Abstract

THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINES IN ASTHMA CARE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Dr. C. Senthil Kumari*, Swethaa Kalyani K., Abirami S., Kaviyarasu K., Sagunthala B., Dev M.

ABSTRACT

Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammation disease of airway that increase the stimulation of airway obstruction. It includes shortness of breath, cough, wheezing etc. It can be managed by both herbal medicines & allopathic drugs such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids. However, the elevating prevalence of asthma along with side effects due to allopathic drugs, has changed the treatment towards herbal medicines with promising bronchodilatory effect. Herbal plants were found to have more enhanced anti-asthmatic activity and less side effects than allopathic ones. This article provides a holistic approach towards comparing the safety and efficacy of herbal drugs with allopathic medicine, along with the concern of their limitations and advantages. It also highlights the mechanism of asthma which leads to constriction of airways and immunosuppressive action. This review ultimately encourages the involvement of herbal plants which alleviatethe symptoms of asthma and drives in research for seeking alternative solution.

Keywords: Asthma.