Herbal Formula: Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections

 

CASE STUDY: Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections

SUBMITTED BY: Phil Rasmussen, M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med.; M.N.I.M.H.(UK),  F.N.Z.A.M.H. 

PATIENT: 63 year-old female

INITIAL PRESENTATION & KEY CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS:

Developed asthma from the age of 17, then bronchitis following pneumonia when at University. Contracted Aspergillosis while travelling overseas, which resolved quickly at the time, but since returning to NZ has had increasingly frequent and severe upper respiratory tract infections, especially during winter. These have been treated for several years with frequent antibiotics, but she is always left with a low grade cough, and is feeling tired.  Tries to exercise regularly, and is normally quite fit.

She also had a serious bout of breathlessness and was hospitalised for a suspected cardiac episode recently, but NAD.

MEDICATIONS:

Serevent (salmeterol)
Ventolin inhalers
Prednisone 2.5mg once daily
Saline nasal spray
Completed a course of antibiotics a week earlier
 

HERBAL TREATMENT 

Herbal Formula (400mL)

Echinacea (Blend) 1:2 - 30mL

Pseudowintera colorata (Horopito) 1:2 - 15mL

Pomaderris kumerahou (Kumerahou)1:2 - 15mL

Inula helenium (Elecampane) 1:2 -15mL

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) 1:1 - 5mL

Piper nigrum (Black Pepper) 1:2 - 1mL

Crataegus oxyacanthoides (Hawthorn berries) 1:2 - 20mL

DOSAGE: 8mL twice daily
 

FOLLOW-UP:

4 weeks:
Felt better initially, but then developed an infection and started a 12/7 course of antibiotics the previous week. Using additional Echinature 5ml twice daily but ran out. Energy levels overall better.
 

Herbal Formula (420mL):

Echinacea (Blend) 1:2 - 25mL

Pseudowintera colorata (Horopito) 1:2 - 15mL

Inula helenium (Elecampane) 1:2 -20mL

Bupleurum chinense (Bupleurum) 1:2 - 25mL

Crataegus oxyacanthoides (Hawthorn berries) 1:2 - 20mL

DOSAGE: 8ml twice daily.
 

8 weeks: 

Better, no further infections, though lungs still feel week, and ‘on the cusp’ much of the time. Seen a cardiologist for a checkup, and NAD.
 

Herbal Formula (420mL):

Echinacea (Blend) 1:2 - 35mL

Pseudowintera colorata (Horopito) 1:2 - 15mL

Pomaderris kumerahou (Kumerahou)1:2 - 12mL

Inula helenium (Elecampane) 1:2 -20mL

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) 1:1 - 8mL

Piper nigrum (Black Pepper) 1:2 - 1mL

DOSAGE: 8ml twice daily.
 

She continues to take this mixture regularly, and her need for antibiotics is much less frequent, plus general wellbeing and energy levels improved.