1. Curcumin
Curcumin is commonly found in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Turmeric is a spice commonly used in curries. Long used in traditional Asian medicine, curcumin has been shown to reduce airway inflammation. A powerful antioxidant, curcumin may help fight the oxidative stress believed to underlie COPD, while blocking inflammation at the molecular level. Research is also being done into the possibilities of using curcumin in the treatment of cancer. Curcumin is believed to be safe and well-tolerated, even at high doses.

Researchers are actively investigating curcumin’s ability to prevent, reverse, or improve a wide range of ailments and conditions. So far, scientists have found that curcumin may have significant antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. What’s more, it may offer relief from arthritis and protection against Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are also intrigued by curcumin’s potential ability to fight or prevent cancer.

2. Panax Ginseng (Renshen)
A dated but well-controlled clinical study from 2002 concluded that treatment with this traditional Asian herb was superior to a placebo for the relief of COPD symptoms. People taking ginseng experienced significant improvements in breathing and the ability to perform exercise, compared to similar subjects who received an inactive treatment.

Another study examined the effects of a combination therapy, which included ginseng and other Asian traditional healing herbs, versus no treatment at all. In this Chinese study, subjects taking the ginseng-based herbal blend experienced significant improvements in all measures of lung function, compared to subjects who received no treatment.

Another study examined all existing evidence regarding ginseng for COPD. The authors concluded that compared to no treatment, or treatment with standard medications alone, ginseng offered some additional improvement in quality of life and lung function among patients with stable COPD.