Herbal Remedies
The history of herbal remedies goes back to the days of the ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic societies. Today, herbal remedies can be purchased in a variety of retail establishments. But, unlike conventional asthma medications, you don't need a prescription to purchase them.
Fact
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal products the same way as prescription drugs. This means that herbal products do not have to meet standards for potency or purity required for prescription or over-the-counter medications in the United States. However, other countries, particularly those in Europe, do classify herbals as drugs.
This creates a double-edged sword. On one hand, herbal remedies are available to just about anyone who wants them. On the other hand, safety of the products can come into question due to improper labeling or possibly adulterated ingredients.
If considering the herbal route — and many people with asthma do — consider getting the assistance of a qualified naturopath or herbalist to help avoid the side effects of “going herbal.”
Herbs and Asthma
Herbal remedies are botanical products that come from any part of a plant. This can include the root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, or fruit of the plant. When they are sold, they may be packaged as teas, tablets, powders, liquids, or capsules. Quite a few have been touted for their abilities to help with asthma symptoms.
In the adult market, herbal products have become very popular. These herbal products include: ginkgo biloba, green tea, licorice root, and black tea. However, these herbs do not have the scientific evidence behind them to recommend them for children under age eighteen.
Reviewing the Facts
The FDA classifies herbs (along with vitamins) as dietary supplements rather than drugs. Therefore, herbs are not subject to the same regulations as prescription drugs. The FDA, though, can remove an herbal product from the market if it finds it unsafe or makes false claims.
While the federal government also requires that herbal products carry labels to state how they affect the body, they are not required to carry health warnings. The labels, though, are not permitted to list any medical or health benefits.
Sometimes, various products may contain “hidden ingredients” — unnamed medicines such as steroids, anti-inflammatories, or sedatives — that act to reduce your symptoms. Although not common, individuals could experience toxic — and sometimes lethal — effects from improperly labeled herbs.
If you decide to use herbal supplements for your child's asthma, keep several points in mind:
Make sure you have received an accurate diagnosis from a licensed health care provider.
Speak to your child's health care provider about advice on using any specific herbal remedies — keeping in consideration your child's age, weight, and other pertinent factors.
Find out if the products have been tested for safety and effectiveness.
Avoid preparations made with more than one herb.
Contact a health care provider if your child experiences an effect that concerns you.
If you use supplements, do not increase the dose or treatment time beyond the recommended period.
Ask what is known from scientific studies (published in peer-reviewed journals) about the remedies in which you are interested.
Medline, an online database that is part of the NIH's National Library of Medicine, provides information on both herbal and dietary supplements. The Web site (
