There’s no cure for asthma. However, it’s a highly treatable disease. Some doctors say today’s asthma treatments are so effective, many people have near-complete control of their symptoms.

People with asthma have highly individual triggers and responses. This means treatments can also vary.

If you have asthma, your doctor will work with you to create an asthma action plan that focuses on your symptoms and triggers. The plan may include suggestions about changes you can make to your environment and activities, along with medication to help you manage your symptoms.

Asthma treatment serves two main purposes: long-term control and short-term symptom relief. Asthma medications your doctor may include in your asthma action plan include:

Inhalers: These portable devices deliver a premeasured dose of asthma medication into your lungs. You hold the J-shaped pump to your mouth and press down on the canister. The pump sends out a mist or powder that you inhale.

Some inhalers contain corticosteroids that control swelling and irritation in your airways. These inhalers are for daily or seasonal use.

Other inhalers contain fast-acting drugs, such as bronchodilators, beta2-agonists, or anticholinergics, that can open the airways quickly during an asthma flare-up.

Some inhalers may contain a combination of medications to control specific reactions.

Nebulizers: These freestanding devices turn liquid medications into a mist you can breathe. The drugs used in nebulizers reduce swelling and irritation in the airways.

Oral drugs: Oral asthma drugs include leukotriene modulators (which reduce inflammation) and theophylline (mostly replaced with safer, more effective medications) that open your airways. Both are taken in pill form. Doctors sometimes prescribe oral corticosteroids in cases of a flare-up.

Biologics: You may have an injection of a biologic medication once or twice a month. These medications are also called immunomodulators because they reduce certain white blood cells in your blood or reduce your sensitivity to allergens in your environment. Doctors only prescribe them for certain types of severe asthma.

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Doctors may prescribe one or more of these drugs to help control your asthma and relieve symptoms:

Long-acting medications

Inhaled corticosteroids, such as:

Leukotriene modifiers, such as:

  • montelukast (Singulair)
  • zafirlukast (Accolate)
  • zileuton (Zyflo)
Advisory

Singulair, in rare cases, has been linked to several serious side effects, including:

  • depression
  • suicidal thoughts and actions
  • aggression
  • agitation
  • hallucinations

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that the drug is restricted for other conditions like allergic rhinitis.

Let your doctor know about any psychological symptoms you or your child are experiencing.

Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs), such as:

LABAs are meant to be taken in combination with corticosteroids. When taken on their own, they can cause severe asthma flare-ups. Some medications that combine corticosteroids and LABAs include:

Fast-acting: rescue inhalers

Rescue inhalers are for immediate relief of symptoms and include:

If you experience severe asthma, your doctor may add oral corticosteroids like prednisone to your asthma action plan.

If your flare-ups seem to be triggered by allergens, your doctor might recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) or antihistamines and decongestants.

Biologics

In people with asthma, biologics target specific pathways used in the development of the condition. These drugs include:

There are many natural remedies for asthma to consider, but it’s always recommended to speak with a doctor before trying them. It’s also important to keep taking your prescribed medication.

Asthma is a serious condition, and asthma flare-ups can be life threatening.

Black seed (Nigella sativa)

Nigella sativa is a spice in the cumin family used as medicine in several cultures, including Ayurveda. It may be eaten, taken as a pill or powder, or used in essential oil form.

A 2020 meta-analysis of several studies showed that Nigella sativa supplements may provide benefits in the treatment of some types of asthma, measured in lung function and by relaxing the muscles around the airways (bronchi), allowing them to widen and improve breathing. The writers said that more research is needed.

Caffeine

Caffeine has also been studied as a natural remedy for asthma because it’s related to the drug theophylline, which is used to relax muscles in the airways.

Researchers of a 2023 mouse study reported that caffeine delivered as a nasal mist (nebulizer caffeine) decreased airway resistance and might be used to alleviate narrowing of the airways in a person with an acute asthma attack.

Additionally, a 2020 Korean study reported that drinking coffee once or twice per day might have protective effects against asthma.

Here, too, more research is needed.

Choline

Choline is a nutrient your body needs to function well, but choline deficiency is rare. A 2024 study showed that choline in food may significantly reduce inflammation in people with asthma, especially those with overweight or obesity.

Choline is found in foods like:

  • beef and chicken liver
  • eggs
  • cod and salmon
  • vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower
  • soybean oil

However, eating too much choline can cause side effects, such as:

  • fishy body odor
  • vomiting
  • heavy sweating and salivation
  • low blood pressure
  • liver damage

The recommended upper limit for choline intake is:

  • 3,500 milligrams (mg) for adults
  • 3,000 mg for those ages 14 to 18 years
  • 2,000 mg for children 9 to 13 years
  • 1,000 mg for children 1 to 8 years

No upper limit has been determined for infants 1 year and younger.

French maritime pine bark extract

Pine bark extract is made up of plant-based hormones and organic chemicals called flavonoids. It is commonly sold under the brand name Pycnogenol.

Although more research is needed, a 2024 review of studies showed that Pycnogenol was associated with an improvement in asthma symptoms and lung capacity, and a decrease in inflammation and reliance on inhalers.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a somewhat controversial remedy for asthma. It has been researched in lab and human studies, with mixed results. According to an older 2017 study, taking vitamin D along with asthma medications lowered the risk of going to the emergency room for an asthma attack by 50%. However, researchers of a 2021 study found that supplementing vitamin D may not reduce the rates of asthma flare-ups except in adults with already low levels of vitamin D.

Researchers of a 2023 review said this treatment has potential and that more studies are needed.

Increasingly, doctors are looking to use certain biomarkers in the breath to customize asthma treatment. This area of research is most useful when doctors prescribe biologics, which are proteins that work in the immune system to prevent inflammation.

Asthma is a disease that causes your airways to narrow due to swelling, tightening, or increased mucus. While there’s no cure, many treatment options can prevent asthma flare-ups or treat symptoms when they occur.

Some natural or home remedies may help, but always speak with your doctor before adding any of them to your asthma action plan.