Traditional Chinese Medicine for Asthma
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, asthma can be caused by qi deficiency in lungs, kidneys and spleen. Lungs open into the nose, qi deficiency make the lungs harder to move air in and out of the lungs, which leads to one of most common asthma symptoms, shortness of breath. Qi deficiency in kidneys will result in unable to receive or grasp air when breathing. Spleen is an essential organ in TCM. It is responsible for digestion and transforming food into essence, which transports to the lungs and other organs in the body. Qi deficiency in spleen can cause asthma when it is unable to transform and transport essence to the rest of the body.
Asthma attack can be triggered by many factors include allergy, infection, cold air, diet, emotional disturbances and pollution. TCM practitioners often offer acupuncture combined with herbal formula for asthma. After identifying the cause of asthma and what trigger the attacks, an herbal formula will be used based on your condition and constitution, along with a personalized acupuncture plan.
Chinese Herbs for Asthma
For qi deficiency in lungs and kidneys, Ding Chuan Tang, an herbal formula can be used. It contains herbs include Huang Qin, Bai Guo, Ma Huang, Xing Ren, Kuan Dong Hua, Gan Cao and more. Huang Qin (Chinese Skullcap) has been used in Chinese medicine for a variety of health conditions including asthma. It is used to reduce the frequency of asthma attacks at night. Other Chinese herbs that are considered beneficial for asthma include Bai Jie, Ku Shen, Ling Zhi and Xi Xin.
Acupuncture for Asthma
TCM practitioners believe that acupuncture can calm the body and relieve asthma symptoms. It should reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture has shown therapeutic effect on bronchial asthma, but for which further proof is needed (1). Some studies indicate that acupuncture may help reduce symptoms for some people with asthma, but not all studies agree. Acupuncture should be used in addition to, not as a replacement for conventional medicine. Acupuncture points for asthma are mostly located on the areas of the chest and back that are over the lungs. You can also try stimulating acupressure points for asthma on your own.
Quick knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine perspectives
