elder flower
peppermint
yarrow
Equal parts of herbs.
Infuse 1–2 tsp to a cup and drink hot often until symptoms pass.
4 The Upper Respiratory System
Prevention is largely a matter of avoiding pollutants and taking care with certain dietary factors. Air pollution will aggravate or even cause a whole spectrum of problems. This includes both particulate matter and irritant gases, so stop smoking and move out of Los Angeles!
Nature is abundant in herbs that have an anticatarrhal effect upon the upper respiratory system. These plants, which directly affect the production of catarrh, include goldenrod, elder flower, hyssop, coltsfoot, goldenseal, and the volatile oils. Antimicrobials will often clear the sinus congestion that is a response to infection by some pathogen. Important examples are garlic, echinacea, eucalyptus, thyme, wild indigo, and osha.
Many of the common chronic catarrhal states are a response by the body to a diet that is too rich in mucous-forming foods. Thus, for a patient with such problems, a low-mucous diet is essential. This is discussed below.
The Common Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Many different strains of virus can cause cold symptoms, and these are constantly mutating. While the mucous membranes of the nose and throat are inflamed as a result of the infection, they are far more vulnerable to attack by bacteria, and this can give rise to secondary infections (such as sinusitis, ear infections, and bronchitis) that are more serious than the original cold. Thus, antibiotic drugs are often prescribed by allopathic therapists to ward off secondary infection. As they destroy bacteria, however, they cannot touch a cold virus.
Unfortunately, there is no universally miraculous herbal cold cure! However, herbal medicine can do more than most therapies in treating and preventing this all too common problem. Herbs can be selected to fit the individual’s unique needs, while at the same time immune support, diet, and lifestyle are addressed.
Regional and traditional herbs favored for the common cold include:
cayenne | horseradish | peppermint |
echinacea | linden | thyme |
elder flower | mustard | yarrow |
eucalyptus | onion and garlic |
A very popular and traditional tea used throughout Europe consists of the following herbs.
elder flower
peppermint
yarrow
Equal parts of herbs.
Infuse 1–2 tsp to a cup and drink hot often until symptoms pass.
A number of essential oils can help to diminish the discomfort of a cold as well as to reduce the risk of secondary infections; these are antimicrobial and also stimulate the immune response. For the immediate relief of congestion, a steam inhalation with essential oil is often effective. Very hot steam—as hot as can be tolerated without actually burning the nose and throat—is in itself a hostile environment for viruses, and the addition of an antiviral oil increases the effectiveness of the steam. Together they not only ease the congestion but also help to combat the infection that has caused it. For catarrh caused by pollen and other irritants, lavender and chamomile are probably the best choices. The steam inhalation described in the section on bronchitis (pages 88–90) will prove helpful. Other plant oils that may prove beneficial include:
Asian mint | marjoram | sandalwood |
basil | myrrh | thyme |
bergamot | peppermint | tea tree |
eucalyptus | pine, white or dwarf | |
lavender | rosemary |
A steam inhalation with one of these essential oils combines several beneficial effects. It clears the congested nasal passages and soothes the inflamed mucous membrane, while at the same time the essential oil will kill many bacteria. Some of the oils, especially eucalyptus and tea tree, have an inhibiting effect on the cold virus. Use either of these two oils for inhalation in the earlier part of the day, as they are mildly stimulating. At night use inhalations of lavender or a bath with a few drops of the oil added. The oil diffused in the bedroom will also help, especially if there is a cough.
Many traditional cold remedies are based on culinary ingredients, highlighting the fact that there is no real difference between medicinal and edible plants. Here is an example of such a treatment. At the first signs of a chill or sore throat, take the following common kitchen spices:
1 oz fresh ginger, sliced
1 stick of cinnamon, broken
1 tsp coriander seeds
3 cloves
1 slice of lemon
1 pint water
Decoct for 15 minutes and then strain off. Sweeten to taste.
Drink a cupful of this hot, every two hours.
To prevent and treat colds, include garlic, onions, watercress, and cayenne in the diet and take 1–3 grams of vitamin C daily. Diet plays a part in most cases of catarrh. Dairy products and wheat are known to promote excessive catarrh production in many people and should be excluded for a period by anybody who suffers catarrh frequently, to see whether any improvement is noticed. If so, they may have to be excluded permanently from the diet or included in very small amounts only. Experiment if any other food sensitivities are suspected and adjust the diet accordingly.
Influenza
Severe colds and various unidentified virus infections are often referred to as “flu.” Some authorities would argue that true influenza is a much more severe infection that appears in widespread epidemics, often at intervals of approximately ten years. Bacterial secondary infections are the greatest risk incurred by contracting “true” influenza and were responsible for thousands of deaths in past epidemics. The use of antibiotics has dramatically reduced such deaths. Indeed, a really severe infection of this kind is one situation in which the use of antibiotics may well be called for. In this case, do not stop the herbal treatment—it can only be beneficial and will not conflict with more orthodox drug treatment.
As is true for the common cold, there are no miracle cures here, but certain plants can make life much more bearable. These are usually diaphoretics, or sweat-inducing herbs. My own favorite is boneset, an herb that was widely used to ease the pain of the “break-bone fever,” a disease that afflicted European settlers in North America. It is a strong infusion drunk hot every hour. (Follow the advice given above for the common cold as well, if the symptom picture calls for it.)
goldenseal
echinacea
Equal parts of tinctures.
Take ½ tsp (2.5 ml every 2 hours).
Treatment is most effective if started at the very first sign of infection. A moderately hot bath with a few drops of antiviral essential oil added will often induce profuse perspiration, followed by a deep, restful sleep. This may be enough to avert a full-blown attack, though it is a good idea to repeat the bathing for the next two or three days. An effective oil for this purpose is tea tree. Some people find this a mild skin irritant and may not be able to tolerate more than three or four drops in a full bath, so it is best to begin with this amount.
Recovery from influenza is often slow, and the convalescent may feel very weak and lacking in vitality. Caffeine-containing herbs should be avoided, as the lift produced thereby is temporary and will slow down recovery. As I have indicated, bitter tonics will speed recovery through their metabolic-stimulating effects. Appropriate bitter tonics include the following:
Boneset: also diaphoretic and anticatarrhal
Gentian: aids the digestion in a number of ways and doesn’t taste too bad
Goldenseal: also anticatarrhal and generally tonic
Horehound: also expectorant and anticatarrhal
In addition, the use of adaptogens is often helpful, and attention to diet is essential. It may be helpful to supplement with a multivitamin/mineral formula until appetite and general vitality are back to normal.
Laryngitis
This acute inflammation of the larynx, or voice box, is usually associated with a common cold or overuse of the voice. It is commonly characterized by swelling, hoarseness, pain, dryness in the throat, coughing, and inability to speak above a whisper, if at all. It is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection, which may either be restricted to the larynx or be part of a more general infection of the upper respiratory tract. Where no clear-cut cause is found, such as infection or overuse, skilled diagnosis is called for.
Demulcent and anti-inflammatory remedies will reduce the immediate cause of the distress. Antimicrobial herbs are indicated if there is a causal microorganism involved. Astringents are often effective as a local gargle, especially when the problem has been precipitated by overuse of the vocal cords.
The herbal traditions of the world abound in herbs used for conditions of the mouth, larynx, and pharynx. Osha is an excellent remedy, a small piece of the root being chewed to remove symptoms and promote the body’s immune response. In Europe the approach has traditionally been to gargle with astringent herbs. They should not be swallowed, however, as they often constipate—an unnecessary and unfortunate complication! Examples of reliable astringent herbs for such local usage include:
cranesbill | oak bark | yarrow |
elder flower | red sage |
An Internal Medication for Laryngitis
| 2 parts |
| 2 parts |
| 1 part |
As tincture: take ¼ tsp (1 ml) of this mixture every hour.
A Gargle for Laryngitis
red sage
chamomile
Equal parts of herbs.
Prepare a strong infusion and gargle often until symptoms subside.
The supplemental and dietary advice given above for sinusitis should be followed. Aromatherapy provides certain oils that ease the inflammation quite effectively. Oil of cypress and bergamot have much to offer, for example. To use as a gargle, put three drops of the essential oil in half a cup of warm water. Gargle hourly and do not swallow.
Sinusitis
The sinuses are four bony cavities behind, above, and at each side of the nose and opening into the nasal cavity. They act as a sound box to give resonance to the voice. Sinusitis is an inflammation of these cavities. Like the nasal passages, the sinuses are lined with mucous membranes, which react to infection by producing mucus to incapacitate infecting bacteria. Because the openings from the nose into the sinuses are very narrow, they quickly become blocked when the mucous membrane of the nose becomes swollen during a cold, hay fever, or catarrh; thus the infection becomes trapped inside the sinus.
Chronic sinusitis may occur if one or more of the drainage passages from the sinuses to the nose becomes blocked. This can cause headache or a dull pain across the face and temple, or around the eyes. If the maxillary sinuses above the cheeks are infected, toothache may be the result. Once the lining of the sinuses becomes swollen, the cilia no longer operate, causing the lining of the sinuses to become permanently thickened and contributing to the retention of phlegm. Sinusitis may be the result of a complication of an upper respiratory infection, dental infection, allergy, a change in atmosphere (as in air travel or underwater swimming), or a structural defect of the nose.
Antimicrobials such as garlic and echinacea are pivotal in the treatment of this often entrenched condition. These herbs will help the body deal with any infection present and also support the immune system in resisting the development of secondary infection. Anticatarrhals will ease the symptomatic discomfort that is characteristic of this problem and also help the body in the removal of buildup in the sinus cavities. Excellent examples are goldenrod and elder flower. Astringents reduce overproduction in the mucous membranes of the sinuses.
| 2 parts |
| 1 part |
| 1 part |
| 1 part |
As tincture: take 1 tsp (5 ml) of this mixture three times a day.
The herbal approach to these problems may be both indirect and direct. The indirect approach sees upper respiratory disease within the context of the whole person. Sometimes overproduction of mucus is an attempt by the body to discharge waste material that is not being properly eliminated by the bowels, kidneys, and skin. In such cases, the herbalist may prescribe bitter tonics to encourage regular bowel movements, or diuretic herbs to encourage kidney elimination of retained fluids and waste materials, or diaphoretic herbs to stimulate skin elimination.
A diet that reduces mucous production is also essential. In particular, a fruit fast for two or three days can help to clear a system clogged and overburdened by toxic wastes. Hot lemon drinks reduce mucous production and so do garlic, onion, and horseradish (grate the fresh root into cider vinegar or lemon juice and eat a little each day). You can also add mustard and aromatic herbs like oregano to your food. Extra zinc and vitamin C will help build up the body’s resistance to infection. Certain foods, especially dairy produce and wheat, seem to predispose people toward sinusitis by provoking excessive formation of mucus. During an acute attack of sinusitis, all dairy and wheat-based foods must be excluded for several days, and those suffering from chronic or repeated attacks are advised to exclude these foods completely for several months and then reintroduce them in very small amounts, if at all. Goat’s- and sheep’s-milk products are sometimes better tolerated than cow’s milk.
Sometimes emotional factors such as suppressed grief can lead to blocked upper respiratory passages. In these cases, a good cry can free this blocked energy and alleviate the problem. Finally, some cases of chronic mucus production are due to allergy.