| Bronchitis
Research
Aromatherapy
- essential oils & Bronchitis
Herbal expectorants are traditionally used for clearing the respiratory
tract with non-serious acute and chronic infections of the upper
respiratory tract and with obstructive bronchial diseases. They are
intended to counteract the accumulation of mucus and the risk of a
consecutive bacterial infection. Recently, scientists have discovered
that some essential oils can produce the same results as secretolytic
and secretomotor drugs. They cause an increase in serous mucous
secretion, improve mucous discharge and, more importantly, the oils have
antimicrobial and slightly broncho-spasmolytic properties. In one study
involving 149 patients with acute bronchitis, influenza infection and
rhinitis, an ointment containing eucalyptus oil and menthol was found to
be effective at clearing the respiratory tract and reducing inflammation
when used for inhalation and embrocation,
Pieper M. Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract
infections and bronchitis Therapiewoche (Germany), 1995, 45/4 (242-245)
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Traditional
Chinese Medicine (Massage therapy) used to help treat respiratory tract
infection of children
Researchers at the Jianye
district TCM Hospital, Nanjing conducted a randomised controlled
clinical trial to determine the efficacy of massage, according to
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, in the treatment and
prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infection of children.
Incorporated into the
massage was the principle of "eliminating the pathogenic factors by
supporting the healthy flow of energy"
The results showed that the
therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly better than
those not given the treatment. All immunologic indexes were
approximately normal when the children were re-examined 3 and 6 months
following the massage. The differences were found to be highly
significant.
This showed that the Chinese Massage
was very helpful in improving the general constitution, enhancing immune
functions and preventing and treating the condition.
Zhu S et al. A clinical
investigation on massage for prevention and treatment of recurrent
respiratory tract infection in children. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine 18(4): 285-91. Dec 1998
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