Asthma sufferers who take herbal remedies appear to use their inhalers less and experience worse symptoms than their non-herb-using counterparts, a new study shows.
For the study, researchers surveyed 326 adults with persistent asthma who received care at inner-city outpatient clients. The researchers asked survey respondents about their use of complementary and alternative medicine (such as teas and herbs) in treatment of their asthma over the past six months, finding that 25.4 percent of patient reported herbal remedy use.
In analyzing data on the study participants, the scientists found that use of herbal remedies was linked to decreased use of inhalers--as well as more severe asthma symptoms. Herbal remedy users were also more likely to worry about the side effects of standard asthma medication.
In order to ensure optimal management of asthma symptoms, the study's authors encourage physicians to routinely ask asthma patients about their use of complementary and alternative medicine.
Past studies have shown that remedies such as omega-3 fatty acids and bromelain --as well as alternative therapies like acupuncture--may be of some benefit to people with asthma.
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