Today in the pharmacy you can buy at an inexpensive price pills created on the basis of the thermopsis plant. These drugs began to help people back in the 30s of the last century, but so far, despite the variety of pharmaceutical products, interest in them has not disappeared. What does this plant deserve such universal recognition?

Description and useful properties of thermopsis

Thermopsis is a perennial of the legume family, about 40 cm high with a long creeping root. Its yellow moth flowers are collected in beautiful brushes - inflorescences. Stems slightly pubescent, ternate leaves with two stipules below. Thermopsis is poisonous. In total there are about 30 of its species. Six are known in Russia, the rest are common in temperate climatic zones of Eurasia and North America. Thermopsis prefers to grow on loam, in areas of plowed fields, in the steppe areas.

The most widely used herb is Thermopsis lanceolata. It contains in all its parts active substances - alkaloids (cytosine, N-methylcytosine, anagirin, homothermopsin, pachycarpin), which have a positive therapeutic effect on the human body. The properties of the plant complement the properties of the resin, oil, saponins, tannins and vitamin C.

In official and folk medicine, thermopsis is known as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory drug.

Medicines created on its basis are classified as secretory.When ingested, the saponins and alkaloids that make up the thermopsis irritate the sensitive receptors of the stomach, which leads to an increase in the secretion of the bronchial glands and the activity of the ciliary epithelium. The result is a reflex muscular contraction of the bronchi. Sputum becomes larger, its viscosity decreases, and it is easier to separate with a cough. In addition, the activity of the cough center is stimulated by enhancing the activity of the vomiting and respiratory centers of the brain with a thermopsy.

Industrial cytisine (a group of analeptics) is obtained from the seeds of thermopsis. He is able to restore breathing when he stops during operations, traumatic shock, drug poisoning, carbon monoxide, asphyxiation in newborns.

Currently, research is underway on the discovery of new plant properties and the manufacture of drugs based on them. The antibacterial, antioxidant potential of the plant was detected experimentally, the cytotoxic activity of its extracts against various cancer cell lines, in particular cells affected by acute leukemia, was observed. This confirmed the presence of anti-cancer agents in the thermopsis.

In Canada, rhomboid thermopsis was studied. The alcohol extract turned out to be toxic to the cells of the colon and brain cancer lines.

In medicine, this medicinal plant served as the basis for the creation of drugs used:

  • with hypotension as a means to increase blood pressure;
  • with a decreased tone of intestinal muscle function (atony);
  • as an expectorant for bronchopneumonia, various kinds (often infectious) of pneumonia, mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchi (preparations Amtersol, Codelac Fito, Codelac Broncho);
  • with myopathy, vasospasm, obliterating endarteritis, postpartum hemorrhage;
  • as an anthelmintic.

Dry greens are a strong natural insecticide, contact poison.

Dosage forms and preparations based on herbs

In pharmacology, Thermopsis grass is presented in the form of powders, tinctures, liquid and dry extracts, in tablet form or capsules.

The main forms of drugs:

  1. Thermopsol (tablets in a combination of dry extract of thermopsis - 0.0067 g and sodium bicarbonate - 0.25 g).
  2. Cough tablets with thermopsis.
  3. Antitusin (produced in Ukraine, the composition is the same as that of Thermopsol).
  4. Tabex (from thermopsis seeds) - tablets of 50 pcs. reduce cravings for smoking.
  5. Syrup Amtersol (the main active ingredient is cirrizin) of the Yaroslavl pharmaceutical company.
  6. Thermopsis syrup with licorice (liquid extract of Thermopsis - 0.2 g, thick extract of licorice - 0.6 g). Effective in inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract and cough with poorly separated sputum. Dosage: for children from 3 to 6 years - 1/2 tsp. 3 times during the day; children from 6 to 12 years old - 1 tsp. 3 times a day; adults - 1 tbsp. l 3 times a day.
  7. Infusion of thermopsis herb.
  8. The drug Cititon for intramuscular and intravenous administration of 0.15% water (ampoules of 1 ml, in the package - 10 pcs.).
  9. Thermopsis extract dry (with lactose). Before use, the required amount of extract is dissolved in 50 ml of boiled water.
  10. Dry cough syrup for adults.

In the manufacture of tablets in combination with thermopsis use excipients - licorice root, codeine and sodium bicarbonate. Soda dilutes sputum, and licorice root, acting as an antiseptic and antispasmodic, enhances the expectorant effect.

Instructions for use for children and adults

In medical preparations made on the basis of thermopsis, it is worth strictly adhering to the recommended dosages. Exceeding them, and even more so self-medication, is excluded.

With caution, you need to offer such medicines to children, before starting the course you need to visit a pediatrician.

As a rule, for babies, these drugs are prescribed in case of emergency. Sometimes the doctor makes an appointment, dividing the dose in half. At this time, carefully monitor the reaction of the child.Infants are preparing an infusion.

Recommend to accept:

  • for those who are less than 6 years old - 0.2 grams of grass, to whom more than this age - 0.6 g. Pour the raw materials with a glass of water brought to almost boiling, cover them, put on the table, and stand for 40 minutes. Dosage - three times a day for 1 tsp. during the day;
  • children under 12 years old - half a tablet 3 times a day;
  • adults and adolescents after 12 years - 3 times (morning, lunch, evening), 1 tablet. The drug is drunk for 7 days, not missing the time of admission.

The use of large doses of cough tablets can cause an attack of nausea and vomiting.

Thermopsis Infusion

It will not be difficult to prepare a useful potion at home.

The easiest way to prepare an infusion:

  1. Well-dried thermopsis grass is ground to half-centimeter particles.
  2. 1 g of grass is poured into a glass of filtered or decanted water.
  3. They warm everything in a water bath with the lid closed for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and give 40 min. insist, filter.

Recommended dosages:

  • children up to a year are given 0.5 teaspoons 3 times a day. The infusion is prepared at the rate of: 0.12 g per 100 ml of water;
  • older children - 1 tsp. up to 5 times a day in a proportion of 0.2 g of grass per 100 ml of water;
  • adults consume 1 tbsp. l 3-4 times a day.

The infusion is stored in a dark, cold place for up to 1.5-2 days tightly closed.

You can prepare the infusion otherwise:

  1. Take 6 mg of chopped thermopsis herb and pour it with a glass of boiling water.
  2. Insist 8 hours under a closed lid.

The dosage for adults is 1 tbsp. l up to 5 times a day, for children - 1 tsp. for 3 doses per day.

Infusions of thermopsis contribute to the intensive discharge of sputum and the regeneration of cells of the damaged mucous membrane of the bronchi (due to biogenic stimulants and oxidative properties of the plant).

Dry cough syrup

The medicine is available in packages of 1, 47 g for children and 1.7 g for adults. It is a powdery mixture of brown color with the smell of anise.

You can use the medicine for adults and adolescents from 12 years old. It is possible to take children from 6 years old (dissolve in a recommended amount of water half the dose of powder for 1 dose). But it is better to use the same potion, but designed specifically for children from six months.

Dry cough syrup for adults contains 1% thermopsin and licorice root extract (0.15 g). It is prepared simply: the contents of 1 packet are dissolved in 1 tbsp. l (15 ml) boiled water. This is a one-time serving. Carry out three times a day for 2-3 weeks.

Pills

Thermopsol tablets are a combination of two components - 7 mg of the main substance of thermopsol and a quarter of a gram of soda (sodium bicarbonate). Of the auxiliary constituents - talc and starch of catophilus.

There are no synthetic additives, dyes, flavoring regulators.

Due to this composition, the tablets have few contraindications.

For all forms of lung and respiratory diseases, take 1 tablet 3 times a day. Treated from 3 to 5 days. It is best not to crush the tablets to the state of the powder, but to drink with whole sufficient water.

For children, the dosage is as follows:

  • up to the age of two years - 10 mg;
  • three and four year old - 15 mg;
  • by the age of seven - 20 mg;
  • from 8 to 14 years - 30 mg

Small children, as a rule, are difficult to make to take a pill, so it will be more correct to offer them a medicine in the form of medicine or syrup.

Tabex - tablets for those who want to quit smoking. Pills help to wean from this bad habit. The active substance is cytisine (1.5 mg). They are taken according to a specific scheme described in the instructions. Pills cause discomfort while smoking cigarettes. The treatment course is 25 days.

The drug is taken under medical supervision.

Usually it is well tolerated, but has contraindications and can cause side effects - tachycardia, increased pressure, nausea, headache, local reactions.Its effect on the ability to drive a car has not been proven.

Thermopsis with soda

Baking soda is not the baking soda that is on the table with many housewives. This product is thoroughly cleaned of all impurities. In combined medicines, a component such as sodium bicarbonate is of no small importance to the body.

Its functions:

  1. Activate the work of the bronchial glands to reduce the density of the mucus secreted.
  2. Neutralize the effect of hydrochloric acid, which adversely affects the intestinal mucosa.
  3. Destroy certain types of fungi and microbes, because the alkaline environment formed by soda is harmful to them.
  4. Relieve inflammation in the airways, as soda has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects.

Thermopsis with soda facilitates expectoration, reduces gag reflex and nausea when coughing.

Pregnancy and lactation

During the period of carrying a child, women are not prescribed tablets with thermopsis due to the presence of alkaloids in them, in particular pachycarpin. It does not adversely affect a woman in labor or the child, but categorically contraindicated in pregnant women. This is due to the fact that alkaloid is able to stimulate the uterine muscles, increasing its tone. It is dangerous and threatens with spontaneous miscarriage.

If lactation started during pregnancy, then you should not take drugs containing stimulants such as pachycarpin, because during this period it is not recommended even to actively express milk for storage.

In case of lactation after childbirth, taking the drug is allowed, however, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the baby. If any signs of an allergic reaction appear, it is necessary to switch to artificial feeding.

Interactions with other drugs

There are drugs that are not indicated for use simultaneously with medicines containing thermopsis:

  1. During treatment, diuretics, laxatives and other drugs that dehydrate the body are not prescribed, since in order to achieve a positive result, it is necessary, on the contrary, to replenish it with a sufficient amount of alkaline liquid (at least 1, 5 l per day).
  2. Do not take expectorant drugs with sedative, thickening sputum, antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Tavegil, Suprastin). These drugs greatly thicken the mucus. It blocks the bronchi, disrupting the ventilation of the lungs. This allows the development of viruses, in particular pneumococci.
  3. Simultaneous administration with adsorbents (Polysorb, Polyphepan, Enterosgel, activated charcoal) and enveloping substances (Sucralfate, mucus of starch and flax, Diosmectite) is not recommended. These agents may make it harder to absorb alkaloids.
  4. You can not combine medicines with thermopsis with cough suppressing tablets - Quintalgin, Codterpin. In this case, sputum accumulates in the respiratory tract.

Carefully read instructions for use will help to eliminate the risk of undesirable consequences of an unacceptable combination of drugs.

Contraindications, overdose, side effects

Thermopsin is included in the list of potent drugs (group B drugs), with the appointment and use of which caution should be exercised.

There are a number of contraindications in which such drugs should not be taken.

It:

  • diseases of the stomach and duodenum;
  • the presence of cardiovascular failure;
  • severe atherosclerosis;
  • pregnancy;
  • diabetes.

An overdose of taken drugs differs in signs characteristic of general intoxication of the body:

  • there is an expansion of the pupils;
  • tachycardia begins (increased heart rate);
  • severe vomiting is possible.

This plant must be handled with extreme caution; allergic reactions: hyperemia and swelling of the face, itching, skin rashes.

Analogs:

Analogues of thermopsis are drugs that have a similar effect on the body.

Here is a short list of such drugs:

  1. Syrups - Amtersol, Bronchiculum C, Altai, Bronchipret, Doctor Mom, Herbion, Pertussin, Stoptussin Fito, Doctor Tayss, Bronchicum, Suprino Broncho, etc.
  2. Extracts of oregano, violets, marshmallow, elecampane root, licorice.
  3. Breast elixirs and fees No. 1, 2, 3, 4; Fitopectol No. 1, 2, Fitantis, Fitopectol No. 1, 2.
  4. Tablets - Bronchipret, Pectusin, Mukaltin;
  5. Essential oils - anise, eucalyptus, fennel.

All funds listed are available, they can be purchased at any pharmacy. In the composition they contain natural ingredients.

Thermopsis preparations are still in great demand among the population, because for little money an effective tool is purchased that saves from debilitating attacks of dry cough, even in severely running, neglected cases.

Similar:More from the author: