In the United States, one Somali woman uses only honey because she cannot find butter from a cow. She gives her child one spoonful of honey every night before bed as well as massaging her child's chest and keeping her warm. Traditional healers often use a sesame oil with water mixture. It works by causing one to vomit, expel mucus, and then improve. They also use an egg, butter, and milk mixture to treat asthma.
Western medication is also available.
Somalia was a colony governed by Italy until 1960. Even after gaining their independence, however, Italy still helped with medical and schooling issues. Consequently, they have received western medicine from Italy, as well as Germany and England. One woman had received IV aminophylline and hydrocortisone when she was pregnant and had asthma. She had also received IM epinephrine and steroids for acute episodes.