Re: Licorice Root as an anti-inflammatory for CF

 Let me ask you this. Do you know if Coleus does anything similar to the drug Cromolyn Sodium (a.k.a. Intal) - http://www.rxlist.com/intal-nebulizer-solution-drug.htm ? 

 

I did some research in to Cromolyn in regards to CF. First I found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromoglicate

 

"Cromolyn works because it prevents the release of mediators that would normally attract inflammatory cells and because it stabilizes the inflammatory cells."^[4] The underlying mechanism of action is not fully understood; for while cromoglicate stabilizes mast cells, this mechanism is probably not why it works in asthma.^[5] Pharmaceutical companies have produced 20 related compounds that are equally or more potent at stabilising mast cells and none of them have shown any anti-asthmatic effect.^[5] It is more likely that these work by inhibiting the response of sensory C fibres to the irritant capsaicin, inhibiting local axon reflexes involved in asthma, and may inhibit the release of preformed T cell cytokines and mediators involved in asthma. (see review by Garland, 1991)

It is known to somewhat inhibit chloride channels (37% +/- 7%) ^[6] and thus may inhibit the:

• exaggerated neuronal reflexes triggered by stimulation of irritant receptors on sensory nerve endings (e.g. exercise-induced asthma)
• release of preformed cytokines from several type of inflammatory cells (T cells, eosinophils) in allergen-induced asthma

Note: Another chemical (NPPB: 5-nitro-2(3-phenyl) propylamino-benzoic acid) was shown, in the same study, to be a more effective chloride channel blocker.

Finally it may act by inhibiting calcium influx. 

 

 

In short they are not sure of the mechanism of action. But from some of the other information I found the primary effect seems to be due to its inhibition of inflammatory leukotrienes released by the mast cells. Forskohlin is both a histamine and leukotriene inhibitor.

 

But I looked at some other studies that found Cromolyn to have little to no activity against bronchial hyperactivity in CF patients. Albuterol was found to have a much better effect than Chromolyn. 

 

They also state that it is the inflammation that appears to be the primary culprit in causing the damage in .

 

And this formula would ensure that I get enough potassium to counter any side effects, or do I need to take some Potassium Citrate in addition?

 

You should get plenty of potassium from the nettle leaf. But it would not hurt to increase or intake of potassium a little bit. You can do this through a supplement or by increasing your intake through foods. Good sources include parsley, watermelon, kiwis, watercress, orange juice and ripe bananas.

 

Also, by taking this much of the licorice and yucca for anti-inflammatory purposes, will I be delaying/hindering the recovery of my adrenals, helping in their recovery, or neither?

 

Both actually help to build up the adrenals.

 

You are talking here about reducing the thick stickiness, right?

 

Yes, you need to thin out the mucous to help clear the mucous out of the lungs, which otherwise helps to harbor infections.

 

Won't a mucolytic like NAC also help? I just started taking 600 mg 4 x/day. Is that a good dose? The standard pharmaceutical treatment is Pulmozyme (aka dNASE, a.k.a. Dornase Alpha). Will the NAC and the herbs above achieve a similar effect?

 

 

NAC does help thin out the mucous by breaking the disulfide bonds in the mucous. NAC has been found to work better when taken orally as opposed to nebulizing.

 

Fenugreek also helps to thin out mucous and has other benefits such as lowering blood sugar and providing sterols for the adrenals.

I will see if I can find that other herb as well that is used to thin out mucous.