Bronchitis

Bronchitis

I'm not personally acquainted with the TV newsman Walter Cronkite, but he and I have something in common. Over a decade ago, on independent trips to China, our hosts gave both of us honeysuckle tea. I was given the tea for flu. He got the tea for bronchitis, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes that causes persistent cough, chest congestion and often the production of a lot of thick, sticky phlegm.

Both of us recovered quickly, and I'm inclined to believe that this ancient herbal remedy helped. Doctors tend to scoff at such statements. Our two case studies are merely what the scientists often dismiss as anecdotal evidence.

Study Confirms Folk Cures

All right, so our cases don't really prove anything. But there's more to honeysuckle--and other herbs--than just anecdotes. And these days, there are a lot of scientific studies to back that up. In 1993, for example, Chinese researchers divided 96 children with bronchiolitis, a children's form of bronchitis, into three groups.

One-third of the children were given the herbal formula shuang huang lian, which consists of honeysuckle, forsythia and skullcap. Another third got only antibiotics, and the remaining third were given both herbs and antibiotics.

The children who were given the herbs alone showed improvement in chest symptoms, cough, fever and wheezing. Compared with those on antibiotics, the herbs-only group fared better in some ways: They had fewer days with fever and less wheezing and coughing. No adverse reactions to the herbs were noted.

That's the good news. The bad news, to my way of thinking, is that the herbal infusion was administered intravenously for seven days. Nowhere do I recommend herbal injections. For treating bronchitis, taking herbs in the form of tea or tinctures is safe and often quite effective.

And tell your doctor to save the antibiotics for emergencies. The downside of antibiotics is that they make any "bugs" that survive more resistant to treatment.

This Chinese study is good enough to give me confidence in suggesting honeysuckle and forsythia as treatments for respiratory problems because it confirms centuries of folkloric use. But apparently it hasn't budged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which does not list either honeysuckle or forsythia on the list of herbs generally regarded as safe (GRAS), let alone as treatments for bronchitis. The ways of the FDA are a mystery to me. I regard honeysuckle and forsythia as safe and effective, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them for bronchitis and the chest congestion of colds and flu. But because they are not GRAS, all I can say to other people is, try them at your own risk.

Bronchitis has several possible causes. It may be bacterial or viral, or it may be caused by some chronic irritant such as cigarette smoking or exposure to certain chemicals. Children are more likely to develop bronchitis (and asthma) if their parents smoke or if they are exposed to high levels of formaldehyde, one of the chemicals that give cars and home furnishings that "new" smell. Sometimes the germs and irritants work together: A smoker catches a cold and the cough turns into bronchitis.

Green Pharmacy for Bronchitis

Bronchitis may clear up by itself without any treatment, but it can also linger and sometimes become chronic. That's why I favor treating it. Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) are two of my favorite natural bronchitis remedies, but there are many others. Here are some to try.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Eucalyptus oil is a good expectorant (a substance that helps loosen phlegm). Commission E, the body of natural medicine experts that makes herbal recommendations to Germany's health advisers, has endorsed inhaling eucalyptus vapors to treat bronchitis and coughs.

Taken internally, eucalyptus leaf tea might have the same benefits. I say this because, after you ingest eucalyptus and your body absorbs it, part of its essential oil is secreted through your lungs. So you get the antiseptic, cooling and expectorant properties of eucalyptus right where you need them.

Garlic (Allium sativum). Eating a lot of garlic can help prevent bronchitis because garlic is filled with chemicals that are antiviral and antibacterial.

Garlic may also protect you from colds and flu because "garlic breath" keeps people from getting too close to you. (Just joking!) Actually, there is a serious side to garlic breath that serves to demonstrate just how useful this herb is in treating respiratory complaints. In the body, garlic releases aromatic chemicals, including allicin, one of the most potent broad-spectrum plant antiseptics. These aromatic compounds are excreted through the lungs--hence garlic breath. The presence of these compounds in the lungs is good. It means that, as with eucalyptus, you get garlic's active constituents right where you need them.

To minimize garlic breath, you can chew on a few sprigs of parsley.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Mullein has been endorsed by Commission E for respiratory complaints because it has expectorant properties. It can help bring up that sticky phlegm. In fact, mullein has been an herbal favorite for respiratory ailments for thousands of years. In addition to its expectorant action, it soothes the throat, has bactericidal activity and helps stop the muscle spasms that trigger coughs.

stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). In recent years, nettle has been increasingly touted for treating bronchitis, asthma and hay fever--and with good reason. The juice of the roots and leaves, mixed with honey or sugar, relieves both bronchitis and asthma. Try two teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water and steep until cool.

stinging nettle This plant does sting, but the leaves, roots and even nettles (when softened by boiling) have healing powers.

Couchgrass (Agropyron repens or Elymus repens). This herb is also known by an ironic name, quackgrass, which I love. Despite its name, however, it is not a quack remedy. It works and has long been used for respiratory complaints. Commission E recognizes couchgrass as an effective treatment for respiratory inflammations, including bronchitis.

English plantain (Plantago lanceolata). This herb and its plantain relatives have a worldwide reputation as cough suppressants. Commission E recommends it as safe and effective for bronchial conditions. As a bonus, it has antibacterial action. You may use about one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiling water and steep until cool.

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). Commission E endorsed horehound for bronchial complaints, so why did the FDA declare it ineffective against coughs? Beats me.

Personally, when it comes to herbal medicine, I'd believe Commission E over the FDA any day. Herbal medicine is far more mainstream in Germany than it is in the United States, and Commission E bases its recommendations on serious scientific research. For bronchitis, I suggest brewing a strong horehound tea with lemon and licorice. Try two teaspoons of horehound per cup of boiling water.

Ivy (Hedera helix). Ivy is also useful for treating bronchitis and other respiratory problems, according to Commission E.

Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare). This is another herb with Commission E endorsement. The commission recommends knotgrass for sore throat and respiratory complaints, including bronchitis.

Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) and other mallows. The mallows are good respiratory tract soothers (demulcents), according to Commission E. Marsh mallow is particularly good because its demulcent roots also have an anti-inflammatory effect. This probably explains why this herb has been used for centuries as a treatment for bronchitis, colds, coughs and sore throat.

Primrose (Primula veris). Here's yet another herbal endorsement from Commission E. I know that I mention their recommendations a lot for certain conditions, but a nod from this body of scientists should be viewed with respect. Their research suggests using about one teaspoon of dried primrose flowers or a half-teaspoon of root in tea as an expectorant for treating bronchitis, colds and cough. I should point out also that this particular recommendation is for primrose, not evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), which shows up so often elsewhere in this book.

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). The root of this herb is a good expectorant for treating respiratory conditions, including bronchitis, according to Commission E. Chemicals in the plant--saponins--reportedly have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory action, besides helping other compounds get the job done. To make a tea, use one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiling water and steep until cool.

Herbal formulas. You can use any of the herbs mentioned in this chapter singly if you'd like, but most herbalists recommend using them in combination. A noted British herbalist whom I respect, David Hoffmann, author of The Herbal Handbook, suggests using equal parts of horehound, mullein and elecampane. (Elecampane has a long history of use as an antiseptic and expectorant.)

Another formula that I'd try for bronchitis contains horehound, mullein, plantain,cayenne, chickweed, kelp, licorice, pleurisy root, saw palmetto berries, slippery elm bark and wild cherry bark. American Indians used these herbs for respiratory complaints.

In addition to using herbs that treat bronchitis, I'd also suggest using echinacea, which enhances immunity.

As a snack to munch along with your herbal formula of choice, you can mix up some of my Burning Broncho-Buster Spread. To make it, mix garlic, ginger, mustard, turmeric, chili peppers and horseradish or wasabi. Start with just a little of each and experiment until you find a combination you can live with. I must warn you, however, that this herbal formula is very hot. It will open your sinuses as well as your bronchial tubes.

I'm serious about it, though. If you can handle the heat, a little of this mixture spread on crackers or bread will really help. You can also make a piping hot tea containing any or all of these ingredients.

Plants containing vitamin C. In studies, hospital patients with bronchitis recovered faster when they took vitamin C supplements. Daily supplements of 500 milligrams of vitamin C have also been shown to help with allergies and asthma, so there's clearly a link between using this vitamin and a reduction in respiratory infections, nasal congestion and watery eyes.

I feel fine about recommending vitamin C supplements, but I feel even better about endorsing plant foods that are high in this important vitamin, such as red and green peppers, citrus fruits and chili peppers.

Whole grains, nuts and other foods containing magnesium. Speaking of vitamins and minerals, the risk for respiratory diseases such as bronchitis increases as magnesium levels decline. The more magnesium in the body, the less wheezing and other respiratory complaints. Naturopaths commonly recommend taking 300 to 600 milligrams daily as a preventive, which sounds like a good idea to me. You might also eat more foods that are rich in magnesium, such as whole grains, soybeans, nuts, fish, dairy products and lean meats.