Respiratory System Herbal Protocol

LUNG DETOX

Definition

We are often exposed to many environmental or workplace toxins through the air that we breath.  I wanted to create a protocol that can be used to detox the lungs after exposure to molds, toxins, bacteria, misc. particulates, etc.

Actions Needed

Alterative, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiseptic, demulcent, tonic, anti-tussive, antifungal.  Also need to support the immune system, as well as the elimination channels through kidneys and liver.

HERB	ACTIONS
REISHI MUSHROOM Ganoderma lucidum	Anti-histamine, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitussive (Pulmonary), Antiviral, Astringent, Cardioprotective, Hepatoprotective, Hypocholesterolemic, Immune Amphoteric, Immunomodulator, Nephroprotective, Nervine, Tonic
ELECAMPANE Inula helenium	Alterative, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Astringent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hepatic, Nutritive, Stimulant (Gentle), Tonic
ECHINACEA Echinacea angustifolia	Alterative, Antibacterial, Anticatarrhal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Aphrodisiac, Diaphoretic, Immuno-stimulating, Sialogogue, Vulnerary
MULLEIN Verbascum thapsus	Anodyne, Antibiotic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Narcotic, Nutritive, Pectoral, Vulnerary
PLANTAIN, COMMON Plantago major	Alterative, Antacid, Antibacterial, Anticatarrhal, Antihistamine, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Deobstruant, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Laxative, Refrigerant, Tonic (Connective Tissues), Vulnerary
GOLDENSEAL Hydrastis Canadensis	Alterative, Antibacterial, Anticatarrhal, Anti-emetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Aperient, Astringent, Bitter, Cholagogue, Detoxifier, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge, Hepatic, Immuno-stimulant, Laxative, Oxytocic, Tonic (Respiratory)
OSHA Ligusticum porteri	Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Astringent, Expectorant
BALM OF GILEAD Populus candicans	Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Balsamic, Expectorant (Stimulating), Vulnerary
ELDER LEAF Sambucus nigro	Bark & Root: Diuretic, Emetic, Purgative. Berry: Antirheumatic, Aperient, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Laxative. Flower: Anticatarrhal, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic. Leaf (external): Emollient, Vulnerary. Leaf (internal): Expectorant, Diuretic, Diaphoretic, Purgative.
PLEURISY ROOT Asclepias tuberosa   (Use with elecampane)	Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Demulcent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Laxative, Tonic
NETTLE Urtica dioica	Alterative, Astringent, Diuretic, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Hemostatic, Hypotensive, Pectoral, Rubefacient, Tonic
CHICKWEED Stellaria media	Alterative, Antibiotic, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Carminative, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Laxative, Pectoral, Refrigerant, Vulnerary
LICORICE ROOT Glycyrrhiza glabra	Adaptogen (Possible), Antidiuretic, Antihistamine, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anti-tumor, Antiviral, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Hepatoprotective, Immune Amphoteric, Laxative (Mild), Nutritive, Pectoral
MARAL ROOT Rhaponticum carthamoides	Adaptogen (Anabolic), Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-tumor, Hepatoprotective, Immuno-stimulant, Nervine, Tonic (Cardiac)
SCHIZANDRA BERRIES Schisandra chinensis	Adaptogen (Calming), Anti-asthmatic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Astringent, Expectorant, Hepatoprotective, Immune Amphoteric, Immunomodulator, Nervine, Tonic

FORMULAS

Infusion:

Elecampane, Pleurisy Root, Elder Leaf, Plantain, Chickweed

Decoction:  

Reishi, Echinacea, Licorice Root, Maral Root, Schisandra Berries

Tincture:

#1: Reishi, Echinacea, Licorice Root, Maral Root

#2: Balm of Gilead, Goldenseal, Mullein, Nettle

#3: combining all herbs in #1 & #2

Contra-indications:

Chickweed: Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.  Use with moderation- eating too much may cause nitrate poisoning.

Echinacea: not for long term use. Use caution if allergic to plants in the daisy family. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Elder Leaf: Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding.

Elecampane:  may cause skin inflammation after handling the herb

Goldenseal: Don’t use when taking blood thinners, nervous system depressants, drugs that lower blood pressure, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, Lanoxin.  Do not use if you have heart or blood vessel disease, especially high blood pressure, heart failure, or irregular heartbeats.  Do not use if pregnant.  Avoid driving or other hazardous activities until you know how this herb affects you.

Nettle: Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a doctor before use in children or the elderly.

Plantain: Do not use while taking the following medications: digoxin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, Lithobid, or Tegretol .  Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.  Use caution if you are allergic to weed pollens.  Avoid if you’ve had intestinal obstruction.

Reishi: Avoid if you have mushroom allergies.

Schisandra:  In Chinese medicine, tonic remedies should not be taken by people with acute viral or bacterial infections such as colds, influenza, bronchitis, and pneumonia

Recommendations for Diet and Lifestyle

Diet:

Drink lots of water to help flush toxins out of your system

If worried about fungal exposure, eat 2-3 cloves of fresh, raw garlic a day.  

Add plantain leaves or chickweed to your salad.

Eat chickweed or chew on Osha root.

Aromatherapy:

Use tea tree essential oil, lavender essential oil and/or myrrh essential oil in an oil diffuser

Supplements:

Daily multivitamin

References & Resources:

A Handbook of Native American Herbs, Alma R Hutchens.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M.Grieve.

Adaptogens Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, David Winston, RH (AHG).

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH.

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised 2^nd Edition, Michael Murray, N.D. & Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.

Foundations of Medicinal Herbalism, Teresa Boardwine RH.

Medical Herbalism, David Hoffman, FNIMH.

Peterson Field Guides: Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Steven Foster and James A. Duke.

The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines, Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. & Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D.