Key Remedies in Asthma: A Homeopathic Overview

ABSTRACT

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the respiratory tract, marked by airway hyper-responsiveness and variable airflow obstruction, leading to episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, and chest tightness. It affects both children and adults and is often triggered by allergens, infections, stress, and environmental factors. While conventional medicine offers symptomatic relief through bronchodilators and corticosteroids, homeopathy offers a holistic, individualized approach aimed at addressing the root cause and enhancing the body’s self-healing capabilities.

Objective: To review key homeopathic remedies used in the management of asthma, highlighting their indications, therapeutic scope, and the philosophy of individualization in homeopathic treatment.

Method: The study is based on a qualitative review of classical homeopathic materia medica, repertories (e.g., Kent’s Repertory, Boericke’s Materia Medica), and relevant clinical literature. The remedies were selected based on their frequent application, documented success, and wide sphere of action in respiratory affections.

Conclusion: Several homeopathic remedies demonstrate marked efficacy in the management of asthma when prescribed on the basis of totality of symptoms. Remedies like Arsenicum album, Ipecacuanha, Spongia tosta, and Natrum sulphuricum are commonly indicated in different clinical stages of asthma. Constitutional and miasmatic approaches in homeopathy offer promising results in long-term asthma care.

Keywords: Asthma, Bronchial Asthma, Homeopathy, Constitutional Treatment, Homoeopathic Medicine.

INTRODUCTION [1,2,3,4}

Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs. It is characterized by inflammation, narrowing of the air passages, and increased mucus production, leading to difficulty in breathing.

Etiology Factors:

• Allergens (pollen, dust mites, pet dander)
• Respiratory infections
• Physical exertion
• Cold air or weather changes
• Air pollutants
• Stress and emotional factors
• Certain medications (e.g., aspirin)

Types of Asthma:

• Allergic Asthma – Triggered by environmental allergens
• Non-Allergic Asthma – Triggered by stress, infections, or exercise
• Occupational Asthma – Caused by exposure to workplace irritants
• Cough-variant Asthma – Dominated by chronic cough
• Exercise-induced Asthma – Brought on by physical exertion

Symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Coughing, especially at night or early morning
• Difficulty in exhaling

Homeopathic Approach to Asthma and Key Homeopathic Remedies for Asthma [6,7,8,9]:

Homeopathy treats asthma not as a disease but as an expression of internal disharmony. The focus is on the individual’s physical, mental, and emotional constitution, along with their family history and susceptibility. Remedies are selected based on the totality of symptoms and the underlying miasm (psora, sycosis, or syphilis). The approach is both curative and preventive, aiming to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

1. Arsenicum Album

• Wheezing with anxiety and restlessness; attacks are worse between midnight and 2 AM; burning in the chest; must sit upright.
• Anxious, meticulous, fastidious individuals.
• Modalities: Worse with cold air; better with warm drinks and elevation of the head.

2. Ipecacuanha

• Spasmodic asthma with constant nausea and vomiting; chest full of mucus; rattling respiration; wheezing.
• Clean tongue despite nausea
• Modalities: Worse from warm, damp weather; better in open air.

3. Natrum Sulphuricum

• Asthma triggered or worsened by damp and humid weather; greenish expectoration; rattling of mucus in chest.
• Often indicated in children and adults living in damp conditions.
• Modalities: Worse in damp basements or during the rainy season.

4. Spongia Tosta

• Dry, barking, croupy cough; sensation of suffocation; relief from warm drinks.
• Nocturnal asthma and asthma in children
• Modalities: Worse before midnight; better from warm food and drinks.

5. Antimonium Tartaricum

• Rattling of mucus with inability to expectorate; patient is weak and drowsy.
• Suitable for the elderly and children with weak chests.
• Modalities: Worse when lying down; better sitting up.

6. Blatta Orientalis

• Asthma with bronchitis and copious mucus; aggravated by dampness and exertion.
• Acute asthma attacks.
• Modalities: Worse from dust, damp environment.

7. Sambucus Nigra

• Nighttime asthma in children: sudden attacks with suffocation and dry cough.
• Infantile asthma and spasmodic croup.
• Modalities: Worse at night; better after sitting up.

8. Kali Bichromicum

• Asthma with thick, stringy, ropy mucus; chest pain; post-nasal drip.
• Sinus-related asthma.
• Modalities: Worse in the early morning and cold weather.

9. Carbo Vegetabilis

• Advanced asthma with collapse, cold breath; wants to be fanned; gasping for air.
• Suited for elderly, weak, or post-illness patients.
• Modalities: Worse in warm, closed rooms.

10. Nux Vomica

• Asthma from gastric disturbances or sedentary lifestyle; dry cough in the morning; irritability.
• Suited for overworked, stressed, and competitive individuals.
• Modalities: Worse in the morning, cold weather; better with rest.

Conclusion: Homeopathy offers a unique and individualized approach to the treatment of asthma. By focusing on the constitutional nature of the patient and the modalities of their symptoms, remedies such as Arsenicum album, Ipecacuanha, Natrum sulphuricum, and Spongia tosta offer relief not only from acute exacerbations but also help reduce the chronic recurrence of symptoms.The strength of homeopathy lies in its ability to work gently with the body’s own healing mechanisms. While it may not replace emergency interventions in severe asthma cases, it can serve as a complementary or even primary treatment modality in many chronic cases under proper supervision by a qualified homeopathic practitioner.

Conflict of interest – None.

Sources of funding – None.

REFERENCE

1. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, May 29). Asthma. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 08:14, May 30, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asthma&oldid=1292952004
2. Goldin J, Hashmi MF, Cataletto ME. Asthma. [Updated 2024 May 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430901/
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Author

Dr Akash Dwivedi M. D. (Hom)

Professor, Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica Ram Krishna College of Homoeopathy & Medical Sciences, RKDF, University Campus, Bhopal, MP