7 home remedies for asthma—and what to do if they don’t work

If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, you’re not alone. Approximately 25 million Americans have this chronic lung condition that causes wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, and tightness in the chest.

In addition to being prescribed proper medication and having an asthma action plan, there are lifestyle modifications you can make to help prevent asthma attacks, manage symptoms, and breathe easier. 

7 home remedies for asthma

Asthma can be defined as either intermittent, meaning symptoms or rescue inhaler use occur no more than twice a week, nighttime symptoms no more than twice a month, and exacerbations no more than once a year. If symptoms, rescue inhaler use, or exacerbations are more frequent, asthma is defined as persistent. 

Genetics is one of the most common risk factors for asthma. Meaning, you’re more likely to develop asthma if one or both of your parents has asthma. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that most asthma cases are attributed to a combination of family history and environmental factors. The most effective home remedies for asthma are aimed at avoiding or reducing the environmental factors that can cause symptoms.

“Lifestyle modifications are the cornerstone of an allergist’s treatment plan,” says J. Allen Meadows, MD, board-certified allergist with Allervie Health in Montgomery, Alabama. “Making changes to your everyday routine can help you to avoid asthma attacks.” 

While these changes are an important part of a treatment plan, they shouldn’t be your only tool. Meaning, they aren’t a replacement for medical treatment and prescription medication. “Ten people die each day in the U.S. from asthma, so it’s important not to rely on lifestyle changes alone,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, allergist with the Allergy and Asthma Network. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) notes that most of these deaths are avoidable with proper treatment and care.

In combination with medication and an asthma action plan, these natural remedies for asthma can help. 

1. Losing weight 

Recent studies have shown a link between being overweight and developing asthma. “Carrying excess weight can contribute to inflammation and poor asthma control,” Dr. Parikh says. 

The good news is that dropping even a few pounds can make a big difference. It won’t cure your asthma, but it can result in better symptom control and improved lung function.

2. Quitting smoking 

Tobacco smoke can trigger asthma symptoms. Dr. Parikh recommends that her patients with asthma quit smoking and to also avoid second-hand smoke. For those who need help kicking the habit, The Truth Initiative, a non-profit public health organization, has partnered with The Mayo Clinic to offer BecomeAnEx, a free smoking cessation program that offers participants an individualized plan, expert advice, and text message support. In addition, over-the-counter medications such as NicoDerm can help to reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.  

RELATED: What to expect from nicotine withdrawal

3. Eating healthier 

What you eat can also affect the severity of your asthma symptoms. Research has shown that a Western diet loaded with refined grains, red meat, and sweets, can increase inflammation, which could make asthma symptoms worse.                                                                                     

According to Dr. Parikh, while a poor diet can exacerbate asthma symptoms, eating a healthy diet can improve symptoms. That means increasing fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Substitute fatty fish for red meats. You’ll reduce your saturated fat intake, and add beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Or, try adding turmeric to your cooking. This spice is frequently touted for its anti-inflammatory properties. These steps may improve airway inflammation and asthma control. 

In addition, those with asthma often have lower levels of vitamin D, an important nutrient in fighting inflammation. You can increase your vitamin D levels by eating foods such as fortified milk and juices, egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms, and oily fish including salmon, tuna, and sardines. Whether or not taking a vitamin D supplement might help with asthma is still being studied. 

4. Using breathing techniques 

Since asthma affects your lungs, it makes sense that breathing exercises can help with the symptoms of asthma, as well as increase lung strength. “Breathing techniques learned in yoga and meditation can be helpful,” Dr. Parikh says. 

The American Lung Association offers free online videos and instructions on how to practice two breathing methods that help with asthma symptoms:

• Pursed lip breathing
• Belly breathing (also known as diaphragmatic breathing or the Papworth method)

Some research also suggests the Buteyko breathing method may be beneficial. 

5. Exercising

If you have asthma, you might think exercise will make your symptoms worse. Actually, the opposite is true, exercise can reduce inflammation and improve lung function. And, there are lots of other health benefits from improved circulation to decreased blood pressure over time.

If you have exercise-induced asthma, talk with your healthcare team about how you can exercise safely. They may recommend using an asthma medication prior to working out and doing low-impact exercise routines that won’t induce asthma attacks. 

6. Identifying and avoiding triggers

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), environmental asthma triggers vary from person to person. Common triggers include:

• Secondhand smoke
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Cockroaches and pests
• Pets
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Outdoor air pollution
• Chemical irritants
• Wood smoke

The EPA offers resources on actions you can take to address these environmental triggers and reduce your chances of an asthma attack.

7. Addressing and controlling allergies 

Dr. Meadows recommends all of his allergic asthma patients undergo allergy testing. “Testing also makes us aware of what could cause an asthma attack,” he says. “By knowing your triggers, you can take steps to avoid them whenever possible.” 

“If you have allergies that are non-avoidable, such as being allergic to a family pet, I recommend getting allergy shots,” Dr. Meadows says. “Since it’s not easy to avoid all allergens, allergy shots are a natural way to help dampen the immune system’s response and lessen your asthma symptoms.”

For some allergies, there’s an easier solution—avoidance. It’s possible to avoid allergens such as smoke from a fireplace or bonfire. “These triggers are particularly harmful to people with asthma, even if their symptoms are well-controlled,” Dr. Meadows says.

“If allergies are a trigger for your asthma, Zyrtec may help, but the mainstay of any action plan should be inhalers and seeking medical attention when needed,” Dr. Parikh says.

Home remedies for asthma that don’t work

Some alternative medicine tactics don’t have any beneficial effects on asthma symptoms—and may even be harmful. For example, while some say eucalyptus or lavender open airways, they can trigger breathing problems for asthmatics in the same way a strong scent or cleaning fumes might. The same goes for certain natural supplements, such as bee pollen. These over-the-counter pills could trigger allergic symptoms for some people.

Dr. Meadows doesn’t recommend over-the-counter products as part of an asthma treatment plan and specifically advises against using cough drops, cough medicines, or cough syrups. “When your asthma triggers a cough, you should only use a rescue inhaler as the first line of defense to treat your symptoms,” he says. “Cough medicines won’t help your asthma.” When in doubt, you should avoid:

• Essential oils
• Supplements
• Cough drops
• Cough medicines
• Cough syrups

If you’re ever unsure about a product, call your provider or pharmacist for help before using it—and never stop using your prescribed medications in favor of an herbal remedy.

How to treat asthma when natural remedies don’t work 

Home remedies work best when used as complementary therapies with an asthma action plan and appropriate medications.

Asthma action plan

When you’re diagnosed with asthma, your healthcare provider will work with you to create an asthma action plan. This is an individualized document that you will use to track your symptoms and peak flow values—along with instructions for how to manage your asthma at different phases. Typically, that includes guidelines for recognizing when symptoms are worsening and when to get emergency care.

“It’s important for patients to have their asthma action plan written down and to keep a copy with them,” Dr. Meadows says. “If your child has asthma, their school should have a copy of their plan and understand each of the steps.”

Medications

Although asthma isn’t curable, it is treatable. Your provider may prescribe a short-acting, or rescue, asthma inhaler to help treat your symptoms and improve airflow to the lungs, such as Ventolin (albuterol). These devices quickly deliver medication to your lungs and can prevent or relieve asthma symptoms such as chest tightness or difficulty breathing. If your asthma is more severe, there are long-acting inhalers that you use regularly to control asthma symptoms, such as Qvar Redihaler.

“If a patient has a cough, I encourage them to use their rescue inhaler,” Dr. Meadows says. “If they need to use it more than once or twice a day, they should contact their doctor’s office to discuss alternatives.”

When inhalers aren’t effective, physicians sometimes prescribe oral corticosteroids in pill form, that are only to be taken in the event of a severe asthma attack.

There’s a common misconception that steroid inhalers used for asthma are dangerous and addictive. “Actually, they are very safe and effective, it’s much worse to have uncontrolled asthma which requires oral or injectable steroids,” Dr. Parikh says.

Immunizations

It’s also important for those with asthma to get an annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination. That’s because viral illness can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

“When you have asthma, getting the flu means your symptoms will typically flare-up and the chance of getting an asthma attack increases,” Dr. Meadows says. “By getting a yearly flu shot, you can decrease the chance of an asthma flare-up and potentially becoming even more sick as a result.”

When to see a doctor 

If your asthma is uncontrolled, seek medical advice as soon as possible to prevent a dangerous breathing problem. “If you’re having warning signs such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain, especially at night or on exertion, it’s important to see a board-certified allergist or pulmonologist,” Dr. Parikh says. Then, check back in with your provider any time you have a change in symptoms. Your treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.