ASTHMA AND ITS TREATMENT
BY THE DRUG SYNTHESIS
MEDICINAL PLANTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Asthma is a disorder "inflammatory" respiratory tract (1) characterized by inflammation of the bronchi with increased production of mucus and hypersensitive airways. In many cases of asthma is allergic. The allergic reaction in respiratory blends and added to the reaction "inflammatory" (2).
The result is wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing.
Asthma is a disease "chronic" very progressive in time, which affects both infants than adults.
The "asthma attack" is characteristic of the asthmatic disease, is a brutal event that combines bronchospasm (narrowing of the bronchial airways) with rapid onset of congestion of the bronchial mucosa and bronchial hypersecretion. Air passes with difficulty, the patient choking, wheezing breathing is difficult.
Asthma is a disease with multiple causes: genetic, allergic, environmental, infectious, psychological, nutritional.
Asthma is a disease in its rapid expansion in "developed countries", the annual increase is estimated at about 5% per year among people under age 18 is about a doubling of asthma in 15-20 years . Some figures: in 1998 17 million asthmatics in the U.S. (annual mortality around 5000) and currently has about 150 million asthmatics worldwide.
Why this rapid increase in the last 30 years: increasing chemical pollution of the air we breathe in cities (due to diesel particles, ozone, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide) but probably not this, specialists add the very important change in our way of life:
* The fact of living in confined spaces and very isolated (apartments) where the materials are largely synthetic and release irritating chemicals (formaldehyde, paint thinners or glue, insecticides)
* The modern diet is full of dyes, flavoring synthetic allergens, pesticide residues, it is poor in natural antioxidants and magnesium
* Some experts are concerned the increase in the number and frequency of vaccinations.
THE MAIN CAUSES OF ASTHMA
ALLERGY AND ASTHMA
The "atopic" or atopy is the ability exaggerated some people develop allergies, atopy is largely "inherited (genetic).
When a parent, let alone both, present allergic disorders (respiratory (asthma, allergic rhinitis), skin or digestive), children have a considerably higher risk than average to have the land atopic, and thus develop "allergic diseases" including asthma.
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) associated with asthma in 3 / 4 cases.
WHAT ARE THE ALLERGEN MOST OFTEN RESPONSIBLE
IN THE ONSET OF ASTHMA?
* The feces of dust mites: small insects commensals (Dermatophagoides sp.), Who live in house dust, bedding (pillows), carpet and carpet. Their droppings are particularly antigenic and cause an allergic reaction very rapidly in susceptible individuals when they are inhaled.
* The cockroaches and their droppings are also highly antigenic, but these insects are more easily visible, thus eliminated
* The allergens of domestic animals (especially cats and dogs)
* Fungi (including yeasts), especially by air (Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Aspergillus) and by the internal fungal antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin)
* The pollen of many plants (especially grasses, but also pins)
* Food: food allergens are less frequently involved in asthma in adults than children.
CAUSING OR OTHER CAUSES ASTHMA WORSE
* The role of respiratory infections in the onset of asthma is very important.
It seems that infections caused by many respiratory viruses or chlamydia disrupt the metabolism of mucosal cells and trigger respiratory reactions (immune type) conducive to the outbreak of asthma.
The respiratory tract infections in children (rhinitis and bronchitis) trigger and aggravate bronchial asthma.
* The air pollution: active and passive smoking, particulates and gases in the smoke of internal combustion engines (diesel, gasoline), wood smoke, industrial smoke, ozone, nitrogen oxides, irritant gases (chlorine, volatile acids, paint thinners, gas released by the "plastics")
* Certain medications: aspirin and anti-inflammatory
* An abnormal gastric function: many asthmatics complain of acid reflux, bloating of the stomach but it is not clear whether the asthma is causing these problems or reverse
* A deficiency in zinc, magnesium, selenium, vitamins B12, B6 and C.
* Asthma can be triggered, to increase or otherwise disappear due to changes in hormonal balance: puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause
* Asthma effort: during a prolonged physical exercise especially when the air is cold and dry. The crisis was triggered because of the hypersensitivity of the bronchi, even a bout of "laughter" can trigger a bronchial spasm.
* Asthma is a disease.
* Asthma Disease "psychosomatic". This way of describing asthma is more fashionable although all specialists in asthma and asthma sufferers know the importance of psychological factors in the onset and the increase of asthma.
PRINCIPLE OF TREATMENT
Asthma is more or less serious. Many asthmatics living quite normally, do sports, even high level.
In-fact, the typical asthma attack at night (when the blood levels of corticosteroids are lowest) is usually reversible spontaneously or with medication specific.
All levels of asthma exist until the continuous asthma very disabling, often poorly treated asthma old.
But attention asthma is dangerous because there is always the risk of an acute asthma attack, irrespective of the type that has asthma, which may require immediate hospitalization.
There are equivalents of asthma: coughing dry night, with varying degrees of bronchial secretion rather difficult to expectorate.
Asthma, a disease with multiple causes, seek a long-term treatment very personal, although the treatment of asthma is quite stereotyped.
EXCLUSION OF FACTORS PROMOTING OR WORSE ASTHMA
* Elimination of mites in houses, destruction of these insects by acaricides
* Removal of pets in case of allergy
* Specific desensitization when the allergy is well specified and that asthma is suitable for this treatment by immunotherapy
* Change of place of residence or business if needed
THE CRISIS OF ASTHMA
It is usually controlled by inhaled beta-2 agonists, inhaled short-acting but fast (salbutamol, Ventolin), to take the request as soon as possible.
THE TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE OF ASTHMA (SUMMARY)
Depending on the severity of asthma and disease response to treatment should be used:
* Inhaled corticosteroids dose more or less strong - derivatives of theophylline
* Beta 2 of long-acting stimulants - steroids orally
* A new class of drugs: anti-leukotrienes (3), they block some of the inflammatory response provoking asthma but did not affect bronchodilator. They prevent the occurrence of asthma induced by exercise.
Asthma is a disease "long process" that must be evaluated and monitored every 3 to 6 months to adapt the basic treatment to disease progression. Asthma may disappear completely (about 1 / 3 of asthmatic children found breathing normal puberty and in the years after), but "old asthmatic" must be careful: no smoking, avoid if possible allergens and causes bronchial irritation.
USES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS
IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA
The asthma attack is not the responsibility of phytotherapy.
Beta-2 agonists, leukotriene antagonists or new, fast and effective, have no equivalents in phytotherapy.
Recall that a few decades we used powdered datura, or cigarette containing a cure for asthma.
By cons herbs and essential oils are very useful for monitoring the evolution of the asthmatic disease (treatment):
* Essential oils tropism pulmonary antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatories to reduce the infection of respiratory mucosa, decrease inflammation and promote expectoration: essential oils of thyme and savory, eucalyptus and niaouli, Pine
* Plant anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory cassis, Tylophora asthmatic, Boswellia serrata, Petasites hybridus, ginger, mangosteen, Rubus suavissimus
* Antispasmodics plants: thyme, hawthorn, lavender, lemon balm, ginger - soothing plants and promoting sleep: hawthorn, lavender, Eschscholtzia, melissa, hypericum, lime
ESSENTIAL OILS AND ASTHMA
As we have seen, respiratory infections are often responsible for triggering asthma attacks when the ground is suitable. The restriction of air and airway congestion will delay healing.
It is therefore essential to prevent these infections (viral and bacterial) and help the body fight against them.
To do the essential oils are very valuable.
These are natural antiseptics
* To be absorbed through respiratory or digestive
* To increase the activity of cilia of cells lining the bronchi, facilitating the evacuation of bronchial mucus,
* Which possess anti-inflammatory
* To provide a feeling of "wellness" breathing - are without toxicity at doses required: One child up to 6 drops per day for adults up to 12 drops per day orally.
Essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus,
Eucalyptus radiata (preferred for children)
Melaleuca viridiflora or Niaouli
Oral: 2 to 3 drops, 3 to 4 times a day, palatable and low toxicity
By externally: attention in rare cases of asthma may be increased by the "smell" of essential oils.
* Inhalation (a few drops of essential oil in a bowl of hot water) 2 to 3 times per day. ·
* Application on the chest of a few drops of essential oil mixed in fat (oil massage balm)
Oil of Pinus sylvestris, or Scotch pine (needles and buds)
Beware of labeling as many extracts labeled "pine oil" are by-products industry (sawmills, pulp and paper) that have nothing to voi, if not a little odeu with the essential oil of leaves (needles) or pine buds.
Oral: 2 drops 3 to 4 times daily by external inhaled several times a day.
Essential oils of thyme and savory
Thymus vulgaris, thyme or thymol or carvacrol and Satureja (or Satureia) montana, mountain savory.
Both oils contain powerful antibacterial that also facilitate expectoration, but may cause in some people heartburn.
Oral: 2 to 3 drops 3 times per day
By externally: inhaled but not under the skin because it is an essential oil irritates the skin. Again beware of the risk of bronchospasm in children.
PLANT ANTI-ALLERGIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Ribes nigrum
In France, and with the experience of herbalists School of Biotherapy since the 60s, it advocates the blackcurrant, Ribes nigrum, in gemmotherapy.
These extracts from blackcurrant buds are anti-inflammatory, have a therapeutic effect reminiscent of steroids, but without side effects.
They can be used long-term cure for several weeks both in children than adults. Ribes nigrum shoots glycerol extract 1 D: 50 to 100 drops per day divided into 2 or 3 times
Zingiber officinale
Ginger, used extensively in herbal medicine in India is much less in France.
It has among others an anti-inflammatory.
Clinical trials have shown that a standardized hydroalcoholic extract could improve respiratory performance of people with moderate asthma.
Tincture of ginger: equivalent to 1 g of rhizome with 4 sockets.
Ginger Tea: 1 to 2 teaspoons grated ginger in 1 / 2 liter of hot water, let steep for ten minutes, covered container: a cup 3 to 4 times per day.
You can also use ginger juice directly in the beverage or syrup form.
Everybody does not support the ginger can cause gastric irritation.
Rubus suavissimus
The sweet briar China has valuable pharmacological properties. It is anti-inflammatory contents in tannins medicinal, and experience has proved that it was allergy, therefore useful for treating asthma when the allergic component is important.
Rubus suavissimus is a bushy plant found among others in the Chinese province of Guang Xi, Guizhou and northern Guang Dong.
The sweetness of the leaves is mainly due to the presence of a glycoside, the ruboside or rubusoside. The ruboside or rubusoside is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose (ordinary sugar), but provides very few calories in the way of stevioside extracted from the sweet grass of Paraguay (Stevia rebaudiana).
The aqueous extract of Rubus suavissimus not that sweet, it also antiallergic (used as such in Japan), experience shows that it is an antihistamine but has no effect on the synthesis of prostaglandin E2.
The Chinese mostly use the leaves of Rubus suavissimus to make a sweet tea, everyone finds the right mixture of leaves and hot water. If we increase the quantity of leaves, or if you drink a lot of this tea, the tannin content can cause constipation.
Tylophora asthmatic
Tylophora asthmatic (or indica) (Asclepiadaceae) is a climbing plant native to south-eastern India.
It is a toxic plant which contains alkaloids which tylophorine.
It is part of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and long used by Ayurvedic physicians.
It is an emetic which has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic. It is used traditionally in India to treat asthma, certain allergic and digestive problems and joint pain.
A recent study showed that alcoholic extract of Tylophora asthmatic activity increased cortico-adrenal (excretion of natural steroids in the blood), which would explain its anti-inflammatory.
This plant is not sold in Europe because of its potential toxicity and lack of pharmacological studies. At least one worldwide license to use has been filed in 2005 ((WO/2006/003676) a novel method to inhibit inflammation and tumor growth by tylophora alkaloids). The authors suggest, in the case of asthma, a dosage of 160 to 600 micrograms of alkaloids (in a ratio of 2 quantities 1 quantity for tylophorine of tylophorinine for 2 quantities of tylophorinidine).
The typical dose of dried leaves to treat asthma in India: 200 to 400 mg in two divided doses (approximately 1 / 2 to 1 sheet per day).
Petasides hybridus
The Asteraceae, with its large perennial rootstock, is native to Europe and Asia (now present in North America), she prefers wetlands, river banks, marshy land somewhat. She has very long leaves (up to 1 m) somewhat reminiscent of those rhubarb and red inflorescence that appears before the leaves in late winter.
It is not part of the French Pharmacopoeia although it has been used since antiquity as a medicinal plant. The whole plant (rhizome and leaves) contains sesquiterpenes (pétasine and isopétasine) which are antispasmodic and anti-inflammatories including blocking the synthesis of leukotrienes.
Unfortunately the plant also contains toxic alkaloids (for liver parenchyma) and may be carcinogenic.
At least one patent has been filed for the development of a Petasides hybridus extract containing sesquiterpenes but free of alkaloids (extract from rhizome). This extract has been tested successfully for the treatment of migraine.
A clinical study has shown that these extracts Petasides improved the ability of asthmatic breathing and reduced the number of seizures significantly without side effects. A German drug, also available in USA (Petadolex) and Switzerland (Raft) is standardized pétasine and isopétasine. The proposed dose is in adults, 50 to 100 mg of extract twice daily. This drug is new, its cons and interactions with other drugs are not yet well defined.
Plantago major
The mother tincture is appreciated by most herbalists for its power (but low toxicity), anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic: 30 to 60 drops per day
Resin Boswellia sp.
Several species of trees of the genus Boswellia, from the north-eastern Africa and Arabia, produce a fragrant resin, incense or frankincense, which has medicinal properties: Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory.
A clinical study of 1998 showed the benefit of incense to treat asthma.
300 mg of resin extract, 3 times daily for 6 weeks, have significantly improved the status of asthma in the study. Incense would act as an anti-leukotrienes.
Garcinia mangostana
The mangosteen (Clusiaceae) is native to the Indo-Malay, is a tropical tree of medium size (ten feet) evergreen foliage. It is cultivated for its fruits, red-purple of 4 to 7 cm in diameter, containing a sweet pulp and pleasantly scented. The bark of the fruit of a related species Garcinia cambogia contains a significant amount of hydroxycitric acid. The calcium salt (calcium hydroxycitrate) is proposed as a dietary supplement in diets.
The mangosteen rind is used in traditional medicine of Southeast Asia as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antidiarrheal. A Japanese study in 2002 showed that hydroalcoholic extract (40 °) inhibited in vitro synthesis of prostaglandin E and histamine release.
The mangosteen rind may be soon regarded as a plant anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory useful in treating asthma.
ANTISPASMODICS PLANTS AND SOOTHING
Thyme, ginger, hawthorn, lemon balm, lavender, Eschscholtzia, hypericum, lime.
The asthma is often a person a little anxious, anxious, having trouble sleeping. Experience shows that a slight hypnotic often decrease the frequency of asthma attacks in the middle of the night.
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