Herbal Medicine 4, 2010

HERBAL MEDICINE FOR THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

CONTENTS:
Chronic Tonsillitis &/or References:
Chronic Sore Throat Mills and Bone. 2000. Principles and Practice of
Otitis media Phytotherapy: Herbal Approaches to Systemic Dysfunctions.
Pizzorno and Murray. Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine: 2nd
Ed, Little Brown Books, London
Gerry Dendrinos lecture & clinic notes
Kellie Limeburner lecture & clinic notes.

NOTE: herbs listed below under each condition in bold underline are herbs covered in
Herbal Medicine 4.

CHRONIC TONSILLITIS and/ or CHRONIC SORE THROAT

MEDICAL DEFINITION: Inflamed or infected tonsils and throat.

NATUROPATHIC UNDERSTANDING:
May be symptom of another disorder such as sinusitis but may exist in its own right as a
chronic bacterial infection in someone with or without tonsils.
Chronic low grade bacterial infection of the throat, tonsils or both
Associated with poor immune function
Poor lymphatic drainage
Dietary and lifestyle factors may contribute.(especially to immune function and mucous
production).

HERBAL TREATMENT STRATEGY:

Treatment is the same for both
Support the immune system to address infection using immune enhancing herbs
(Echinacea, Astragalus, Allium-sativa, Andrographis)
Lymphatic and depurative herbs to improve elimination and decrease congestion.
(Calendula, Galium (Cleavers), Viola odorata. Viola tricolor)
Local treatment using throat sprays or lozenges
 Salvia officinalis (Sage) – astringent and antimicrobial
 Red Sage (Salvia miltorrhiza) – like Sage, has a specific affinity for tonsillitis
 Glycyrrhiza (Liquorice) – demulcent, anti-inflammatory, topically anti-viral
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  Phytolacca (Poke Root) – lymphatic, depurative, immune-enhancing
 Hydrastis (Goldenseal) – astringent, antimicrobial, mucous membrane tonic
 Althea (Marshmallow) – demulcent
 Myrrh – antiseptic, induces local leucocytosis
 Propolis – antiseptic, anaesthetic
 Echinacea – immune enhancing, anti-inflammatory.
 Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) – antiseptic, immune enhancing, antitussive

A dairy free diet should be implemented along with increased amounts of fruits and
vegetables.

OTITIS MEDIA
MEDICAL DEFINITION: Inflammation of the middle ear (acute, chronic or serous).
Acute: Onset most commonly associated with viral upper respiratory infection, although
the major infection present is bacterial.
Chronic otitis media with discharge from the ear can result from inadequate treatment of
acute or recurrent middle ear infection.
Serous “glue ear”, usually occurs in children (retracted eardrum, fluid accumulation in
middle ear cavity which may lead to hearing loss, often associated with recurrent nasal,
sinus or upper respiratory infection as well as allergy).

NATUROPATHIC UNDERSTANDING:
Infection from nose, throat, sinuses or tonsils may travel to ear.
Overuse or incorrect use of antibiotic treatment.
Excess congestion leading to greater susceptibility to infection.
Poor immunity, stress, lack of sleep, being run down, (teething in children).
Excessive mucous forming foods in diet
Diet high in dairy and refined CHO leading to lymphatic congestion and lowered immunity.

HERBAL TREATMENT STRATEGY: (essentially the same as for sinusitis – in serous,

treatment should be as for tonsillitis)
Address any possible allergy for serous (serous should be treated as an allergic condition
along with poor elimination)
Improve immunity and treat infection
Reduce congestion
Improve lymphatic drainage
Improve integrity of mucous membranes.

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Herbs that have a particular affinity for Otitis Media include:
Mullein – especially the infused oil applied topically into the ear canal.
Violet Leaves
Olive Leaf/ Olive Oil

Action Herb
Immune enhancers Echinacea
For acute otitis may also employ diaphoretics Astragalus (chronic)
to manage fever.
Allium-sativa (Garlic)
Andrographis
Anti-catarrhals Verbascum (Mullein)
Inula (Elecampane)
Hydrastis (Golden Seal)
Euphrasia (Eyebright)
Solidago (Golden Rod)
Sambucus (Elder)
Warming expectorants/ Mucolytics Zingiber
Work on upper respiratory tract and Allium-sativa
sinuses. Horseradish
Cayenne
Cinnamonum
Steam inhalations with essential oils. Tea tree
Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Pine
Aniseed
Chamomile
*Anti-allergenics if allergy is a factor in serous.

2 drops of herbal extracts of Myrrh and Hydrastis to a teaspoon of cold pressed, extra-
virgin Olive Oil into the ear canal
 NEVER place anything into the ear if the eardrum is perforated, as often occurs in acute
otitis media.
Olive oil (cold pressed, extra-virgin) mixture comprising also of: Garlic oil, Hypericum
oil, Mullein and Almond oil (warm and place into ear canal).

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