1. Perilla Frutescens

Applications:

• Treats coughs and dyspnea: resolving phlegm and coughs

• It is used as a diaphoretic to disperse external wind and cold for the treatment of common cold without sweat.

Function of the herb:

• Used as anti-asthmatic herb
• Used as a bronchial asthma herb
• Expectorant for chronic bronchitis
• It inhibits allergic inflammation

Chronic systemic inflammation can inflict degenerative effects throughout the body. A primary cause of this destructive cascade is the production of cell-signaling chemicals known as inflammatory cytokines. Along with these dangerous cytokines, imbalances of hormone-like messengers called prostaglandins also contribute to chronic inflammatory processes. What has fatty acid got to do with systemic inflammation?

The body needs fatty acids to survive and is able to make all but two of them: linoleic acid, in the omega-6 family and linolenic acid, in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by the diet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs). Perilla  is rich in linolenic/alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Since alpha-linolenic acid or ALA cannot be manufactured by the body it must be obtained from food. ALA, as well as the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), belongs to a group of fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is highly concentrated in plants like perilla. Once ingested, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. If we can consume sufficient ALA then intake of EPA and DHA is optional.

Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as lung disease like asthma and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for behavioral and cognitive function as well as normal development and growth.

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens has potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases like bronchitis and asthma. Research showed that the anti-allergic titer of rosmarinic acid was more effective than tranilast, which is a modern anti-allergic drug. Perilla and its constituent rosmarinic acid are potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases. 72153

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens improves lung functions. In scientists proved that dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil in selected patients with asthma suppresses the generation of LTC4 and is associated with clinical features such as respiratory function and lipometabolism. 78492

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens is useful for the treatment of asthma in terms of suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by leucocytes and improvement of pulmonary function. 32825

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens is an effective intervention for allergic asthma possibly through the amelioration of increases in cytokines, chemokines, and allergen-specific antibody. 1365-2222

Clinical research by western scientists have shown a protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid (a constituent of Perilla frutescens) in the risk of breast cancer. 36 (3) 335-40.

Clinical research by western scientists have shown the beneficial effects of the n-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, against cardiovascular disease.  4 (4): 219-26

Clinical research by western scientists have shown a 3g/d increase of dietary ALA (alpha linolenic acid) could increase serum EPA and DHA in 10 mo without any major adverse effects.  45 (6) 759-72.

2. Semen Sinapis Alba

Applications:

• Treats dyspnea (difficult in breathing) and coughing due to cold-phlegm, hypochondriac fluid retention, etc.

• Treats profuse phlegm

• Treats stuffy feeling in the chest for cold abscess and liquid accumulation in the thoracic cavity

Function of the herb:

• Used for cough
• For stuffy feeling in the chest
• Warm the lung, promote energy circulation and eliminate phlegm

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that allyl and phenyl isothiocyanates found in Sinapis alba are effective for strengthening the lungs. 81806

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that napins (the major allergenic proteins of Sinapis alba) is useful for building up the body. 66859

3. Radix Pinella Ternata

Applications:

• It is used as an anti-asthmatic and expectorant for chronic bronchitis with thin phlegm and stuffy feeling in the chest

Function of the herb:

• Effective as an expectorant
• Used for asthma problems

4.Cinnamoni Ramulus

Function of the herb:

• Effective as an expectorant
• Used for asthma problems

5. Cinnamomum Cassia

Applications:

• It is used to warm up the yang of the kidney

Function of the herb:

• To warm up vital function of kidney

6. Zingiberis Rz

Applications:

• It is used to warm up the stomach and spleen for the treatment nausea and vomiting,

• It resolves sputum, disperses cold and alleviates cough.

• It is used to warm up the lung for the treatment of chronic bronchitis with thin, white and foamy phlegm

• Reduces toxicity of other herbs.

Function of the herb:

• To warm up the lung for chronic bronchitis with thin, white and foamy phlegm

7. Glycyrrhiza Rx

Applications:

• It has anti-inflammatory effects.
• It antitussive and expectorant effect

Function of the herb:

• It is used to invigorate functions of the heart and spleen for the treatment of symptoms due to deficiency of vital energy of these viscera.
• Induce antimicrobial activity
• Improves cell functions of liver, lungs and heart
• Promote immunology

Licorice has long been used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis or eczema), peptic ulcers, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Although for the most part good clinical studies in this area are lacking, the existing evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of particularly GA at least support the therapeutic rationale for some of these treatments. Early reports from the late 1950s demonstrated that 2% topical preparations of GA were beneficial in inflammatory cutaneous disorders.⁴⁰ Animal studies utilizing rodent models of inflammation during this period confirmed the efficacy of these clinical findings.41 More recently, Inoue et al. demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory effect of GA on TPA-induced mouse ear edema.⁴² Both oral and topical preparations of GA when given 30 min before TPA treatment inhibited edema formation. A possible mechanism for these anti-inflammatory effects was offered by Shiki et al., who showed that GL stabilizes lysosomes by inhibiting phospholipase A activity in the lysosomal membrane.⁴³ This prevented the release of proteolytic enzymes and acid phosphatases from lysosomes into damaged tissue. Another possible anti-inflammatory mechanism could involve GA’s ability to prevent mononuclear leucocyte migration into the injured tissue as shown in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model.⁴⁴ An additional mechanism could involve GA inhibition of the human complement cascade as shown by Kroes et al.⁴⁵

Anti-inflammatory Effects: The above-mentioned anti-inflammatory effects of GA and GL resemble cortisol’s effect on the inflammation process. Recent studies show that GA is a potent inhibitor of the skin enzyme 11-b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-?OHSD) which catalyses the conversion of active cortisol into less active metabolites.⁴⁶ Thus, GA likely acts by potentiating the known anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol. This idea is further supported by studies showing that GA, GL and carbenoxolone do not have anti-inflammatory effects in adrenalectomized animals, indicating that the effects are due to cortisol. This inhibition of 11-?OHSD appears to occur in most all tissues. In rats this enzyme activity was decreased in most organs after intraperitoneal injection of GA.⁴⁷

Antitussive and Expectorant Effects: Licorice has through the years developed a reputation as an effective expectorant and cough suppressant chiefly used to treat the symptoms of the common cold. Licorice extracts are often found in a variety of throat lozenges. However, no clinical studies have been carried out supporting this widespread use. The cough suppressant effect could be related to its demulcent properties on irritated throat tissues. The well-documented protective effects on gastric mucosal cells could also occur in the upper esophagus and throat, perhaps explaining some of its claimed antitussive effects. The strong, sweet taste of GL could be partly responsible for its expectorant properties.

40. Colin-Jones E. Glycyrrhetinic acid. Br Med J. 1957;161. 41. Finney R, Somers G. The anti-inflammatory activity of glycyrrhetinic acid and derivatives. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1958;10:613-620. 42. Inoue H, Mori T. Modulation by glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives of TPA-induced mouse ear oedema. B J Pharmacol. 1989;96:204-210. 43. Shiki Y, Ishikawa Y, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on lysosome labilization by phospholipase A2. Amer J Chin Med.1986;14 (3-4):131-137. 44. Capasso F, Mascoto N, et al. Glycyrrhetinic acid, leucocytes and prostaglandins. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1983;35:332-335. 45. Kroes B, Beukelman C, et al. Inhibition of human complement by b-glycyrrhetinic acid. Immunology. 1997;90(1):115-120. 46. Teelucksingh S, Mackie A, et al. Potentiation of hydrocortisone activity in skin by glycyrrhetinic acid. Lancet. 1990:1060-1063. 47. Marandici A, Monder C, et al. Inhibition by glycyrrhetinic acid of rat tissue 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in vivo. Steroids. 1993;58(4):153-156.

Clinical research by western scientists has shown that isoflavans from Glycyrrhiza glabra were able to protect liver and respiratory mitochondria against oxidative stress and therefore the herb benefits the lung and liver. 14953

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that glabridin from Glycyrrhiza glabra has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective activities. 77107

This was part of the report sent by Dr. Minh-Tri Nguyen to Dr. Gueùnaešl Rodier, Director, Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (CSR), WHO Headquarter  "Viruses are chemical particles having the ability to replicate only inside a living cell. Each virus particle or viron consist of a core of a single nucleic acid DNA or RNA surrounding by a protein coat and some cases by carbohydrates or lipids. Since viruses have no cellular organization, they have not cellular organism, have no nucleus, no cytoplasm and no surrounding  membrane, they are not alive but rather obligate parasites at genetic level (require a host cell in order to replicate). That is why antibiotics (anti=against, bio life) cannot kill coronaryviruses and consequently there is no possible vaccine for colds, influenza or SARS. Coronaryvirus (virus from Latin = poison) can be only counter-acted or neutralized by specific antidote herbs, which are highly suitable for human body." In the report to WHO he sighted that Radix Glycyrrhizae can be used for detoxification: neutralizes the poison produce by viruses and bacteria by action of  Glycyrrhizic acid C₄₂ H₆₂ O₁₆