Ginkgo biloba, which has been shown to expand the air passages in the lungs, is sometimes recommended to people with asthma. But Bielory points out that ginkgo biloba interacts with warfarin (Coumadin), a blood-thinning medication, and can make it less effective. Physicians also caution people about using ginkgo biloba in combination with aspirin, or other non-steroid anti-inflammatories, since it can intensify the potency of these drugs and lead to serious complications.
Asthma sufferers specifically should be wary of St. John's wort, a supplement often recommended for anxiety and depression. It may interact with oral asthma medications such as theophylline.
Stress reduction techniques, such as biofeedback and hypnosis, are relatively safe and free of side effects. Some studies, including one conducted by Marshall, have demonstrated that chronic anxiety and depression play a role in asthma. So stress management, Marshall says, from counseling to CAM approaches, may help certain patients control their asthma and perhaps their allergy symptoms.
What Now?
According to Bielory, the next step for many of these herbal supplements is clinical trials. But that may never happen since companies don’t have to submit trial data to the FDA; costly studies just aren’t a good investment for them. In the meantime, allergists can familiarize themselves with CAM treatments, and patients need to be open with their doctors about which therapies they are taking.
"Patients with asthma and allergies should insist on an open-mindedness in their practitioners about discussing complementary and alternative therapies," Marshall says. "If their healthcare practitioner is not open-minded, the patient should find someone who is."
