Botanicals in respiratory ailments

With the cold season, our body is more exposed to attacks by microorganisms affecting the respiratory tract. Cough, cold, sore throat and other upper respiratory tract ailments can be exacerbated by temperature changes, prolonged staying in closed, poorly ventilated rooms, air pollution and bad habits, such as smoking. Climate change has also made their onset period more unpredictable, therefore it is essential to pay constant attention to the good health of our respiratory tract.

Throughout history, traditional medicine has extensively used medicinal plants as valuable allies to treat respiratory ailments. Today, scientific research has confirmed the efficacy of many of these natural remedies, resulting in plant extracts that make the most of the beneficial properties of certain plants to support the body's defences against infections and the well-being of the respiratory tract.

Microorganisms and upper respiratory infections

Microorganisms, especially viruses, and bacteria, are the main causes of upper respiratory tract infections. Respiratory viruses are spread through droplets emitted by coughing, sneezing or simply talking, or by contact, either directly (e.g. when shaking hands with someone sick and then touching our face) or indirectly (e.g. when touching an infected surface and then bringing our hands to our face). 

According to data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, the most widespread viruses in the winter season are influenza viruses, followed by SARS-CoV-2 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (especially in children and the elderly). In addition, other circulating viruses are Rhinovirus, the main cause of the common cold, which is more active in mid-seasons, and others less known but equally insidious, such as Adenovirus. 

Symptoms of respiratory disorders

Respiratory infection symptoms are familiar to everyone: a runny nose, sore throat and cough, sometimes accompanied by fever, exhaustion and muscle aches. Coughing is a physiological mechanism that helps the lungs, bronchi and upper respiratory tract to expel mucus/ catarrh (or, in other cases, foreign bodies); it can be defined as productive (or wet) when there is an overproduction of phlegm) or non-productive (dry) when it is of irritative origin. Upper respiratory ailments generally have a benign course, lasting one to two weeks; however, they should never be underestimated, especially in certain categories of more fragile people, such as the elderly, infants and people with a depressed immune system; in the event of worsening or persistence of symptoms, a healthcare provider should be consulted.

Can botanicals help?

The first line of defence against upper respiratory tract infections is a correct lifestyle (no smoking, ventilating the room where one works or studies, moderate and constant physical activity, a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants and proper hydration, etc.) and compliance with the most elementary rules of hygiene, such as frequent hand washing or wearing a facial mask when necessary, as the Covid-19 pandemic taught us.

Helping the body's defences is also essential to protect against respiratory infections. It is well known that many plants can modulate the body's physiological defence systems, both by stimulating innate (non-specific) and specific immunity. The antioxidant properties of some botanicals have also been studied, enabling cells to enhance their endogenous defence mechanisms; at other times, botanicals may have a more specific antimicrobial and/or anti-inflammatory action. Without any doubt, Echinacea is the most well-known plant for the immune system, with its three species E. purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida.

Adaptogenic plants can also indirectly impact the body's defences by improving resistance to endogenous and exogenous stresses. Panax Ginseng C. A. Meyer, a plant native to China, is especially interesting, as it acts on the neuroendocrine system, but also stimulates the immune response, thanks to its ginsenosides and polysaccharides fractions.

Many plants are useful for coughs and, depending on their bioactive components, may be better suited to dry or wet coughs. For example, Drosera has a strong antitussive effect, thanks to its content of naphthoquinones and flavonoids, exerting an antispasmodic action, especially on bronchial tissue, which is why Drosera is considered an excellent remedy for dry cough. Plants containing mucilage, such as Iceland Moss, Mallow, Marshmallow, Linden, Plantain etc., are also useful in dry coughs due to their soothing properties on the irritated mucous membrane. Expectorant plants, such as Mullein, Primrose and Ivy, on the other hand, are useful in wet coughs, as they promote the elimination of excess phlegm from the respiratory tract; in some cases, they act as mucolytics, i.e., they break up mucus, facilitating its expulsion; in other cases, such as Thyme, they stimulate the ciliated epithelium, clearing the airways from mucus.

A concrete help from nature: EPO extracts

EPO Srl has developed a selection of high-quality plant extracts to support the respiratory tract whose effect has been proven in preclinical studies:

• SEDOX®: obtained from Plantago lanceolata, rich in mucilage, which has an emollient action on the oropharyngeal mucosa, standardised in verbascoside, with a soothing and antioxidant action specific for the functionality of the upper respiratory tract, it is an extract particularly suitable for soothing sore throat and calming a cough.
• THYMOX®: based on Thymus vulgaris, a well-known Mediterranean plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, traditionally used as a natural remedy for coughs and many other purposes, it helps clear the respiratory tract thanks to its expectorant and balsamic action.
• immunHopE®: combines the properties of Sambucus nigra and Humulus lupulus and has antioxidant and antiviral cytoprotective properties, useful for supporting the immune system with a ‘booster effect’ on cellular defences.
• EKINact®: Echinacea purpurea extract, sourced entirely from an Italian supply chain, preferably from uncontaminated alpine valleys, has a boosting effect on the body's defences and free radicals scavenging properties.

EPO Srl continues to invest in the quality and innovation of its products, offering natural solutions to improve respiratory ailments and protect health safely and effectively.

🔗 Find out more about our extracts by visiting the dedicated section of our website.