Phytotherapy is a great friend of the respiratory tract. Natural solutions to fight against ENT and pulmonary infections, plants have 1001 virtues. Who has never been bothered by a cold, a wet or dry cough, pharyngitis or bronchitis? Let's see which natural remedies can be used as a preventive, curative or complementary treatment to an allopathic treatment to fight effectively against these little winter ailments. 

The power of plants 

Depending on the condition it is not always necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Initially, if the symptoms are mild, you can go to a pharmacist, herbalist or naturopath to receive natural treatment. Because herbs and their extracts can be used at the first symptoms, they will work even better if taken early. You can consume them in infusions, capsules, syrups, sprays or essential oils. Their actions are multiple: antiseptic, sanitizing, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, calming and soothing, pain relieving, ... Their greenness is no longer to be proven and many scientific studies have allowed to recognize their benefits. 

Note, however, that although it is important to treat these diseases and their symptoms, it is wiser to do prevention in order to simply avoid them. To do this, nothing could be simpler: all you need to do is adopt good lifestyle habits! Eat healthily, practice regular physical activity and avoid smoking. "Easier said than done! ", you will say... If this is your goal, I invite you to check out our article on the basics of a balanced diet: https://www.santenutrition.net/blog/sante-nutrition-1/lassiette-ideale-pour-avoir-une-alimentation-equilibree-111/. You can also use some plants, which we'll discuss below to perform a background treatment, in prevention of the winter months. 

However, if symptoms persist, see your doctor. The same is true if you have more serious conditions such as bronchitis, asthma or respiratory allergies, or if you have to care for young children. The phytotherapy may then be used in addition to allopathic treatment.

Plants and their virtues 

Below are some of the plants most commonly used to alleviate ORL and respiratory ailments. These are by no means the only useful plants, and this short guide is in no way a substitute for the advice of a naturopath. We have compiled this small list to guide you and introduce you to the benefits of some natural treatments that we advocate for these types of illnesses. 

• Echinacea is the ultimate medicinal herb for awakening and stimulating the immune system. It alleviates symptoms related to respiratory infections such as sore throat, fever and cough and allows for a faster recovery. This action on immunity makes it a good prevention tool. 

• Like echinacea, propolis, stimulates immunity. This substance, made by bees, thins secretions and facilitates their evacuation. It fights against respiratory viruses and soothes pain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory action. Taken at the same time as an antibiotic, it increases its effectiveness. 

• Thyme as for it decreases the intensity and duration of symptoms. Taken in infusion or syrup, it souls the cough and fluidifies sputum thanks to its antispasmodic effect on the trachea. To make an infusion of thyme, you just need to let infuse one or two grams of dried thyme in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. This drink can be enhanced with honey and lemon, both to sweeten the taste and to maximize the greenness. You can repeat the process several times a day until the symptoms completely disappear. 

• Creeping ivy (or ground ivy), has an anti-inflammatory action and acts on respiratory tract and bronchial mucosa. It helps to decongest and expectorate, thanks to the presence of marrubiin in its leaves, it calms coughs, eliminates toxins, boosts the immune system and fights against sore throats. All these virtues make it useful in case of respiratory allergy or bronchitis whether acute or chronic. Infuse 30 grams of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. You can consume this infusion three times a day. 

• Onion, rich in sulfur, fights infections and decontaminates the respiratory tract by promoting expectoration. An anti-inflammatory, analgesic and natural antibiotic, onion is an ally against viruses and infections. 

• Lemon is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. It helps strengthen the immune system and fights viral and bacterial infections. Lemon also has a detoxifying action, which stimulates the elimination of waste and cleans the lungs as well as the respiratory tract. 

• Eucalyptus, on the other hand, has medicinal properties due to its eucolyptol (or cineole) content, present in the leaves. It decreases coughing and sputum. It can be used in infusion, diffusion, inhalation or essential oil. Beware of pregnant women and young children! You can also dilute 15 to 20 drops of essential oil in 25ml of vegetable oil and rub the mixture on the chest. Repeat three times a day. 

• Honey is antiseptic and antibiotic. It helps loosen mucus to decontaminate the airways, softens the throat and reduces pain caused by irritations. You can add it to your herbal teas or consume it with a spoon. Choose it preferably organic.

As you can see, there are many plants and plant substances that can help you alleviate the symptoms of respiratory diseases. Note, however, that this list is not a substitute for specialist advice, and if symptoms persist, consider consulting a physician or other health care professional!