Herbal Medicine Applications in Acute Respiratory Infections

Herbal medicines have long been employed worldwide as complementary or primary therapies for acute respiratory infections, encompassing the common cold, acute bronchitis and viral upper respiratory tract illnesses. Botanicals such as Pelargonium sidoides root extract, signalling lipids like palmitoylethanolamide and complex herbal combinations are reported to exert antiviral, immunomodulatory and tissue-repairing effects. Preparations may reduce viral attachment to epithelial cells, modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine release and promote regeneration of the airway barrier through enhancement of cell proliferation and extracellular matrix remodelling. Clinical investigations suggest that certain herbal interventions can lessen symptom severity, shorten duration of illness and decrease reliance on conventional pharmaceuticals such as antipyretics or antibiotics. The global significance of these approaches lies in their potential to improve patient-centred outcomes, support antimicrobial stewardship and expand treatment options in settings with limited access to conventional therapies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Herbal Medicine Applications in Acute Respiratory Infections publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in herbal medicine applications in acute respiratory infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

cAMP: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a second messenger that mediates intracellular signal transduction.

Extracellular matrix (ECM): A network of proteins and glycoproteins providing structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells.

Tight junction proteins: Membrane-bound proteins (e.g. claudins, ZO-1) that regulate paracellular permeability and maintain epithelial barrier integrity.

Randomised, placebo-controlled trial: A study design in which participants are assigned by chance to receive either the active intervention or an inactive comparator.

Propensity score matching: A statistical method used in observational studies to balance covariates between treatment groups and reduce selection bias.

References

1. The Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide (Levagen+) on the Incidence and Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection—A Double Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients (2023).
2. EPs® 7630 Stimulates Tissue Repair Mechanisms and Modifies Tight Junction Protein Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
3. Investigation into the Effectiveness of an Herbal Combination (Angocin® Anti-Infekt N) in the Therapy of Acute Bronchitis: A Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study. Antibiotics (2024).