Herbs for Eosinophilic,Mast-Cell,and Basophilic Diseases

Abstract

Eosinophilic conditions are reviewed briefly, including the fact that early misunderstanding likely led to the now largely discredited idea that eosinophils are crucial to their the pathogenesis of these chronic allergic conditions. They can be relieved effectively by a range of herbal medicines—just a small selection of the large number of such medicines that have been studied, which are reviewed here.

Ephedra sinica

(ma huang) is discussed in some detail as one of the strongest traditional antiallergic agents in Chinese medicine. Many studies—including those involving ma huang-dominated formulas such as Dìng Chuăn Tāng (Arrest Wheezing Decoction) and Má Huáng Fù Ziõ Xì Xīn Tāng (Ephedra Aconite Asiasarum formula)—have shown ma huang to be effective for people with eosinophilic conditions.

Ammi visnaga

(khella) and a semisynthetic medication made from its compound khellin, cromolyn, are reviewed in depth. Yù Píng Fēng Săn (Jade Windscreen Powder) has been shown to be synergistic with cromolyn.

Quercetin, a flavonoid in wide clinical use by natural practitioners for patients with allergies, and a related flavonoid, luteolin, are discussed as potentially effective antieosinophilic compounds.

Finally, the immunomodulating herb Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus; huáng qí) is reviewed as a very different and effective agent directed toward T-cell problems underlying eosinophilic diseases.