CAM202A: Comparing and Contrasting Three Herbs for Respiratory Health

This report provides a detailed comparison and contrast of three medicinal herbs: Inula helenium (Elecampane), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme), and Grindelia camporum. The report examines various aspects of each herb, including their medicinally active parts, active constituents, secondary herbal actions, mechanisms of action, therapeutic indications, potential safety issues, preparation methods, and dosage recommendations. The herbs are compared based on their expectorant properties and their efficacy in treating respiratory conditions such as coughs, bronchitis, and asthma. The report highlights the importance of considering potential side effects and contraindications before prescribing these herbs, emphasizing the need for caution in their use. The report also references various sources to support the information provided and underscores the significance of traditional herbal medicine in treating respiratory disorders.

Running head: MATERIA MEDICA
Comparing and contrasting three herbs that exhibit the same action
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Subject code- CAM202A
Word count- 1118
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Executive summary
Medicinal herbs or botanical drugs have been in traditional medicine practice since prehistoric
ages. There are hundreds of chemical compounds that are synthesized by the plants owing to
their properties of defending themselves against insects, fungi, diseases and
herbivorous mammals. There are several phytochemicals present in these herbs that have
potential biological activity. However, a single plant may contain several such phytochemicals.
Thus, different parts of these herbs are used to treat specific diseases rather than using the entire
plant. The earliest records for the use of traditional herbs come from the Sumerian civilization.
Their widespread usage is due to the reason that they are cheap and widely available when
compared to the modern synthetic drugs. This report will illustrate the differences between three
traditional herbs that are used to cure respiratory disorders.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Comparing and contrasting between three drugs.............................................................................3
1. Medicinally active plant part...................................................................................................3
2. Active constituents...................................................................................................................4
3. Secondary herbal actions and mechanisms of action..............................................................4
4. Therapeutic indications............................................................................................................5
5. Potential safety issues..............................................................................................................5
6. Preparation...............................................................................................................................6
7. Dosage recommendations........................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
Plants have been used as medicinal herbs since prehistoric period. Evidences exist for the
use of herbs in old indigenous Rome, Iran, India, Africa and the Mediterranean cultures. The use
of plant materials as medicinal sources has gained emphasis due to side effects of the synthetic
drugs, prohibited costs of advanced treatment facilities, inadequate medication supply and
increased resistance to drugs (Pearson, 1807). Plants that are used as respiratory expectorants
help in increasing bronchial secretions, thereby facilitating easy cough of mucus from the lungs
and airways. This report will compare and contrast the effectiveness of three herbs that are used
as respiratory expectorants.
Comparing and contrasting between three drugs
The three respiratory expectorants that will be compared are Inula helenium, Thymus
vulgaris, and Grindelia camporum.
1. Medicinally active plant part
The plant part of Inula helenium (Elecampane) used for treating cough and cold is the
root. The root is a yellow, thick and cylindrically branched rhizome. It has a warm bitter taste
and is used to prepare cough drops, candy and asthma lozenges (Seca, Grigore, Pinto & Silva,
2014).
The leaves and the flowering tops of Thymus vulgaris are used to treat bronchitis.
Additionally, they are also beneficial for sore throat and coughs owing to the presence of active
constituents of thyme that loosen and expel mucous (Thomas & Roberts, 1902).

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Grindelia camporum is mainly used as a medicinal herb for its dried aerial parts. These
parts are plucked before the buds open and are dried, to be used later on for asthma, whooping
cough, bronchitis and emphysema.
2. Active constituents
The major constituents of Elecampane are inulin, volatile oil such as camphor, alantol,
and helenin, mucilage, alantoic acid, and sterols (Herman, Herman, Domagalska & Młynarczyk,
2013). The active constituents encompass a thymol derivative, triterpenoid saponin,
sesquiterpene lactones that include isoalantolactone and alantolactone, and bitter principles such
as, stigmasterol and friedlin.
Thymol is the most active ingredient of Thymus vulgaris. It has strong anti-bacterial
properties. In addition,it exerts an expectorant effect. Furthermore, thyme also contains the
flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, naringenin, and thymonin that have antioxidant properties (Thomas
& Roberts, 1902).
Active compounds present in Grindelia sp. that contribute to its expectorant properties
are flavonoids such as acacetin and kumatakenin and acacetin, and diterpenes of grindelane type.
Evidences suggest the presence of 21% amorphous resins, tannins and laevoglucose.
3. Secondary herbal actions and mechanisms of action
The secondary actions of Inula helenium include its use as a sedative, diaphoretic,
stomachic, relaxant, anthelmintic, and diuretic. It has been used by ancient Romans and Greeks
for treating digestive upsets. It also acts as the main ingredient in potio Paulina, the digestive
wine (Spiridon et al., 2013).

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Secondary action of thyme includes its role in treatment of fungal infections such as,
athlete’s foot and as a remedy for oral and other yeast infections. It is also utilized in killing
parasites like head lice, crabs and intestinal worms. It helps in preventing blood clots and the
vapour is also used to treat depression, scalp irritations and headache (Roby, Sarhan, Selim &
Khalel, 2013).
On the other hand, Grindelia camporum acts as a good urinary tract disinfectant and as an
antispasmodic. It has also proved effective in treating dermatitis caused due to poison ivy.
Topical preparations also help to cute skin rashes, insect bites, and burns.
4. Therapeutic indications
Therapeutic indications of Elecampane include its use for emphysema, cough, asthma,
chronic cough, congestive complaints, bacterial infections, tracheal catarrh, and convalescence
(Pearson, 1807).
Indications of thyme involve its administration for diarrhoea, indigestion, skin
disinfection, dyspepsia, bronchitis and throat inflammation (Petrovska, 2012).
On the other hand, therapeutic indications for Grindelia sp. are related to its use for
respiratory spasm, dry or tickly cpugh, asthma, pertussis, and bronchitis.
5. Potential safety issues
Although Elecampane acts as a valuable herbal remedy, it may lead to hypersensitivity.
It should be avoided during pregnancy. In addition, it is necessary to inform the physician about
the use of other medications or vitamins before using this herb. The quality of the herb should
also be ensured.

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Thyme should be administered after conducted patch tests on the concerned person. It
should not be administered to children unless prescribed by a doctor. High doses should be
avoided during pregnancy since it works as uterine stimulant. Caution should be taken while
administering it to people suffering from gastritis, congestive heart failure and enterocolitis. It
should be diluted to prevent mucous membrane irritations (Pirbalouti, Hashemi & Ghahfarokhi,
2013).
If taken in large doses, Grindelia sp. produces stomach or renal irritations. Furthermore,
it can result in allergies and while being administered for internal usage, it should always be
consumed under the supervision of a healthcare provider (Petrovska, 2012).
6. Preparation
The fresh roots of Inula sp. are preserved with sugar or are made into syrup to relieve
shortness of breath, cough, spleen, and wheezing of the lungs. Decoction of the roots is taken in
the form of gargles or in wine for asthma, bronchitis, and as liver and stomach stimulants
(Pearson, 1807).
Infusions of thyme are used for chest infections and stomach chills. It is also used in the
form of tincture to treat diarrehoea, as gargle and syrup. The essential oils are also used as chest
rubs (Hosseinzadeh, Jafarikukhdan, Hosseini & Armand, 2015).
The fluid extract of Grindelia sp. is used in proportion to liquorice. It is generally used as
an infusion by soaking a teaspoon of the dried herb into a boiling cup of water for 10-15 minutes.
It is also taken in the form of tincture.

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7. Dosage recommendations
Liquid extracts of Elecampane dosage are 1-2 ml, 1:1 in 25% alcohols, thrice daily. The
dried roots are given thrice daily in the form of 1.5-3 g or by decoction. 3-5 ml, 1:5 in 25%
alcohol tinctures is also administered 3 times each day (Herbal-supplement-resource.com, 2017).
6-9g of dried aerial parts of Grindelia sp. is used as infusions thrice a day. 1-2 ml of
tincture should also be taken three times a day (Herbal-supplement-resource.com, 2017).
Thyme should be given at a dose of 1-3 fluid ounces as infusion, 2-10 drops with sugar or
in the form of emulsion. In capsule form it is generally taken as recommended by the
manufacturer (Herbal-supplement-resource.com, 2017).
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be stated that expectorants work by reducing the thickness or the
mucus and loosening lung congestion. They help in clearing the lungs and preventing coughs.
The three medicinal herbs compared above are effective in treating congestion, coughs and
bronchitis. The three herbs work as effective expectorants owing to the presence of inulin,
volatile oil and flavonoids in them. Thus, their potential side effects and contraindications should
be considered and caution should be maintained before prescribing these herbs.

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References
Herbal-supplement-resource.com. (2017). Elecampane Herb - Benefits and Side Effects. The
Herbal Resource. Retrieved 25 November 2017, from https://www.herbal-supplement-
resource.com/elecampane-herb.html
Herbal-supplement-resource.com. (2017). Grindelia Uses, Side Effects and Benefits as a
Medicinal Herb. The Herbal Resource. Retrieved 25 November 2017, from
https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/grindelia-herb.html
Herbal-supplement-resource.com. (2017). Thyme Herb Uses, Side Effects and Health
Benefits. The Herbal Resource. Retrieved 25 November 2017, from https://www.herbal-
supplement-resource.com/thyme-herb.html
Herman, A., Herman, A. P., Domagalska, B. W., & Młynarczyk, A. (2013). Essential oils and
herbal extracts as antimicrobial agents in cosmetic emulsion. Indian journal of
microbiology, 53(2), 232-237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-012-0329-0
Hosseinzadeh, S., Jafarikukhdan, A., Hosseini, A., & Armand, R. (2015). The application of
medicinal plants in traditional and modern medicine: a review of Thymus
vulgaris. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(09), 635. Published Online
September 2015 in SciRes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2015.69084
Pearson, R. (1807). A Practical Synopsis of the Materia Alimentaria: And Materia Medica. By
the Author of the Thesaurus Medicaminum....... R. Baldwin, and LB Seeley. Retrieved
from: http://www.christopherhobbs.com/webdocs/rare-books/A-Practical-Synopsis-of-
the-Materia-Alimentaria-and-Materia-Medica.pdf

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Petrovska, B. B. (2012). Historical review of medicinal plants’ usage. Pharmacognosy
reviews, 6(11), 1. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.95849
Pirbalouti, A. G., Hashemi, M., & Ghahfarokhi, F. T. (2013). Essential oil and chemical
compositions of wild and cultivated Thymus daenensis Celak and Thymus vulgaris
L. Industrial Crops and Products, 48, 43-48. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.04.004
Roby, M. H. H., Sarhan, M. A., Selim, K. A. H., & Khalel, K. I. (2013). Evaluation of
antioxidant activity, total phenols and phenolic compounds in thyme (Thymus vulgaris
L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), and marjoram (Origanum majorana L.)
extracts. Industrial Crops and Products, 43, 827-831. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.08.029
Seca, A. M., Grigore, A., Pinto, D. C., & Silva, A. M. (2014). The genus Inula and their
metabolites: From ethnopharmacological to medicinal uses. Journal of
ethnopharmacology, 154(2), 286-310. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.04.010
Spiridon, I., Nechita, C., Niculaua, M., Silion, M., Armatu, A., Teacă, C. A., & Bodîrlău, R.
(2013). Antioxidant and chemical properties of Inula helenium root extracts. Open
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