Zhen Wu Tang: A Case Report Unveiling The Lung-Gut Axis In Asthma Management Through Chinese Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition affecting adults and children worldwide. In 2019, the World Health Organization estimated that 262 million people were affected by the disease (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024). Its development arises from the complex interaction between the immune system and environmental triggers. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating asthma, rooted in the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment found in the earliest Chinese medicine text, the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic), and later herbal texts. Zhen Wu Tang, a Chinese herbal formula, offers a comprehensive approach to asthma management, leveraging its diverse pharmacological actions. The synergistic interactions among Zhen Wu Tang's components not only amplify its therapeutic potential but also inspire new avenues for research and treatment development. Exploring its impact on the gut microbiome unveils novel opportunities for therapeutic exploration in the lung-gut connection within TCM, underscoring the relevance of TCM's diagnostic framework in modern clinical investigations. This case emphasizes the necessity for future clinical studies to encompass herbs, acupuncture, and TCM diagnostic criteria.