Case history of

bronchiectasis
Alex Laird MNIMH MCPP
Medical Herbalist
 Medical history June
2000
 47 yr old man, former EFL teacher

 Presentation: C/o bronchiectasis cough with

weight loss; dizziness due to vestibular
dysfunction; HIV positive but feeling well, energy
good. Anxiety. Self-conscious re weight loss.

 Medical history: Mild hay fever + eczema.

Shingles 1985 R&R 4 x. HIV and mild PCP diag
1993. Cough noticed early 90s in Thailand,
worsened later in NY. Lost 12Kg by 1994, now
60Kg. Bronchoscopy negative in ‘95, then
confirmed on CT scan 1996.

 FH: M/uncles weak chests. F d. MI sudden

 Case history

 Medication Atrovent inhaler every

20m a.m.
saquinavir, ritonavir, D4T, 3TC

 Diet: BF muesli, egg, orange juice. L

+ Eve chick/meat/fish/2 veg. No
alcohol (Ba’hai)

 Diet: recommended to increase oily

fish,oatmeal, beans and take garlic
daily.
 Herbs prescribed 5mls tds
Duration of use Common Latin name Form ml/100 ml
name
Through June00>01 Echinacea Echinacea angust Tr 1:3 Dec 20-30
(no meds taken Oct)
“ Elecampane Inula helenium rad Tr 1:3 Dist/dec 20

“ Thyme Thymus off Tr 1:3 Stand 20

“ Ginger Zingiber off Tr 1:2 Stand 5

From 2nd visit 2 wks Liquorice Glycyrrhiza juice FE 10

later June 28th
From Nov 00 Cramp bark Viburnum opulus Tr 1:3 Dec 15-20

November 00 only Elderflower Sambucus nigra Tr 1:3 Dist/inf 20

Feb 01 added Ephedra Ephedra sinica Tr 1:5 Stand 20

Massage chest/body x 7 Jun-Aug ‘00 - essential oils used:

lavender, rosemary,sandalwood, eucalypt.globulus,
ravensara, orange, geranium, cinnamon, birch
 Response to treatment
Date State of Health
June 2000 First consultation. Nebuliser used 20mins/am.

June 2000 Coughing less. Included mashed garlic in diet.

2 wks on
July 2000 Tightness and coughing reduced. Nebuliser
reduced to once a day.
Aug 2000 Some days no nebuliser.
Nov 2000 Most days no nebuliser. Bronchitis > Abx
cleared - well again.
Feb 2001 Very little coughing. Nebuliser not used for 2-
3 days, then occasionally. Weight no change.
Sept 2001 Chesty, rpt meds, nebuliser daily (not in Asia)
 Case study of bronchiectasis
Patient details First visit Treatment Outcome
Echinacea June 2nd visit
47 yr old male, former June 00 Glycyrrhiza Coughing reduced
teacher Inula
Thymus July 00 Coughing less
Non-smoker, non Chronic bronchiectasis Zingiber Nebuliser reduced to od
drinker since ‘93, diagnosed ‘96 Viburnum op.
HIV positive diag ‘93 Weight loss 13K in 6yrs Ephedra Aug Coughing less. No
Sambucus nebuliser some days
Vestibular vertigo
Anxiety E.O top massage: Nov Most days no
rosemary, eucalyptus, nebuliser
lavender, ravensara,
orange, gerarnium Feb 01 as November
Sept 01 Rpt meds as
chesty, nebuliser daily