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Herbs And Essential Oils Used To Treat Asthma

 

Armando González-Stuart, Ph.D.; José O. Rivera, Pharm. D., 2017

 

Scientific Name

Common Name(s)

Part(s) Used

Form of Use

Comments

Agastache mexicana

Mexican giant hyssop, Toronjil

Stems, leaves

Tea

Safety for use during pregnancy not established.

Ammi visnaga

Ammi, Khella, Bihop´s weed, Biznaga

Leaves, fruits, and stems

Tea, capsules, extracts

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Plant constituents have anti-inflammatory and bronchial-dilating effects.

Astragalus membranaceus

Chinese astragalus, Membranous milkvetch, Huang Qi, Astrágalo chino

Root

Tea, capsules, extracts

Safety for use during pregnancy not established.

Coffea arabiga

Coffee, Café

Berries (beans)

Beverage

Contains methylxanthine (principally caffeine) compounds that have bronchial-dilating effects.

Datura spp.

Datura, Jimsonweed, Stramonium, Moonflower, Thorn Apple, Estramonio, Toloache

Whole plant

Tea, leaves (smoked)

Various species of Datura are toxic and hallucinogenic. Avoid use.

Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea, Purple Echinacea, Equinácea

Flowers

Tea, capsules, extracts

Safety for use during pregnancy not established.

Emblica officinalis

Amla, Emblica, Indian Gooseberry, Grosella espinosa de la India

The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, and seeds

Tea, capsules, syrups

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Leaves possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Ephedra sinica

Ma Huang, Chinese ephedra, Efedra china

Stems

Tea, capsules, syrups

Contains ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine, compounds that have bronchial-dilating effects. Safety for use during pregnancy not established.

Ephedra trifurca, E. nevadensis

Mormon tea, Té mormón, Popotillo, Canutillo

Stems

Tea

The American species of Ephedra do not contain ephedrine. Safety for use during pregnancy not established.

Eucalyptus spp.

Ecualyptus, Eucalipto

Leaves

Tea, syrups, essential oil

Avoid ingesting essential oil.

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel, Hinojo

Stem and leaves

Tea, syrups, essential oil

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Plant possesses antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory action.

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo, Maidenhair tree

Leaves

Tea, liquid extract, capsules

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Leaves possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Gnaphalium spp.

Cudweed, Gordolobo

Stems, leaves and flowers

Tea, syrups

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Should not be ingested for long periods of time due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be liver toxic and carcinogenic.

Lippia dulcis

Mexican lippia, Honey herb, Orégano, Tzonpelic- xihuitl

Leaves and stems

Tea, essential oil

Safety for use during pregnancy not established.

Lobelia inflata

Lobelia, Indian tobacco, Ojo de víbora

Leaves

Tea, extracts

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Avoid ingesting the plant in large doses, as it causes vomiting.

Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal, Poleo

Leaves, stems, and flowers

Tea, essential oil

Avoid use during pregnancy. Essential oil should not be used internally, as it is toxic to the fetus and the liver.

Origanum spp.

Oregano, Orégano

Leaves and stems

Tea, essential oil

Plant possesses antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory action. Use essential oil topically with caution. Essential oil should not be used internally unless under professional supervision.

Talauma mexicana

Yoloxóchitl

Leaves and stems

Tea

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Use for limited periods of time.

Thea sinensis

Green tea, Te´ Verde

Leaves

Tea, capsules, extracts

Contains theophylline, a compound that has bronchial-dilating effects.

Theobroma cacao

Cacao, Cocoa

Beans

Unsweetened beverage, extracts

Contains theobromine, a compound that has broncho-dilating effects.

Tussilago farfara

Colt´s foot, Fárfara

Leaves and flowers

Tea, syrups

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Should not be ingested for long periods of time due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be liver toxic and carcinogenic.

Verbascum thapsus

Mullein, Gordolobo

Flowers

Tea, syrups, capsules

Safety for use during pregnancy not established. Use for limited periods of time.

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