Respiratory Herbs

Question 1

Allergic rhinosinusitis

Answer 1

Immune system overreacts to an exogenous substance such as airborne mold or pollen. IgE mediated response w/ the following sxs:

• red, itchy, watery eyes
• sneezing, coughing, sore throat, post nasal drip
• stuffy, runny nose, H/A, fatigue
• partial loss of hearing, smell and taste

Question 2

Urtica dioica

Answer 2

Actions: anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory

Specific indications: allergic rhinitis

A LOT of other indications such as: low BP, hair loss, anemia of pregnancy, gout, burns, depletion, weakness…

Question 3

Urtica dioica constituents

Answer 3

Herb:
-cholorgenic aid
-caffeoylmalic acid
-flavonoids
-essential oil
-amino acids
-minerals
Stinging hairs:
-acetylcholine
-histamine
-serotonin

Question 4

Petasites hybridus

Answer 4

Actions: smooth muscle antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy

Specific indications: Respiratory conditions including asthma, bronchitis and hay fever
Migraines

Question 5

Euphrasia officinalis

Answer 5

Actions: Decongestant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, expectorant

Specific indications: Conjunctivitis and nasal congestion

Question 6

Amoracia rusticana

Answer 6

Actions: Decongestant, mucolytic, stimulant, diaphoretic, rubefacient, digestive stimulant

Specific indications: Sinusitis, used topically for neuralgia and cilblains

Question 7

Amoracia rusticana constituents

Answer 7

Sinigrin
Myrosin
Allyl isothiocyanate

Question 8

Fire cider

Answer 8

Combo of warming, pungent, antimicorbial, stimulating herbs
1 part garlic
1 part onion
1 part horseradish
1/2 part ginger
pinch cayenne

Question 9

Foeniculum vulgare

Answer 9

For tight, spastic coughs
Gentle, yet effective antispasmodic and bronchodilator

Combines well with expectorants

Question 10

Amni visnaga

Answer 10

For tight, spastic coughs

Vasodilatory, bronchodilator, antitussive, urinary tract antispasmodic

Specific indications: asthma, angina pectoris, passage of urinary calculi

Contraindications: pregnancy

Question 11

Coleus forksolii

Answer 11

Actions: increases cellular cAMP –> relaxes smooth muscles in vasculature and bronchial tree

Tissue affinities: CV, lungs, eyes, thyroid

Forskloin = main constituent

Question 12

Ephedra sinica

Answer 12

Actions: Alpha and beta adrenergic agonist, releases norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons, decongestant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, increases HR, diaphoretic, diuretic

Question 13

Datura stamonium

Answer 13

TOXIC –> contains tropane alkaloids

Used historically for “purely spasmodic asthma”

Question 14

Deadly nightshades

Answer 14

Atropa
Datura
Hyosyamus

All belong to the tropane class

Question 15

Solanecous alkaloids

Answer 15

Atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine

Cause relaxation of sympathetic nervous system = antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle
Large doses effect = CNS
Therapeutic doses = PNS

Question 16

Actions of solanecous alkaloids

Answer 16

Mydriasis (pupil dilation)
Increase in intra-ocular pressure
Reduction in all bodily secretions
Inhibition of vagus nerve = tachycardia
Increased CO and BP
Reduced tone in all smooth muscle leading to vasodilation
Bronchial dilation
Reduced peristalsis

Question 17

Solanecous alkaloid overdose ssx

Answer 17

• Stimulation high
• Diplopia
• Prolonged use and/or high doses could significantly raise BP
• Increased RR
• Central narcotic paralysis w/ a reduction in all sxs followed by coma and death

Question 18

Thymus vulgaris

Answer 18

Actions: Expectorant, spasmolytic, antibacterial, bronchodilator, antioxidant

Warming & Drying

Used for infectious respiratory and urinary conditions

Question 19

Drying herbs (for wet coughs)

Answer 19

Thymus vulgaris
Salvia officinalis
Hyssopus officinalis

Question 20

Hyssopus officinalis

Answer 20

Actions: Antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant, antitussive

Stimulating, relaxing and drying

Specific indicatios: Infectious resp and digestive conditions. Chronic low-grade fevers and rapid and flooding pulse. Great for children.

Question 21

Hyssopus officinalis contraindications

Answer 21

Pregnancy

High internal doses of essential oil can cause seizures

Question 22

What are common constituents of expectorants?

Answer 22

Resins

Question 23

Ligusticum porteri

Answer 23

Actions: Expectorant, stimulating, warming, anti-microbial, immune stimulating

Specific indications: sore throat, colds and flues, bronchitis, sinus congestion w/ a dull headache, soothing an overworked voice

Referred to as “bear medicine”

Question 24

Inula helenium

Answer 24

Actions: Expectorant, anti-tussive, diaphoretic, stomachic, anti-bacterial
Specific indications: irritating bronchial coughs, deep lung conditions

Excellent antimicrobial –> found to be effective against MRSA

Question 25

Grindelia spp.

Answer 25

Actions: anti-spasmodic, expectorant, hypotensive

Specific indications: Asthmatic breathing w/ sense of soreness and rawness: harsh, dry cough

Contraindications: Kidney dz and cardiovascular dz. Can be irritating to kidneys in high doses.

Question 26

Grindelic acid

Answer 26

Diterpene found in grindelia spp

Nonvolatile substance, synergistic action w/ volatile oils w/ regard to their action on the respiratory system

Question 27

Allium sativum

Answer 27

Actions: antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antiparasitic, antifungal, suports immune function, spares lactobacillus, synergyst to abx

Question 28

Antitussives

Answer 28

Decrease the frequency of a cough

Question 29

Prunus serotina

Answer 29

Actions: antitussive, expectorant, antispasmodic, nervine, astringent, bitter
Specific indications: spasmodic cough

Question 30

Demulcents for dry coughs

Answer 30

glycyrrhiza glabra
verbascum thapsus
tussilago farfara
althea officinalis

Question 31

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Answer 31

Actions: demulcent, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-allergenic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, tonic to the lungs

Question 32

Verbascum thapsus

Answer 32

Actions: anodyne, demulcent, expectorant

Specific uses: dry hacking cough

Question 33

Tussilago farfara

Answer 33

Actions: diffusive expectorant, sedative, antispasmodic, demulcent, CV stimulant

Specific indications: dry spasmodic cough, chronic lung dz such as emphysema, recovery from smoking.

Trophorestorative of the lungs