Background In Oriental countries, the root of Saussurea lappa is used to treat asthma, rheumatism, and other conditions. Extracts of Saussurea lappa were reported to alleviate house dust mite‐induced atopic‐like dermatitis in Nc/Nga mice, and sesquiterpene lactones were isolated. METHODS To elucidate whether elecampane camphor, a constuent of Saussurea lappa extract has beneficial effects on allergic asthma, anti‐asthma effects were studied using female Balb/c mice and rat RBL‐2H3 mast cells. Antigen‐induced degranulation was measured in vitro by measuring β‐hexosaminidase activity. A murine ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma model was used to test the in vivo efficacy of the elecampane camphor. RESULTS Antigen‐induced degranulation was inhibited by the elecampane camphor. Sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin induced allergic asthma responses. Administration of elecampane camphor decreased numbers of inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and reduced the expression and secretion of Th2 cytokines, including IL‐4 and IL‐13, in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histologic studies showed administration of elecampane camphor reduced inflammatory signs and mucin production in lungs. CONCLUSION The findings provide evidence that elecampane camphor has a potential use as anti‐allergic therapeutics. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .