The objective of this article has been to critically evaluate the published literature on herbal medicine for cough associated with common cold and upper respiratory tract infections. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat many ailments, including coughs. Herbal medicine is based upon the theory that "like treats like" or that chemicals found in plants can be used to the same positive effect as those found in their components. Cough Herbal treatments are safe and effective for most individuals, but they should not be taken without considering the individual's medical history and other factors. If you are currently taking prescription drugs, please discuss herbal remedies for cough with your health care provider.
Herbal medicines include teas (weeds and flowers), oils
(vines and plants), and pills (herbs, leaves, seeds). Herbal medicine for
coughs (khushk khansi ka syrup) are
comprised of a variety of plants and herbs. The specific herbs listed here have
been chosen due to the verifiable effectiveness, safety, and moderate cost of
use. Most of the herbs for this condition have antiseptic qualities, although
there are some herbs that are claimed to have antibiotic properties. Teas,
oils, and pills provide relief from cough symptoms by relaxing the airway and
stimulating the mucous lining in the lungs.
Studies investigating the efficacy of herbal medicine for
acute cough revealed that herbs such as willow bark, lemon balm, and comfrey
were efficacious in a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. The most
parsimonious explanation for the results was that these herbs help to protect
the mucous membranes by protecting the cell wall of the cells from damage by
irritants and allergens. Other studies support the idea that herbs can act as an
antitumor agent, since herbs such as Echinacea improve immunity and fight
histamine. Comfrey was found to have anti-inflammatory properties.
It is important to note that some natural products may
interact with certain medications and cause allergic reactions, especially if a
user is sensitive to some of the ingredients used in the formulation. Herbal cough medicine contains an inactive
form of aspirin. Therefore, individuals taking aspirin-based medication should
be sure to notify their healthcare provider if they intend to use herbal
remedies. Herbal medicines should never be taken without the expressed
directions of a health care provider.
Herbal medicine does not work on all forms of chronic
cough. Peppermint tea is reported to be effective in case of both chronic and
intermittent acute coughs. It appears to relieve the symptoms of both
conditions through a chemical mechanism. But this effect has not been proven in
double-blind studies. Studies using capsaicin in citrus fruit juice do not
provide evidence that capsaicin increases cough efficacy. Herbs are recommended
to use with caution for children or people with certain allergies.
Ayurveda medicine attempts to treat illness by improving the health of the whole body. The approach is generally considered along with modern approaches to treating common cold and flu. Ayurvedic texts describe several types of disorders, such as bronchitis, diarrhea, asthma, dyspepsia, cough, indigestion, irritable bowel, kidney and liver diseases, turmeric, throat inflammation, stomach complaints and vomiting. Candida and yeast infections are treated using dried extracts from plants in Ayurvedic medicine. The treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, or rhinitis, is aimed at reducing obstruction and inflammation of the airways and promoting passage of air and mucus. Medicines are also indicated for treating asthma.
The efficacy and safety of herbs used for balghami khansi ka ilaj have been the
subject of numerous studies. In a systematic review of the effectiveness and
side effects of herbs in the treatment of adults with chronic coughs,
researchers concluded that peppermint, lemon balm, ginger, sage, thyme,
lavender, gingko biloba, Valerian, hawthorn, and ginkgo were most effective.
Most of these herbs have positive effects on a majority of patients. However,
caution is recommended about using mint and lemon balm. Some of these herbs may
cause a mild sedating effect.
The systematic review found no significant difference
between acute and chronic coughs according to herbal treatments (khansi ka ilaj), but
concluded that more studies are needed to confirm their benefit in patients
with sore throat. Some researchers pointed out that more research is needed to
test the efficacy of various therapeutic herbs in addition to commercially
available drugs in the treatment of adult sinusitis. However, most experts
agreed that more studies are definitely needed to confirm the effectiveness of
most herbal remedies. Ayurvedic medicinal herbs can prevent or alleviate acute
sore throat complications, which may be caused by exposure to viruses or
allergens. They also can reduce cough inflammation and help prevent recurrence
of the problem.
Comments
Post a Comment