Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Therapy for Asthma

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female subjects ages 18 through 55 and otherwise in good health as determined by medical history and physical examination * History of asthma documented by a physician for at least 6 months * Females of childbearing potential must be sexually inactive or take effective birth control measures, as deemed appropriate by the investigator, for the duration of the study * The subject agrees to participate in the study * Subjects must have one of the following: * one asthma-related unscheduled visit to an Emergency Department or clinic in the past 12 months * One overnight hospitalization in the past 12 months * Disturbed sleep more than twice in the past month * Asthma symptoms ≥8 times in the past month * use of a β2-agonist ≥8 times in the past month * two short courses (3-7 days) of oral corticosteroids in the last 12 months * FEV1 \<80% predicted AND Use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for at least 1 month prior to enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Acute illness (such as cold, flu, etc.) within two weeks before the screening visit * Any history of systemic disease that in the investigator's opinion would preclude the subject from participating in this study, including hepatitis virus infection * History of chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema, or other chronic respiratory condition * Abnormal hepatic function (ALT/AST and bilirubin \>1.25 x upper limit of normal) * Abnormal bone marrow function (WBC \<4 x 103/mm3; platelets \<100 x 103/mm3; Hgb \<11 g/dl) * Abnormal renal function (BUN and creatinine \>1.25 x upper limit of normal) * Clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram * FEV1 \<50% predicted * Participation in another experimental therapy study within 30 days of this study * History of alcohol or drug abuse * Pregnant or lactating female subjects. Females of childbearing potential will need a negative serum pregnancy test at screening to be considered for this study * Subjects receiving treatment with Omalizumab or immunotherapy for asthma