Homeopathic Blatta Orientalis: Therapeutic Alternative in Respiratory and Mucus Conditions?

Increasingly, the use of alternative and complementary treatment approaches gains acceptability. Research reviews state that immune/inflammatory responses have been modulated primarily by use of inhaled and/or oral steroids and call for a focus on more specific therapies designed to target inflammatory cells and reduce non-specific side effects.[1]

Highest mainstream use and acceptance have been found in the German-speaking regions and for acupuncture and homeopathy.[2]

Growing up in Switzerland in the mid-20th century, it was common for a first grader to be able to identify common plants and their most basic health properties or toxicities. It was equally common to find a pharmacy well equipped to dispense biological remedies, herbs, and homeopathic preparations.

Over a couple of decades of working with health optimization I first became aware of homeopathic Blatta orientalis (Bl.or.) in connection with acute and chronic respiratory spasms. Generally considered a "small" homeopathic remedy (i.e. a substance with a restricted range of action), Blatta orientalis traditionally is considered a bronchodilator and a homeopathic remedy suitable for overweight and obese individuals.

A recent research project studied the anti-asthmatic and anti-anaphylactic activities of Blatta orientalis mother tincture and concluded that it revealed "nonselective anti-asthmatic activity" and, by stabilizing mast cells and suppressing IgE and eosinophil cell count, it appears to have an anti-anaphylactic action.[3]

An earlier study looking into intranasal delivery systems for Blatta orientalis mother tincture as part of a nasal gel designed to control in milk aspiration induced eosinophilia and concluded a "decreased eosinophil cell count as compared with toxicant" as well as the absence of any histopathological damage.[4]

From a homeopathic point of view, the use of any homeopathic remedy in the form of its mother tincture is somewhat comparable to attempting to paint a miniature jewelry medallion with a yard broom. For my clinical use I prefer Blatta orientalis 30CH in frequent repeat doses for acute instances and 200CH preparations in one-time daily or every-other-day doses for chronic conditions.

My clinical experience shows that Blatta appears particularly effective in HLA-DQB1 (*0201, *0301, *0501, *0602) non-celiac and celiac gluten sensitive individuals with additional respiratory challenges—never mind if they are overweight or of the typical brittle, underweight celiac body type.

I suspect that the mechanism of action of Blatta orientalis targets inflammatory cells such as T cells, dendritic cells, mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils readily available in the non-celiac and celiac gluten sensitive individual.[5]

Challenges in which I have seen the most positive responses to the use of homeopathic Blatta orientalis are:

• Bronchial constrictions of acute or chronic origins.
• Smoke and environmentally triggered mucous build-up issues followed by breathing soreness.
• Allergic asthma, frequently non-responsive to puffers.[6]
• Remnant rattles of bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Sinus and overall mucous congestion after gluten exposure of non-celiac or celiac gluten sensitive individuals.

Presently, a genetically tested non-celiac gluten sensitive patient with a longstanding asbestosis history is using a specific Bl.or. regimen in combination with other anti-homotoxic and homeopathic remedies. The patient reports easier breathing. Promising first results of the latest lung and cardiovascular tests so far point to the disease stabilizing without the expected deterioration and in spite of an episode of active pneumonia right at the beginning of the Blatta treatment.

Further experience with homeopathic Blatta orientalis will show if this approach shows global promise, particularly in non-celiac and celiac gluten sensitive individuals.

[Note: For additional scientific verification of homeopathic medicine visit the GreenMedInfo.com homeopathic medicine research page.]