Anti-Catarrhal

 What is an Anti-catarrhal?
 The anti-catarrhal herbs help the body to remove excess mucous buildups, whether in the sinus area or other parts of the body. They are used mainly in ear, nose, and throat infections, but have an essential role to play in many broader based treatments throughout the body.

 How Anti-catarrhals Work
 Mucous and catarrh is not of itself a problem. It is an essential body product, but when too much is produced it is often in response to an infection, helping the body remove the problematic organism, or as a way of the body removing excess carbohydrate from the body. In such cases a low mucous forming diet is called for.

 Some of these remedies work by producing a more watery mucous secretion, enabling the body to remove it, others reduce the secretion directly. This is not as desirable as it sounds as it may cause a buildup of waste that cannot be cleared from the sinuses.  The following constituents have been suggested as being pivotal to this action ~

o the astringent action of tannins is common to many of the herbs in this group.
o volatile oil rich plants can result in an anti-catarrhal effect in part due to their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory actions.
o commonly found flavones & flavonoids apparently contribute to the total effect.

 Whilst the specific mode of action remains problematic, it is an undeniable clinical experience that the anti-catarrhals work!

 Anti-catarrhals for Different Parts of the Body
 Each system of the body has plants that are particularly suited to it, some of which are anti-catarrhals. Here we shall see which remedies act as primary anti-catarrhals for each of these systems.

Circulatory system: This action is not directly relevant for the cardio-vascular system. From the naturopathic perspective, however, it could be said that anti-catarrhal remedies help the C-V system through their contribution to general de-toxification and elimination. Herbs that have a contribution to make include Cayenne, Garlic and Yarrow.
Respiratory system: All of the herbs listed below have a beneficial effect upon both the upper and lower respiratory system.

Digestive system: Anti-catarrhals that have bitter, demulcent, carminative, hepatic or astringent properties will make useful therapeutic contributions to digestive problems. Important examples are Boneset, Cayenne, Cranesbill, Garlic, Golden Seal, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Marshmallow, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme.
Urinary system: Bearberry and Golden Rod are important herbs for the urinary system.
Reproductive system: Whilst the herbs listed below may all play a role in the holistic treatment of an individual with reproductive system issues, none of them are primary remedies for male or female problems. Bearberry, Cranesbill, Golden Seal and Yarrow would be the first to consider.

Muscles and Skeleton: Again, none of these plants are primary remedies for the musculo-skeletal system.
Nervous system: Similarly, none of these plants are primary remedies for the nervous system.
Skin: Anti-catarrhals may be indirectly indicated for the treatment of a range of skin problems through their support of the cleansing processes of the body. Consider Echinacea, Elder, Garlic, Golden Seal, Wild Indigo.

 

Anti-Catarrhal Herbs

Bearberry  Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Boneset  Eupatorium perfoliatum
Cayenne  Capsicum minimum
Coltsfoot  Tussilago farfara
Cranesbill  Geranium maculatum
Echinacea  Echinacea spp.
Elder   Sambucus nigra
Elecampane  Inula helenium
Eyebright  Euphrasia spp.
Garlic   Allium sativum
Golden Seal  Hydrastis canadensis
Golden Rod  Solidago virgaurea

Hyssop   Hyssopus officinalis
Iceland Moss  Cetraria islandica
Irish Moss  Chondrus crispus
Marshmallow  Althaea officinalis
Mullein   Verbascum thapsis
Peppermint  Mentha piperita
Sage   Salvia officinalis
Thyme   Thymus vulgaris
Wild Indigo  Baptisia tinctoria
Yarrow   Achillea millefolium

Anti-Catarrhals & Secondary Actions

Alterative : Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Mullein, Wild Indigo
Anti-Inflammatory : Cranesbill, Eyebright, Golden Rod, Golden Seal
Anti-Microbial : Bearberry, Cayenne, Echinacea, Elecampane, Garlic, Golden Rod, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme, Wild Indigo, Yarrow
Anti-Spasmodic : Boneset, Garlic, Hyssop, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme
Astringent : Bearberry, Cranesbill, Eyebright, Golden Seal, Sage, Thyme, Yarrow
Bitter : Boneset, Golden Seal, Yarrow

Carminative : Cayenne, Golden Rod, Hyssop, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme
Demulcent : Bearberry, Coltsfoot, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Marshmallow, Mullein
Diaphoretic : Boneset, Elder, Elecampane, Garlic, Golden Rod, Hyssop, Peppermint, Yarrow
Diuretic : Bearberry, Coltsfoot, Elder, Golden Rod, Marshmallow, Mullein, Yarrow
Emmenagogue : Boneset, Sage, Thyme, Yarrow
Expectorant : Coltsfoot, Elder, Hyssop, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Marshmallow, Mullein, Thyme

Hepatic : Boneset, Garlic, Golden Seal
Hypotensive : Garlic, Yarrow
Laxative : Boneset, Elder, Golden Seal
Nervine : Hyssop, Peppermint
Tonic : Boneset, Cayenne, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Yarrow
Vulnerary : Cranesbill, Elder, Marshmallow, Mullein

Anti-Catarrhals & System Affinity

Cardiovascular : Garlic, Yarrow 
Digestive : Garlic, Golden Seal, Yarrow 
Respiratory : Coltsfoot, Mullein
E.N.T. : Boneset, Elder, Golden Seal, Golden Rod
Urinary : Bearberry, Yarrow 
Reproductive :
Endocrine :
Lymphatic : Echinacea, Elder, Yarrow 
Nervous : Hyssop
The Skin :
Musculo-Skeletal :

 

The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology