Eschborn – In addition to COVID-19, others can
viral respiratory infections cause chronic lung damage. In a current study, researchers at the University of St. Louis / USA were able to determine possible pathomechanisms that might be responsible for such lung damage following viral respiratory infections[1]. In order to curb the development of acute infections of the respiratory tract and potential associated damage to the tissue as early as possible, phytotherapeutic agents are suitable, which support the body in fighting infections through their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. These include, for example, the mustard oils made from nasturtium and horseradish (ANGOCIN® anti-infection N), which is not only antiviral[2-4]but also antibacterial[5-7] and anti-inflammatory[8-13] works. “Mustard oils should be given preference at the first signs of a cold,” says integrative medicine doctor Dr. medical Christoph Daniel Hohmann, Traunstein. “By taking these herbal active ingredients as early as possible, acute respiratory infections can be nipped in the bud,” Hohmann continues. The combination of nasturtium and horseradish also shortens the duration of a rhinosinusitis infection by two days and, if taken over a longer period of time, reduces the risk of another cold by around 50 percent, as clinical studies have shown[14,15].
Many reports regarding “Long Covid”[16] give the impression that a SARS-CoV-2 infection in particular leads to long-term impairments of physical and mental health. However, a connection between an acute respiratory infection and chronic lung damage has been discussed for some time. For example, long-term complications such as recurring obstructions and persistent hyperreactivity of the bronchial system have been described for bronchiolitis induced by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).[17]. An RSV infection in infancy also increases the risk of early childhood asthma, as a British study shows[18]. The need for antivirally active agents with the broadest possible spectrum of activity is therefore still great. But since viruses are able to change their genetic information within a short period of time and develop resistance to possible new therapies very quickly, researchers are faced with a difficult task.
Combination of nasturtium and horseradish has a triple effect and shortens the duration of the disease
It is worth taking a look at the plant kingdom here. For example, those belonging to the cruciferous genus (Brassicales) counting medicinal plants nasturtium and horseradish anti-infective ingredients – the mustard oils – which have been proven to have a triple effect on colds such as acute bronchitis and sinusitis: once morest viruses[2-4] and bacteria[5-7] as well as anti-inflammatory[8-13]. In vitro studies at the University of Giessen were able to prove that the combination of nasturtium and horseradish even inhibits the multiplication of the influenza virus H1N1 in human lung cell cultures and can also fight other typical cold viruses[2].
The effectiveness and good tolerability of mustard oils in uncomplicated acute and recurring respiratory infections has been proven in numerous clinical and epidemiological studies[14,15,19,20]. A current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study shows that typical symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis, such as anterior and posterior secretion, nasal congestion and headaches, improved two days faster when taking the plant combination than in the control group with placebo[14]. Another clinical study over a period of twelve weeks was also able to show that during the cold season, patients taking placebo tablets caught cold twice as often as patients in the verum group who received two tablets of the phytotherapeutic agent three times a day[15].
Avoid superinfections, reduce antibiotic use
Although apparently almost always of viral origin, chemical-synthetic antibiotics are still used too often and often carelessly for colds, which promotes the increase in bacterial resistance. “Therefore, phytopharmaceuticals such as mustard oil from nasturtium and horseradish are the first choice therapy, especially in the early stages of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract,” explains Hohmann. Due to the multimodal effects of mustard oils, the development of possible resistance mechanisms in bacteria is made significantly more difficult. The phytopharmaceutical from nasturtium and horseradish (ANGOCIN® Anti-Infekt N) is therefore suitable for the comprehensive therapy of acute respiratory infections and helps to avoid bacterial superinfections. “The isothiocyanate combination is also a good option for slowing down the spread of resistant germs and saving highly effective antibiotics for serious illnesses,” the expert sums up.
ANGOCIN® anti-infection N
Application areas: To improve the symptoms of acute inflammatory diseases of the bronchi, sinuses and urinary tract. Composition: 1 film-coated tablet contains: Nasturtium herb 200 mg, horseradish root 80 mg. Other ingredients: cellulose, iron oxides and hydroxides E 172, hypromellose, potato starch, macrogol, sodium carboxymethyl starch, colloidal anhydrous silicon dioxide, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide E 171. Contraindications: Acute stomach and intestinal ulcers and/or acute kidney inflammation, allergy to nasturtium herb, horseradish root or any of the other ingredients. Side effects: Common: Stomach and intestinal problems such as nausea, upper abdominal pressure, diarrhea, flatulence or heartburn. Uncommon: Systemic allergic reactions and skin hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. flushing, rash and/or itching). Pharmaceutic entrepreneur: Repha GmbH Biological Drugs, Alt-Godshorn 87, 30855 Langenhagen.
Literature:
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