Herbal medicine approach to relieving dyspnea: A narrative review of efficacy and mechanisms.

Dyspnea, a distressing symptom characterized by difficult or labored breathing, can be caused by a variety of underlying processes, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Despite advancements in medicine, a need remains for more effective dyspnea therapies. Herbal therapy has emerged as a viable approach in this field, with potential therapeutic benefits. The purpose of this narrative review is to assess the efficacy of herbal medication in reducing dyspnea. A comprehensive search was undertaken without time constraints utilizing Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases up to December 2024 to collect relevant clinical trials. Herbal medicine (Allium sativum L., Carum copticum (L.) Benth. & Hook.f., Crocus sativus L., Curcuma longa L., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Mentha × piperita L., Nigella sativa L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris L., and Zataria multiflora Boiss.) and their main components have been shown to reduce dyspnea through multiple mechanisms of disease, including anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and anti-oxidant properties. The findings indicate that herbal remedies may be a useful complement or alternative therapy for managing dyspnea. It could be concluded that herbal therapy offers an effective approach to managing dyspnea, providing a natural and potentially beneficial option for people experiencing respiratory distress. More research and clinical trials are needed to understand the exact mechanisms of action and maximize the use of herbal therapies in the treatment of dyspnea.