The actual term asthma is a Greek word that is derived from the verb aazein, meaning to exhale with open mouth, to pant. The expression asthma appeared for the first time in the Iliad, with the meaning of a short-drawn breath, but the earliest text where the word is found as a medical term is the Corpus Hippocraticum. However it is difficult to determine whether in referring to "asthma," Hippocrates and his school (460-360 B.C.) meant an autonomous clinical entity or simply a symptom. The best clinical description of asthma in later antiquity is offered by the master clinician, Aretaeus of Cappadocia (1st century A.D.). The numerous mentions of "asthma" in the extensive writings of Galen (130-200 A.D.) appear to be in general agreement with the Hippocratic texts and to some extent with the statements of Aretaeus.

Moses Maimonides, a renowed 12th century rabbi, philosopher, and physician practiced in the court of Saladin (1137-1193), sultan of Egypt and Syria. Maimonides wrote a treatise on asthma for his royal patient, Prince Al-Afdal. He noted that his patients symptoms often began with a common cold, especially in the rainy season, forcing him to gasp for air until phlegm was expelled. The patient asked whether a change of climate might be beneficial. Maimonides stated that the dry Egyptian climate was efficacious for sufferers from this disease and warned against the use of very powerful remedies. Among his recommendations were moderation in food, drink, sleep, and sexual activity; avoiding polluted city environments; and a specific remedy, chicken soup. He advised asthma sufferers to consume the soup of chickens or fat hens.

Jean Baptiste Van Helmont, a Belgium physician during the 16th century, wrote that asthma originated in the pipes of the lungs. In the 17th century, Bernardino Ramazzini, an Italian physician, noted a connection between asthma and organic dust.

During the early 1800’s asthma was rarely mentioned in medical literature. At that time 5 patients with asthma constituted a case report. Asthma was first described in the medical literature in the mid-1800’s and still considered rare at that time.

The use of bronchodilators started in 1901. Early 20th century studies focused on the premise that asthma was a psychosomatic disease, and this side-tracked the major advances which loomed on the horizon. Eventually researchers would refute these erroneous psychiatric theories, and prove that asthma was a physical condition. It was not until the 1960s that the inflammatory component of asthma was recognized, and anti-inflammatory medications were added to the regimen.