Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory health condition assessed through clinical symptoms, asthma control, and, in some research, lung-function measures such as FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR. It is distinct from the interventions studied alongside it: options such as Yoga and Saffron Extract are evaluated for possible effects on asthma-related outcomes, rather than defining asthma itself.
See where asthma fits within respiratory health.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
15 options:4 some evidence1 mixed7 not enough evidence3 not tested in people
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 4 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials in adults with asthma reported benefits for asthma control and quality of life. A separate review also reported improvements in FEV1 and oxygen consumption in people with asthma.
Open the High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) pageYogapracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 6 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Four included trials in people with asthma reported improvements in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR, with Yoga contributing to pooled improvements in FEV1 and FEV1%. A pooled analysis of randomized trials also reported improved pulmonary function in children aged 8-16 years when Yoga was added to standard pharmacotherapy.
Open the Yoga pageAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A pilot randomized trial in children found improved asthma-control scores and self-management with ACT compared with usual care. Another trial reported fewer unscheduled asthma-related health care visits and better asthma control.
Open the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) pageCupping TherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A 2024 randomized controlled trial involving 103 people reported improved asthma control, less shortness of breath and rescue inhaler use, and better sleep quality and daily activities compared with control. An earlier review found some reports of benefit but concluded that the evidence was insufficient.
Open the Cupping Therapy pageMindfulness MeditationpracticeMixed resultsSize of effect: Not known
Studies disagree: some found a benefit, others found none. Do not count on it.
2 of 3 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
A review described a 16-week yoga-mindfulness RCT in people with severe asthma that improved HRQoL and breathing control. Another RCT found that improved asthma control was associated with changes in salience network connectivity, but that relationship was correlational.
Open the Mindfulness Meditation pageAcupuncturepracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A review pooling randomized and non-randomized human studies in people with bronchial asthma reported total efficacy and symptom outcomes, but the finding does not specify the direction or size of those changes.
Open the Acupuncture pageAnusara YogapracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis of randomized trials examined Yoga alongside standard pharmacotherapy in children aged 8-16 years with asthma.
Open the Anusara Yoga pageMassagepracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded ranked massage highest for PEF, PAQLQ, and FeNO, but differences from conventional treatment were not statistically significant because the confidence intervals crossed zero.
Open the Massage page
May not suit people with this condition
Supplements and practices linked to problems for people with this condition.
Ice Bath / Cold PlungepracticeUnclear
Authors of two cross-sectional studies listed asthma or cold-induced asthma as a contraindication to polar plunging or cold-water immersion. One explicitly noted that cold-induced asthma was not empirically tested in the study.
Open the Ice Bath / Cold Plunge pageLaughter Yoga / TherapypracticeUnclear
During an active asthma exacerbation, or when laughter is a known bronchospasm trigger, deliberately sustained laughter may worsen airway narrowing and breathing difficulty.
Open the Laughter Yoga / Therapy pageOzone TherapypracticeUnclear
Inhaled ozone can trigger asthma attacks and bronchospasm.
Open the Ozone Therapy pageEar CandlingpracticeUnclear
Smoke, fragrances, or heated air from ear candling may irritate the airways or provoke bronchospasm.
Open the Ear Candling page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition15 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)CertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A meta-analysis of randomized trials in adults with asthma reported benefits for asthma control and quality of life. A separate review also reported improvements in FEV1 and oxygen consumption in people with asthma.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Anxiety Generalized
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Copd
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Diabetes Type2
- +10 more
Open High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Study result
Meta-analysis of randomized trials in adults with asthma showing HIIT benefits for asthma control and quality of life.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A review described a 16-week yoga-mindfulness RCT in people with severe asthma that improved HRQoL (SGRQ −7.2 points, p=0.01) and breathing control (Dyspnea-12 −4.5 points, p=0.03). Another RCT found that improved asthma control was associated with changes in salience network connectivity, but that relationship was correlational.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
Open Mindfulness MeditationStudy result
Hiles et al. RCT in severe asthma: 16-week yoga-mindfulness improved HRQoL (SGRQ −7.2 points, p=0.01) and breathing control (Dyspnea-12 −4.5 points, p=0.03).
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
Four included trials in people with asthma reported improvements in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR, with Yoga contributing to pooled improvements in FEV1 and FEV1%. A pooled analysis of randomized trials also reported improved pulmonary function in children aged 8-16 years when Yoga was added to standard pharmacotherapy.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
- Copd
- Coronary Artery Disease
Open YogaStudy result
Four included RCTs in asthmatic patients (Agnihotri 2016, Pushpa & Sharma 2018, Yüce & Tascı 2020, Yadav 2021) reported significant improvements in spirometric variables (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR) in yoga groups; yoga contributed to the pooled significant FEV1 and FEV1% effects.
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A pilot randomized trial in children found improved asthma-control scores and self-management with ACT compared with usual care. Another trial reported fewer unscheduled asthma-related health care visits and better asthma control.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- ADHD
- Asthma
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
Pilot RCT showing statistically significant improvement in Childhood Asthma Control Test scores (p=0.012, d=0.78) and children's self-management ability (p<0.001, d=1.54) compared to usual care
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A 2024 randomized controlled trial involving 103 people reported improved asthma control, less shortness of breath and rescue inhaler use, and better sleep quality and daily activities compared with control. An earlier review found some reports of benefit but concluded that the evidence was insufficient.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Acne
- Asthma
- Common Cold
Open Cupping TherapyStudy result
Some studies report benefit, but evidence is insufficient.
Low probability(10)
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A review pooling randomized and non-randomized human studies in people with bronchial asthma reported total efficacy and symptom outcomes, but the finding does not specify the direction or size of those changes.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
Open AcupunctureStudy result
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of acupuncture in patients with bronchial asthma; total efficacy and symptom outcomes reported.
- →PracticesAnusara YogaCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis of randomized trials examined Yoga alongside standard pharmacotherapy in children aged 8-16 years with asthma.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
Open Anusara YogaStudy result
Meta-analysis of RCTs in children aged 8-16 years with asthma, adjunct to standard pharmacotherapy.
- →PracticesMassageCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded ranked massage highest for PEF, PAQLQ, and FeNO, but differences from conventional treatment were not statistically significant because the confidence intervals crossed zero.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open MassageStudy result
Network meta-analysis of 3 massage RCTs as adjunctive therapy; SUCRA ranked massage #1 for PEF, PAQLQ, and FeNO, but all MDs vs conventional treatment were non-significant (CIs crossed zero).
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A systematic review of 8 RCTs involving 435 children reported consistent improvements in asthma control, quality of life, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise was described as a safe and feasible adjunct to standard pharmacological therapy.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open CardioStudy result
8 RCTs (435 children) showing consistent improvements in asthma control, quality of life, and cardiorespiratory fitness; safe and feasible adjunct to standard pharmacological therapy
- →PracticesFinnish SaunaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A cohort study's authors said sauna bathing can be recommended for children with bronchial asthma. In cross-sectional reports from 384 people, sauna bathing was described as alleviating asthma symptoms.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Asthma
Open Finnish SaunaStudy result
Authors state that sauna bathing can be recommended for children with bronchial asthma; no statistical outcome is reported in the abstract.
- →PracticesNasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)CertaintyLowSourceClinical
Cohort studies in people with asthma reported improvements in symptoms and endoscopic findings, along with reduced steroid and antibiotic use. These findings come from observational studies, including one with 33 people and another with 12.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
Open Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)Study result
Observational cohort study showing significant improvements in symptoms, endoscopic findings, and reduced steroid/antibiotic use.
- →PracticesDanceCertaintyLowSourceReview
A review describes aerobic dance as a therapeutic exercise for people with asthma and reports that interval training including dance improved aerobic work capacity, muscle strength and lung function in asthmatic children.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open DanceStudy result
Review states aerobic dance is a therapeutic exercise for asthmatic patients and interval training including dance improves aerobic work capacity, muscle strength, and lung function in asthmatic children.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
In qualitative interviews, 15 participants with asthma described perceived improvements in symptoms and breathing control after yoga.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
- Copd
Open Hatha YogaStudy result
Participants with asthma were included and described experiences of improved symptoms and breathing control after YE (qualitative interviews).
- →PracticesPilatesCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Expert knowledge proposes that Pilates may improve respiratory muscle strength and breathing efficiency, with possible relief of symptoms and improved quality of life for people with asthma.
Open PilatesStudy result
Pilates enhances respiratory muscle strength and breathing efficiency, providing symptomatic relief and improved quality of life for people with asthma.
- →PracticesPursed-Lip BreathingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Expert guidance describes breathing exercises as a non-drug technique for managing acute airway narrowing and reducing rescue inhaler use.
Open Pursed-Lip BreathingStudy result
Recommended as a non-pharmacological technique to manage acute bronchoconstriction and reduce rescue inhaler use.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worse4 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesIce Bath / Cold PlungeCertaintyLowSourceClinical
Authors of two cross-sectional studies listed asthma or cold-induced asthma as a contraindication to polar plunging or cold-water immersion. One explicitly noted that cold-induced asthma was not empirically tested in the study.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
Study result
Listed by authors as a contraindication to polar plunging.
Open Ice Bath / Cold PlungeRationale
Listed by authors as a contraindication to polar plunging.
- →PracticesLaughter Yoga / TherapyCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
During an active asthma exacerbation, or when laughter is a known bronchospasm trigger, deliberately sustained laughter may worsen airway narrowing and breathing difficulty.
Open Laughter Yoga / TherapyRationale
During an active exacerbation, or when laughter is a known bronchospasm trigger for the person, deliberately sustained laughter may worsen bronchoconstriction and breathing difficulty.
- →PracticesOzone TherapyCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Inhaled ozone can trigger asthma attacks and bronchospasm.
Open Ozone TherapyRationale
Inhalation of ozone can trigger asthma attacks and bronchospasm.
- →PracticesEar CandlingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Smoke, fragrances, or heated air from ear candling may irritate the airways or provoke bronchospasm.
Open Ear CandlingRationale
Smoke, fragrances, and heated air from the candle may irritate the airways or provoke bronchospasm.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Asthma is a respiratory health condition assessed through clinical symptoms, asthma control, and, in some research, lung-function measures such as FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR. It is distinct from the interventions studied alongside it: options such as Yoga and Saffron Extract are evaluated for possible effects on asthma-related outcomes, rather than defining asthma itself.
Evidence may concern people with allergic asthma, asthmatic patients, or groups that are not specified, so findings should not automatically be generalized to everyone with asthma. Medical conditions warrant clinician guidance.
Evidence-backed options
The options associated with asthma have been studied in different settings and should not be treated as interchangeable. Saffron Extract was evaluated as supplementation over 8 weeks in people with allergic asthma, while Citrulline was studied at 15 g/d for 2 weeks in obese people with asthma who had low or normal fractional excretion of NO. These findings may not apply equally to all people with asthma, and the available information does not specify a time to benefit for Yoga or several other options.
Magnesium has a distinct role in the evidence described: intravenous magnesium sulfate is an adjunct for severe acute asthma exacerbations that respond inadequately to initial bronchodilator therapy, whereas routine oral magnesium is not described as an acute asthma treatment. This means route, severity, and treatment context matter when interpreting results.
The evidence is thinner for options supported mainly by animal research or pharmacology references. Dietary Fiber (Prebiotics) requires well-controlled human RCTs, and the role of Vitamin A still needs verification across different populations. Zinc findings have been inconsistent and limited by methodological variability. Ginger is supported here by animal research without a stated human finding.
Overall, the findings range from improvements in symptoms or lung-function measures to proposed preventive or supportive roles, with applicability varying by asthma type, severity, and population. These options are educational areas of research rather than substitutes for individualized asthma care; people with a medical condition should discuss them with a clinician.
What to avoid
Several items are flagged because they may irritate the airways or provoke bronchospasm. Ozone Therapy can trigger asthma attacks when ozone is inhaled. Cigarette Smoking promotes airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction, which can worsen asthma symptoms and reduce responsiveness to corticosteroids. Smoke, fragrances, and heated air from Ear Candling may also irritate the airways or provoke bronchospasm.
Other concerns relate to airway secretions or inflammatory effects. Bacopa Monnieri has cholinergic activity and may increase respiratory secretions, potentially aggravating bronchoconstriction or mucus burden in susceptible patients. Some evidence suggests Glucosamine may worsen asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals, possibly through inflammatory pathway effects.
Allergic responses provide another reason for caution. Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family, and cross-reactivity with ragweed can trigger bronchospasm in allergic individuals. Case reports suggest Chondroitin Sulfate may exacerbate asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals, potentially through histamine release or an allergic response. Inhaled Glutathione can trigger bronchospasm in people with asthma, and caution is noted with all forms during active asthma.
Ice Bath / Cold Plunge is listed by authors as a contraindication to polar plunging for people with asthma. Because these concerns vary by exposure, susceptibility, and the activity or form involved, people with asthma can discuss any flagged supplement or practice with a clinician.