The Green Pharmacy for Bronchitis

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The " Green Pharmacy " for Bronchitis

Dec 22, 2003 22:26 PST

 

Bronchitis

 

I'm not personally acquainted with the TV newsman Walter Cronkite,

but

he and I have something in common. Over a decade ago, on independent

trips to China, our hosts gave both of us honeysuckle tea. I was

given the tea for flu. He got the tea for bronchitis, the

inflammation of the bronchial tubes that causes persistent cough,

chest congestion and often the production of a lot of thick, sticky

phlegm.

 

Both of us recovered quickly, and I'm inclined to believe that this

ancient herbal remedy helped. Doctors tend to scoff at such

statements.

Our two case studies are merely what the scientists often dismiss as

anecdotal evidence.

 

Study Confirms Folk Cures

 

All right, so our cases don't really prove anything. But there's

more to

honeysuckle--and other herbs--than just anecdotes. And these days,

there

are a lot of scientific studies to back that up. In 1993, for

example,

Chinese researchers divided 96 children with bronchiolitis, a

children's

form of bronchitis, into three groups.

 

One-third of the children were given the herbal formula shuang huang

lian, which consists of honeysuckle, forsythia and skullcap. Another

third got only antibiotics, and the remaining third were given both

herbs and antibiotics.

 

The children who were given the herbs alone showed improvement in

chest

symptoms, cough, fever and wheezing. Compared with those on

antibiotics,

the herbs-only group fared better in some ways: They had fewer days

with

fever and less wheezing and coughing. No adverse reactions to the

herbs

were noted.

 

That's the good news. The bad news, to my way of thinking, is that

the

herbal infusion was administered intravenously for seven days.

Nowhere

do I recommend herbal injections. For treating bronchitis, taking

herbs

in the form of tea or tinctures is safe and often quite effective.

 

And tell your doctor to save the antibiotics for emergencies. The

downside of antibiotics is that they make any " bugs " that survive

more

resistant to treatment.

 

This Chinese study is good enough to give me confidence in

suggesting

honeysuckle and forsythia as treatments for respiratory problems

because

it confirms centuries of folkloric use. But apparently it hasn't

budged

the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which does not list either

honeysuckle or forsythia on the list of herbs generally regarded as

safe

(GRAS), let alone as treatments for bronchitis.

 

The ways of the FDA are a mystery to me. I regard honeysuckle and

forsythia as safe and effective, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them

for

bronchitis and the chest congestion of colds and flu. But because

they

are not GRAS, all I can say to other people is, try them at your own

risk.

 

Bronchitis has several possible causes. It may be bacterial or

viral, or

it may be caused by some chronic irritant such as cigarette smoking

or

exposure to certain chemicals. Children are more likely to develop

bronchitis (and asthma) if their parents smoke or if they are

exposed to

high levels of formaldehyde, one of the chemicals that give cars and

home furnishings that " new " smell. Sometimes the germs and irritants

work together: A smoker catches a cold and the cough turns into

bronchitis.

 

Green Pharmacy for Bronchitis

 

Bronchitis may clear up by itself without any treatment, but it can

also

linger and sometimes become chronic. That's why I favor treating it.

 

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and forsythia (Forsythia suspensa)

are

two of my favorite natural bronchitis remedies, but there are many

others. Here are some to try.

 

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus).

Eucalyptus oil is a good expectorant (a substance that helps loosen

phlegm). Commission E, the body of natural medicine experts that

makes

herbal recommendations to Germany's health advisers, has endorsed

inhaling eucalyptus vapors to treat bronchitis and coughs.

 

Taken internally, eucalyptus leaf tea might have the same benefits.

I

say this because, after you ingest eucalyptus and your body absorbs

it,

part of its essential oil is secreted through your lungs. So you get

the

antiseptic, cooling and expectorant properties of eucalyptus right

where

you need them.

 

Garlic (Allium sativum).

Eating a lot of garlic can help prevent bronchitis because garlic is

filled with chemicals that are antiviral and antibacterial.

 

Garlic may also protect you from colds and flu because " garlic

breath "

keeps people from getting too close to you. (Just joking!) Actually,

there is a serious side to garlic breath that serves to demonstrate

just

how useful this herb is in treating respiratory complaints. In the

body,

garlic releases aromatic chemicals, including allicin, one of the

most

potent broad-spectrum plant antiseptics. These aromatic compounds

are

excreted through the lungs--hence garlic breath. The presence of

these

compounds in the lungs is good. It means that, as with eucalyptus,

you

get garlic's active constituents right where you need them.

 

To minimize garlic breath, you can chew on a few sprigs of parsley.

 

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).

Mullein has been endorsed by Commission E for respiratory complaints

because it has expectorant properties. It can help bring up that

sticky

phlegm. In fact, mullein has been an herbal favorite for respiratory

ailments for thousands of years. In addition to its expectorant

action,

it soothes the throat, has bactericidal activity and helps stop the

muscle spasms that trigger coughs.

 

stinging nettle (Urtica dioica).

In recent years, nettle has been increasingly touted for treating

bronchitis, asthma and hay fever--and with good reason. The juice of

the

roots and leaves, mixed with honey or sugar, relieves both

bronchitis

and asthma. Try two teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water

and

steep until cool.

 

 

stinging nettle

This plant does sting, but the leaves, roots and even nettles (when

softened by boiling) have healing powers.

 

 

 

Couchgrass (Agropyron repens or Elymus repens).

This herb is also known by an ironic name, quackgrass, which I love.

Despite its name, however, it is not a quack remedy. It works and

has

long been used for respiratory complaints. Commission E recognizes

couchgrass as an effective treatment for respiratory inflammations,

including bronchitis.

 

English plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

This herb and its plantain relatives have a worldwide reputation as

cough suppressants. Commission E recommends it as safe and effective

for

bronchial conditions. As a bonus, it has antibacterial action. You

may

use about one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiling water and

steep

until cool.

 

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare).

Commission E endorsed horehound for bronchial complaints, so why did

the

FDA declare it ineffective against coughs? Beats me.

 

Personally, when it comes to herbal medicine, I'd believe Commission

E

over the FDA any day. Herbal medicine is far more mainstream in

Germany

than it is in the United States, and Commission E bases its

recommendations on serious scientific research. For bronchitis, I

suggest brewing a strong horehound tea with lemon and licorice. Try

two

teaspoons of horehound per cup of boiling water.

 

Ivy (Hedera helix).

Ivy is also useful for treating bronchitis and other respiratory

problems, according to Commission E.

 

Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare).

This is another herb with Commission E endorsement. The commission

recommends knotgrass for sore throat and respiratory complaints,

including bronchitis.

 

Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) and other mallows.

The mallows are good respiratory tract soothers (demulcents),

according

to Commission E. Marsh mallow is particularly good because its

demulcent

roots also have an anti-inflammatory effect. This probably explains

why

this herb has been used for centuries as a treatment for bronchitis,

colds, coughs and sore throat.

 

Primrose (Primula veris).

Here's yet another herbal endorsement from Commission E. I know that

I

mention their recommendations a lot for certain conditions, but a

nod

from this body of scientists should be viewed with respect. Their

research suggests using about one teaspoon of dried primrose flowers

or

a half-teaspoon of root in tea as an expectorant for treating

bronchitis, colds and cough. I should point out also that this

particular recommendation is for primrose, not evening primrose

(Oenothera biennis), which shows up so often elsewhere in this book.

 

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis).

The root of this herb is a good expectorant for treating respiratory

conditions, including bronchitis, according to Commission E.

Chemicals

in the plant--saponins--reportedly have pain-relieving and

anti-inflammatory action, besides helping other compounds get the

job

done. To make a tea, use one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of

boiling

water and steep until cool.

 

Herbal formulas. You can use any of the herbs mentioned in this

chapter

singly if you'd like, but most herbalists recommend using them in

combination.

A noted British herbalist whom I respect, David Hoffmann, author of

The

Herbal Handbook, suggests using equal parts of horehound, mullein

and

elecampane. (Elecampane has a long history of use as an antiseptic

and

expectorant.)

 

Another formula that I'd try for bronchitis contains horehound,

mullein,

plantain,cayenne, chickweed, kelp, licorice, pleurisy root, saw

palmetto

berries, slippery elm bark and wild cherry bark.

 

American Indians used these herbs for respiratory complaints.

 

In addition to using herbs that treat bronchitis, I'd also suggest

using

echinacea, which enhances immunity.

 

As a snack to munch along with your herbal formula of choice, you

can

mix up some of my Burning Broncho-Buster Spread. To make it, mix

garlic,

ginger, mustard, turmeric, chili peppers and horseradish or wasabi.

Start with just a little of each and experiment until you find a

combination you can live with. I must warn you, however, that this

herbal formula is very hot. It will open your sinuses as well as

your

bronchial tubes.

 

I'm serious about it, though. If you can handle the heat, a little

of

this mixture spread on organic crackers or bread will really help.

You

can also make a piping hot tea containing any or all of these

ingredients.

 

Plants containing vitamin C. In studies, hospital patients with

bronchitis recovered faster when they took vitamin C supplements.

 

Daily supplements of 500 milligrams of vitamin C have also been

shown to

help with allergies and asthma, so there's clearly a link between

using

this vitamin and a reduction in respiratory infections, nasal

congestion

and watery eyes.

 

I feel fine about recommending vitamin C supplements, but I feel

even

better about endorsing plant foods that are high in this important

vitamin, such as red and green peppers, citrus fruits and chili

peppers.

 

 

Whole grains, nuts and other foods containing magnesium. Speaking of

vitamins and minerals, the risk for respiratory diseases such as

bronchitis increases as magnesium levels decline. The more magnesium

in

the body, the less wheezing and other respiratory complaints.

Naturopaths commonly recommend taking 300 to 600 milligrams daily as

a

preventive, which sounds like a good idea to me. You might also eat

more

foods that are rich in magnesium, such as organic whole grains, non-

gmo

soybeans, nuts, cold-water fish, dairy products and organic lean

meats.

 

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/41/23.cfm