Respiratory System Disorders and Therapy From a New - Louis Bolk ...

we may consider Pulsatilla. Sulphur can also be given when there is a great deal of
mucus production. Spongia can be given where there is an on-going tickling cough that
improves with (warm) drinks. (Bönninghausen ed. 2002; Boericke/Phatak ed. 2005;
Baets 1987).
c. Anthroposophical therapy recommends rhythmic movement and physiotherapy to
ameliorate muscle ache (Hamre et al 2007d).
d. In standard asthma therapy, the emphasis is first on resolving the chronic inflammation.
This is effectively done with inhalation corticosteroid therapy with beclomethason or
budesonide. Glucocorticoids can also be given orally. In the past years, several new
anti-inflammatory medications have become available, including mast cell stabilizing
agents such as cromolyn sodium, and leukotriene modifiers such as zileuton and
monteleukast. Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to human
immunoglobulin E (IgE). It modifies the allergic cascade. Desensitization can help
the chronic hyperreactivity of asthma patients when a clear trigger can be identified
(Harrison’s 2008).
Natural products from anthroposophical medicine can also relieve the overloaded
nervous system and senses. Quercus cortex10% can reduce chronic inflammation.
Quercus cortex — the bark of the oak tree — contains tannic acid. Most of us will be
familiar with the taste and the effect of tannic acid from the taste of strong black tea:
its astringent action is due to tannin. This phenomenon demonstrates tannin’s ability to
dry up mucus. Tannin also has an anti-inflammatory effect and weak local anesthetic
action. (Meyer 2005; Meyer 2007; Vademecum 2009; Hamre 2009).
Another complementary anthroposophic preparation that has an anti-inflammatory
effect is a combination of citrus medica fructus (lemon juice) and cydonia fructus
(quince juice). Citrus/Cydonia has been shown to restore the equilibrium in
immunological processes that affect the balance between the Th1 and Th2 cells and
mast cell metabolism at a cellular level (Baars et al 2008; Baars et al 2012; Bruin et al
2001).