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Are there any alternative remedies for asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease in which the lungs react to "triggers" such as pollen, dust mites, or other irritants, including cold air. Stress and exercise can also trigger attacks. During asthma attacks the airways of the lungs become inflamed and constricted, causing wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest.

Some people with asthma have been found to have low levels of vitamin B6 and the minerals selenium and magnesium, but doctors don't know if taking these nutrients is helpful. Some people claim that the herb ginkgo can help relieve asthma symptoms, but no studies have proven its usefulness.

Without effective therapy, people with asthma risk serious episodes of airway constriction—asthma attacks—which can be fatal. So don't depend on ginkgo or other unproven therapies for treating this potentially serious condition. Be sure to discuss your asthma symptoms and treatment with your doctor before trying alternative therapies.

Sources:
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. William Morrow & Co., 1996.
Murphy, S. "Expert Panel Report 2: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma," National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1997.
Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician's Guide. Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1998.
The Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons, 1999.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 9/15/2000.
This information updated 12/20/2006.