Certain herbs and spices, such as turmeric, ginseng, garlic, and traditional Chinese medicine blends, may help relieve asthma symptoms. However, they are not a substitute for medical treatment.

Herbs and spices contain beneficial plant compounds that may support your overall health and asthma treatment plan.

They may help with asthma symptoms by:

  • reducing inflammation in your body
  • reducing oxidative stress (an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in your body that may lead to cellular damage)
  • supporting your overall immune health

However, herbs, spices, and supplements are not a substitute for medical care. Severe asthma attacks can become life threatening. It’s important to work with your care team to build an asthma treatment plan that effectively manages your symptoms and to use prescribed treatments for acute asthma exacerbations.

Herbs that may benefit asthma symptoms range from those in your pantry to traditional Chinese medicine herbs.

Keep reading to learn about five herbs and supplements that some claim can relieve your asthma symptoms.

Combining herbs with your traditional asthma medications is known as complementary therapy. Using only herbal treatments without traditional medication is an alternative therapy. You shouldn’t use complementary or alternative therapies for asthma without talking with your doctor first.

Severe asthma management requires a combination of treatments to lessen and control symptoms. To effectively manage asthma, you’ll likely need to use prescription medications and lifestyle practices in addition to herbal remedies.

Keep in mind that all of these herbs require more scientific research to prove their effectiveness.

Using herbs for asthma can carry risks. Always follow your asthma treatment plan and discuss any changes to the plan with your doctor.

Remember the following before you begin taking any herbal supplements:

  • Lack of research: No herbal treatment has strong evidence supporting its efficacy in improving asthma symptoms or lung function. Also, a study showing efficacy in test tubes or animals doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for humans. The human body is complex, and research on specific herbs for asthma in humans is not always available.
  • Drug interactions: Some herbs may interfere with traditional asthma medications, cause complications, or make medications less effective. It’s necessary to discuss any herbal remedies you’re considering with a doctor before you start taking them.
  • Lack of regulation: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal supplements. This means they are not reviewed by any governing body or packaged with recommended doses. Supplements may be of poor quality or contaminated with other substances.
  • Side effects: Taking too much of certain supplements can potentially cause side effects, such as organ damage. However, this risk doesn’t typically extend to the amounts used in food.
  • Allergic reactions: Herbs can cause allergic reactions that can be life threatening.
  • Pregnancy and nursing: Taking certain herbs may not be safe if you are pregnant or nursing. Always talk with a doctor, such as an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), before using new herbs or supplements.
  • Use in children: Children may react differently to herbs and supplements. Do not give herbal supplements to children without talking with a doctor, such as a pediatrician.

You may already have this bright yellow spice in your pantry for cooking flavorful curries and other dishes. Turmeric gets its color from curcumin. This natural coloring agent may also reduce airway inflammation, according to a 2024 study in mice.

One 2014 study followed 77 participants with mild to moderate asthma who took curcumin capsules for 30 days. Researchers found that the supplement helped reduce airway obstruction and could be a helpful complementary treatment for asthma.

However, this is only one small study, and additional human research is needed to determine the benefits and risks.

Highly bioavailable supplement formulations of curcumin, which enhance the body’s ability to absorb the curcumin, or very high doses of turmeric, may cause side effects that may includeliver damage or toxicity. This risk is not associated with the amounts typically used in cooking.

Ginseng is a common herb and available in a variety of supplement forms.

Asian ginseng, or Panax ginseng, is a plant that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),may benefit immune health, including improving respiratory conditions.

The ginseng is often processed by drying it in the sun (white ginseng) or steaming and drying (red ginseng).

A 2020 animal study examined the effects of Korean red ginseng water extract on mice induced to have asthma. Their results suggest that fermented Asian ginseng may promote:

  • increased white blood cells
  • increased number of IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies
  • decreased inflammation

A 2022 study in mice suggests red ginseng may relieve allergic asthma by reducing lung inflammation and oxidative damage.

Ginseng is generally safe for short-term use, though some people report insomnia as a side effect. Long-term use may potentially have other side effects, including liver damage.

It’s possible to be allergic to Asian ginseng. Allergic reactions can cause a rash or other symptoms.

Asian ginseng may interact with medications, including those used to lower blood sugar. It may also interfere with blood clotting and affect autoimmune disorders. Talk with a doctor before using it if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking prescription medications.

It may not be safe for use in infants, during pregnancy, or while nursing.

Garlicis often associated with immune and cardiovascular benefits, like reducing cholesterol and blood pressure.

According to a 2022 review of research, garlic contains sulfur compounds with antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial benefits that may reduce airway inflammation.

The authors note that oxidative stress may be a potential cause of airway inflammation in asthma and may also cause the progression of airway inflammation. They suggest that garlic may potentially delay the progression of asthma alongside traditional asthma medications.

However, there hasn’t been human research on the benefits of garlic for asthma, so it’s unclear how effective garlic would be in practice.

There may be potential side effects of oral garlic supplements. These may include:

  • bad breath and body odor
  • abdominal pain
  • gas
  • nausea
  • allergic reactions

Garlic supplements may also interact with medications, including aspirin or blood thinners (anticoagulants). Because garlic may have some anticoagulant properties, it can increase the risk of bleeding if you are already taking these medications.

Garlic supplements may also not be safe for use during pregnancy, though consuming the amount of garlic typically used in food preparation is likely safe.

In the last few decades, researchers have studied the effectiveness of herbal combinations from traditional Chinese medicine for asthma.

One such combination is anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI). The modern formulation of this blend includes lingzhi (a mushroom), gan cao (licorice root), and ku shen (sophora root).

Proponents claim that this combination of herbs can reduce airway constriction and inflammation, and keep your cortisol levels up, unlike steroid medications.

The researchers behind a 2018 randomized controlled trial in 300 participants suggest that the ASHMI formula significantly improved lung function and acute asthma symptoms. They found that ASHMI appeared to be safe and well-tolerated.

Other combinations of Chinese herbs, such as modified Mai Men Dong Tang, may help manage asthma. A 2009 study of 100 participants with mild to moderate asthma noted that this herbal combination improved symptoms with no side effects. All participants used traditional Western asthma medications in combination with the herbs during the study.

Additional research is still needed to better examine the effects of these herbal preparations on people with asthma to better understand effectiveness and safety.

If you’re considering using traditional Chinese remedies for asthma in addition to your prescribed medications, it’s best to talk first with the doctor treating your asthma. It’s possible that ASHMI and other herbal preparations may interact with other medications you may be taking.

If you’re interested in trying Chinese traditional medicine, licensed acupuncturists are board certified in prescribing these herbs. You can find one through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Black seed, or black cumin seed (Nigella sativa), is available as a spice or oil. Some suggest that it has medicinal benefits, including reducing asthma symptoms.

According to a 2020 meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies, supplementation with Nigella sativa was associated with increased asthma control test scores. Still, it did not appear to influence peak expiratory flow rate, a measure of how fast a person can exhale.

Asthma control test scores include assessments of shortness of breath, nighttime waking, interference with activity, rescue treatment use, and a self-rating of asthma control.

Another 2020 review of research found similar effects on asthma control test scores. However, their results also suggest a potential benefit to forced expiratory volume, or the amount of air you can exhale in one second.

More research is still needed to better evaluate the efficiency of black seed on asthma and determine how much people with asthma would need to consume to receive the potential benefits.

Taking black seed oil or powder may be unsafe if you have liver or kidney disease. It’s best to talk with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Honey is a common folk remedy for viral and bacterial respiratory illnesses. It coats the throat and can reduce the irritation that causes coughing.

According to a 2021 review of research, it may also help with allergic issues, including allergic asthma, because of its effects on modulating inflammation.

A 2024 review of research suggests that apitherapy, using bee-related products like honey, propolis, and royal jelly, may help manage asthma by reducing inflammation, improving lung function, and helping repair the airways.

However, much of the research into honey’s benefits for asthma is based on animal studies, and additional research is needed to determine whether honey is an effective remedy for allergic asthma symptoms in humans.

Honey is generally safe in the amounts consumed in food.

However, honey is not safe for infants under 12 months. It can cause infant botulism, a potentially life threatening infection.

Do not consume honey if you have an allergy to it. While allergens are generally removed during processing, people with allergies to bee pollen or other types of pollen may potentially experience allergic reactions. This is more likely with unprocessed kinds of honey.

Honey is high in sugar and calories, so it’s best to moderate your intake. If you have diabetes, consuming honey may raise your blood sugar. It’s best to consume a small amount to see how it affects your levels.

Some people claim that herbal remedies can be helpful as additional asthma treatment, but all require substantial further research to confirm their benefits.

Make sure to talk with a doctor before adding any herbs to your asthma treatment plan. Adding herbs without your doctor’s guidance may worsen your asthma or cause other health complications.

It’s also important to note that herbal remedies should not be used as a substitute for asthma treatment but rather in addition to it.