A January 2011 article on WebMD addresses the increase in asthma cases in American. Approximately 8.2% of the US population has asthma and the reports show nearly 2,000,000 people were sent to emergency rooms due to asthma last year. Modern medicine is important in managing this disease, but it is not the whole story.

A Chinese herbal formula for asthma, called ASHMI (Antiasthma Herbal Medicine Intervention Formula) has received much attention in resent years. It was developed and researched at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Study results showed that patients with moderate-severe asthma had significantly improved lung function while taking the ASHMI formula. They also had an increase in important immune system cells (T cells) which were decreased in people taking steroidal asthma medication.

Complementary Medicine takes the approach of supporting the body as opposed to just suppressing symptoms. The benefits to the body extend past treating symptoms and get to the root problem. The ASHMI formula is a supportive three herb combination that was developed with the aim of receiving FDA approval. Combining complementary and modern medicine with diseases like asthma can give much improved outcomes and, potentially, the need for less medication.

There are many effective herbal formulations used in Chinese medicine and this research is a promising step in integrating the strengths of complementary and modern medicine.