulmonary function tests, and antagonism of asthma mediators, including histamine and platelet activating factor, corticosteroid levels and mucus clearance. Improved symptoms were also observed in patients with allergic rhinitis, specifically with histamine-induced reactions, e.g. rhinorrhea, sneezing and itching.

Conclusion

There is a role for certain herbal medicines for the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis, and use of herbal medicines has grown. Many of these medicines provide relief of symptoms equal to allopathic medicines. Specific chemical derivatives have been isolated from many of these plant products which act upon the mechanisms and mediators causing asthma and allergies. The amount of research with these products is limited, and there is a lack of control of quality and quantity of the components within these remedies, which may have fewer side effects than current therapy. By continuing to investigate the mechanisms of action of these herbal medicines, we may be able to discover additional effective medicines to treat asthma and allergies.

References

Bielory L and Lupoli K. Herbal interventions in asthma and allergy. J Asthma 36(1): 1-65. 1999.

Comment

There is considerable and impressive breadth regarding the research being conducted about a wide variety of complementary therapies for a large number of conditions. As the data from these studies become available to the wider healthcare professional communities, we will see progressively greater use of complementary therapeutic treatments and natural products amongst medical professionals, as well in the public at large.