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75% of patients with bilateral coronavirus pneumonia experienced relief from a wet cough by the 5th day of therapy with a product containing anise oil.
Anise oil “quickly clears the airways,” has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral effects, and can expand bronchi constricted by the disease process, making it an effective remedy in the fight against the Covid-19 virus. This conclusion comes from a study* conducted among 35 patients with bilateral Covid-19 pneumonia by Dr. Eleonora Stamenova and the team at the INSPIRO Pulmonary Diseases and Sleep Disorders Medical Center, under the guidance of pulmonologist Professor Kosta Kostov.
The scale and health consequences of the Covid-19 infection have made the disease one of the most socially significant problems worldwide since 2019. According to WHO data, within just 18 months, confirmed Covid-19 cases reached 187 million, and the death toll from the global pandemic surpassed 4 million. About 20% of those infected continue to experience serious health complaints months after recovering from Covid-19, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Before sharing the results of the positive impact of star anise oil on coronavirus infection, let’s first understand the behavior of the virus in the human body and why successfully treating the cough is crucial for recovery.
What Happens During a Coronavirus Infection?
The Covid-19 virus typically enters through the nose and mouth, attacking the epithelial cells on the surface of the upper respiratory tract. SARS-CoV-2 recognizes ACE2 receptors and uses them to enter cells, where it multiplies. The virus offspring then targets the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, alveoli, immune cells in the lungs, and more.
It primarily affects respiratory system structures but can also attack the heart, kidneys, and liver.
The virus is released into the environment through respiratory secretions—nasopharyngeal secretions, saliva, sputum, and through coughing and sneezing.
Why Is the Persistent Cough in Covid-19 Pneumonia Dangerous?
Coughing is a powerful physiological mechanism for clearing the airways and is a characteristic response of the body affected by the coronavirus.
Observations show that at the beginning of the Covid-19 infection, the cough is dry, and as the disease progresses and pneumonia develops, it turns into a wet cough, often with white throat secretions.
Persistent coughing can lead to various complications, such as conjunctival hemorrhages (in the eyeball), “stabbing” chest pain, nosebleeds, pinpoint hemorrhages on the face, neck, and chest, gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux), headaches, inguinal hernia (in the lower abdomen near the groin), short-term loss of consciousness, and even epileptic seizures.
Therefore, timely and appropriate treatment must be applied.
How Does Star Anise Oil Affect Cough Caused by Covid-19 Infection?
Star anise helps to liquefy stagnant, viscous secretions and aids expectoration. Additionally, it has proven antiseptic effects against bacteria and fungi, as well as a preventive and therapeutic effect against secondary bacterial infections (which often develop after a viral illness).
The 35 patients monitored by the INSPIRO team were diagnosed with bilateral Covid-19 pneumonia, acute cough, fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, and more.
For hospitalized patients, therapy with a product containing star anise was immediately prescribed. “By the end of the hospital stay, the results were very good,” reported Dr. Eleonora Stamenova.
In 75% of patients, the wet cough decreased by the fifth day of therapy. Follow-up observation after discharge showed the impressive result of complete cough disappearance in 85% of patients within four weeks from the start of treatment.
“Anise oil strengthens the mucosal function and barrier and quickly clears the airways,” Dr. Stamenova noted in her scientific article. For outpatients, the viral infection proceeded significantly more mildly, and severe respiratory complications occurred less frequently, thanks to the use of a product containing star anise. “Patients reported significant relief from the distressing cough and a shorter course of the illness,” the specialist noted.
“Essential oils have the ability to penetrate viral membranes, which easily leads to their destruction,” she added.
The product with star anise applied to the patients is “a powerful mucolytic agent that produced positive effects on the respiratory system” of Covid-19-infected patients, according to the conclusions of the study.
“Clinical Experience with Mucoplant-Anisol in Patients with Prolonged Cough Syndrome During and After Covid-19 Infection,” Dr. Eleonora Stamenova, INSPIRO Medical Center, INSPIRO Journal, Issue No. 2/April 2021.
*Interview with Professor Kostov for DW – 24.07.2021 - https://bit.ly/3yVD49M
