Uppers herbal

Shibata, C., I. Sasaki, H. Naito, T. Ueno, and S. Matsuno. The herbal medicine Dai-Kenchu-Tou stimulates upper gut motility through cholinergic and 5-hydroxytryptarn ine 3 receptors in conscious dogs. Surgery 1999 126(5) 918-924. 

Lindenmuth GF, Lindenmuth EB. The efficacy of Echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med 2000 6(4) 327-334. 

For each herbal preparation, a comprehensive specification is required. This should be established on the basis of recent scientific data and should give particulars of the characteristics, identification tests, and purity tests. Appropriate chromatographic methods should be used. If deemed necessary by analysis of the starting material, tests on microbiological quality, residues of pesticides, fumigation agents, solvents, and toxic metals should be performed. Radioactivity should be tested if there are reasons for concern. A quantitative determination (assay) of markers or of substances with known therapeutic activity is also required. The content should be indicated with the lowest possible tolerance (the narrowest possible tolerance with both upper and lower limits stated). The test methods should be described in detail. 

Nasal sprays are excellent for helping with the onset of upper respiratory or sinus infections. Simply take an herbal tincture and place up to 10 drops or so in a nasal spray bottle (available from pharmacies). Add pure water and spray up nostrils as often as needed. Two drops each of the essential oils of eucalyptus, juniper, sage, and rosemary may be substituted for the tinctures. 

Coon, J.T., and E. Ernst. 2004. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections A systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med. 70(4) 293-298. Dhammaupakorn, P., and C. Chaichantip)mth. 1989. Cited in Mills, S., and K. Bone. 2005. The essential guide to herbal safety. St. Louis Elsevier. 

Heinrich, M., M. Modarai, and A. Kortenkamp. 2008. Herbal extracts used for upper respiratory tract infections Are there clinically relevant interactions with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system Planta Med. 74(6) 657-660. 

Reduning injection (Quench the Extreme Heat injection) is made from a compound herbal formula consisting of Artemisiae annuae herba (Qinghao), Lonicerae japoni-cae flos (Jinyinhua), and Gardeniae fructus (Zhizi). It is usually used to treat high fevers due to upper respiratory tract infections. 

Shen Nung also grouped 365 herbs into three classes, Upper, Middle, and Lower, based on herbal toxicities. The nontoxic and rejuvenating Upper class herbs can be taken continuously for a long period and form the main components of the dietary supplement dishes ( Yao Shan ). The Middle class herbs promote mental stability and can have either nontoxic or toxic effects. Thus, more caution must be taken with their use. The Lower Class herbs have toxic properties, cannot be taken for extended periods, and must be properly processed to reduce their toxicity before being used in TCM formulations. Selected Oriental herbal products of all three classes will be discussed in more detail in the next section, including folkloric use, chemical composition, and currently identified biological activities. 

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