European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

USE OF HERBAL MEDICINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA

Amit Kumar Das*, Susmita Basak, Dhrubo Jyoti Sen and Beduin Mahanti

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a common chronic disease with underlying inflammation of the airway. Advances in science have led to increased understanding of the heterogeneous nature of asthma and its complex mechanism. Asthma mainly affects the human respiratory system in which the airways constrict and become narrow. Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, asthma prevalence ered by them is mainly symptomatic and short lived. Moreover, the side effects of these drugs are also quite disturbing. Medicinal plants have been known for millennia and are highly esteemed all over the world as a rich source of therapeutic agents for the prevention of diseases and ailments. Herbs have been the highly esteemed source of medicine throughout human history. They are widely used today indicating that herbs are a growing part of modern, high-tech medicine. About 25-30 percent of today's prescription drugs contain chemical moieties derived from plants. The Indian system of medicine in Ayurveda along with classic texts like Bhaishajya Ratnavali has a long-standing tradition that offers a unique insight into a comprehensive approach to asthma management through proper care of the respiratory tract. Ayurvedic formulations used in the management of asthma, therefore, judiciously combine herbs to support the physiology of respiration, these herbs apart from exerting bronchial action also possess concomitant properties like antioxidant to support the digestive, cardiac, nerve functions and expectorant as well as just plain soothing herbs. Scientifically explored exhaustive reports have been published in Indian and International journals. Some of these herbs and their active chemical constituents which have a role in the management of asthma are compiled here and discussed in this review.

Keywords: Asthma, Herbal medicine, Herbs.