Demulcents
Demulcents soothe, relieve and soften irritated or inflamed mucous membranes, as their mucilaginous, slippery characteristics enable them to coat, protect and lubricate the membranes and other tissue surfaces. Under their protective help, healing can take place.
Many of the already mentioned herbs are demulcents, the most valuable ones for the lungs being Comfrey Root, Coltsfoot, Flaxseed, Liquorice, Lungwort Moss, Marshmallow Leaf and Mullein.
Patterns of disease of the respiratory system
In practice, the various respiratory diseases and syndromes that have been labelled with a name can be viewed as the manifestation of two sorts of respiratory defect: congestion or spasm. Congestion is brought about by an overburdening of the lungs with mucus, either excessive production or inadequate excretion of it, which in time leads to degenerative effects. Spasms of the bronchial muscles constitute the other group of respiratory problems and can be caused by a number of factors.
Whilst some conditions do not fit into either category (such as lung cancer), they provide a useful frame for a holistic treatment of the lungs.
Congestion
Orthodox medicine often considers infection by bacteria or viruses to be the cause of a congestive state of the lungs, the ears, nose or throat. It may be more appropriate, however, to regard the infection as the result of a congested condition of the lung tissue. Organisms can only thrive within the body if the ‘soil’ is right. In the case of the lungs, congestion provides the right soil for infection, but this is not a healthy and normal state of affairs. Removing only the infection does nothing for the underlying problem; instead the congestion has also to be treated to prevent a recurrence of the symptoms.
One factor that is most often related to congestion is the mucus content of the diet. If the body’s need for mucus-forming foods is exceeded, it will get rid of it by increasing secretion, for instance into the lungs.
Raspberry
If this natural cleansing process is inhibited by antibiotics the seeds are sown for chronic and perhaps degenerative diseases as the result of congestion.
Therefore, in any respiratory condition where there is excessive mucus, it is essential that a diet low in mucus-forming foods be embarked upon. Whenever there is a build-up of catarrh such as sinus congestion, a diet that limits the intake of food that feeds the catarrh-forming metabolic paths would help. Even in normal conditions, some people think that accumulations of catarrh, or mucus, are sites in which metabolic waste and toxic material build up, which may eventually overload the body and lead to degenerative disease. There is nothing inherently wrong with mucus; it is a natural body carbohydrate acting as a lubricant and a waste disposal medium. It is only the excess that we need to watch, and the dietary sources of mucus which are:
—Dairy products, including goat’s milk and yoghurt
—Eggs
—Grains, especially gluten-rich ones such as wheat, oats, rye and barley
—Sugar
—Potatoes and other starchy root vegetables like swedes and turnips.
Replace these foods with fresh fruit and juices when following a mucus-free diet.
Coughs
Coughs can be treated herbally in many ways and every herbalist will have a favourite herb or mixture. Coltsfoot is by far the best standard remedy to have available. Sometimes a combination can be more effective. A basic one with a quite pleasant taste can be made from equal parts of
Coltsfoot
Mullein
Liquorice
Potters New Cyclopaedia contains a mixture of flowers that is not only effective but looks and tastes exquisite.
Potter’s Pectoral No. 1:
Marshmallow Flowers
Mallow Flowers
Coltsfoot Flowers
Violet Flowers
Mullein Flowers
Red Poppy Flowers
are combined in equal parts and made into an infusion.
Both of the above mixtures can be taken up to every three hours, although three times a day would be best.
Another highly effective remedy is White Horehound, but because of its unpleasant taste it needs to be well masked by combining it with Liquorice or Aniseed. This herb was the original constituent of cough candy—an infusion of White Horehound plus sugar, lots of it.
If the cough is causing any pressure on a weak heart, it might be useful to add Motherwort to the tea. This will help cardiac activity without forcing the heart.
A dry, irritable cough would benefit from respiratory relaxants and demulcents. Wild Lettuce and Coltsfoot are useful here. Sometimes such coughs can be nervous in origin, in which case it is more advisable to use nervine relaxants.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi, the tube that takes air to the lungs. It may describe any mild pulmonary infection, but, as already said, these fine details and differentiations are not crucial when using herbal medicine. The best herbs to use are pectorals that combine expectorant action to clear the sputum with demulcent properties to soothe the inflamed tissue. The best ones include Aniseed, Angelica Root, Blood Root, Coltsfoot, Comfrey Root, Elecampane Root, Flaxseed, Hyssop, Lobelia, Lungwort, Mouse Ear, Mullein, Senega, Thyme, and White Horehound. Consult the Herbal section for more details on each of these, in order to choose the most appropriate herb or combination for your own case.
Anti-microbial herbs are also indicated to fight against any infection. Perhaps the most important one amongst the many available is Garlic, which may be taken in any form, either raw or as Garlic oil in capsules. The antiseptic oil in Garlic is excreted through the lungs and so directly affects any bacteria there. If garlic is rubbed into the feet it can still be smelt on the breath. There is now a new Japanese variety of Garlic which has the properties without the smell! It is available as KYLORIC capsules. Other good anti-microbials for bronchitis are Echinacea, Eucalyptus and Thyme. The antiseptic volatile oils contained in Eucalyptus and Thyme can also be of value in the form of inhalations or baths. For a healing bath in bronchitis and other respiratory infections, take equal parts of Eucalyptus and Thyme leaves to make a total of four or five tablespoonfuls. Pour a litre (2 pints) of boiling water over the mixture and let it stand for thirty minutes. Strain and add the liquid to the bath water. Bath at 38°C (100°F) for about 15 minutes.
In addition to the above it might be helpful to aid the lymphatic system, especially if there are swollen glands. As it would be beneficial to stimulate elimination as well, Cleavers and Poke Root can be recommended.
Pleurisy