Herbal medicines have long been used in respiratory conditions for their immunostimulant, antiviral and decongestant effects. For example, in a placebo-controlled trial, administration of Echinacea purpurea tincture to healthy volunteers for 5 days was shown to increase the phagocytic* activity of certain white blood cells, which is part of the front line of immune defence (Jurcic et al., 1989). In another trial, an Indian herb, Andrographis paniculata (commonly used by Western herbalists) was given to patients suffering from acute upper respiratory tract infections, including sinusitis. For the test group, there was a significant improvement in headache, nasal and throat symptoms, along with general malaise, and it was concluded that the medicine has a positive effect in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections and also relieves the inflammatory symptoms of sinusitis (Gabrielian et al., 2002). More recent research has focused on a South African herb, Pelargonium sidoides, which has been evaluated in many clinical trials, and has been found to be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of a range of respiratory conditions, including common cold (Lizogub et al., 2007) and acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis (Bachert et al., 2009).†
Most important, herbs may be used to increase resistance to infection, so that the frequency of respiratory infections is reduced: for example, Siberian ginseng (an ‘adaptogenic’ herb, which helps the body to cope with various stresses) has been shown in controlled trials to have a prophylactic effect, reducing the incidence of viral respiratory infections such as colds and flu (ESCOP, 2003).
In many cases, chronic respiratory problems may be due to an immune deficiency related to any of a number of other problems – inadequate nutritional status, poor detoxification, hormonal problems, environmental influences, stress, and gut flora imbalances, to name but a few – and tackling these underlying issues will of course play a major part in any treatment regime.
* Phagocytes are white blood cells that ingest microorganisms.
† Notwithstanding this research, patients should seek medical advice for acute respiratory tract problems.