Clinical inquiries. Are any alternative therapies effective in treating asthma?

yes, some are. acupuncture relieves subjective symptoms of asthma and reduces medication use in mild to moderate asthma (strength of recommendation [sor]: A, based on systematic review of randomized controlled trials [rCTs] of variable quality). Herbal medications, such as Ginkgo biloba, appear to improve lung function, while herbs such as Tylophora indica and Tsumura saiboku-to may decrease asthma symptoms (sor: B, based on systematic review of rCTs with poor methodology). No evidence, however, supports the use of room air ionizers, manual therapy, homeopathy, or mind-body therapy for treatment of asthma (sor: A, based on systematic reviews and metaanalyses of rCTs and individual rCTs).