Phytotherapy for respiratory diseases: past and present. Review

Abstract

Acute and chronic respiratory diseases constitute one of the main reasons of death worldwide. Joining coronavirus infection COVID‑19 worsens the course of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system and other systems and organs, in particular, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, gastrointestinal and others. There are a number of drugs of natural origin with multifaceted metabolic and multiorgan action, the use of which associated with minimal risks, mainly due to individual intolerance to particular components. Objective. To analyze the current possibilities of phytotherapy of respiratory diseases, including COVID‑19. Materials and methods. The information search has been performed using sources in print and electronic media, scientific tracking databases with application of methods of the analysis, comparison and generalization. Results. Treatment with herbal remedies was established to have better tolerability and lower frequency of side effects and complications. They are characterized with high biological multifaceted activity and a broad therapeutic index. It is believed that the use of herbal medicine in such cases as an adjunct treatment and maintenance therapy is justified. Monotherapy with drugs from individual medicinal plants is not as effective as their combination. The use of extracts of several medicinal plants is more appropriate for long‑term use, the composition, dose, synergism, compliance, minimal side effects and mild therapeutic effect are important. In the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine there are many domestic and imported herbal remedies used in acute and chronic respiratory diseases. One of them is Bronchilor (Biohels International GmbH, Germany), containing extracts of thyme, Iceland moss, primrose and thorny bamboo. The drug has a local antiseptic effect, it forms a protective film on the the bronchopulmonary receptors, enhances the ciliate epithelial activity, and acts as an expectorant. The publications of Chinese scientists indicate the feasibility of using herbal medicine in the acute period of COVID‑19 infection and postcovid syndrome. Conclusions. Modern multicomponent phytotherapeutic agents play an important role in the complex treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Further studies are required to investigate the use of phytotherapy, in particular, Bronchilor, as a supportive therapy for postcovid rehabilitation in patients with respiratory system injury.