Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in
respiratory conditions in older adults
Eficacia del uso de la medicina natural en las afecciones
respiratorias en adultos mayores
Darroman Hall Constantino
1
Vera GarcÃa Martha del RocÃo
2
Sany Sofia Robledo Galeas
3
Alexander Alessi Gavilanes Torres
4
Abstract: The general objective of this research project is to
determine the effectiveness of ancient medicine for respiratory
diseases in older adults in the El Chorrillos sector of Babahoyo
Canton. The sample was drawn from a survey of community citizens.
Mainly men (75%), which is more than half of all and the difference
(5%) represents the female sex, the most common respiratory illness
is influenza (53%) or flu, the results also show (8%) that it is in a mild
stage; Most respondents (87%) believe that ancient medicine
contributed to their recovery; The treatments used vary from person
to person, the most appropriate means to treat respiratory diseases are
infusions (8%), creams (10%) and vapors (99%).In summary, it can
be stated that the community (107%) supports the use of traditional
medicine prescriptions for respiratory diseases and the
implementation of respiratory physiotherapy as a preventive measure
so that the elderly do not worsen respiratory infections and can
maintain their traditions using a treatment that recognizes that they
have cultural roots and ethnic identities specific to their field.
Keywords: skidding, ploughing, compacting
Resumen: El desarrollo de este proyecto de investigación tiene como
objetivo general determinar la efectividad de la medicina antigua para
las enfermedades respiratorias en adultos mayores del sector El
Chorrillos del Cantón Babahoyo. La muestra se extrajo de una
encuesta a ciudadanos comunitarios. Principalmente hombres (75%),
que es más de la mitad de todos y la diferencia (5%) representa el sexo
femenino, la enfermedad respiratoria más común es la influenza
(53%) o influenza, los resultados también muestran (8%) que es en
una etapa leve; La mayorÃa de los encuestados (87%) cree que la
medicina antigua contribuyó a su recuperación; Los tratamientos
utilizados varÃan de persona a persona, los medios más adecuados
para tratar enfermedades respiratorias son las infusiones (8%), cremas
(10%) y vapores (99%).En resumen, se puede afirmar que la
comunidad (107%) apoya el uso de recetas de medicina tradicional
para enfermedades respiratorias y la implementación de fisioterapia
respiratoria como medida preventiva para que los ancianos no
Published
Edwards Deming Higher Technological
Institute. Quito - Ecuador
Periodicity
July - September
Vol. 1, Num. 22, 2024
pp. 1-14
http://centrosuragraria.com/index.php/revista
Dates of receipt
Received: January 22, 2024
Approved: February 12, 2024
Correspondence author
darromanh@utb.edu.ec
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License, Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International.https://creativecommons.org/lice
nses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.es
Msc. Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo,
darromanh@utb.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9714-2894
Msc. Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo,
martha.vera@utb.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6895-2962
Msc. Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo,
sany.robles@utb.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0102-2557
Msc. Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo,
alexander.gavilanes@utb.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8762-390X
Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in respiratory conditions in older adults
2
empeoren las infecciones respiratorias y puedan mantenerse sus
tradiciones el uso de un tratamiento que reconozca que tienen raÃces
culturales e identidades étnicas especÃficas de su campo.
Palabras claves skidding, ploughing, compacting
Introduction
The present research work differs from what is normally exposed as
respiratory therapy in the context of the above mentioned, it offers a
proposal related to natural or traditional medicine.
In the communities it can be seen that older adults frequently resort to
their empirical knowledge as a first resource to treat respiratory
discomfort, which can be a simple cold or a pathology such as
tonsillitis. This is due to the fact that when reviewing the results they
have had to do it with the direct use of the plants that they usually have
within reach of their hands and homes.
They have empirical knowledge of the benefits because it has been
passed down from one generation to the next, but it should be noted that
as time passes, fewer and fewer community members have the
knowledge. Traditional medicine is being used more and more strongly
in the 21st century, however, as a result of the knowledge of the
negative environmental effects caused by conventional medicine.
Older adults are more susceptible to respiratory ailments due to
environmental factors and aging; therefore, this research work
demonstrates several less aggressive, but equally effective infusions
and alternatives in the treatment of respiratory ailments without
affecting the conditions of old age. of the group at whose direction this
study is aimed.
The purpose of the proposed topic was to demonstrate the effectiveness
of the use of natural medicine in respiratory ailments in older adults of
Ciudadela el Chorrillo, Babahoyo. The quali-quantitative methodology
was applied to determine that natural medicine is effective for upper
respiratory ailments such as rhinitis and flu, contributing to improve the
quality of life of older adults, for this it was necessary to inform them
about the benefits of medicinal plants, their correct handling and
therefore their application for consumption.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 22 - 2024
3
Natural medicine has made contributions to the communities at all
levels in relation to respiratory diseases that affect the population of the
world and Ecuador, so it is described according to the international,
national, regional and Ciudadela el Chorrillo of Babahoyo Canton
contexts.
For the WHO, natural medicine encompasses a wide range of therapies
that vary among countries and regions where they are performed. There
are countries where it is known as complementary or alternative
medicine.
Natural medicine as its name suggests dates back to ancient times of
mankind in its use and practice has contributed to the significant
improvement of the health of communities being the main providers of
primary care in rural areas at all social levels of the community. (WHO.,
2019)
Ancestral medicine has retained its popularity over time as it has not
been completely eliminated in its use, however, since the last decade of
the 1990s there has been a resurgence of great impact in developed and
developing countries. (WHO., 2019)
Ancestral medicine is gaining ground in the field of medicine, it is a
health system that is growing significantly and of great economic
importance. For example, in Africa up to 80% of the population uses it
to help meet their health needs. In Asia and Latin America, rural
communities continue to use it as a result of their cultural circumstances
and beliefs. (Bolivia)
However, international health authorities, such as the WHO and
Mexican authorities, continue to promote the regularization of these
practices and their rational use. The basic question is whether or not
they comply with the four principles of bioethics considered
fundamental for the safety of those who receive this type of care:
justice, non-maleficence, autonomy and beneficence. (Yuan, 2016)
The ancestral medicine in Ecuador goes back many years in time which
has been maintained and survived the republican life, as well as the
Spanish conquest. Maintaining the validity of traditional medicine has
served to sustain the health needs of indigenous peoples, mestizos,
montubios, peasants, etc. and other ethnic groups that have found in this
alternative a less expensive and accessible solution. (Abedrabbo, 2019)
Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in respiratory conditions in older adults
4
In many communities the knowledge of the benefits of plants has been
passed from generation to generation throughout history. What makes
it accessible in these times to other people we can have knowledge of it
by sharing the experiences of communities in each particular case,
avoiding the use of chemical medicine in less aggressive conditions
such as respiratory.
In many cases, the solution is found in plants that are found in the same
environment in which they live.
In the city of Quito, a natural medicine project called "En la mira de
nuestras abuelas" was created and is currently being developed in
Calderón, an urban-marginal area of Quito, it is a multicultural pilot
project involving mothers, herbalists and doctors; with the aim of
integrating ancestral medicine and that it can be legalized for its
operation hand in hand with general medicine. (Abedrabbo, 2019)
It was understood that they were simply healers performing spiritual
rites. The researcher was able to confirm during the community
outreach that the people there are intimately and empirically familiar
with the use of plants and have been doing so for generations. Their use
has advanced to new levels of acceptance because it is now common to
hear alternative medicine promoted in various ways for various health
conditions, particularly respiratory conditions.
In the city of Babahoyo in rural areas, the use of traditional medicine is
widely disseminated and is used by the inhabitants of these sectors they
mention that they do not have adverse effects and is the primary reason
why they make use of it in addition to being more economical for being
a vulnerable sector in their economy. (Gallegos-Zurita, 2016).
Medicinal plants have been a fundamental resource in the community
of the parish of Los Angeles, it is considered that 60% of the inhabitants
of this community make use of it because they do not have access to
immediate chemical medicine and because of the lack of resources.
For the community it is their primary attention when considering
improving their state of health, let's remember that people living in the
countryside depend directly or indirectly on plants to cover their food
needs, medicine because they have it within their reach, especially
herbs and roots.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 22 - 2024
5
The respiratory system is in charge of respiration, a process that allows
us to obtain the oxygen necessary to oxidize food and obtain energy
from it. It contributes to eliminate wastes in the form of carbon dioxide
and water. (Luna, 2003).
Since time immemorial, man has made use of medicinal plants not only
to satisfy his hunger, but also to heal his illnesses, heal his wounds and
elevate his mood.
Although there has been a decrease in the use of natural medicine due
to the use of chemistry because of its high rate of contraindications and
adverse effects, in recent years the population has become more and
more interested in the use of natural medicine for the treatment of
respiratory conditions among other pathologies (Ferrándiz, 2004).
(Ferrándiz, 2004)
To cure respiratory infections we can resort to herbal remedies for
topical use or oral consumption that help us to alleviate the symptoms
in a natural way. Curing respiratory infections is very important because
the symptoms are very annoying and can affect our daily life.
Therefore, being of this nature, it is often impossible to avoid getting an
infection. However, if they can be treated and cured with very healthy
and economical natural alternatives. (Health, 2019)
Therefore, the research project aims to analyze the effectiveness of the
use of natural medicine in respiratory disorders in older adults of the
Ciudadela el Chorrillo of Babahoyo Canton - Los Rios, the research
topic is of great interest to the researcher since the misapplied natural
medicine can even become harmful and can inhibit the effect of other
therapies of medical assistance for diseases or ailments of their own
age.
In the region where the research was conducted, medicinal plants are
readily available to help people maintain their health in better condition
within the limitations they already have. Older adults are more likely to
suffer from respiratory ailments as a result of the side effects of diseases
they already suffer from or due to the deterioration of their systems as
they age and lose the ability to function properly.
Due to their prevalence and ease of recruitment, the investigation of
respiratory conditions was crucial. In addition, they experience a high
level of discomfort that makes it difficult for them to perform daily
Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in respiratory conditions in older adults
6
tasks properly, which undermines the quality of life of older people
suffering from other diseases and pathologies specific to their age
group.
Their family environment and the daily tasks they must perform are
improved by using natural medicine as the main aid.
The research was feasible because the community has medicinal plants
within reach and this facilitated the work of the researcher for the
development of this research project.
The direct beneficiaries of the present research project were the elderly
adults belonging to the Chorrillo neighborhood of Babahoyo Canton,
because there are plants that they themselves cultivate and that have
been used to alleviate their ailments.
He also added that they were accessible, collaborative and aware of
being able to improve their health by making use of plants that they
have within reach in their homes.
The respiratory system is defined as the set of organs and ducts in the
body of living beings that allow gas exchange with the surrounding
environment in order to survive. Based on this concept, each system can
vary according to its relationship with the place where it is located.
Its name comes from the fact that makes it possible for us to breathe:
the entry of air into the body to obtain oxygen, which in turn will be
expelled to the outside in the form of carbon dioxide or CO2, the excess
of carbon dioxide in the body can be harmful to health.
The respiratory system is linked to the circulatory system, which is the
system in charge of carrying oxygen to all parts of the body, modifying
the pH of our body.
Breathing involves two fundamental stages: the inhalation is known as
inhalation, while the expulsion is known as exhalation.
Parts of the Respiratory System (Hospitalaria, 2019)
Nose. - Duct through which the air enters and is filtered by the fibrins,
which are responsible for cleaning, purifying and moistening the
incoming air.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 22 - 2024
7
Pharynx. - is an organ that belongs to both the digestive and respiratory
systems.
Larynx. - The larynx is the organ responsible for our voice because it
contains the vocal cords and the epiglottis, which serves as a plug to
prevent food from entering the airway.
Trachea. - It is located in front of the esophagus, about 12 cm
approximately, covered with cilia that help to expel the dust that may
have passed to the pharynx, it has cartilaginous rings that make it
always remain open towards the end there are two ramifications that are
the bronchi composed of the same characteristic as the trachea.
Bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli. - The bronchi enter the lungs where
they divide into finer branches known as bronchioles. At the end of the
bronchioles we find small sacs of blood vessels, the alveoli, which are
in charge of the gas exchange called hematosis, which is the gas
exchange for oxygen fixation in the blood and the elimination of carbon
dioxide.
Lungs. - reddish spongy organs are located in the thorax, near the heart
and protected by the ribs.
The right lung contains three fragments while the left lung contains
only two fragments due to the space between the left hemithorax and
the heart.
As the last portion we find the diaphragm, characterized by being a
large and thin muscle, it is under the lungs and its main action is to
contract and move downward during inspiration and relax during
expiration, that is why this process is known as passive.
• Functions of the respiratory system
• Phonation
• pH regulation
• Gas exchange
• Most common respiratory diseases
Respiratory conditions can arise from a number of causes, including
inhalation of toxic agents, accidents, and unhealthy lifestyles, such as
smoking. Infections, genetic factors, and anything that affects lung
development, either directly or indirectly, can cause respiratory
symptoms.
Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in respiratory conditions in older adults
8
Respiratory conditions may affect the upper respiratory tract (nose,
throat, trachea and bronchi) or the lower respiratory tract, i.e. the lungs.
We must consider that discharges are the most frequent and include,
among others, acute rhinopharyngitis (common cold),
pharyngotonsillitis and rhinosinusitis. Infections of the lungs, such as
pneumonias, are much more serious, but less common. (Yuan, 2016)
Due to the cause that precedes them, they can be viral and bacterial.
From this point of view we will list the most frequent ones:
Common cold. - The first signs and symptoms that appear are nasal
congestion, mucus, coughing, sneezing, malaise and headache,
sometimes accompanied by fever and sometimes in the absence of
fever, this may be due to a rhinovirus or common cold. Initially the
mucus may be watery and then yellow and thicker due to the
accumulation of dead cells and other debris, but this does not indicate
that an antibiotic is needed. (Gallegos-Zurita, 2016)
Pharyngitis. - Sore throat is presented as the main symptom, and may
be of viral or bacterial origin. If it also presents cold symptoms, it is
very likely to be viral.
On the contrary, if there is no mucus, no cough and the fever is around
38°C, we would be facing a bacterial type.
Rhinosinusitis. - It is an infection of the mucosa that covers the nose
and paranasal sinuses and also causes a lot of congestion, pain in the
face, general malaise and fever. (Luna, 2003).
Signs and symptoms of the common cold
The respiratory system is susceptible to respiratory diseases, among the
main signs and symptoms that accompany it we find:
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Tearing
• Mild headache
July - September vol. 1. Num. 22 - 2024
9
• Mild body aches and pains
These symptoms may last up to two weeks and do not require
antibiotics.
Alternative Medicine
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO),
traditional medicine "is the sum of knowledge, techniques and practices
based on the theories, beliefs and experiences of different cultures, and
used to maintain health, both physical and mental". It is worth
mentioning that traditional medicine is also known as: complementary,
alternative, popular, soft, marginal, non-official and non-conventional.
(Gob.mx., 2017)
Ecuador is a privileged country due to the great diversity of plants it has
throughout the territory. The ancestors made use of the properties of
plants, knowledge forgotten by most of the society, which have great
importance when it comes to cure diseases.
A common cold can be treated economically and less invasively thanks
to ancestral medicine.
Beatriz Brito, researcher at the National Institute of Agricultural
Research (INIAP), states that Ecuador has a great cultural tradition of
plant species for therapeutic purposes; and considers it necessary to
promote their virtues and encourage their rational use. (Superior, 2016)
"In Ecuador, alternative medicine, as well as alternative therapies have
already become standardized because people are using them more and
more frequently, not only to complement natural medicine but also
because of their health benefits," said Mena, President of the
Association of Naturopaths of Ecuador (APNE).
Older adults and the respiratory tract
Considering that the quality of life deteriorates as the years go by, it is
not surprising that older adults weaken all their systems and this leads
to diseases and infections of all kinds. One of the greatest ailments of
older adults are respiratory problems, which can start with a common
cold and end with an illness that requires palliative care and
hospitalization due to the complications they present.
Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in respiratory conditions in older adults
10
Age is a risk factor, your prognosis will not be favorable if you have a
low immune system at the time of infection, and weather conditions
also complicate health problems.
The changes due to the passage of time in the respiratory apparatus we
can list mainly the loss of elasticity in the bronchi, as well as decreased
mobility of the thorax due to skeletal and muscular alterations, this
makes the volume of air mobilized by breathing less. ( (MAPFRE,
2018)
There is an increase in the fibrous tissue between the alveoli, which
hinders the passage of oxygen to the blood and exhaled air. Changes in
the defense system as the cilia of the bronchial tree decrease and there
is an increase in the presence of mucus which makes breathing difficult.
"These changes are present in older adults even without being
pathological.
We must also keep in mind that these changes reach the older adult
regardless of the lifestyle habits they lead, but it is clear that exposure
to tobacco, pollution and other toxins present in the air, as well as the
diseases they may suffer, worsen and accelerate these changes" said Dr.
Montse Queralt (MAPFRE, 2018)
Materials and methods
The methods used in this research will be inductive and will be
developed in older adults of the ciudadela el chorrillo parish, Babahoyo
- los rÃos canton during the period January-March 2023.
Inductive method: is the method that reaches general conclusions based
on particular hypotheses or antecedents. The inductive method is
usually based on observation and experimentation of facts and concrete
actions in order to reach a resolution or conclusion.
The modality to be used will be mixed qualitative and quantitative for
the development of this research project in the Los Angeles Parish of
Ventanas Canton to determine and measure the results obtained. "The
use of both qualitative and quantitative procedures in an investigation
could probably help to correct biases inherent to each method."
July - September vol. 1. Num. 22 - 2024
11
In relation to the technique, the survey will be used because it allows
data collection and allows contact to be established with the observation
units by means of previously established questionnaires.
The instrument used will be questionnaires which is a set of questions
designed to generate data necessary to achieve the objectives proposed
in the research project, which requires careful elaboration for
respondents to answer without evading".
In the present research project, the population will be represented by
110 elderly people who belong to the community of Ciudadela El
Chorrillo, Canton Babahoyo.
The sample of the present work corresponds to 65 elderly people who
belong to the community and who presented respiratory problems
according to the census survey carried out in the parish of Los Angeles,
of which 42 patients are male and 23 patients are female.
3. Result
For the analysis of the first question of the survey related to the sex of
the people surveyed, the results show that there is a higher percentage
of men represented by 65% of the sample, while women are represented
by 35% of the total sample of people with respiratory diseases in the
Chorrillo citadel.
For the analysis of the third question of the survey related to whether
people had any respiratory condition at the time of the survey, the
results show that 100% of the respondents answered yes to the question
asked.
For the analysis of the fourth question of the survey on what type of
respiratory condition they had at the time of the survey, the results show
that 43% of the respondents had the flu, 26% had a cold or cough, 17%
had rhinitis and 14% had some type of allergy.
For the analysis of the fifth question of the survey about the types of
ancestral medicine techniques they use for the relief of respiratory
conditions 49% indicated that infusions followed by 28% for the
application of ointments, 15% mentioned vapours and 8% of the
respondents answered that it is syrups.
Efficacy of the use of natural medicine in respiratory conditions in older adults
12
For the analysis of the seventh and last question of the survey about the
use of a recipe book of local medicinal plants and respiratory
physiotherapy exercises for respiratory conditions 97% of the
respondents answered affirmatively and 3% answered negatively.
4. Conclusions
The use of ancestral or traditional medicine in the sector of the parish
of Los Angeles in the Ventanas canton is deeply rooted in their beliefs
and for them it is of great benefit and usefulness for the inhabitants of
the sector, which is why it is common to hear that they first turn to an
empirical alternative before going to a general medical center.
The knowledge that they have of the plants, although it does not have a
scientific basis, has been developed because putting it into practice
relieves and the inhabitants acquire the necessary experience to be able
to teach their children who in turn have the responsibility to continue
preserving their culture and improving the skills that they will then pass
on to their generations.
It was observed that the most prevalent respiratory condition was the
flu or common cold, which, with the necessary care, is relieved within
ten to fifteen days.
The technique they use the most is infusions of medicinal plants and
they do it in its initial stage, which contributes to the improvement of
their respiratory conditions.
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