Respiratory
Cold, cough, sinus, rhinitis, mild asthma adjunct.
- Allergic rhinitisIntranasal steroid and allergen control first. PA-free butterbur has human data; identity is the safety issue.4
- Post-viral coughTime and honey/demulcents. Pertussis, ACEI, and asthma still need thinking.4
- Mild asthma (adjunct)Inhaled steroid/SABA first. No plant replaces a controller. Butterbur and caffeine-adjacent teas are not action plans.2
- Acute bronchitis (supportive)Usually viral. Thyme/ivy products have symptomatic data. Antibiotics usually not indicated.4
- Sinus congestionSaline and INCS first. Elder/thyme are comfort. Bacterial sinusitis has criteria.3
- Common coldTime. Elder, andrographis, and Pelargonium are modest onset-day adjuncts. This is not pneumonia.4
- Sore throatCentor/McIsaac still exist. Sage gargle is comfort. This is not epiglottitis.4
- Productive coughIvy and thyme have the product file. This is not pneumonia and not TB.4
- Influenza-like illness (adjunct)Oseltamivir when indicated, and supportive care. Elder and andrographis are cold-season adjuncts — not antivirals you hang a high-risk flu on.4
- COPD (adjunct / warning)Inhalers, oxygen, pulmonary rehab, and smoking cessation own COPD. Ivy and thyme are cough comfort. Ma huang is a hard no.4
- Laryngitis / hoarsenessVoice rest and time. Sage and marshmallow are gargle/sip comfort. Hoarseness >2–3 weeks is a cord, not a tea.4
- Post-nasal dripINCS, saline, and reflux/allergy thinking first. Plants are sensory comfort. This is not a silent aspiration skip in the frail.4
- Allergic conjunctivitis (adjunct)Do not put plants in the eye. Oral butterbur/nettle are rhinitis plants borrowed here. Antihistamine drops still exist.3