Eight Types of Herbs for Respiratory Infections
I'm ready for holiday parties, shopping, and hubby's bread pudding with his special white chocolate rum sauce (yes, Lawd!). It’s my not-so-guilty pleasure! However, I am focused on finding new ways to get everything done when my son's school is closed because respiratory infections are spreading. I'm talking to more and more parents across the country who are frustrated about it too, and want to use herbs to keep their kiddos healthy or recover naturally.
Everywhere we turn, we hear about viruses - the flu, COVID, RSV, and every variation. Shots. Vaccines. Booster. Drugs. As for me, I believe in science and taking public health precautions, but I can't settle for everything sold to me.
So I overdose on information, and I'm a card-carrying research junkie! So a few years, I read countless articles and reports from Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Health, and dozens of respected sources. Then, I read books and articles by herbalists, including Rosemary Gladstar, Michael Tierra, David Winston, David Hoffman, Margi Flint, and other herbalists I respect.
Then, off to the kitchen I went whipping up products for my family. They worked. I sent it to more family and friends with severe illnesses. Again, they worked and shared their testimonies on my website's homepage.
Here's a taste of what I've learned that I pray will help you and your family.
How our respiratory system works
Typically, two types of illnesses weaken the respiratory system: 1) chronic diseases, such as asthma and COPD, and 2) viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, COVID, and RSV. Since viral infection rates are spiking, we'll focus on this category.
Without geeking out too much, the respiratory system is a network of organs and tissues that help our bodies absorb oxygen. Then, it distributes it to our cells and organs so they can function correctly.
It has two parts—the upper respiratory tract (the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses), and the lower respiratory tract consists of (the voice box, windpipe, lungs, airways (bronchi and bronchioles), and air sacs).
Respiratory infections in the upper tract are much easier to eliminate quickly.
It's not typical for viral infections to attack the entire respiratory system, but it is happening more often. RSV begins in the upper respiratory system. Without aggressive treatment, it works its way down. COVID is more likely to reach the lower tract.
To avoid getting these infections in both the upper and lower respiratory tract, we need to be ready to defend our upper respiratory tract at first sight of cold & flu symptoms and pull out the big guns.
What can we do when our respiratory system is under attack?
In the United States, most of us will get something from the pharmacy or a prescription from our doctor and call it a day. Almost every medication, including for COVID is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, or immuno-modulating (I’ll explain more below). However, when a virus and the drugs for it are new, the long-term impact of those drugs is uncertain.
If you are like me and prefer natural alternatives, here are two things I have seen work wonders:
Nutrition is the first line of defense.
When fighting any infection, eating healthier, drinking lots of water, getting more rest, and decreasing stress give our body essential nutrients and activate our natural inner ability to fight infections. It's best to let go of processed foods, caffeine, dairy, and meat when sick (and have as little as possible when we're well too). Our bodies work better when we replace these foods with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.
Herbal medicine works when in the right way.
The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the world's population - 4 billion people – use herbs as medicine. They have worked for centuries, and the rest of the world is catching on. In commercials and stores, we see more cold and flu products featuring herbs such as elderberry, echinacea, and goldenseal. I wrote an article that explains why. The key is to know which ones to take and how to take them to get results.
Eight types of herbs for respiratory infections
Herbs that support a weak respiratory system fall into eight categories, starting with the big three: antivirals, immuno-modulators, and anti-inflammatories. Sound familiar? Here's a quick breakdown:
Antivirals
Antivirals kill or prevent the growth of viruses.
Immuno-modulators
Whether the immune system is under or overactive, these herbs bring the immune system back into balance.
Anti-inflammatories
Inflammation wreaks havoc in our bodies, causing pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and weight gain while creating a warm and welcoming home for viral and bacterial infections. Anti-inflammatories counter it.
Expectorants
These herbs help expel mucus from the airways in the lower respiratory tract so our lungs can function properly.
Anti-catarrhals
We want herbs in this category because they help remove excess mucus in the upper respiratory system, the nose, sinuses, throat, and ears.
Antimicrobials
They kill or suppress harmful organisms we can't see with our naked eyes, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Diaphoretics
These herbs make you sweat, so they help release toxins from the skin and lower fever.
Analgesics/anodynes
Pain relievers. Aspirin and Tylenol are the most common over-the-counter analgesics.
Ten common herbs for respiratory support
There are several great herbs for different parts of the respiratory system. Yet, there are several that have a strong impact on several parts and are well-known. Here’s why:
Six tips for unlocking the benefits of herbs
Before using herbs for any health condition, you'll want to keep these things in mind:
Confirm the botanical name. Herbs have many varieties and species. The botanical name ensures you take the specific plant for therapeutic benefit. As a rule of thumb, you should be skeptical if the botanical name (Latin name) is not listed. This Nursery Live article is a good reference point for confirming botanical names (the plant descriptions are a small tasting of what each herb can do).
Buy organic. It's better for your body and the environment.
Buy from trustworthy sources. Local growers, health food stores, or online sellers you know are more likely to sell herbs and products that have been carefully grown, selected, and made.
Talk to a healthcare provider who has studied herbal medicine. This is critical if you plan to use herbs daily and take prescription medication. Most treatments are derived from herbs or have formulations based on their chemical makeup so that herbs can intensify or weaken the impact of pharmaceutical drugs.
Get to know more about each herb you choose. You'll want to determine whether they are effective for your condition and symptoms. Here are some of my go-to blogs for herb information backed by science:
6. Choose how you want to take them. Now, this is when things get fun! Some work better as tea, but many you can take as a bath, facial steam, tincture, and other applications. Check out my article on how to take herbs for respiratory infections to learn about your options.
You'll also want to visit Eden's Leaves website to see our organic products for respiratory infections that are hand-crafted, herbalist-formulated, and always made with love.
Kim Violet is a mom, wife, herbalist, and the founder of Eden's Leaves, an herbal products company with medicinal blends for immunity and emotional wellness. She studies, writes, and teaches about herbal medicine. She is also the founder of Simply Brilliant, a consulting practice for organizations creating the world we want to leave for our great-grandchildren.