Botanical Approaches to Winter Respiratory Complaints
by Jill Stansbury, N.D.

Although winter colds and coughs can be well managed with herbal remedies, not all colds and coughs are alike. Some colds involve watery eyes, sneezing, and a streaming nose, while others involve swollen and stuffy nasal passages without a runny nose. Some coughs tickle, some spasm and choke, and others are wet and painless. Following is a listing of effective herbal options organized by categories of action.

ANTIMICROBIALS
Antimicrobials are indicated when colds and coughs are due to bacterial or viral infections as evidenced by sore throats, aching muscles, fever and general malaise or loss of appetite. While some colds seem to involve primar-ily mucous accumulation, others include these more systemic symptoms. For those with strong immune symptoms who seem to fight off the original microbes quickly, large doses of antimicrobials may not be necessary. However, for those who tend to feel unwell for many days, who have trouble recovering, or who are frequently ill, antimicrobials should definitely be included.

Allium sativum – Garlic
Immune-stimulating, and broad-acting antimicrobials, Garlic constituents tend to accumulate in the lungs as sulfur in allicin and alliin may be excreted via the respiratory passages and breath. Garlic is also expectorating, as these sulfur-containing constituents are known to thin mucous and make it more planar and free flowing. Allium is best for those who feel cold or chilly and have thick, stuck congestion in the airways.

Thymus vulgaris – Thyme
Thymus is active against many common microbes and makes an excellent respiratory herb as it is also drying to excess mucous and antispasmodic to the bronchial passages. For abundant and excessive expectoration, or when there is lingering phlegm inducing a hacking, wet cough, Thymus can reduce secretions without being too harsh or suppressive to the body’s eliminative efforts.

Lomatium dissectum and Ligusticum – Biscuit Root and Osha
The roots of these two plants are high in volatile oils and resins, both of which have antimicrobial effects, partic-ularly to cold and flu viruses. These aromatic herbs are expectorating, and especially indicated for bronchitis and respiratory ailments associated with hoarse voice and tight breathing.

ANTI-SPASMODICS
Antispasmodics are indicated when there is wheezing, hacking, or breathing difficulty and interference with sleep due to coughing. For actual asthma or croup in children, antispasmodics are always indicated. Choose one or two of the following depending on the quality of the cough.

Tussilago farfara – Coltsfoot
Tussilago means "cough dispeller" in Latin and the fuzzy leaves of this plant are notably high in thick slippery mucilaginous compounds making Tussilago specific for coughs associated with a tickling, dry sensation, or burning pain in the chest or throat. To allay burning pains or to soften tight dry bronchial constriction, Tussilago may be used to relax bronchial musculature as well as soothe irritated mucous membranes.

Ammi visnaga – Khella
Khella is effective for tight bronchial passages and when there is restricted breathing and asthma-like wheezing coughs. Constituents noted to relax bronchospasm have been identified, and the celery-like volatile constituents of this umbel family plant are antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory.

Drosera rotundifolia – Sundew
Small quantities of this powerful plant can be combined with other herbs to provide fast-acting improvements of severe spasmodic coughs, croupy coughs in children, and pertussis-like symptoms. Use small doses only or dilute with other herbs as the plant can become slightly irritating with repeated doses.

EXPECTORANTS
Expectorants are indicated when there is a sense of deep phlegm, wet coughs, or chest pain and bronchial spasm due to deep mucous accumulation. Expectorants are not indicated when mucous is free flowing and abundant, but rather when there is a sense of obstruction and difficulty clearing the airways.

Asclepius tuberosa – Pleurisy Root
Asclepius is specific in cases of mucous accumulation deep in the lungs such as occurs with bronchitis, pneumonia, and inflammation of the actual lung tissue such as with pleurisy for which the plant
is named.

Grindelia robusta, camporum - Gumweed
Grindelia is high in tarry resins that gently stimulate the respiratory mucosa causing new thin mucous to be released, and thin and move old stuck mucous. Grindelia is especially suited for chronic bronchial congestion with loss of tone.