Lesson 7: Specific herbs for the respiratory system

Question 1

What are Expectorants?

Answer 1

Expectorants work to help clear respiratory tract secretions from the lungs. They are classed as either reflex or warming, working by different mechanisms and on different parts of lung tissue.

Question 2

What are Reflex (stimulating) expectorants?

Answer 2

Reflex expectorants promote increased mucociliary activity through reflex stimulation of sensory endings in the wall of the upper digestive tract (vagal stimulation). They are often emetic in higher doses, and are usually rich in saponins.

Question 3

Name 5 herbs that have a Reflex (stimulating) expectorant action?

Answer 3

1. licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) 2. mullein (Verbascum thapsus) 3. horehound (Marrubium vulgare) 4. senega (Polygala senega) 5. soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

Question 4

What conditions are Reflex expectorants indicated for?

Answer 4

• Bronchitis, - Emphysema, - Unproductive cough, and - Cough accompanied by bronchial congestion, particularly where the mucus is thick and persistent.

Question 5

When are Reflex expectorants cautioned or contraindicated?

Answer 5

• Better avoided in dry and irritated conditions of the lung and bronchial tissues. - Caution should also be exercised in children and in those with gastric sensitivity due to the saponin content. - They may also cause vagal stimulation of smooth muscle tissue in the lungs, thereby warranting a caution in asthma.

Question 6

What are Warming expectorants (mucolytics)?

Answer 6

Warming expectorants remove congestion and catarrh from the lungs.

Question 7

Name 6 herbs that have a Warming expectorant action?

Answer 7

1. cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) 2. aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) 3. fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 4. ginger (Zingiber officinale) 5. angelica (Angelica archangelica) 6. garlic (Allium sativum)

Question 8

What conditions are Warming expectorants indicated for?

Answer 8

• Bronchitis, - Emphysema, - Productive cough associated with cold, and - Dry cough (due to the essential oil component). - Warming expectorants are also useful as aromatic digestives.

Question 9

When are Warming expectorants cautioned?

Answer 9

Caution is advised in those with gastro-oesophageal reflux as some essential oils reduce oesophageal sphincter tone.

Question 10

What are Anti-catarrhals?

Answer 10

Anticatarrhals are used for mucus congestion, and conditions such as hay fever and sinusitis where mucosal hypersensitivity is a feature.

Question 11

Name 4 herbs with Anti-catarrhal actions for the upper respiratory?

Answer 11

1. eyebright (Euphrasia officinale) 2. elder flower (Sambucus nigra) 3. golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis) 4. golden rod (Solidago virgaurea)

Question 12

Name 3 herbs with Anti-catarrhal actions for the lower respiratory?

Answer 12

1. mullein (Verbascum thapsus) 2. ribwort (Plantago lanceolata) 3. Ephedra (Ephedra spp.)

Question 13

Which herb has a broad effect on drying bodily secretions and can be useful where mucus is watery and profuse?

Answer 13

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Question 14

What are Respiratory demulcents?

Answer 14

Respiratory demulcents are mucilaginous in nature and have a soothing and anti- inflammatory effect on the lower respiratory tract.

Question 15

Name 4 herbs with Respiratory demulcent actions?

Answer 15

1. marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) 2. mullein (Verbascum thapsus) 3. ribwort (Plantago lanceolata) 4. licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Question 16

What are Anti-tussives?

Answer 16

Some herbs act to suppress the cough reflex and are formally classified as anti-tussives.

Question 17

When are there indication for anti-tussives?

Answer 17

• Persistent, non-productive cough, - Nervous cough, and - Cough due to an external irritation such as a tumour.

Question 18

When are the use of antitussives cautioned?

Answer 18

Antitussives should be used judiciously. It is not always advisable to suppress the cough reflex as it may impede clearance of the lungs.

Question 19

Name 2 herbs with anti-tussive actions?

Answer 19

1. Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) 2. wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

Question 20

What are Respiratory spasmolytics?

Answer 20

• Act to relax visceral or smooth muscle. - Respiratory spasmolytics relax the bronchioles of the lungs, and are useful in conditions marked by tight, breathless, non-productive coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms of asthma.

Question 21

Name 6 herbs with Respiratory spasmolytic actions?

Answer 21

1. thyme (Thymus vulgaris) 2. elecampane (Inula helenium) 3. licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) 4. horehound (Marrubium vulgare) 5. gumplant (Grindelia camporum) 6. pill-bearing spurge (Euphorbia hirta)

Question 22

What are Antiallergic and anti-inflammatory herbs?

Answer 22

Work to down-regulate inflammatory and allergic mediators, and are most usefully applied to conditions such as mild and chronic asthma and/or wheeziness, allergic rhinitis, and other hypersensitivity problems.

Question 23

Name 5 herbs with Antiallergic and anti-inflammatory actions?

Answer 23

1. albizia (Albizia lebbek) 2. baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) 3. black cumin (Nigella sativa) 4. nettle leaf (Urtica dioca) 5. Indian ipecac, (Tylophora indica)

Question 24

What are the actions of Myrrh (Commiphora molmol)?

Answer 24

1. Astringent 2. Anti-microbial 3. Anti-parasitic 4. Anti-inflammatory 5. Vulnerary

Question 25

What are the actions of Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)?

Answer 25

1. Astringent 2. Anti-catarrhal 3. Anti- inflammatory

Question 26

What aerate actions of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)?

Answer 26

1. Expectorant 2. Spasmolytic 3. Antibacterial 4. Anti-fungal 5. Anti-microbial 6. Antioxidant 7. Anti- inflammatory 8. Rubefacient

Question 27

What are the actions of Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis)?

Answer 27

1. Trophorestorative for mucous membranes. 2. Antimicrobial 3. Stomachic 4. Bitter 5. Anti- inflammatory 6. Depurative 7. Vulnerary 8. Choleretic 9. Reputed oxytocic

Question 28

What are the actions of Elecampane (Inula helenium)?

Answer 28

1. Expectorant 2. Broncho- spasmolytic 3. Diaphoretic 4. Antibacterial 5. Spasmolytic

Question 29

Name a herbal action that is used for mucus congestion, and conditions such as hay fever and sinusitis where mucosal hypersensitivity is a feature?

Answer 29

Anti-catarrhals

Question 30

Name a herbal action that helps clear respiratory tract secretions from the lungs?

Answer 30

Expectorant

Question 31

Name a herbal action that removes congestion and catarrh from the lungs?

Answer 31

Mucolytic

Question 32

Name a herbal action that has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 32

Respiratory demulcent

Question 33

Name a herbal action that promotes increased mucociliary activity through reflex stimulation of sensory endings in the wall of the upper digestive tract?

Answer 33

Reflex expectorant

Question 34

Name a herbal action that act to suppress the cough reflex?

Answer 34

Anti-tussive

Question 35

Identify this herbs and its parts used?

Answer 35

Myrrh (Commiphora molmol)

Resin

Question 36

Identify this herbs and its parts used?

Answer 36

Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Root and rhizome

Question 37

Identify this herbs and its parts used?

Answer 37

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Leaf and flower

Question 38

Identify this herbs and its parts used?

Answer 38

Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Root

Question 39

Identify this herbs and its parts used?

Answer 39

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

Aerial parts

Question 40

Which herb may be adulterated with small stones and gum arabic?

Answer 40

Myrrh (Commiphora molmol)

Question 41

Which herb contains alkaloids?

Answer 41

Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis)