Materia
Medica for the Respiratory system - .pdf
version
Anti-catarrhals
Catnip
herb
A gentle, cooling decongestant that also has strong antiviral properties,
Catnip is also relaxing and helps with restful sleep during a bad
cold. Hot tea, alone in combination, is generally indicated.
Goldenrod
leaf and flower
This herb is a rich source of bioflavonoids. It tones respiratory
mucous membranes, while thinning secretions and lessening the sensitivity
of the airways. Tincture doses range from ½ to 1 tsp. 3-4
times a day; it also makes a good tea.
Elder
flower
While some might classify this herb as a circulatory stimulant and
diaphoretic (it encourages warmth and sweating during a fever, helping
it to ‘break’), I use the tincture ( ½ tsp. 3
times a day) or tea for gentle decongestion during a cold or flu.
Nettle
leaves, fresh
An excellent decongestant for colds and allergies. Only works if
made from the fresh (not dried) leaves, or fresh-freeze-dried capsules.
Take 1 tsp. 2-3 times a day of the tincture.
Anti-infectives
Echinacea
root, leaf, flower, seed
Excellent immune enhancer and antiviral herb adept and containing
symptoms of respiratory infection if taken early and often in the
course of an illness. Use 1 to 2 tsp. of the tincture every 2-3
hours, especially if there is a sore or inflamed throat (this herb
is a specific inhibitor of Strep bacteria). I find the tea much
less effective.
Garlic
bulb
Strongly antibiotic, garlic protects the lungs from deeper infection
and can assist in managing conditions such as sinusitis. Increase
consumption to a whole head daily for conditions such as bacterial
bronchitis or infective pneumonia. If this dose cannot be tolerated,
a capsule is adequate.
Thyme
leaf and stem
This herb can be taken internally in the form of a strong, hot tea
for containing bacterial infections and improving breathing. Its
essential oils fight infection deep in the lungs as well as in the
sinus cavities; a steam made by inhaling the vapors from the hot
tea or essential oil may very well be the best way to experience
its power.
Anti-tussives
Wild
Cherry bark
Helpful to quiet a dry, painful cough and allow for a little restful
sleep, this bark should not be overused as it does suppress the
cough reflex. Syrups can be prepared by simmering the bark for 15
minutes then sweetening with honey. Essential oils such as Thyme
and Eucalyptus can be combined with the syrup to reduce bacteria
and encourage more gentle expectoration.
Colstfoot
leaf / flower
This herb is not as suppressive, though it helps quiet and control
a dry cough. It also encourages active elimination of the byproducts
of infection, making it a safe and effective choice for short-term
use in any bad cough. The tincture is used at doses of ¼
to ½ tsp, 3-5 times daily.
Demulcents
Licorice
root
This root is also antiviral, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory.
If there is no elevated blood pressure, it can be used safely to
loosen painful coughs, soothe sore throats, and fight off viral
infections. I like the tea, or chewing on the dried root. The tincture
works well too: even just one dropperful, every few hours, can turn
a cough around very quickly.
Marshmallow
root
A quintessential soother, this root can be powdered and mixed with
a little water or honey to for a pastille that dissolves slowly,
coating the throat and reducing inflammation.
Expectorants
Mullein
leaf
The first-year leaves of this plant resemble the ciliated tissue
of the respiratory system, and are brewed into an excellent tea
that reduces intense coughing while also encouraging elimination
from the lungs.
Elecampane
root
This strong expectorant is much more warming and spicy, helping
to loosen old conditions and begin moving them towards resolution.
The tincture’s dose is ½ tsp. 3 times a day.
Lobelia
leaf, flower, seed
Take only tiny doses (5-10 drops of the tincture) of this plant.
It is a strong emetic if overused, but when applied judiciously,
it relaxes the lungs while also increasing their elimination of
mucus. It is particularly helpful in chronic conditions, but an
important ally also in the more damp, dangerous conditions such
as pneumonia.
Pleurisy
root
Originally named after a condition of inflammation involving the
lining of the lugs, this root is a combination demulcent / expectorant,
especially indicated if coughing produces much pain in the ribcage.
Take 1 tsp. 2-3 times a day of the tincture made from fresh root.
Lymphatics
Red
Clover blossoms
A tea made from these flowers is one of the best remedies for the
common cold, perhaps combined with a little Ginger and/or Elder.
It removes byproducts of infection, dries the upper respiratory
passages, reduces swollen glands and post-nasal drip, and has an
expectorating action as well.
Calendula
flowers
A tea made from Calendula is most indicated in allergic congestion,
or in chronic conditions of stagnation that would welcome a little
heat from these bright flowers. A tincture can also be used, at
doses of ¼ to ½ tsp. three times a day.
Respiratory and Immune tonics
Astragalus
root
A Chinese tonic, it strengthens the lungs specifically and immunity
in general. It is most indicated for those who regularly succumb
to respiratory infection, or those convalescing after a protracted
illness. It also tonifies anemic constitutions and strengthens asthmatic
lungs. Do not use in acute, feverish conditions. Take ½ tsp.
of the tincture 2 to 3 times a day, or drink a pint of the decoction
daily.
Red
Reishi mushroom
Invaluable for oversensitive, allergic, and asthmatic conditions,
this medicinal mushroom dries respiratory passages and re-aligns
immunity to reduce respiratory inflammation. Take 30-60 drops of
extract once or twice a day.
Usnea
lichen
An amazing lung tonic that strengthens the organ, tones mucous membranes,
and enhances immunity while also having a broad anti-pathogenic
action on fungi, bacteria, viruses. It can be eaten whole: one small,
balled-up lichen thallus twice a day. The tincture, which is difficult
to prepare, can be taken at doses of ½ tsp. twice daily,
or more.
Circulatory
stimulants
Ginger rhizome
Warming and spicy, Ginger helps to drive out transient winter infections,
and can be used to “reactivate” a stagnant, chronic
respiratory condition to make it more treatable. It is helpful in
feverish states as well, and can balance out cool formulas. It is
most often used as a tea blend ingredient, and taken warm.
Hot
compresses
Herbs such as Ginger, Thyme, Elecampane or Eucalyptus can be used
by brewing a tea and soaking a cloth in the warm brew. This warm,
moist compress is placed on the chest to encourage circulation,
expectoration, and the removal of pathogens.
Alkaloid-rich
sympathomimetics
These plants are rich in substances that activate the fight/flight
response, which includes a marked opening of the airways. As such,
they are usually strongly stimulating. This can tax a physiology
already struggling with an acute respiratory infection, and should
be used judiciously. They are helpful in asthmatic conditions as
well.
Some examples: Coffee (caffeine), Chocolate (theophylline / theobromine),
Ephedra (ephedrine), Bitter Orange (synephrine).
