Herbal Treatments for Asthma Columbia SC

Would you consider trying a natural herbal remedy to treat your asthma symptoms? If so, you're not alone. This alternative approach has been gaining in popularity, but beware.  While some herbs and spices may help to relieve the discomfort of asthma, others can put you at risk for serious side effects.

The Benefits

A growing number of Americans are turning to natural remedies to treat various health problems. In fact, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that more than one-third of adults in this country turn to alternate treatments to address a range of conditions, including asthma.

Further, some natural herbal remedies today are helping asthmatics to feel better. In fact, a study conducted by researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City found that a Chinese herbal formula can effectively help block allergic reactions that cause asthma symptoms. The study findings, which appeared in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in February of 2004, reported that these herbs work in much the same way as corticosteroid drugs, but without causing the same side effects.

Buyer Beware

While these findings sound encouraging, before you reach for just any natural herbal remedy on the health food store shelf, it's essential to know that herbal remedies and spices aren't regulated in the same way as mainstream medications. The US Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety of prescription medicines , but they don't have the same stringent standards for herbs and other such supplements. Therefore, the experts warn that you need to keep beware when selecting natural options. Some choices may not be safe, while others could cause potential side effects and may even interfere with your prescription medications...

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