the potential of herbal medicine in managing recurrent airway obstruction in horses

Recurrent airway obstruction (rao) is a chronic, reversible airway disease affecting stabled adult horses, characterized by exercise intolerance, coughing, nasal secretions, and increased respiratory effort. conventional treatments, including environmental management and pharmacotherapy with anti-inflammatories (e.g., dexamethasone) and bronchodilators (e.g., clenbuterol), are limited by logistical challenges, such as restricted outdoor access in equestrian facilities, and side effects, including laminitis, pneumonia, and impaired athletic performance. this study explores herbal medicines as a promising alternative for rao management due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and antitussive properties. a comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicines in treating rao in horses. the review focused on both chinese and western herbal formulations, assessing their pharmacological properties and therapeutic outcomes in equine models. key herbs and combinations, including schisandra 5, bai he gu jin tang, bu fei san, ren shen ge jie san, and a western herbal blend (yellow gentian, garden sorrel, cowslip, verbena, and common elder), were analyzed for their impact on rao symptoms and pathophysiology. chinese herbal formulations demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitussive effects, alleviating rao symptoms in affected horses. the western herbal combination reduced histamine sensitivity and maximal intrapleural pressure difference, key indicators of airway hyperresponsiveness. these findings suggest that herbal medicines can modulate airway inflammation and improve respiratory function, offering a viable adjunct or alternative to conventional therapies. herbal medicines present a promising approach for managing rao in horses, addressing limitations of standard treatments. however, their application remains underexplored. future research should prioritize standardized formulations, mechanistic studies, and controlled clinical trials to establish efficacy and safety. integrating herbal therapies could enhance equine welfare and performance while minimizing adverse effects.