Home Remedies for Asthma: The Science Behind 6 Natural Treatments

If you have asthma, you have probably tried many treatments to help manage and improve your condition. While inhalers, nebulizers, and oral medications can help, there are also many home remedies for asthma that can also be safe to try for added relief.

Here is a look at some natural remedies and whether they are effective against asthma symptoms.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of airways in the lungs. This leads to symptoms, such as:

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Tightness in the chest

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Asthma is very common and affects about 25 million Americans. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed with proper prevention and treatment.

Asthma is often treated by using prescribed treatments like inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids. Many natural home remedies can help keep asthma under control and make these treatments work better.

Natural and alternative remedies for asthma relief

Many natural remedies have been studied for the treatment of asthma. While you should always follow the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider, certain home remedies may help prevent asthma attacks and make living with asthma more manageable.

Generally, natural remedies are meant to be used in addition to prescribed medications, rather than on their own. Note that home remedies should not be used during an asthma attack, which is when asthma is at its worst and can be life-threatening.

Here are seven natural home remedies for asthma to discuss with your healthcare provider.

1. Modify your diet

Many foods can play a role in improving asthma symptoms. Since asthma is caused by inflammation, eating anti-inflammatory foods may help improve asthma symptoms. 

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Research suggests that adults with asthma who followed a diet high in antioxidants showed better lung function after 2 weeks compared to those who were assigned to a low-antioxidant diet.

Scientists carried out a similar study to see whether an antioxidant supplement would lead to the same results. But they only found better health outcomes with a high intake of fruits and vegetables rather than the supplement on its own.

2. Work towards or maintain a healthy weight

People with obesity, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, have a higher risk of having asthma than people at a lower weight. They also don't respond as well to medication than people at a lower weight. This may be because excess weight places more pressure on the chest, constricts the lungs, and makes it harder to breathe.

Fat tissue also makes chemicals that can trigger inflammation which can add to the risk of developing asthma and hard to control symptoms.

One study showed that those with obesity and diagnosed asthma experienced a 48% to 100% drop in asthma symptoms and the need for asthma medications. Weight loss was also associated with better lung function and a body that better responds to some asthma medications.

Losing weight can be difficult. But following a healthy, balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise are the most effective ways to do so. Working one-on-one with a healthcare practitioner like a registered dietitian can also offer extra support and help achieve a greater likelihood of weight management and the development of healthy behaviors.

3. Yoga and meditation

A small study found that practicing yoga daily helped people use less rescue bronchodilators. This yoga included a mix of:

• Simple postures, involving sitting and standing

• Slow breath

• Relaxation

• Calming of the mind

Current research does not prove that yoga eases asthma symptoms in all people, but it can be worth a try.

4. Breathing exercises

In addition to breathing practices done during yoga, other breathing exercises may also help with lung function. Targeted breathing techniques may help get rid of stale air in the lungs and boost oxygen levels, leading to better lung health.

Examples of breathing exercises for asthma may include:

• Pursed-lip breathing: This exercise involves breathing in through your nose and slowly breathing out for at least twice as long through your mouth using pursed lips. This can help reduce the number of breaths you take and keeps your airways open longer. 

• Belly breathing: This exercise also begins with breathing in through your nose and paying attention to how your belly fills up with air by placing your hands lightly on your stomach. Then, breathe out through your mouth for at least 2 to 3 times as long as you inhale. This can help retrain the muscle below your lungs, known as the diaphragm, to take on the work of breathing.

Even though these exercises may seem simple, they can take practice to master. The American Lung Association recommends around 5 to 10 minutes of practice every day. You can ask your healthcare provider about these and any other breathing exercises that might be appropriate for your specific condition.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine practice that has been gaining in popularity for the treatment of many diseases and conditions. It involves placing tiny needles on specific points of the body to improve blood flow, airflow, and possibly ease chest pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that acupuncture can be used as a complementary treatment for many diseases, including asthma. But, strong evidence is not yet available.

6. Caffeine

There is some evidence that caffeine may improve airway function for up to 4 hours in people with asthma. This may be because caffeine can act as a bronchodilator, which is something that helps you breathe easier by relaxing muscles in the lungs and widening the airways.

But, more studies are needed on the effects of caffeine and lung function. It’s not clear what dose of caffeine can actually help or how it should be taken to help with lung function. People should not drink more than the FDA recommended 400 mg of caffeine per day (which is about 4 to 5 cups of coffee).

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Joanna Foley, RD

Joanna Foley, RD, is a registered dietitian (RD) and the owner of joannafoleynutrition.com, a private nutrition consulting business. She has previously worked as a clinical dietitian and outpatient renal dietitian.

Edited by:

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC, is a health editor at GoodRx. She is a nutritionist and integrative nutrition health coach with over 8 years of experience in health communications.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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