6 Herbal medicine for lung disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that can go on and don't go away. Treatment for COPD aims to suppress disease progression, prevent COPD relapse, and avoid complications of COPD. Not only medical drugs, some people also rely on natural or herbal ingredients to relieve symptoms due to this chronic lung disease. What natural ingredients can be used? How effective is this herbal ingredient?

What are the herbal remedies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Treatment of COPD is generally dominated by the use of bronchodilators and corticosteroids. These medications can improve lung function, quality of life, and relieve symptoms of COPD. However, the side effects of treatment often cause people to worry.

Against this background, many people are seeking alternative treatments, such as herbs, to control chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Research published by Queen's University Belfast shows that natural and herbal medicines are effective for controlling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study also claims that these ingredients do not cause any harmful side effects.

Summarized from various journals, the following are herbal remedies that can help you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

1. Ginseng

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) has been used as an herbal remedy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several studies have shown that ginseng can improve lung function and quality of life in sufferers.

In its opening, the journal published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information states that panax ginseng taken twice a day for 12 weeks can improve lung function and respiratory resistance in COPD sufferers.

The research conducted in China shows the positive effects of combination therapy, including ginseng and other herbs as traditional medicines in Asia to treat chronic lung disease. The study compared COPD patients who did not take medication at all.

As a result, the herbal mixture with ginseng-based ingredients showed significant improvements in lung function, compared to those who did not receive the treatment.

2. Thyme

Thyme is an herbal medicine that has expectorant, mucolytic, antitussive and antispasmodic properties. Research in journals Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy shows results that support usage thyme traditionally in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Thyme extract may be an effective treatment for chronic lung disease that causes a cough with phlegm, which can block air. In addition, these studies also show that thyme extract can stimulate the immune system to kill lung cancer cells which are complications of COPD.

3. Curcumin

Curcumin is an herb found in turmeric, a spice commonly used in various cuisines, including Indonesian cuisine. Curcumin is useful as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Low doses of curcumin can also boost immunity.

Research published in the journal Carcinogenesis states that curcumin can be used as a herbal remedy for smokers or ex-smokers who have or want to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Still in the same study, curcumin is also said to be effective as a single herbal remedy or in combination with other ingredients for lung cancer. However, more research is needed to prove whether curcumin can be called an anticancer or not.

4. Echinacea

Echinacea is known as a herbal plant that can treat upper respiratory tract infections associated with colds and flu.

A deep research Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics has shown that the herbal remedy echinacea combined with selenium, zinc and vitamin C can reduce the worsening of symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

5. Ivy leaves

Several studies mentioned in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that herbs in the form of ivy leaf extract are effective as drugs for respiratory infections that can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Symptoms, such as cough with phlegm are shown to improve after 7-10 days of treatment.

The study also stated that the use of ivy leaf extract as an herbal medicine did not cause serious side effects.

6. Red sage

Published research Chinese Journal of Biochemical Pharmaceutics mentioned that herbal medicine in the form of a combination of Atorvastatin and the active compound (polyphenol) red sage can increase exercise tolerance in people with COPD. This herbal remedy is also known to reduce pulmonary artery (in the lungs) pressure in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

7. Ginger

Ginger is well known as an herb with a myriad of benefits. Quoted from Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, ginger is also proven to contain many uses to protect lung health from various damages, including inflammation.

Ginger is recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, as a food additive that is generally recognized as safe. Consumption of ginger is very safe and does not cause dangerous side effects.

Is it safe to use herbal remedies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Although many believe that the use of natural ingredients does not cause side effects, experts agree that further research is needed to examine how effective this herb is for treating chronic lung diseases, such as COPD. You should not replace medical drugs that your doctor gives you herbal medicines.

Prescribed medical drugs must still be consumed according to doctor's recommendations. Also make sure you discuss with your doctor first before taking herbal medicines because some ingredients may interact with the drugs the doctor gives you.