Use of plant extracts as an efficient alternative therapy of respiratory tract infections

Medicinal plants are advantageously used in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Upper respiratory tract catarrh is one of the diseases associated with seasonal weakening of immunity, and therefore, plant drugs with a non-specific immunomodulation effect are often used. Such plants include, but are not limited to, Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). In combination with medicinal plants having antibacterial and antiseptic effects, such as thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides), they can constitute efficient help in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases, shorten the duration of the disease and reduce the need of antibiotic therapy. The text presented summarizes the basic information about these plants, their ingredients, mechanisms of action and clinical tests confirming their effect and monitoring eventual adverse effects.

Keywords: Echinacea purpurea; Panax quinquefolius; Pelargonium sidoides; Thymus vulgaris; upper respiratory tract catarrh; immunity

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Extracts of ginseng (P. quinquefolium) and purple coneflower (Echinacea spp.) stimulate the immune system and improve resistance of the organism to infection agents causing upper respiratory tract catarrh. Their action can be supported by extracts of thyme (T. vulgaris) or umckaloabo geranium (P. sidoides), which have a major antibacterial influence and can contribute to already running disease. In terms of phytochemistry, these medicinal plants have been explored relatively well and the mechanism of their action has been described in a number of both in vitro and in vivo studies.