Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is part of the group of respiratory ailment called the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. It is caused by the scarring of the lining of the bronchial tubes and usually in most cases; smoking is its leading cause.

Repeated exposure to tobacco toxins irritates the lining of the bronchial tubes. This leads to inflammation of the airways thereby narrowing the clearance of these tubes. Mucus production is further increase leading to more narrowed respiratory tracts. These mucus lodges in the bronchial lining promoting serious complication of bacterial infection.

For nearly four decades, Ganoderma has been known and clinically proven to manage chronic bronchitis. Clinical reports of over 1000 patients in China indicated an average effective rate of 80% when using Ganoderma. The average treatment usually last for 1-2 weeks before symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and sputum can be eliminated. Extending of treatment increases its efficacy and no known significant side effects was reported from the patients.

Ganoderma has no direct bactericidal action to the microbes invading the lower respiratory tract. In cases of infection and coughing out of yellowish sputum, Ganoderma is used to supplement regular drugs. As a supplement, Ganoderma improves the sleep quality, appetite, energy and resistance to cold and flu.

The Pharmacological action of Ganoderma in treatment of chronic bronchitis lies on its immunoregulating nature. In many clinical studies, Ganoderma promotes proliferation, differentiation and functions of dendritic cells and increases phagocytosis of the macrophage and the natural killer cells which is our body’s army against invasive bacteria and viruses. To further increase immunity, Ganoderma also promotes immunoglobulin generation, the T and B lymphocytes proliferation, cytokine secretion of interleukin-1 (Il-1), interleukin-2 (Il-2) and interferon γ (IFNγ). These can further increase our body resistance against the invasion of bacteria and viruses.

Polysaccharides peptide in Ganoderma can also shield the macrophages from being damaged by oxidant. Oxidants damage the villi of the macrophages during contact decreasing its phagocytic activity. In microscopic studies, Ganoderma’s polysaccharides protected the villi from damage.

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its therapeutic effects, please read Ganoderma lucidum therapeutic effects > Diabetes Mellitus