Bot Med - Respiratory Flashcards
What is the common cold?
Viral infection (typically rhinoviruses and coronaviruses) of the upper respiratory tract presenting with: • runny nose (rhinitis) • sore-throat • cough
herbal actions to treat the common cold?
- adaptogen
- immunostimulants
- antimicrobrials
herbs useful for treatment of common cold?
- purple cone flower (Echinacea angustifolium)
* goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
What increases the risk of infection (common cold)?
Stress - decreases immune function and increases the risk of infection.
What does an adaptogen do?
Increases the ability of the body to cope with stress and prevent infection.
In TCM what do adaptogenic herbs nourish? (why?)
- lung (immunomodulating, anticancer)
- spleen (stomachic)
- kidneys (aphrodisiac)
- heart (sedative)
when would one use an adaptogenic herb?
- stress
* prevent colds & flus
what is the most important adaptogenic lung tonic?
Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus)
What does Huang qi (Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus propinquus) do?
increases the ability of the body to cope with stress.
what are the actions of Huang qi?
- adaptogen
- immunomodulating / immunostimulating
- antiviral
when would one use Huang qi? (think TCM)
Used as a lung and spleen tonic in TCM formulas for: • stress • colds & flu prevention • fatigue • cancer
What is the “change of season soup”?
classic formula taken to prevent illness in the
spring and fall
• Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus) root
• Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula) root
• Chinese yam (Dioscorea spp.) root
• Golgi or Lycii berries (Lycium barbarum)
What is a caution regarding huang qi?
Contra-indicated during an acute infections.
What is an immunostimulant?
Stimulates the immune system to increase the body’s ability to combat
infection.
When would one use an immunostimulant?
infection
cancer
what herbs contain immunostimulant properties?
- purple cone flower (Echinacea angustifolium )
* Canadian ginseng (Panax quinquifoloim) = ColdFx
What are the actions of purple cone flower (echinacea angustifolium)
- immunostimulant
* antiinflammatory
when would one use purple cone flower?
- infections
* cancer
what are the phytochemicals in purple cone flower?
- echinoside (e.g. phenylpropanoids glycosides)
- alkylamides
- polysaccharides
The phytochemicals in purple cone flower stimulate what…
alkylamides?
carbohydrates?
• alkylamides - stimulate cannabinoid type 2 (CB2)
• carbohydrates - stimulate the immune system through different
mechanisms.
What does an antimicrobial do?
• alkylamides - stimulate cannabinoid type 2 (CB2)
• carbohydrates - stimulate the immune system through different
mechanisms.
When would one use an antimicrobial?
respiratory tract infection
what phytochemicals are present in antimicrobials?
- essential oils
- monterpenes
- sesquiterpenes
- triterpenes
- napthoquinone
- anthraquinones
what are the actions of goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis?
- antimicrobial
- antibacterial
- antiviral
- antiparasitic
- antifungal
- bitter
when would one use goldenseal?
- respiratory tract infecitons
- gastrointestinal infection
- dermatologic infections
what are the phytochemicals present in goldenseal?
- Isoquinoline alkaloids (e.g. berberine, hydrastine)
* flavolignins
Comment on the phytochemicals within goldenseal. What appears to be significant about flavolignans?
Flavolignins appear to inhibit MDR pumps and enhance the antimicrobial
action of berberine.
What is influenza?
viral infection (RNA viruses) with a similar presentation to the common
cold (runny nose, sore throat, cough) but with pronounced:
• fever
• body aches
what herbal actions are useful in treating influenza?
- antimicrobial
- antiviral
- antiaderance
- immunostimulant
what herbs are useful in treating influenza?
- elder (Sambucus canadensis; S. nigra)
- goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- licorice (Glycherrhiza glabra)
- purple cone flower (Echinacea purpurea)
- boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
- lomatium (Lomatium dissectum)
what does an antiviral do?
Inhibits the growth of viruses
what herbs posses antiviral properties?
- lomatium (Lomatium dissectum)
- licorice (Glycherrhiza glabra)
- elder (Sambucus canadensis; Sabucus. nigra)
- goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
what phytochemicals are in antivirals?
- lomatium (Lomatium dissectum)
- licorice (Glycherrhiza glabra)
- elder (Sambucus canadensis; Sabucus. nigra)
- goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
What are the actions of Lomatium (Lomatium dissectum)?
- antiviral
- expectorant
- antispasmodic
- immunostimulant
when would one use lomatium?
- viral infections
* respiratory tract infections (colds, influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia)
what phytochemicals are in lomatium?
- coumarins
- pthalides
- essential oils
Caution regarding lomatium?
Lomatium rash: occurs in roughly 5-10% of patients who consume the
herb for roughly 5-10 days.
comment regarding lomatium and research?
Limited research by traditionally used during influenza pandmics
What are the actions of boneset (eupatorium perfoliatum)?
- antimicrobial
- antiviral
- febrifuge
- diaphoretic
- immunostimulant
when would one use boneset?
Respiratory
• acute febrile respiratory infections with cough, especially when
associated with deep muscle and bone pain
• influenza
• acute bronchitis
• measles
• common cold
What are the phytochemicals of boneset?
- terpenoids (esp. sesquiterpene lactones)
- polysaccharides
- flavonoids
- essential oil
What does a febrifuge (antipyretic) do?
Reduces fever.
when would one use a febrifuge?
infections causing fever including:
• virus (flus, SARS, dengue fever)
• parasites (malaria)
• bacteria (rheumatic fever)
What does a diaphoretic do?
Stimulates perspiration and reduces fever.
when would one use a diaphoretic?
- fever
- colds and flus
- detoxification
what herbs have diaphoretic properties?
- elder (Sambucus canadensis; Sabucus. nigra)
- cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
- ephedra (Ephedra sinica)
What does an antiadherance do?
Prevents the adherence of bacteria or viruses to the mucous membranes.
when would one use an antiadherant?
- influenza
- urinary tract infections
- gingivitis
what phytochemicals are in antiadherants?
- tannins
* carbohydrates
What are the actions of Elder (sambucus canadensis; sabucuc. nigra)?
- antiadherance
- antiviral
- diaphoretic
- astringent
when would one use elder?
- upper respiratory tract infections (flower)
- colds
- influenza
- sinusitis
what are the phytochemicals in elder?
- flavonoids
- anthocyanins
- tannins
Caution regarding elder?
Cyanogenic glycosides - found in the bark, leaves and unripe fruit can
cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. Heat will destroy it.
What is laryngitis?
inflammation or irritation of the larynx often causing hoarse or loss of
voice
what herbal action would be useful for treating laryngitis?
demulcent
what herbs would be useful in treating laryngitis?
- slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)
* marshmallow (Althea officinalis)
what is a common cause of laryngitis?
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
what does a demuclent do?
Increases the the production of mucous in the respiratory tract thereby
moistening and protecting the lungs and reducing cough.
when would one use a demulcent?
- sore throat
- laryngitis
- Dry cough
what herbs have demulcent properties?
- mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
- colt’s foot
- marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
- licorice (Glycherrhiza glabra)
- slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)
What are the actions of slippery elm (ulmus rubra)?
demulcent
when would one use slippery elm?
- sore throat
- laryngitis
- hoarseness of voice
- singer’s nodes (vocal nodes)
what is the phytochemical of slippery elm?
mucilage
comment on what slippery elm is used for?
used for for irritation in the ailmentary tract rather than the lungs
what is a cough?
forced exhalation, which is often an involuntary reflex, in an attempt to
remove an irritating agent, mucous and/or phlegm from the lungs or throat.
• dry cough (non-productive) - no sputum
• wet cough (productive) - lots of phlegm (respiratory catarrh)
what herbal actions are useful in treating coughs?
- antitussive
- cough suppresant
- demulcent
- expectorant