Herbs for Respiratory system

Question 1

Key herbal actions for the respiratory system

Answer 1

Key herbal actions for the respiratory system include:

• Anticatarrhal: Reduces the formation of catarrh or phlegm (drying it out) e.g., eyebright.
• Diaphoretic: Promotes sweating to relieve a fever e.g., cinnamon.
• Expectorant: Facilitates the removal of catarrh e.g., liquorice.
• Anti-microbial: Destroys infectious micro-organisms e.g., thyme.
• Anti-spasmodic (broncho-spasmolytic): Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle spasm e.g., aniseed

Question 2

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Answer 2

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):

• Part used: Leaves, flowers.
• Energetics: Warm.
• Key constituents: Volatile oils (thymol, carvacrol).
• Actions and uses: Expectorant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, anti-microbial (bacterial, fungal, viral — shown to ↑ bacterial cell membrane permeability), anti-inflammatory (inhibits NF-κB, Il-1 and Il-6); colds, sore throat, acute and chronic bronchitis / coughs, asthma; sore throat; oral and GI dysbiosis, dyspepsia.
• Intake: 3–12 g / day dried herb (infusion); a gargle or mouthwash.
• Safety: As an infusion is recognised as safe

Question 3

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Answer 3

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum):

• Part used: Inner bark.
• Energetics: Warm / hot, dry.
• Key constituents: Volatile oil (4%), tannins.

Actions and uses: Warming diaphoretic, antiseptic, carminative, blood sugar regulating; weak digestion, nausea, poor circulation, Raynaud’s, diabetes mellitus (increases insulin receptor sensitivity), H. pylori (inhibits urease — combine with liquorice), parasites, high cholesterol (reduces TGs and LDL), low mood.

• Intake: 1–2 tsps. daily (added to food or decoct cinnamon quills).
• Safety: Caution with anti-diabetic drugs (additive effect).

Question 4

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Answer 4

Sage (Salvia officinalis):

• Part used: Leaves.
• Energetics: Warm.
• Key constituents: Volatile oil (inc. thujone).
• Actions and uses: Anti-spasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-cancer (antiproliferative, angiogenic), anti-hyperhydrotic, antioxidant; gingivitis; respiratory infections e.g., tonsillitis; ↑ cognition (↓ breakdown of acetylcholine) — Alzheimer’s; menopausal sweats/flushes (cold tea).
• Intake: 3–12 g / day dried leaf (infusion); in mouthwash.
• Safety: Therapeutic amounts contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation except to ↓ milk flow. Long-term use is cautioned (thujone)

Question 5

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Answer 5

Garlic (Allium sativum): Consume 1-2 fresh

cloves daily * Parts used: Bulb.

• Energetics: Hot (so ↓ if hot constitution/excess heat).
• Key constituents: Sulphur compounds esp. allicin.
• Actions and uses: Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic, immune-boosting (↑ NK cells and interferons), mucolytic, antioxidant, ↓ cholesterol, hypotensive (↑ nitric oxide), antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory (inhibits LOX, COX and NF-kB); colds, flu, chronic bronchitis, bacterial / fungal infections incl. dysbiosis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, ↑ cholesterol, liver support (↑ GST).
• Caution: Anticoagulants, antihypertensives, pregnancy (high doses)