Decongestant, healing energies

[StellaLuna]

I've had the flu for 5 days and battling congestion in my head and chest.
I can't hardly hear from the fluid in my ears and my chest feels like someone took a bat to it.
Any healing energies would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much.
May everyone who needs blessings and everyone who blesses this board be blessed!!

~Kari~

[smckim]

:hugz: :sleepybed Aww, sorry your so sick.. lots of healing energy sent your way. Feel better soon.

[Teresa]

Sending energies your way. For the congestion if you can get ahold of a piece of Iron Pyrite and place it as your breast bone while laying down it will draw some of the congestion out and give you a bit of relief. Also try some vicks vapor rub , they(Vicks) also have tablets you can add to the vaporizer machines now.

[Brenda]

Sending healing energy :)

[Shadow Dreamer]

Expectorant


What is an Expectorant?
These are herbs that help the body to remove excess mucous from the lungs. However, it is a very badly used and mis-defined term that is often used to mean a remedy that 'does something' for the Respiratory system.

How Expectorants Work



Expectorant ~ Pulmonary/Tonic
~ Stimulating expectorant - alkaloid containing
- saponin containing
- volatile oil containing
~ Relaxing - demulcent
- anti-inflammatory (anti-microbial) - volatile oil
- anti-spasmodic - alkaloid containing
- volatile oil containing




The stimulating expectorants can act in different ways to produce the same effect, and it is not always clear how a specific remedy is working, but current ideas suggest the following processes:

o irritation of the bronchioles to stimulate the expulsion of any material present.
o liquefication of viscid sputum so that it can be cleared by coughing. The sputum is moved upwards from the lungs by the fine hairs of the ciliated epithelium lining the bronchiole tubes. Reducing the viscosity through expectorants facilitates this transport.

Most stimulating expectorants contain alkaloids, saponins or volatile oils. However not all chemicals in these groups, or plants with these constituents have this activity.

o Alkaloid based action ~ In Ipecacuanha the major component is an alkaloid called emetine. It is emetic and induces nausea, increasing gastric secretions. This stimulation has a reflex effect on the bronchial mucosa, via the gastrobronchial vagus reflex, again leading to an increase in secretion. Some other expectorants work in this way and so can cause vomiting in high doses. Spices promote expectoration through a stimulation of secretory activity in the salivary and gastric glands. This results in increased production and reduced viscosity of bronchial secretions, thus facilitating expectoration and explaining why spicy foods are of benefit in easing chronic bronchitis and bland food tend to encourage it.

o Saponin based action ~ Primula officinalis, a commonly used expectorant in Europe contains 5-10% saponin, glycosides and 0.25% volatile oil in its roots. Indicated in all forms of chronic bronchitis, especially 'simple' coughs which last a long time with inadequate expectoration. The action of the saponins here is not clearly understood, but thought to be based on reflex mechanisms induced through gastric stimulation mediated via the vagus nerve, though much less marked than the alkaloid example of Ipecacuanha.



The relaxing expectorants would seem to act also by reflex but here it is to soothe bronchial spasm and loosen mucous secretions. This loosening is occasioned by producing a thinner mucous, lifting the stickier stuff up from below. This makes them useful in dry, irritating coughs. You will notice that this action is similar in some respects to the demulcents, and both actions owe a lot to their content of mucilage and occasionally volatile oils.
A third group can be identified that can work in both ways and are especially valuable in any broader treatment of the lungs. These have been called amphoteric remedies, after the phenomena in chemistry of the same molecule acting as either an acid or alkali.


Expectorants for Different Parts of the Body


Each system of the body has plants that are particularly suited to it, some of which are expectorants. Obviously (well by now it should be!) the expectorant action described the effects in the upper the respiratory system, but here we are taking into account the secondary actions and system affinity of the remedies. This affinity is in addition to the main action of the herb. Here we shall see which expectorants are uniquely applicable for each of these systems. How they can be used will be considered in the sections on each system. The role these herbs play in lung health correlates with supportive treatments for conditions whose main manifestation is elsewhere in the body.

Circulatory system: A congestive problem with the lungs can have a deleterious effect upon the heart in time, so by stretching a point we could say that Respiratory remedies may help the heart. There are three expectorants that have a direct cardio-vascular action: Horsechestnut, Squill and Daisy.
Respiratory system: These are reviewed above.
Digestive system: All the stimulating expectorants may act as emetics if taken in too high a dose (Ipecacuanha), while the relaxing expectorants may be either demulcents (Comfrey) or carminatives (Aniseed). It is worth cross referring here.

Urinary system: Some of the expectorants will soothe the urinary system, a good example being Cornsilk. However, as they work to aid the excretion of waste from the body, in this case through the lungs, there may well be some effect upon kidney function by way of increasing bodily cleansing. This could happen with an herb that is 'not meant to be' a diuretic. Healing does not always follow rules that we know about!
Reproductive system: The herbs that are also anti-spasmodic will be helpful in menstrual cramps, for example Lobelia, although the alkaloid rich or saponin-containing emetics should be avoided during pregnancy. Golden Seal, which can work as an expectorant while helping the mucous membranes of the lungs, will also be of use for the reproductive tract.

Muscles and Skeleton: The stimulating remedies can be used in liniments that increase circulation to the muscles and so ease aches and pains. Examples include Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu and Thyme. Lobelia is a good muscle relaxant.
Nervous system: Cowslip, Vervain, Thyme and Hyssop can all have relaxing nervine actions.
Skin: By helping respiration and so the whole of a person's health, these remedies may aid the skin in a broad holistic way. Expectorants that can be used internally or externally for the skin as well include: Balm of Gilead, Balsam of Tolu, Comfrey, Elder Flowers, Elecampane, Garlic, Golden Seal, Thuja.


Stimulating expectorants


Balm of Gilead Populus canadensis
Balsam of Tolu Myroxylon toluifera
Blood Root Sanguinaria canadensis
Cowslip Primula veris
Daisy Bellis perennis
Elecampane Inula helenium
Ipecacuanha Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Mouse Ear Pilosella officinarum
Senega Polygala senega
Squill Urginea maritima
Sweet Violet Viola odorata
White Horehound Marrubium vulgare


Relaxing Expectorants


Aniseed Pimpinella anisum
Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara
Comfrey Symphytum officinalis
Golden Seal Hydrastis canadensis
Grindelia Grindelia camporum
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis
Iceland Moss Cetraria islandica
Irish Moss Chondrus crispus
Liquorice Glycyrrhiza glabra
Lobelia Lobelia inflata
Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis
Marshmallow Althaea officinalis

Pleurisy Root Asclepias tuberosa
Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus
Sundew Drosera rotundifolia
Thuja Thuja occidentalis
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Vervain Verbena officinalis
Wild Cherry Prunus serotina


Amphoteric expectorants


Elder Flower Sambucus nigra
Garlic Allium sativum
Mullein Verbascum thapsis



Expectorants & Secondary Actions


Alterative : Mullein, Thuja
Anti-Catarrhal : Coltsfoot, Mouse Ear
Anti-Inflammatory : Coltsfoot, Liquorice
Anti-Microbial : Balm of Gilead, Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu, Elecampane, Garlic, Thyme
Anti-Spasmodic: Aniseed, Blood Root, Garlic, Grindelia, Hyssop, Thyme, Lobelia, Mouse Ear, Pleurisy Root, Skunk Cabbage, Vervain, White Horehound, Wild Cherry
Astringent : Comfrey, Golden Seal, Lungwort, Thuja, Thyme

Bitter : Golden Seal, White Horehound, Wild Cherry
Carminative : Aniseed, Hyssop, Pleurisy Root, Thyme
Demulcent : Coltsfoot, Comfrey Root, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Liquorice, Lungwort, Mullein
Diaphoretic : Elder Flower, Elecampane, Garlic, Hyssop, Pleurisy Root, Senega, Skunk Cabbage Diuretic : Coltsfoot, Golden Rod, Ground Ivy, Squill
Emmenagogue :
Laxative : Blood Root, Golden Seal, Squill
Nervine : Hyssop, Lobelia, Vervain, Wild Cherry

Tonic : Elecampane, Golden Seal, Mullein
Vulnerary : Balm of Gilead, Comfrey Root, Lungwort, Mouse Ear, Mullein, White Horehound



Expectorants & their System Affinity


Cardio-Vascular System : Garlic
Digestive System : Golden Seal
Respiratory : Elecampane, Mullein
E.N.T. : Elder Flower
Digestive System : White Horehound
Urinary System :
Reproductive System :
Endocrine System :
Lymphatic System : Thuja
Nervous System : Vervain

If you need more info, contact me.

[TaysatWesir]

healing energy sent

[alleysweet101]

the last two months have been auful
i got an infection
qit my job for no reason after three years
my boyfriend dumped me for no reason just stopped calling
my eltric blanked cought on firer
today i wrecked my car it was my fault
i have no job no car no boyfriend what is wrong ive always been balanced a good person hard worker good mother iam only thrity i need prayers any luck

[alleysweet101]

hope you feel better lots of water