This same researcher published in the Lancet (12-10-94) another high caliber study on the homeopathic treatment of asthma. This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial performed conventional allergy testing to determine what substance asthma sufferers were most allergic. Then, half of the subjects were given a homeopathic preparation of this substance, while the other half were given a placebo. Those people given the homeopathic medicine experienced a very significant improvement in their symptoms of asthma.

Specific Remedies
One of the common homeopathic medicines for respiratory allergies is Allium cepa (the common onion). Because onions are known to cause tearing of the eyes and running of the nose, it is wonderfully effective in treating such symptoms when given in homeopathic microdoses. Specifically, people who will benefit from Allium cepa experience a profuse, fluent, burning nasal discharge which is worse in a warm room and better in the open air. They have a profuse, bland (non-burning) tearing from the eyes with reddened eyes, and will desire to rub their eyes frequently. They experience a raw feeling in the nose with a tingling sensation and violent sneezing. A frontal congestive headache may be concurrent with their allergy symptoms. These symptoms tend to exacerbate after damp winds.

People who need Euphrasia (eyebright, an herb) have the opposite symptoms as those who need Allium cepa: they have profuse burning tears from the eyes and a bland nasal discharge. Their eyes water so much the person looks awash in tears. The whites of the eye and the cheeks become reddened from the burning tears. The eye symptoms are worse in the open air. The profuse bland nasal discharge is worse at night, while lying down, and in windy weather.

Burning tears and nasal discharge which are often worse on the right side characterize the symptoms related to Arsenicum album (arsenic, the mineral). These people's symptoms are worse at and after midnight. They toss and turn in bed and become very anxious, frightened, and restless during breathing difficulties. They are very chilly and feel better in general in a warm room. They usually have a great thirst but only take sips at a time. These people are sensitive to light, have violent sneezing, and may develop asthmatic breathing.

When an allergy sufferer is particularly irritable and chilly and has a fluent nasal discharge during the day and congestion at night, Nux vomica (poison nut, a seed from a tree) should be their remedy. Their symptoms tend to be worse indoors and better in the open air. They are sensitive to the cold and to being uncovered. Frequent sneezing may be experienced. Their symptoms sometimes begin after being irritated, vexed, or fatigued.

A common remedy of both women and children is Pulsatilla (windflower, an herb). These people have a nasal discharge during the day and congestion at night(just like people who need Nux vomica). People who need Pulsatilla are quite different from people who need Nux vomica: they are usually gentle, mild, yielding, impressionaable, and emotional people who seek attention and sympathy, rather than the argument and conflict in which Nux vomica people indulge. People who need Pulsatilla have congestion is worse in a warm room, hot weather, or while lying down, and is relieved in cool rooms, open air, or with cool applications. They tend to have itching at the roof of their mouth at night. They tend to be without thirst.