The medical establishment thinks they have asthma figured out. They will tell you about a story of hypersensitivity, of a confused immune system launching a violent, misguided attack on particles like pollen or dust. The heroes in this story are always pharmaceuticals: bronchodilators to force open the besieged airways, and steroids to suppress the rebellious immune response. It is also, I contend, a profound although elaborate stew of nonsense.

This error exists because modern medicine treats symptoms, not systems. It sees the bronchial spasm but not the waste buildup and clogged machinery. The defining symptoms—the dyspnea (labored breathing), the dry, painful cough, the wheezing, the constriction of the chest—are not the disease itself. They are the body’s desperate alarm bells that we all too frequently ignore. The system is filled with waste matter and mucus. The bronchial tubes, in a state of chronic irritation and weakness, become hypersensitive not because of a stupid system but a very intelligent one. The cough is nature’s intelligent effort to expectorate this mucus from the lungs. This is why breathing eases, however briefly. Only by a diligent and consistent effort to change our habits do we find permanent relief.

Many suffer from pulmonary disease, not because they have inherited it, but because of some carelessness on their part—by breathing impure air, eating improper food, or dressing unhealthfully. If they would live much in the open air, taking full, deep inspirations, and if they would dress and eat in accordance with the principles of health, they would soon improve. Such persons should take special pains not to allow the extremities to become chilled.

What Asthma Looks Like (And What It Usually Means)#

Asthma commonly presents as:

• Dyspnea (labored breathing)
• Wheezing
• Dry, painful cough
• Bronchial spasm (constriction of the chest)
• Expectoration of mucus (mucoid sputum)
• A sense of tightness or constriction

In asthma, the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and bronchial tubes become severely irritated. This irritation provokes mucus production and constriction of the bronchioles as a protective mechanism. Over time, the glandular elements of the respiratory tract may hypertrophy—meaning the body structurally adapts to a chronic state of irritation by producing more of what it is needed for protection because the cause continues to be present.

The system is “filled with waste matter and mucus.” The cough is nature’s effort to expel congestion from the lungs. When mucus is finally expelled, breathing improves. But often drugs are prescribed to hinder nature in her work to cough up the toxic elements.

Suppressing this process may temporarily quiet symptoms, but it does nothing to correct the condition that produced them. In fact, it often worsens it by forcing congestion deeper into the system.

Malnutrition and Systemic Imbalance#

Asthma is generally caused by malnutrition. That statement is uncomfortable only because it contradicts the prevailing narrative that asthma is genetic, inevitable, or incurable. A body that is adequately nourished, properly mineralized, and capable of effective elimination does not react violently to ordinary environmental exposures. Hypersensitivity is not a flaw but rather a sign of deficiency and overload.

Malnutrition here does not mean starvation. It means a lack of the nutrients required to regulate inflammation, maintain mucous membrane integrity, support antioxidant defenses, and stabilize the nervous system. It also means excessive intake of devitalized foods that burden elimination pathways and promote congestion.

Asthma is often compounded by a nervous component. The bronchial tubes are under nervous control. When the nerves are irritated—by nutritional deficiency, chronic stress, and systemic toxicity—the smooth muscle of the airways becomes prone to spasm. This explains why emotional stress can precipitate attacks and why asthma often behaves like a “nervous condition” at its core.

Permanent relief does not come from managing attacks. It comes from correcting the environment that produces them.

Immediate Aid During Acute Attacks#

When a person is in convulsion, certain herbs can give fast relief—because they address spasm and congestion directly rather than merely suppressing symptoms.

Lobelia (Tincture)#

Lobelia is one of the most rapid antispasmodic aids. In acute attacks it is used for quick relief of constriction. It works by relaxing and soothing muscle and calming irritated nerves. It is uncomfortable but we need to mobilize the mucus. The worse the condition the more effective it becomes.

Valerian + Cayenne#

A valerian decoction combined with some cayenne is effective for relieving spasm. Valerian calms the nervous system; cayenne restores circulation. Congested tissue is poorly oxygenated and poorly nourished. Cayenne corrects this by moving blood, breaking stagnation, and assisting the body’s own corrective and cleansing efforts.

If the Attack Follows a Meal: Consider an Emetic#

If an asthmatic episode occurs after a meal, the stomach is often the trigger. Gastric congestion can trigger bronchial distress. In such cases, an emetic may be appropriate.

Traditionally this is done with a large dose of lobelia or by inducing regurgitation after drinking several cups of warm water. Mustard seed has also been used to help cleanse the stomach and lungs.

Before an Emetic: Soothe and Stimulate#

Prior to the emetic, use peppermint or spearmint tea—sometimes cayenne and spearmint—as a circulatory stimulant and to soothe mucous membranes, reducing discomfort from vomiting.

External Applications and Hydrotherapy#

Asthma is not confined to the lungs, and treatment should not be either. Relief is accelerated when you help the body eliminate and regulate.

Hot Fomentations#

Hot fomentations over the stomach, spleen, liver, and lung areas using these or a combination:

• Castor oil
• Comfrey
• Lobelia
• Mullein

Hydrotherapy and Sweating#

Frequent hydrotherapy baths or lengthy sweat baths are beneficial, followed by:

• Cold shower, or
• Cold sponging

Contrast showers will also improve circulation.

Vapor Baths (Twice Weekly)#

Inhale steam from a decoction of:

• Cudweed / ragwort
• Wormwood

This is aimed at the broncho-pulmonary passages—loosening obstruction and calming irritation. You can also use Mullein and Comfrey or Mullein and Elecampane.

Core Herbal Support for the Lungs#

Mullein#

Mullein has a specific affinity for the respiratory organs. It soothes irritated mucous membranes, loosens thick mucus, eases painful coughing, and calms all inflamed nerves. It is one of the few herbs known to possess narcotic-like calming properties without being narcotic, poisonous or harmful.

In chronic respiratory conditions, mullein often improves expectoration, reduces pain, supports glandular function, and improves overall vitality. It also soothes the bowels and renal system and promotes the absorption of morbid accumulations and effused fluids (escape of fluids from their vessels such as in rupture).

For asthma, a strong decoction of mullein leaves and flowers is highly effective, especially when combined with comfrey root and garlic juice.

Elecampane#

Elecampane is invaluable whenever breathing is difficult. It strengthens lung tissue, promotes expectoration, and supports recovery in chronic pulmonary weakness.

Cayenne#

Cayenne plays a critical role in asthma but not by irritation as some claim, but by equalization. However, cayenne can become an irritant when overheated. It should not be cooked. Capsaicin desensitizes airway mucosa by regulating substance P, a neuropeptide involved in bronchoconstriction and inflammatory signaling. This reduces hyperreactivity and improves airway stability. Modern scientists will claim it achieves this by inhibition but this is false. It achieves the regulation by improving circulation, which facilitates elimination of waste, and nutrifying of the system.

Foundational Formulas#

Respiratory Tonic Combination (Equal Parts)#

The body must be rebuilt. Use this combination as a daily tonic:

• Marshmallow root
• Mullein
• Comfrey
• Lobelia
• Chickweed

This formula relieves irritation in the lungs and bronchials and is useful in asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other congestive lung conditions. Taken two to three times daily. Additional benefit may be gained by taking it with comfrey tea.

Antiallergic / Sinus Combination#

Take 1 tablespoon of each herb and place in two cups of boiling water. Remove from heat and let the herbs steep for 20 minutes.

• Stinging Nettle
• Marshmallow Root (Licorice can be used instead)
• Mullein

Add plantain for infection if able.

Therapeutic Tea for Asthma#

Ingredients (per pint):

• 3 g Mullein
• 3 g Sage
• 3 g Plantain
• 1–2 g Licorice root or Marshmallow root

Preparation:
Steep 15 minutes. Strain. Sweeten with raw honey.

Dosage:
One tablespoon every hour.

This frequent dosing keeps the mucous membranes continuously bathed in soothing, anti-inflammatory compounds while easing spasm and congestion.

Used for hay fever, sinus congestion, and allergic conditions. Acts as a natural decongestant and antihistamine, drying excess mucus and expelling obstruction from the head and broncho-pulmonary passages. Best used alongside the respiratory combination.

Soothing & Expectorant Formula#

A warm decoction of the following (equal parts) is profoundly beneficial:

• Elecampane root
• Horehound
• Hyssop
• Skunk cabbage root
• Vervain
• Wild cherry bark

And to this preparation add:

• Tincture of lobelia or an antispasmodic tincture

This formula addresses spasm, irritation from coughing, thick mucus, and weak lung function. It can be taken as a tea or used in a vapor bath with great success.

Additional Formula (Tea or Tincture)#

Equal parts.

• Marshmallow root
• Mullein leaf
• Lungwort herb
• Chickweed herb
• Lobelia herb
• Pleurisy root

This is a broad-spectrum lung and lymph/pleura support pattern—especially useful when congestion is deep and breathing feels mechanically restricted.

Elecampane

Add it anytime breathing becomes difficult. Elecampane is one of the most effective aides for difficult breathing. It supports expectoration and strengthens respiratory function.

Clear the Bowels (Yes—This Matters)#

Asthma is not isolated in the lungs and respiratory system. When elimination is sluggish, the body diverts the burden elsewhere. Do not neglect elimination. We want to do intestinal cleansing, liver cleansing, and we will start with the intestines. We highly recommend the Intestinal cleanse formulas of Dr. Richard Schulze at www.herbdoc.com

Nutrition#

The rise in asthma parallels a decline in antioxidant intake and mineral sufficiency. People with diets rich in fruits and vegetables consistently show better respiratory health. Even modest increases in fruit intake—particularly fruits high in vitamin C—are associated with improved lung function and fewer asthma symptoms. Increased fruit consumption correlates with reduced phlegm and improved pulmonary performance. Even a small increase from less than one serving a week to 1-2 servings/week showed measurable improvement.

Apples, leafy greens, and other antioxidant-rich plant foods appear repeatedly in association with reduced asthma severity. These foods supply not just vitamins, but the cofactors required for antioxidant defense. This is why we do not use isolates. Only whole plants provide everything we need in the right package.

Long-term elimination of animal products and processed foods has produced dramatic improvements in asthma severity, lung capacity, and resistance to infection. These changes do not occur overnight. They require consistency. The body does not rebuild overnight, but it does rebuild when given the conditions to do so.

Soy and Genistein#

Soy isoflavone genistein is associated with reduced severity of asthma and improved lung function. So regular use of soy or tofu is recommended. Choose organic or GMO free.

Vegan Diet #

A long-term trial excluding all animal products showed significant improvement in 92% of those who completed the study. Most responded within four parmonths, but one year was required to reach the 92% level. This highlights the importance of continuing therapies long-term.

The diet excluded meat, fish, eggs, dairy. Drinking water was limited to spring water, chlorinated tap water was specifically prohibited.

Omega-3s From Whole Plants: Flax and Chia#

Omega-3 intake improves airway responsiveness and lung function by shifting inflammatory signaling. Increasing omega-3 relative to omega-6 reduces the production of highly inflammatory leukotrienes. This process takes time, as cell membranes must be rebuilt.

Flaxseed and chia seed provide effective omega-3s when omega-6 intake is reduced by eliminating processed foods and industrial seed oils.

Population studies show children who eat fish more than once weekly have lower asthma risk, and clinical studies show omega-3 intake improves airway responsiveness and respiratory function.

• Shifts leukotriene synthesis from highly inflammatory 4-series to less inflammatory 5-series
• Reduces arachidonic acid availability in cell membranes
• May take as long as one year to show benefits due to membrane turnover

Again, we want to get our omega-3 from flax/chia and reduce omega-6 by removing processed foods and seed/vegetable oils and eating whole plants.

Vitamins and Cofactors#

The increase in asthma prevalence parallels reduced intake of:

• beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, E
• mineral cofactors for antioxidant defense: zinc, selenium, copper

Patients in acute distress show lowered serum total antioxidants. That means you need to up intake of fruits, vegetables, greens, and herbs.

Vitamin C: Histamine Balancer#

Vitamin C is the primary antioxidant in the extracellular fluid lining airways. Low vitamin C levels are an independent risk factor for asthma. Asthmatics consistently show reduced serum and cellular vitamin C levels.

Clinical studies repeatedly demonstrate improvement in asthma symptoms and respiratory measures with intakes of 1–2 grams per day. However, Vitamin C does not “block” histamine as some believe. It balances the inflammatory response by supporting proper immune regulation and reducing the need for excessive histamine activity.

• Low vitamin C is an independent risk factor for asthma
• Lower vitamin C found among current or former asthma sufferers vs never-asthma
• Smokers’ children have higher asthma rates (smoke depletes vitamins C and E)
• Multiple clinical studies: 1–2 g/day vitamin C improved respiratory measures in many trials
• Vitamin C may lower histamine levels; importantly, in your framing: it doesn’t “block histamine,” it balances the need and lowers the excessive inflammatory response

Vitamin B6 and Tryptophan#

Asthma has been associated with impaired tryptophan metabolism and low vitamin B6 levels. Supplementation has been shown to reduce wheezing and attack frequency in many individuals.

Plants rich in tryptophan include soybeans, tofu, pumpkin seeds, oats, potatoes, leafy greens, walnuts, chia, quinoa, buckwheat, sea vegetables, broccoli, and lentils.
Fenugreek, mustard seed, ginger, and thyme are high herbal sources.

Vitamin B6 is abundant in potatoes, bananas, chickpeas, soy foods, lentils, walnuts, spinach, papaya, and oranges. Herbs particularly rich in B6 include sage, oregano, thyme, celery seed, and cloves.

Licorice#

Licorice root contains glycyrrhetinic acid, which exhibits cortisol-like anti-inflammatory activity by regulating phospholipase A2—reducing downstream inflammatory mediator production. This effect is produced by soothing the system. It is also an effective expectorant, making it extremely useful in asthma.