• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Contact Me
  • About

azmacare

breathe easier naturally

  • Asthma Treatment & Management
  • Asthma Triggers & Causes
  • Asthma Medications
You are here: Home / Archives for Asthma Treatment & Management

Asthma Treatment & Management

ASHMI Clear Breathing with Chinese Herbs

ASHMI Chinese Herbal Asthma Treatment
Chinese Herbs and Herbal Remedies Can Be Effective in Treating Asthma Symptoms

If you suffer from asthma, you may want to swap your prescription medications for some powerful and effective Chinese herbs. Specifically, ASHMI asthma treatment. ASHMI stands for Anti-Asthma Herbal Medicine Intervention.

ASHMI is a combination of three Chinese herbal extracts: Lingzhi Mushroom (aka Reishi Mushroom), Kushen (aka Sophora Root), and Licorice Root (aka Gancao). ASHMI does not include Ma Huang, which is used globally as an asthma herbal remedy.

The original formulation of ASHMI was developed by Dr. Xiu-Min Li of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, in collaboration with Dr. Hugh Sampson, also from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, as a simplified version of a traditional Chinese herbal combination of 14 herbs known as MSSM-002. MSSM-002 was originally designed by Weifang Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.

My wife and I became interested in ASHMI after reading a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (vol. 116, issue 3) and from an article I found on Medscape.com titled: “AAAAI 2009: Chinese Herbal Preparations Show Efficacy Against Asthma, Atopy.”

The published study chronicles the results of an experiment conducted by researchers from Weifang Asthma Hospital and Weifang School of Medicine in China, along with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. The researchers reported that an oral combination of three Chinese herbs could be as effective as conventional asthma medicines — without the serious side effects!

The researchers were looking for an asthma treatment equally as effective as Corticosteroids, a common and conventional asthma treatment, minus the adverse side effects experienced by Corticosteroid users. Specifically, Corticosteroids have been shown to increase susceptibility to infection and slow growth rates in children.

91 patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma were admitted to the Weifang Asthma Hospital for a four week double-blind study. 45 of the asthma patients received 20mg of prednisone per day and placebo capsules resembling ASHMI. 46 of the asthma patients were given ASHMI along with placebo tablets resembling 20mg of prednisone.

ASHMI had a beneficial effect on both TH1 and TH2 cytokine levels and absolutely no adverse effects on adrenal function in the study participants

The results were very positive. ASHMI had a beneficial effect on both TH1 and TH2 cytokine levels and absolutely no adverse effects on adrenal function in the study participants. Additionally, the ASHMI group experienced significantly less gastric discomfort and no weight gain.

The effect of prednisone on lung function was reported by the researchers to be “slightly, but significantly greater” than that of ASHMI. But, the prednisone group experienced both significant weight-gain and gastric discomfort.

The researchers were “pleased” with the trial results and concluded that their findings “…show that ASHMI is effective and well-tolerated in nonsteroid-dependent patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma.”

As a result of the study findings, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) announced the funding of three “Centers of Excellence” which will explore therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbal mixtures.

One of the selected centers will be called the “Center for Chinese Herbal Therapy” located at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY and led by Xiu-Min Li, M.D. The researchers are responsible for investigating ASHMI as a therapy for allergic asthma. Studies of ASHMI will look at mechanisms of action in an animal model, characterize the herbs’ active components and investigate the formula’s use in human asthma patients.

[UPDATE]:

As a result of my research and specifically because of the study I mentioned above, I decided to try and buy ASHMI. The problem was, I couldn’t find it!

I got frustrated pretty early on in my quest, so I went to my neighborhood “Vitamin Shoppe” (brick n mortar store), bought Lingzhi Mushroom and Licorice Root supplements and made my own “homemade” mixture. (Unfortunately, I have yet to find sophora root in supplement form, although I did find that I could buy it in bulk).

Anyway, my family and I began to take our homemade supplements (along with Olive leaf extract and wild oregano) and have never looked back. We have had some pretty remarkable results and are very happy and thankful for Dr. Li and her continued research!

[UPDATE]:

I finally found something close!

Based on the original ASHMI study, the “Allergy Research Group,” which markets products under the name “Nutricology,” sell an asthma treatment supplement called Phytocort. Phytocort’s a proprietary blend of the Chinese herbs lingzhi mushroom, sophora root, and licorice root, found in Dr. Xiu-Min Li’s original ASHMI formulation described above, plus a fourth herb commonly known as noni (Morinda citrifolia), which wasn’t part of the original ASHMI formulation.

My wife and I have replaced our original homemade supplement mixture with the Phytocort supplements! (Better late than never, I guess!) 🙂

Where to buy Phytocort:
  • Phytocort on amazon
  • Phytocort on ebay

[UPDATE 10/23/10]: Below is a recent email exchange between Heather (my wife) and one of our readers. I thought you might be interested in reading it:

Hi – I read your article re ASHMI for asthma. Do you have asthma? How long did you try the Allergy Research Group Version? What we’re the changes (If any) you experienced? Would you use again? Why? Why not?

I am mother of 5 year old with multiple food allergies and asthma. Always seeking ways to healing.

Thanks

xxxxxxxxxx

==========================================================

Hi xxxxxxxxxxx,

My name is Heather. I’m Cody’s wife. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you, but I work in retail and have a very “uneven” schedule. Cody asked me to respond to your email personally, after he read it.

I suffer from severe asthma. At the end of 2004, I spent 4 days in the hospital because of a very severe asthma attack. The doctors tried everything for me: oxygen, nebulizer treatments, everything. They slowly raised my “blood oxygen level” over the course of those four days, but I never reached above the “60’s.”

I was very thankful to have made it out of the hospital alive and breathing, but I (& Cody even more) was also determined to do some research to see if I could find something natural that could help me breathe better and keep me out of the hospital better than the medication I was taking.

At the time I had my severe attack, I was taking advair everyday. I also used my albuterol inhaler once or twice a day, everyday and was administering nebulizer treatments to myself several times a month.

Then everything really changed! Cody discovered ASHMI, but hadn’t yet discovered phytocort. He put together a “homemade” recipe with supplements he bought from vitamin stores. That’s when I started taking lingzhi mushroom extract, licorice root extract, olive leaf extract and wild oregano supplements.

Since I began the supplementation about 3 years ago, I have received very dramatic benefits and no side effects (as far as my doctor and I can tell). I have not had to take any Advair. I have only used my albuterol inhaler two or three times a year over the past three years (during the fall of each year). I can’t remember the last time I’ve had to administer a nebulizer treatment, but it’s definitely been over 2 years.

I still carry my albuterol with me everywhere I go, because I’m scared to death of not having it, if I ever needed it.

I take two capsules of phytocort and one each of the olive leaf extract and wild oregano supplements, twice a day.

I’ve been taking the phytocort for almost a year. Before phytocort, I was taking my homemade supplement recipe for about two years. I like taking the phytocort because the ingredients are already packaged into one supplement and it’s cheaper to buy one bottle of phytocort than putting all of the supplements together myself. I honestly have not noticed a difference in my breathing between my homemade supplement mixture and the phytocort.

I tell everyone that asks me to NOT expect the same results I’ve experienced. I’ve learned that individuals experience different results and side effects from taking the same supplements and medications. So, please DO NOT expect the same results that I have experienced.

I hope that my email has answered some of your questions (I’ve tried my best). I also hope that you continue to research progressive asthma treatments and that you find one or more that may work for your child.

Thanks for visiting our site and all my best.

~ Heather

Where to buy Phytocort:
  • Phytocort on amazon
  • Phytocort on ebay

Mullein – The Velvet Asthma Soother

Mullein for Asthma
Mullein has been used in the treatment of asthma for centuries

Mullein (which rhymes with sullen), with its striking yellow leaves, has a long history as a healing herb. It gained a reputation as a respiratory remedy very early and which endures to this day.

Mullein was introduced to the North American continent by English colonists. It was quickly adopted by Native American tribes for treating coughs, bronchitis and asthma. In addition to treating asthma, coughs and bronchitis with Mullein, the English Eclectics prescribed it for treating tonsillitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids and urinary tract infections.

Contemporary herbalists recommend Mullein internally for treating coughs, colds, sore throat and a myriad of other respiratory complaints.

Mullein grows everywhere and is particularly hard to miss. It is a weed with a rod like stem, velvety leaves, and striking yellow flowers. Before the discovery and use of cotton, Mullein leaves and stems were used by the ancients as candle wicks — hence the adoption of the name ‘Candlewick Plant.’

Mullein’s proponents consider it a powerful bronchial congestion remedy and, at least for some asthma sufferers, has produced immediate and pronounced beneficial effects. Mullein, taken in teas and fruit juices, has been effective in immediately relieving asthma attacks in some asthma sufferers. Unfortunately, it has also resulted in absolutely no benefit or relief for other asthma sufferers.

Scientists have been unable to isolate why Mullein is so selectively effective for treating asthma in some people, while having absolutely no effect with others.

If you’re an asthma sufferer that hasn’t tried Mullein, you may want to. If you’re a part of the selective group that benefits from its properties, you can enjoy immediate relief from asthma attacks by drinking Mullein Tea or mixed in your favorite or drinking your favorite fruit juice mixed with Mullein Extract.

Mullein is available for sale all over the world. It is available as an oil, dried leaves (for making Mullein tea), and as a tincture. Mullein is also known as: Candlewick Plant, Torches, Velvet Dock, Flannel Plant, Feltwort, Aaron’s Rod, Shepherd’s Staff, Lungwort.

Where to buy Mullein:
  • Mullein Extract on Amazon.com
  • Mullein Supplements on Amazon.com
  • Mullein on Ebay.com

Lingzhi Mushroom of Immortality

Lingzhi aka Reishi Mushroom
Three Brightly Colored Lingzhi aka Reishi Mushrooms

Lingzhi mushrooms enjoy a worldwide reputation, as the ultimate herbal substance. In Chinese, lingzhi means “herb of spiritual potency.”

Lingzhi mushroom has successfully been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years and is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality.”

Lingzhi mushrooms are one of the oldest and most effective mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine.

They have been effectively used as anti-inflammatories, antivirals, anti-parasitics, anti-fungals, anti-diabetics and anti-hypotensives.They have also been shown to effectively lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Lingzhi Mushrooms for Asthma

Numerous studies of Lingzhi mushrooms have established their effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and symptoms. The reason I have written about them here (and take them myself), is because of their ability to strengthen the respiratory system and their healing effect on the lungs. It has been shown that Lingzhi mushrooms are particularly beneficial for individuals with asthma, cough and other respiratory complaints.

In an article entitled, “Medicinal Mushrooms”, published in the January/February 1997 Issue of Herbs for Health, written by Christopher Hobbs, a population study conducted in the 1970s is offered as validation confirming this claim.

The article describes a population study conducted on more than 2000 Chinese with chronic bronchitis. They were instructed to consume Lingzhi mushroom syrup over a period of two weeks. Approximately 90% of this population reported significantly improved breathing as well as improved appetite.

Lingzhi mushrooms have also been successfully used in cardiovascular treatment, in bronchitis prevention, in the treatment of high blood pressure, hepatitis, HIV support, fatigue, allergies, chemotherapy support, altitude sickness, and high triglycerides. Due to the presence of triterpenes, lingzhi mushrooms are understood as an adaptogenic, anti-allergenic and anti-hypertensive.

Lingzhi mushrooms are soft, corky, and flat polypores. They have a kidney shaped, red varnished cap. Lingzhi mushrooms lack gills on their underside, and instead depending on their age, have white to dull brown fine pores, which they use to release their spores, the very reason their morphological classification is polypores.

Lingzhi mushrooms are classified into six categories, according to The Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, depending on their respective shape and color. Each of the six categories is said to nourish a different part of the body:

  1. White Lingzhi Mushroom – Lungs and skin
  2. Black Lingzhi Mushroom – Kidneys and Brain
  3. Green Lingzhi Mushroom – Liver
  4. Purple Lingzhi Mushroom – Joints
  5. Yellow Lingzhi Mushroom – Spleen.
  6. Red Lingzhi Mushroom – Heart

Lingzhi mushrooms can be consumed in high doses with other medications due to their generally slight side effects. Lingzhi has been shown to enhance the immune system and lessen nervous tension, which may help normalize and balance the body.

Lingzhi mushroom formulations are easily prepared. Simmering thinly sliced or pulverized Lingzhi mushrooms in a pot of boiling water for two hours is the traditional method. The resulting liquid is normally bitter in taste, with the less active black Lingzhi mushroom tasting less bitter than the more active red Lingzhi mushroom. The liquid can also be used to make an extract in liquid, capsule, or powder form, and be added to a formula decoction.

Some studies have shown that long-term use of Lingzhi mushrooms (approximately 4 months) can result in very mild side effects. These have included stomach upset, nosebleed, and dryness of the nasal passages, mouth and throat. These side effects were completely avoided by discontinuing the use of Lingzhi mushrooms for approximately 1 month after taking them for four months, then taking them again for four months.

Lingzhi mushrooms are available for sale all over the world. Both polysaccharides, and triterpenoids are available as a hot water extract and an alcohol extract. Lingzhi mushroom extracts may also be called reishi, reishi mushroom, ganoderma, ling zhi, and ling-zhi.

Where to buy Lingzhi Mushroom extract:
  • Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushroom Extract on LifeExtension.com
  • Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushroom on Amazon.com
  • Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushroom on Ebay.com

[UPDATE]: I’ve written an article about an herbal asthma treatment called “ASHMI Clear Breathing With Chinese Herbs” which describes how Dr. Xiu-Min Li of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York combines Lingzhi Mushroom with three other herbs to produce a natural and effective asthma treatment. It’s a good read.

IQAir HealthPro Plus Review for Asthma Sufferers

IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier Line
The IQAir HealthPro Plus Family of Air Purifiers

The IQAir HealthPro Plus (also known as the IQAir Health Pro 250 outside of the US) is a highly effective portable air purification system for asthma sufferers. It isn’t the cheapest. It isn’t the prettiest. It isn’t the smallest. But, if you’re looking for a portable unit that will effectively clean the air inside your home, do yourself a favor & please consider this air purifier.

When I started, I was searching for an air purifier that didn’t sound like a jet engine, wouldn’t take up half a room, wouldn’t spew ozone & would clean the air in my home.

My criteria list included the following:

  • Effectiveness (how small a particle would be filtered)
  • Price (important up to a point)
  • Room size (my main living area is a large open space which includes a living room, dining room & kitchen)
  • Reputation (reviews & published test results)
  • Noise (DO NOT want a jet engine)
  • Replacement Filter Costs (important up to a point)
  • Resale Value (not that important to me, but worth considering)
  • Other Features (NO ozone (VERY important), UV (not important for me), Remote Control (not important for me))

As clean air is hard to come by these days, there seems to be hundreds of models of air purifiers from all over the world to choose from. Each of them promising me the cleanest air possible, in the quickest time possible, in near silence. How to choose?

I honestly didn’t know, so I went looking for folks that lived in one of the most polluted places on earth, Beijing, China. I wanted to find out what brands (if any?) they used to clean the air in their homes.

I ended up discovering two articles worth mentioning: one from the New York Times titled: “U.S. Embassy Stocks Up on Air Purifiers” & the other was from an English Doctor who’s lived in Beijing for over 7 years titled: “Air Purifier Reviews: Airgle versus IQAir and Blueair”. I weighed the article from the doctor higher because he’s been trying to protect his infant son’s lungs from the insane pollution in Beijing.

So there they were, three choices from a list of hundreds: IQAir, BlueAir & Airgle. I decided to focus on the three flagship models from the respective manufacturers’ lineups. I had some money put away for this purchase & I figured the top models would offer the most effective filtration, which after some quick research seemed to be the case.

Below are the three air purifiers I was comparing:

IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier

IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier
IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier

 

  • Effectiveness: Filters Particles to 0.003 microns
  • Room size: 1,125 Sq. Ft.
  • Reputation: Great Reviews
  • Noise: 35 to 69 dB(A)
  • Resale Value: Strong
  • Other Features: NO Ozone

 
 
 

Airgle PurePal Clean Room Air AG900

Airgle PurePal Clean Room Air AG900
Airgle PurePal Clean Room Air AG900

 

  • Effectiveness: Filters Particles to 0.1 microns
  • Room size: 698 Sq. Ft.
  • Reputation: Great Reviews
  • Noise: 33 to ?? dB(A)
  • Resale Value: Strong
  • Other Features: NO Ozone

 
 
 

Blueair 650E Digital HEPASilent Air Purifier

Blueair 650E Digital HEPASilent Air Purifier
Blueair 650E Digital HEPASilent Air Purifier

 

  • Effectiveness: Filters Particles to 0.1 microns
  • Room size: 698 Sq. Ft.
  • Reputation: Great Reviews
  • Noise: 32 to 66 dB(A)
  • Resale Value: Strong
  • Other Features: NO Ozone

 
 
 
 
Ultimately, I chose the IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier based on three things:

  1. It’s priced in the middle
  2. It claims to filter out the tiniest particles (.003 microns)
  3. It claims to effectively filter the largest room size (1,125 sq. ft.)

Although, to be fair, it isn’t the quietest of the three at 35 to 69 dB(A) & the replacement filters are the priciest.

I encourage you to do your own research & decide on the best air purifying solution for you, your family & your home & I hope you have found some of the information in this article helpful to that end.

Where to buy the Air Purifiers mentioned above:
  • IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier on Amazon.com.com

Shuang Huang Lian

Shuang Huang Lian
Shuang Huang Lian is a powerful combination of over 29 beneficial herbs

Shuang Huang Lian is a Chinese herbal remedy that has long been used to effectively treat respiratory tract infections. Shuang Huang Lian formulations comprise at least 29 individual components.

It includes shuang hua (Lonicera japonica flower bud), (lian qiao Forsythia suspensa fruit), and huang qin (Scutellaria baicalensis).

Chinese doctors, medical practitioners and researchers tested shuang huang lian on infants hospitalized and suffering with acute bronchitis. The results included a rapid reduction of the acute bronchitis symptoms and a much shorter duration of the illness (Complementary Medicine for the Physician, June 1999). The results were astounding.

Shuang huang lian is not classified as an antibiotic and since the results of the study mentioned in the article, there has been a great deal of scientific interest and research delving into how and why it is such a quick and reliable reliever of acute bronchial suffering in infants.

Where to buy Shuang Huang Lian:
  • Shuang Huang Lian on Amazon.com
  • Shuang Huang Lian on Ebay.com
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

ASHMI Chinese Herbal Asthma Treatment

ASHMI Clear Breathing with Chinese Herbs

If you suffer from asthma, you may want to swap your prescription medications for some powerful … [Read More...] about ASHMI Clear Breathing with Chinese Herbs

Mullein for Asthma

Mullein – The Velvet Asthma Soother

Mullein (which rhymes with sullen), with its striking yellow leaves, has a long history as a … [Read More...] about Mullein – The Velvet Asthma Soother

Lingzhi aka Reishi Mushroom

Lingzhi Mushroom of Immortality

Lingzhi mushrooms enjoy a worldwide reputation, as the ultimate herbal substance. In Chinese, … [Read More...] about Lingzhi Mushroom of Immortality

Government Resources

  • CDC – Center for Disease Control & Prevention
  • Clinical Trials – A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  • EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • Medline Plus – A Service of the National Library of Medicine
  • NCCAM – National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health
  • NHLBI – National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
  • NIEHS – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Medical Resources

  • AAAAI – American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
  • AAFA – Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
  • American Lung Assocation
  • Asthma Page on Wikipedia
  • Mayo Clinic Asthma Articles
  • MedicineNet – Asthma Articles

Copyright © 2021 Azmacare.com | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | RSS | Sitemap