Breathe Easier

Asthma

Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways can swell and narrow, causing wheeze, cough, chest tightness and breathlessness that come and go. This page explains what asthma is, how it is recognised and managed in general terms, and what everyday habits and natural approaches have and have not shown, always alongside, never instead of, the care your clinician prescribes.

General information, not medical advice. Last updated November 1, 2026. Written by the AlternativeMed editorial team. Not medically reviewed.

Start here

Work with your doctor or asthma nurse on a written asthma action plan and keep your yearly check-up. The NHS says the plan records how to use your medicines, track your asthma, avoid triggers and what to do when symptoms get worse.
Keep taking the inhalers you were prescribed exactly as directed and carry your reliever with you. Natural approaches on this page are extras only: do not stop, swap or change any medicine without speaking to your prescriber.
Learn your personal triggers (smoke, cold air, infections, pollen, dust, mould, animals, some workplace chemicals) and cut down contact where you can; our linked goal pages cover the details.

Be careful with

Natural does not mean safe or equal to treatment. The US NCCIH says the evidence does not support using complementary approaches instead of proven asthma management, and some supplements and herbs can interact with asthma medicines.
Breathing exercises, yoga and relaxation are adjuncts. They are not a way to treat an attack and have not been shown to let people safely cut back their inhalers.
Some everyday medicines (the NHS names aspirin, ibuprofen and beta blockers) can set off asthma in some people. Never stop a prescribed medicine yourself: tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice a link.
Needing your reliever more often than before is a warning, not something to push through. See your GP or asthma nurse (NHS, CDC).

Get help when

Emergency now: an asthma attack that is not easing, getting worse at any point, not better after the maximum reliever puffs in your plan, or if you have no inhaler. Call emergency services (999 in the UK, the number the NHS names; use your local emergency number elsewhere). The NHS says not to drive yourself to hospital.
Emergency warning signs listed by MedlinePlus include bluish lips or face, difficulty speaking, extreme difficulty breathing or severe breathlessness at rest, drowsiness or confusion, and peak flow below half of your personal best. Blue, grey or very pale lips or skin, or sudden confusion, need emergency help (NHS).
In a child, struggling to breathe, sucking in the skin around the ribs or neck, bluish lips or face, or unusual drowsiness or confusion needs urgent help (NHS, MedlinePlus). A child who is limp, floppy or not responding normally is an emergency.
After any asthma attack, even if you feel better, see a GP within 2 days to review treatment (NHS).
Book a routine visit if symptoms are new, your treatment is not helping, you use your inhaler more often, symptoms wake you at night, or they stop usual activities such as exercise (NHS, NHLBI). Breathlessness or wheeze that is new and unexplained should be assessed, not assumed to be asthma.

About Asthma

What asthma is

Asthma is a long-term lung condition. The NHS describes swollen, narrowed airways; NHLBI says the airways become inflamed and narrowed during flare-ups, which makes it harder to breathe out. The CDC adds that you have asthma all the time, but attacks happen when something irritates your lungs, when the airway walls swell, the airways narrow and mucus can clog them.

NHLBI says there is no cure, but treatment and an asthma action plan can help manage it. Many people with well-managed asthma live fully active lives, although the way it behaves can change over time.

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Symptoms and common experiences

The NHS and NHLBI list wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out), coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Symptoms often come and go and can be worse at night or early in the morning. They can start or worsen with colds and other viral infections, exercise, allergens, cold air, or fast breathing from laughing or crying (NHLBI).

Warning signs that asthma may be getting worse include symptoms that are more frequent or worse than usual, needing your reliever more often, being woken at night by cough or other symptoms, and usual activities feeling harder (NHLBI). In children, MedlinePlus notes that cough, sometimes the only symptom, can be the main sign.

An asthma attack is a flare-up with severe symptoms and difficulty breathing, and it can be life-threatening (NHS).

^1,4,5

Triggers and contributing factors

The NHS lists triggers including exercise, cold air, air pollution, smoke, infections, and allergens such as pollen, dust, mould and animals. MedlinePlus adds household chemicals, stress, dust mites and pest waste, and workplace chemicals or industrial dusts. Some medicines can trigger symptoms in some people (NHS names aspirin, ibuprofen and beta blockers).

The exact cause is not fully understood. The NHS lists these as making asthma more likely: allergies such as eczema, hay fever or food allergy, a family history, premature birth or low birth weight, exposure to pollution or smoke in childhood, childhood breathing illnesses, being overweight, and some workplace chemicals.

^6,7,8

How asthma is diagnosed

The NHS says a GP or nurse asks about your symptoms, listens to your chest and may arrange a simple breathing test, sometimes a blood test, and a home peak flow meter used for a few weeks. Because symptoms vary and breathing problems have different causes, diagnosis can take time, and sometimes asthma medicines are offered to see whether they help.

NHLBI lists spirometry (how much air you blow out and how fast), peak expiratory flow, a breath test for nitric oxide (FeNO), and allergy tests where there is an allergy history. A referral to an asthma specialist or allergist may follow. Breathlessness and wheeze have other possible causes, so please do not self-diagnose.

^9,10

What established care looks like, in general terms

The NHS describes care from a team that provides an asthma action plan and yearly check-ups. The main treatment is inhalers, which may include a reliever, a combined daily-plus-reliever inhaler, or a separate daily preventer plus reliever. If symptoms are not controlled, stronger inhalers, tablets or injected biological therapies may be used, and severe attacks may need hospital care. NHLBI describes quick-relief medicines for symptoms and attacks and daily control medicines to reduce airway inflammation, adjusted until symptoms are controlled.

Which medicine is right, and how much, is for your clinician to decide. This site does not recommend drugs or doses, and it never advises stopping or changing a prescribed medicine.

^1,2,7

Realistic expectations

Good asthma control usually comes from the basics: the right prescribed medicines taken as directed, a written plan, regular reviews and keeping triggers in check (NHS, CDC). Lifestyle and natural approaches can support that picture, mainly by helping quality of life, fitness, stress and trigger exposure.

None of the natural approaches we found has been shown to cure asthma, replace inhalers or prevent attacks reliably.

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Who this applies to

Asthma can start at any age. The CDC says it is one of the most common long-term childhood diseases, but adults can have it too, and NHLBI says it affects about 1 in 13 people in the US. This page is general information for adults and carers. Children, pregnant people and older adults should follow their own clinician's guidance, because asthma care and safe options differ.

^3,2

Related conditions and symptoms

Asthma: research record → Bronchitis → Hay fever → Sleep apnea → Anxiety disorders →

A manageable starting plan

An educational starting point, not a personal prescription. Adjust it to your own situation and any advice from your clinician.

Your first actions

Confirm you have a current written asthma action plan, and book your yearly review if it is overdue.
Carry your reliever, use your inhalers as prescribed and ask a nurse or pharmacist to check your technique.
Pick your biggest trigger (smoke, pollen, dust, mould, exercise in cold air) and change one thing about it this week.

Optional additions

Try a gentle, clinician-approved activity routine, building up slowly.
Add a breathing or yoga class taught by a qualified teacher, as an extra.
If you carry extra weight, ask about gradual, sustainable support.

What to track

Daytime and night-time symptoms, and how often you need your reliever.
Peak flow readings, if your plan includes them.
Triggers noted on the days you flare, and how exercise feels.

When to reassess

Review your plan with your clinician at least once a year, after any attack, or sooner if symptoms or reliever use rise. If a new habit does not help after a few weeks, drop it rather than add more.

When to seek professional support

Your GP, asthma nurse or specialist for the plan, reviews and any changes to medicines.
A pharmacist for inhaler technique, interactions and over-the-counter advice.
Our linked pages on irritants, indoor air, allergy season, breathing habits and activity.

What helps

Ordered by how well the research supports each step. Evidence strength is shown on every card; precautions sit next to the advice.

Start here

Use a written asthma action plan and keep regular reviews

Moderate certainty

Addresses: Fewer hospital stays and unplanned visits, better quality of life

Why it may help: A Cochrane review of 36 trials in adults found that self-management education with regular practitioner review reduced hospitalisations (relative risk 0.64), emergency room visits (0.82), unscheduled doctor visits (0.68), days off work or school and night-time asthma, with little change in lung function. Programmes that let people adjust medicines using a written action plan worked best. The NHS says the plan records medicines, monitoring, triggers and what to do when symptoms worsen.

How to apply it: Ask your GP, asthma nurse or specialist to write or update your plan, take it to every asthma appointment, and have a check-up at least once a year (NHS). Peak flow tracking is part of some plans (NHLBI). Adjusting medicines under a plan is something your clinician sets up with you.

Who it may suit: Almost everyone with asthma, including people whose asthma seems mild.

Precautions: The Cochrane review dates from 2003, so newer programmes may differ. Follow the plan your own clinician gives you; do not copy someone else's.

^13,11,14

Learn and reduce your own triggers

Mixed findings

Addresses: Fewer flare-ups from avoidable exposures

Why it may help: The NHS and NHLBI both advise avoiding triggers where you can, such as tobacco smoke, poor-air days, dust and mould, and pollen, and keeping furry pets out of bedrooms if they trigger you. Our linked pages cover how. We did not read trials proving that one single step prevents attacks.

How to apply it: Note when symptoms flare (a simple diary helps), then tackle the biggest trigger first. Smoke is a clear one: the NHS says not to smoke and to ask for help to quit if you need it.

Who it may suit: Anyone whose symptoms have patterns, such as after exercise in cold air, during pollen season, at work or after colds.

Precautions: Avoidance has limits: heavy-handed measures such as expensive mite-control products have not shown benefit (see What to Avoid). Do not cut out exercise or medicines to avoid triggers.

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Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Irritants → Improve Indoor Air Quality → Improve Comfort During Allergy Season → Get Support to Stop Smoking or Vaping →

Stay physically active, with your clinician's guidance

Moderate certainty

Addresses: Better fitness; asthma symptoms did not worsen in the trials

Why it may help: A Cochrane review of 21 trials (772 people over 8 years old) found physical training was well tolerated, no trial reported asthma worsening from it, and fitness (maximum oxygen uptake) improved clearly. Lung function measures such as FEV1 did not change significantly. The NHS says to exercise regularly, and NHLBI says people with asthma should not avoid exercise.

How to apply it: Start with activity you enjoy, build gradually and, if exercise sets off symptoms, ask your doctor or nurse how to exercise safely, including whether your treatment plan needs adjusting (NHS, NHLBI). Our activity page covers pacing.

Who it may suit: Most people with asthma that is stable and under care.

Precautions: Stop and use your plan if you get symptoms, and seek help if they do not settle. Cold, dry or polluted air can be a trigger. Talk to a clinician first if your asthma is unstable or you have other health conditions.

^15,11,14

Build an Activity Routine With a Respiratory Condition →

Additional options

Breathing exercises (as an extra)

Moderate certainty

Addresses: Possible better quality of life; symptom and lung-function effects unclear

Why it may help: A 2020 Cochrane review of 22 trials (2,880 adults, mostly mild to moderate asthma; 14 used yoga) found moderate-certainty evidence that breathing exercises improved quality of life at three months, while effects on asthma symptoms were inconclusive and lung-function results were mixed. NCCIH summarises the same review as better quality of life but probably no effect on asthma symptoms, with no harmful effects reported.

How to apply it: Examples in the trials include diaphragmatic (belly) breathing, breathing retraining, Papworth and yoga breathing. A physiotherapist or respiratory nurse can teach a method. Practise when you are well and never use it instead of a reliever during an attack.

Who it may suit: Adults with mild to moderate asthma who also feel breathless with stress or hurried breathing.

Precautions: The review did not include side effects as an outcome. Not tested as a replacement for inhalers. In children, a Cochrane review found only three small trials of unclear quality and could draw no reliable conclusions.

^16,12,17

Build Comfortable Breathing Habits →

Yoga

Moderate certainty

Addresses: Small improvements in quality of life and symptoms

Why it may help: A Cochrane review of 15 trials (1,048 people, mostly adults with mild to moderate asthma, mostly in India) found moderate-quality evidence that yoga probably gives small improvements in quality of life and symptoms. Lung function did not change significantly. Most trials were short (under six months), and the review calls for larger, better trials.

How to apply it: The studies used yoga breathing alone or with postures and meditation, added to usual care. Learn with a qualified teacher and tell them you have asthma.

Who it may suit: Adults with stable, mild to moderate asthma who like gentle movement.

Precautions: Safety data were limited, though no serious problems were reported. NCCIH says sprains and strains are the most common injuries. Use alongside, not instead of, your treatment.

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Yoga →

Healthy weight, if you are carrying extra

Low certainty

Addresses: Possible better asthma control and quality of life

Why it may help: The NHS and NHLBI both link being overweight with asthma that is harder to manage, and NHLBI says even small weight loss may help. A systematic review of 10 randomised trials (246 children, 502 adults with obesity and asthma) generally found better asthma-related quality of life and some improvement in control, plus better lung function in adults, but trials differed widely and could not be pooled.

How to apply it: Gradual, sustainable changes agreed with your clinician. Our weight goals cover this without crash diets.

Who it may suit: People with asthma and overweight or obesity.

Precautions: Weight loss is not a substitute for asthma treatment. Avoid extreme dieting. Anyone with a history of disordered eating should seek professional support first.

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Lose Weight Sustainably →

Vaccinations your clinician recommends

Mixed findings

Addresses: Fewer infection-related flare-ups are the aim; protection is uncertain in trials

Why it may help: The NHS advises vaccinations such as the flu vaccine because viral infections can make asthma worse, and NHLBI advises asking about flu and pneumonia vaccines. A Cochrane review of randomised trials found uncertainty about how much the flu vaccine protects against flu-related asthma exacerbations, but found no significant increase in exacerbations in the two weeks after the inactivated vaccine in adults or children over three.

How to apply it: Ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist which vaccines suit you.

Who it may suit: People with asthma, on their clinician's advice.

Precautions: Agency advice is to be vaccinated; the trial review noted limits and could not settle concerns about wheezing after the live nasal vaccine in infants. Ask a clinician about your own situation.

^11,14,20

Vaccines and Infection Prevention →

Stress and emotional wellbeing support

Low certainty

Addresses: May improve how you feel and possibly asthma control, alongside treatment

Why it may help: NHLBI says breathing and relaxation techniques can help with symptoms and stress and advises seeing a mental health professional if you have anxiety, depression or panic attacks. NCCIH says approaches that help manage stress, anxiety or depression may improve how you feel and asthma control when used with standard treatment.

How to apply it: Gentle relaxation, mindfulness, talking therapies or support groups; our stress pages explain options.

Who it may suit: People whose asthma and worry feed each other.

Precautions: Anxiety can also cause breathlessness, and asthma can look like panic. Do not assume a new breathing problem is anxiety: get it checked.

^14,12

Breathing Exercises for Stress and Anxiety → Anxiety disorders →

Still being studied

Buteyko breathing technique

Low certainty

Addresses: Fewer symptoms and less reliever use in one trial; no lung-function change

Why it may help: In a randomised trial of 90 adults with asthma already taking an inhaled steroid, a Buteyko group reported lower symptom scores and used about two fewer reliever puffs a day at six months than a placebo-device group. There was no difference in lung function, exacerbations or the ability to cut the inhaled steroid dose. The 2020 Cochrane review included only one Buteyko-only trial.

How to apply it: Taught by a trained practitioner in the trial; home practice twice daily. This is not a self-treatment for attacks.

Who it may suit: Adults wanting an extra tool for symptoms who are already on regular care.

Precautions: One small trial; not tested as a substitute for inhalers. Never lower your inhaled medicines because of a breathing technique.

^21,16

Breathwork: evidence and safety →

Healthy or Mediterranean-style eating in childhood

Low certainty

Addresses: Lower wheeze and asthma rates in observational studies, which cannot prove cause

Why it may help: A meta-analysis of 8 studies found children with the highest Mediterranean diet scores had lower odds of current wheeze (OR 0.85) and asthma ever (OR 0.86). A 2023 review of 65 studies (567,426 people) found a healthy diet pattern linked with lower odds of asthma and wheeze in children and adolescents (OR about 0.85), and unhealthy diets with higher odds.

How to apply it: Fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains and home-cooked meals are safe general habits for most families.

Who it may suit: Families with children who wheeze, as a general healthy pattern.

Precautions: These are observational studies that cannot show food prevents or treats asthma. Children with food allergy need individual advice.

^22,23

Acupuncture

Very low certainty

Addresses: Possibly fewer symptoms but no better lung function

Why it may help: NCCIH reports a 2019 review of 9 studies finding fewer symptoms but no improvement in lung function, and says evidence on moxibustion and herbal patches is too weak to conclude. We did not read the underlying trials.

How to apply it: Only with an experienced practitioner using sterile needles, in addition to usual care.

Who it may suit: People who want to try it as an extra and accept limited evidence.

Precautions: Tell the practitioner you have asthma. Do not delay treatment of a flare-up for a session.

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Acupuncture →

Food & nutrition

What the evidence says about eating

We did not find a food or diet proven to treat asthma. In children, observational reviews link healthy, Mediterranean-style patterns (fruit, vegetables, fish, cereals) with lower rates of wheeze and asthma, and unhealthy diets with higher rates. These studies show an association, not cause and effect.

For adults, the practical food link we found is weight: the NHS and NHLBI say a healthy weight helps asthma control, and small trials of weight loss in people with obesity and asthma generally showed better quality of life.

^22,23,11,19

Food allergy and breathing symptoms

The NHS lists food allergy among factors linked with developing asthma. Swelling of the lips, face or throat, or breathing trouble soon after eating can be a severe allergic reaction and is an emergency. Do not cut out whole food groups on your own without advice, particularly for children.

^6,24

Fish oil, vitamins and other nutrients

Individual nutrients are covered under Remedies & Supplements. In short, NCCIH reports inconsistent results for omega-3s, no benefit from selenium or vitamin D for attack prevention in high-quality studies, and insufficient evidence for vitamin C.

^12,25

Remedies & supplements

Traditional use, laboratory findings and human trials are kept apart. "Natural" does not mean safe.

Vitamin D

Evidence against

Studied form and route: Supplement

Intended outcome: No reduction in attacks needing steroid tablets in trials

Human evidence: Cochrane 2023: 20 trials (15 in 1,155 children, 5 in 1,070 adults) found no change in the proportion with one or more attacks needing steroid tablets (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.34; high-quality evidence), and no effect on time to first attack. One trial of calcidiol reported better asthma control. Most participants had mild to moderate asthma and few had profound deficiency. Serious adverse events did not differ.

Traditional use: No traditional use was read for this page.

Laboratory findings: No lab evidence was read for this page.

Limits: Few participants were severely deficient, so the review cannot rule out benefit in that group.

Interactions and precautions: Too much vitamin D can be harmful (NCCIH). Testing and amounts should come from a clinician; no amount is advised here.

^25,12

Vitamin D →

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Mixed findings

Studied form and route: Supplement or oily fish

Intended outcome: Inconsistent results

Human evidence: NCCIH reports some studies showed lower lung-inflammation markers or less exercise-induced airway narrowing, but benefits for general lung function and symptoms were inconclusive; giving omega-3s in pregnancy or infancy showed no effect on asthma risk.

Traditional use: No traditional use was read for this page.

Laboratory findings: No lab evidence was read for this page.

Limits: We read the NCCIH summary, not the trials.

Interactions and precautions: Side effects are usually mild; NCCIH notes possible interaction with blood thinners such as warfarin. Ask a pharmacist if you take blood thinners.

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Probiotics

Not enough evidence

Studied form and route: Supplement or fermented foods

Intended outcome: Unclear

Human evidence: NCCIH says giving probiotics to mothers or infants did not significantly reduce asthma risk. In children with asthma they may reduce attacks, but the evidence was low quality and inconclusive.

Traditional use: No traditional use was read for this page.

Laboratory findings: No lab evidence was read for this page.

Limits: Low-quality evidence; products and strains vary.

Interactions and precautions: People with weakened immune systems or serious illness should ask a clinician before using probiotics.

¹²

Selenium

Evidence against

Studied form and route: Supplement

Intended outcome: No benefit in a high-quality trial

Human evidence: NCCIH reports a high-quality UK trial found no benefit for asthma.

Traditional use: No traditional use was read for this page.

Laboratory findings: No lab evidence was read for this page.

Limits: One trial summarised by NCCIH; we did not read it.

Interactions and precautions: Excess selenium can be harmful (NCCIH).

¹²

Vitamin C and soy isoflavones

Not enough evidence

Studied form and route: Supplements

Intended outcome: Unclear

Human evidence: NCCIH says evidence on vitamin C is insufficient to show whether it helps; soy isoflavones showed no overall benefit, although a subgroup with particular genetics had fewer severe attacks.

Traditional use: No traditional use was read for this page.

Laboratory findings: No lab evidence was read for this page.

Limits: Summaries only; we did not read the trials.

Interactions and precautions: High vitamin C doses can cause digestive problems and may be unsafe for some people, such as those with hemochromatosis (NCCIH).

¹²

Herbal preparations in general

Not enough evidence

Studied form and route: Teas, extracts, capsules

Intended outcome: No herb can be recommended

Human evidence: NCCIH says a 2010 review found insufficient evidence to recommend any herbal preparation for asthma.

Traditional use: Many cultures use herbs for cough and wheeze. We did not read a source on specific traditions for this page.

Laboratory findings: No lab evidence was read for this page.

Limits: Evidence is small and of limited quality.

Interactions and precautions: Herbs can cause serious side effects and interact with asthma medicines (NCCIH). Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children need clinician advice. Check with a pharmacist before using any herb.

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Medication interactions with natural remedies →

Therapies & care

Established asthma care is led by your doctor or asthma nurse and centres on a written action plan, yearly reviews and prescribed inhalers (a reliever and, for many people, a daily preventer or combined inhaler), with stronger treatments or specialist care when asthma is not controlled. This site does not recommend drugs or doses and never advises stopping or changing a prescribed medicine. Everything natural here is an addition.

Asthma action plan and regular review

High certainty

Professional care The NHS says a care team provides a personal plan covering medicines, monitoring, triggers and what to do when asthma worsens, plus at least a yearly check that your technique and plan are up to date. A Cochrane review found such self-management with review lowered hospital and emergency visits.

Who it may suit: Everyone with asthma.

Precautions: Keep the plan current and take it to appointments.

^11,13

Inhaled medicines prescribed by a clinician

High certainty

Medicines decided by a clinician The NHS describes reliever-only, combined daily-plus-reliever, or separate preventer-plus-reliever inhalers; NHLBI describes quick-relief and daily control medicines adjusted until symptoms are controlled. Stronger inhalers, tablets or injected biological therapies may be used if symptoms are not controlled.

Who it may suit: People whose clinician diagnoses asthma and prescribes them.

Precautions: Use as directed; never stop or change on your own. Tell your clinician if you need your reliever more often.

^1,2

Diagnostic tests and specialist review

High certainty

Professional care Spirometry, peak flow, FeNO and allergy tests can support diagnosis (NHLBI), and the NHS says a home peak flow meter may be used for a few weeks. People whose asthma is not controlled may be referred to a specialist.

Who it may suit: Anyone with ongoing wheeze, cough or breathlessness.

Precautions: Do not self-diagnose from online checklists.

^9,10

Breathing retraining with a physiotherapist or respiratory nurse

Moderate certainty

Supportive therapy Cochrane found moderate-certainty improvement in quality of life with breathing exercises in adults, with inconclusive symptom effects.

Who it may suit: Adults with mild to moderate asthma.

Precautions: An addition to, not a replacement for, medicines or an emergency plan.

¹⁶

Yoga-based practice

Moderate certainty

Mind-body Cochrane found yoga probably gives small improvements in quality of life and symptoms in mostly adult trials.

Who it may suit: Adults with stable asthma.

Precautions: Learn from a qualified teacher; stop if symptoms start.

¹⁸

Acupuncture

Very low certainty

Complementary NCCIH reports fewer symptoms but no better lung function in a 2019 review of 9 studies. It is generally considered safe with a trained practitioner and sterile needles.

Who it may suit: People who want to try an extra and accept limited evidence.

Precautions: Never a substitute for medicines.

¹²

Mental health support

Low certainty

Professional care NHLBI advises seeing a mental health professional if you have anxiety, depression or panic attacks alongside asthma.

Who it may suit: Anyone whose mood or worry is affecting asthma care.

Precautions: Seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm.

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What to avoid

Habits, products and claims that can get in the way. Never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the professional who prescribed it.

Risks that apply to most people

Replacing prescribed asthma medicines with natural remedies, or stopping them because you feel well

Evidence against

Why: NCCIH says the evidence does not support using complementary approaches instead of proven asthma management. The CDC advises taking medicine exactly as prescribed, and MedlinePlus says daily control medicines are taken even when you feel well. Stopping them can leave airway inflammation untreated.

Who it applies to: Everyone with prescribed asthma medicines.

Try instead: If you want to change your treatment, or worry about side effects, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist first.

^12,3,7

Smoking and breathing other people's smoke

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS says do not smoke and to ask for help to quit; NHLBI advises avoiding tobacco smoke including secondhand smoke.

Who it applies to: Everyone with asthma, and households with children who have asthma.

Try instead: Keep home and car smoke-free and use quitting support without shame.

^11,14

Get Support to Stop Smoking or Vaping → Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Irritants →

Waiting out a bad attack or driving yourself to hospital

High certainty

Why: The NHS says to call emergency services if you are getting worse, not improving after the maximum reliever puffs in your plan, or have no inhaler, and not to drive yourself to A&E.

Who it applies to: Anyone having a severe attack.

Try instead: Follow your action plan; sit upright and stay as calm as you can; call emergency services early. Do not rely on a breathing exercise during an attack.

²⁶

Ignoring warning signs of worsening asthma

Moderate certainty

Why: NHLBI lists more frequent symptoms, needing the reliever more often, night waking and trouble exercising as signs asthma is getting worse; the CDC says to see your doctor if you need the reliever more and more.

Who it applies to: Everyone with asthma.

Try instead: Book a review; ask whether your plan needs updating. Bring your peak-flow or symptom notes if you keep them.

^4,3

Personal triggers to check

Tobacco smoke, strong fumes and poor-air days

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS and MedlinePlus list smoke, air pollution, household chemicals and workplace chemicals or dusts among triggers.

Who it applies to: People whose symptoms rise around smoke, fumes, wildfire smoke or cleaning products.

Try instead: See our irritants and indoor-air pages for practical steps.

^6,8,14

Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Irritants → Improve Indoor Air Quality →

Allergens such as pollen, dust, mould, pets and pest waste

Mixed findings

Why: The NHS, NHLBI and MedlinePlus all list these. NHLBI advises limiting time outdoors when allergen levels are high, keeping windows closed on poor-air days and keeping furry pets out of bedrooms.

Who it applies to: People with allergic asthma, often also with hay fever or eczema.

Try instead: Pick targeted steps for your own allergens. Our allergy-season page covers pollen.

^6,14,8

Improve Comfort During Allergy Season →

Cold, dry air and hard exercise without a plan

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS lists cold air and exercise as triggers, and MedlinePlus notes physical activity can trigger symptoms. NHLBI says people should not avoid exercise but should ask how to do it safely.

Who it applies to: People whose symptoms start with activity.

Try instead: Ask your clinician about a plan for exercise days rather than giving up activity.

^6,7,14

Build an Activity Routine With a Respiratory Condition →

Colds and other infections

Moderate certainty

Why: NHLBI and the NHS list viral infections as a common trigger of flare-ups.

Who it applies to: Everyone, particularly children.

Try instead: Hygiene, vaccines your clinician recommends and an early look at your action plan when you feel a cold starting.

^4,11

Colds, Flu and Respiratory Infections →

Certain everyday medicines in some people

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS says aspirin, ibuprofen and beta blockers can trigger symptoms in some people with asthma.

Who it applies to: Anyone who notices breathing change after a medicine.

Try instead: Do not stop a prescribed medicine yourself: tell your doctor or pharmacist what you noticed and ask before taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

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Products that need caution

House dust mite covers and chemical mite sprays as a stand-alone fix

Low certainty

Why: A Cochrane review of 54 trials (3,002 people) found no effect of physical or chemical mite-control methods on peak flow, symptoms or medicine use, and the review concluded they cannot be recommended. The review itself carries a notice that it is old (searches to 2007) and should not be used for clinical decisions, so this is a gap, not final proof.

Who it applies to: People sensitised to dust mites who are tempted to buy costly products.

Try instead: Keep up with general dust and damp control and ask your clinician before spending heavily.

²⁷

Improve Indoor Air Quality →

Over-the-counter homeopathic asthma products

Evidence against

Why: NCCIH reports that the FDA has warned consumers not to rely on over-the-counter homeopathic asthma products, which have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness.

Who it applies to: Anyone considering them as a replacement for inhalers.

Try instead: Use treatments prescribed by your clinician; talk to them about any extras.

¹²

Herbal preparations and high-dose supplements without checking

Not enough evidence

Why: NCCIH says a 2010 review found insufficient evidence to recommend any herbal preparation for asthma, that herbs can have serious side effects and interact with asthma medicines, and that excess selenium or vitamin D can be harmful.

Who it applies to: People taking asthma medicines or other prescriptions, pregnant people and children.

Try instead: Ask a pharmacist or doctor before any herb or supplement.

¹²

Unsupported claims

"Cure asthma naturally"

Evidence against

Why: The NHLBI says there is no cure for asthma; treatment and an action plan help manage it. No natural approach we read showed a cure.

Who it applies to: Adverts, social media and some product labels.

Try instead: Look for claims that say what was studied, in whom, and what changed.

^2,12

"This breathing technique lets you stop your inhalers"

Evidence against

Why: In the Buteyko trial, there was no difference in people's ability to reduce inhaled steroids, and the Cochrane review found only quality-of-life benefits, with inconclusive symptom and lung-function results.

Who it applies to: Courses and videos promising to replace medicines.

Try instead: Treat breathing practice as an extra and talk to your clinician before any change to medicines.

^21,16

"Vitamin D prevents asthma attacks"

Evidence against

Why: A 2023 Cochrane review of 20 trials found no reduction in the proportion of people with attacks needing steroid tablets (OR 1.04) in high-quality evidence, even though most people studied did not have profound deficiency. NCCIH also reports no benefit in the 2023 review.

Who it applies to: Supplement marketing.

Try instead: Ask a clinician about vitamin D if you have a separate reason to be tested, such as bone health.

^25,12

Vitamin D →

Common mistakes

Skipping the check-up after an attack

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS says to see a GP within 2 days after an asthma attack, even if you feel better, to review treatment and reduce the risk of another.

Who it applies to: Anyone who has had an attack.

Try instead: Book the visit the same day you recover.

²⁶

Using inhalers without checking technique

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS says yearly reviews check that you use your inhalers correctly and that your plan is up to date.

Who it applies to: Everyone who uses an inhaler or spacer.

Try instead: Ask your nurse or pharmacist to watch you use it.

¹¹

Assuming every breathing problem is asthma, or every one is anxiety

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS notes breathing problems can have different causes and diagnosis can take time. Anxiety, infections and heart or other lung conditions can look similar.

Who it applies to: New or unexplained breathlessness.

Try instead: Get it assessed; follow our shortness-of-breath guidance and the NHS red flags.

^9,24

Evidence & safety

What the research shows

The best-supported parts of asthma care are a written action plan with regular review and prescribed inhaled medicines, which health agencies and Cochrane reviews support. Among natural and lifestyle approaches, physical training, breathing exercises and yoga show modest gains in fitness or quality of life with moderate-certainty evidence; Buteyko, acupuncture, diet patterns and weight loss rest on small, mixed or observational studies; vitamin D and selenium showed no benefit for attacks; no herb can be recommended.

Limits of the evidence

Many trials of breathing exercises and yoga were short, small, unblinded or varied widely in method, and several were done in mild to moderate asthma only.
Several Cochrane reviews cited are older (2003 for self-management, 2008 for mite control, which carries a notice about its age).
Diet findings in children are observational and cannot show cause.
We read agency pages and trial abstracts, not full texts, and some complementary-care figures come from NCCIH summaries.

Precautions and interactions

Never stop, swap or change a prescribed medicine on the strength of anything on this page.
Herbs and supplements can interact with asthma medicines; check with a pharmacist.
Aspirin, ibuprofen and beta blockers can trigger asthma in some people (NHS); ask before taking them if you have asthma.
Exercise, yoga and breathing practice should stop if symptoms begin; use your action plan.

Life-stage considerations

Children: asthma may show mainly as night cough or wheeze; signs of struggling to breathe, bluish lips or limpness need urgent help (NHS, MedlinePlus). Breathing exercises in children lack reliable evidence. Follow a paediatric action plan.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: we read no safety data for the natural options here. Keep taking prescribed asthma medicine unless your clinician advises otherwise, and ask them before any herb or supplement.
Older adults and people on several medicines: interactions and other lung or heart conditions are more likely; review with a pharmacist.
Workplace asthma: symptoms that improve away from work may point to a workplace trigger (see our irritants page); tell your clinician.

Warning signs

Severe breathlessness, difficulty speaking in full sentences, gasping, or blue, grey or very pale lips or skin: emergency.
A reliever that is not helping, or symptoms that return quickly or worsen after the maximum puffs in your plan: emergency.
Drowsiness, confusion, rapid pulse with severe anxiety, or severe chest pain during breathlessness (MedlinePlus).
Peak flow below half of your personal best (MedlinePlus).
Fever with breathlessness, coughing blood, or cough lasting more than three weeks should be checked promptly.

Claim checks

Natural remedies can replace asthma inhalers

Evidence against

NCCIH says the evidence does not support using complementary approaches instead of proven asthma management.

¹²

Breathing exercises treat or cure asthma

Low certainty

A Cochrane review found better quality of life at three months but inconclusive effects on asthma symptoms. No cure was shown and exercises are not for treating attacks.

^16,12

Yoga helps asthma

Moderate certainty

Moderate-quality evidence suggests small improvements in quality of life and symptoms, with no clear lung-function change.

¹⁸

Vitamin D supplements prevent asthma attacks

Evidence against

A 2023 Cochrane review found no reduction in attacks needing steroid tablets, with high-quality evidence.

²⁵

Mattress covers and mite sprays fix asthma

Low certainty

A Cochrane review (older, flagged as outdated) found no effect on peak flow, symptoms or medicine use.

²⁷

A Mediterranean diet protects children from asthma

Low certainty

Observational meta-analyses link it with lower wheeze and asthma rates in children, but they cannot show cause and effect.

^22,23

Exercise is dangerous if you have asthma

Moderate certainty

A Cochrane review of 21 trials found physical training well tolerated with no reported worsening of asthma; NHLBI says you should not avoid exercise but should ask how to do it safely.

^15,14

Questions people ask

What should I do during an asthma attack?

Follow your personal action plan. The NHS says to sit upright, stay as calm as you can and use your reliever as your plan directs. Call emergency services (999 in the UK, the number the NHS names; use your local emergency number elsewhere) if you are getting worse, not better after the maximum puffs in your plan, or have no inhaler. Do not drive yourself to hospital.

Can natural remedies replace my inhaler?

No. NCCIH says the evidence does not support using complementary approaches instead of proven asthma management. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber.

Is asthma curable?

NHLBI says there is no cure, but treatment and a written action plan can help manage it. Symptoms can improve or change over time, so keep your reviews.

How is asthma diagnosed?

A GP or nurse asks about your symptoms, listens to your chest and may arrange breathing tests, a home peak flow meter and sometimes blood or allergy tests (NHS, NHLBI). It can take time because symptoms come and go.

What are common asthma triggers?

The NHS lists exercise, cold air, air pollution, smoke, infections, and allergens such as pollen, dust, mould and animals. Some medicines can also trigger asthma in some people. Our pages on irritants, indoor air and allergy season cover practical steps.

Do breathing exercises help asthma?

A Cochrane review found better quality of life at three months, but effects on symptoms were inconclusive. They are an extra, practised when well, never a replacement for a reliever or emergency help.

Can I exercise with asthma?

Usually yes. A Cochrane review found physical training well tolerated and it improved fitness. NHLBI says you should not avoid exercise but should ask your provider how to do it safely. See our activity page.

Does vitamin D help asthma?

A 2023 Cochrane review found vitamin D did not reduce attacks needing steroid tablets. Ask a clinician if you have another reason to check your vitamin D.

Should I get a flu vaccine if I have asthma?

The NHS and NHLBI advise asking about vaccinations because viral infections can make asthma worse. A Cochrane review was uncertain how much protection it adds against asthma flare-ups, but found no increase in attacks after the inactivated vaccine. Talk to your clinician.

Is it asthma or anxiety?

They can look alike, and they can occur together. NHLBI recommends seeing a mental health professional if you have anxiety or panic attacks. Get new or unexplained breathlessness assessed; do not assume either.

What should I do after an asthma attack?

The NHS says to see a GP within 2 days, even if you feel better, to review your treatment and reduce the risk of another attack.

Where can I read more on the research?

Our asthma research record covers the condition in more detail, and the linked goal pages cover everyday breathing, irritants, indoor air and allergy season.

References

NHS. Asthma (page last reviewed 7 April 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
NHLBI (US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). Asthma (page updated 17 April 2024). Read 2026-11-01. source
CDC. About asthma. Read 2026-11-01. source
NHLBI. Asthma: symptoms (page updated 17 April 2024). Read 2026-11-01. source
MedlinePlus. Asthma in children (page last reviewed 6 April 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
NHS. Asthma: causes (page last reviewed 7 April 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
MedlinePlus. Asthma in adults (page last reviewed 1 January 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
MedlinePlus. Asthma. Read 2026-11-01. source
NHS. Asthma: diagnosis (page last reviewed 7 April 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
NHLBI. Asthma: diagnosis (page updated 17 April 2024). Read 2026-11-01. source
NHS. Asthma: living with (page last reviewed 7 April 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
NCCIH (US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). Asthma and complementary health approaches (page updated March 2022). Read 2026-11-01. source
Gibson PG, et al. Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003. PMID 12535399 source
NHLBI. Asthma: living with (page updated 17 April 2024). Read 2026-11-01. source
Carson KV, et al. Physical training for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. PMID 24085631 source
Santino TA, et al. Breathing exercises for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020. PMID 32212422 source
Macedo TM, et al. Breathing exercises for children with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. PMID 27070225 source
Yang ZY, et al. Yoga for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. PMID 27115477 source
Okoniewski W, et al. Weight Loss for Children and Adults with Obesity and Asthma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2019. PMID 30605347 source
Cates CJ, et al. Vaccines for preventing influenza in people with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. PMID 23450529 source
Cooper S, et al. Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax. 2003. PMID 12885982 source
Garcia-Marcos L, et al. Influence of Mediterranean diet on asthma in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2013. PMID 23578354 source
Zhang J, et al. The Effects of a Healthy Diet on Asthma and Wheezing in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Asthma Allergy. 2023. PMID 37780080 source
NHS. Shortness of breath (page last reviewed 30 January 2024). Read 2026-11-01. source
Williamson A, et al. Vitamin D for the management of asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023. PMID 36744416 source
NHS. Asthma attack (page last reviewed 7 April 2025). Read 2026-11-01. source
Gotzsche PC, Johansen HK. House dust mite control measures for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008. PMID 18425868 source