Self‐administered rhubarb‐free kyoseihatekigan has novel anti‐asthma effects: T wo case reports

Cases A sudden asthma attack in patient 1, a 36‐year‐old man, was treated with standard anti‐asthma drugs; and patient 2, a 76‐year‐old woman, developed asthma 6 years earlier that worsened every winter. Standard anti‐asthma drugs inadequately improved their symptoms. Outcomes Self‐administered rhubarb‐free kyoseihatekigan (xiang‐sheng‐po‐di wan) remarkably improved the asthma symptoms of patient 1, who required fewer prescription drugs and lower doses thereafter, and in patient 2, who discontinued prescription drugs. Conclusions Rhubarb‐free kyoseihatekigan improves throat conditions such as laryngitis and hoarseness and does not require a prescription. These two case reports, however, indicate that rhubarb‐free kyoseihatekigan also has novel anti‐asthma effects.