During the Fall and winter there are increased cases of bronchitis. Most of the time when you go to a doctor with cough, no fever and malaise you will be placed on an antibiotic. As a physician I feel we over prescribe antibiotics during this time of the year. I don’t write for antibiotics as a first choice. I am not opposed to writing prescriptions. There are alternative to antibiotics. There are many herbal antibiotics- yarrow, echinacea, barberry, and many more. A recent study published in the American Botanical Council HerbalGram discussed Germanium as an alternative to antibiotics
Antibiotic resistance is a public health crisis that leads to treatment failure, prolonged hospital stays, and increased morbidity and mortality. As a widely used and viable option for treating mild respiratory infections, herbal medicines may reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics, helping to reduce antibiotic resistance. Pelargonium sidoides DC (Geraniaceae) root extract has demonstrated efficacy in relieving symptoms of acute bronchitis in adults and children, but the overall quality of evidence remains low. I encourage patients to read Stephen Buehner’s book Herbal Antibiotics”
The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial was to determine the feasibility of examining Pelargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630 – Kaloba®; Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG; Karlsruhe, Germany) as an alternative to antibiotics for acute bronchitis.
The study was a good. Based on the study, the authors conclude that it is feasible and acceptable to recruit and follow up with patients with acute bronchitis to facilitate reduction in antibiotic use. However, the effectiveness of Kaloba for treating acute bronchitis is unknown as the trial was not powered to detect effectiveness
More studies need to be done on this herb and other herbs
This study was published in
Willcox M, Simpson C, Wilding S, et al. Pelargonium sidoides root extract for the treatment of acute cough due to lower respiratory tract infection in adults: A feasibility double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. January 29, 2021;21(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03206-4.