A.Vogel Soothing Natural Cough Syrup Fresh fresh wild Norway Spruce Gluten- and lactose-free Clinically proven Composition Each teaspoon (5 mL) contains: Medicinal ingredients: Extract of fresh wild Norway Spruce (Picea abies, shoots) (ratio 14:1)...106.67 mg, equivalent to 1.49 g of fresh shoots; Essential oil of Norway Spruce (Picea abies)...0.80 mg. Non-medicinal ingredients: Unrefined cane sugar, honey, concentrated Pear juice. Dosage Adults: Take 1 teaspoon (5 mL), 4 times daily. Duration of use: Consult a healthcare practitioner for use beyond 8 days. Historical overview Conifers (evergreens) produce several health promoting substances. Pine needles are used in distillates for their creosote content (efficient but very irritating and with controversial safety concerns). Fresh Spruce bud extract is very efficient against upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) but much less irritating and with a better taste (which is always a plus, especially when children are involved!). Spruce bud extract is used for all catarrhs of the respiratory tract. Nicolas Culpeper (1616-1654) mentions: « It is of a mollifying, healing, and cleansing nature (…) It is likewise a good pectoral, and often given in diseases of the breast and lungs. »(1) Actions and pharmacology Spruce buds are rich in terpenes (bornyl acetate, limonene, camphene, alpha-pinene, etc.). These small molecules have antiseptic, mucolytic and antibacterial properties. Terpenes are particularly interesting in cases of cough and bronchial infections because of their volatility, which promotes pulmonary excretion. The effects of terpenes are therefore concentrated at the site of action, thus increasing the respiratory effectiveness of Spruce buds.(2) The German Commission E acknowledges its benefits in cases of: catarrhs of the respiratory tract. Scientific studies Santasapina® (A.Vogel Soothing Cough Syrup in Canada) has been studied in 83 children with acute mucopurulent bronchitis. During the 8-10 day treatment period, coughs and night waking rapidly decreased, the mucus liquefied, its coloration became clearer and the expectoration improved. The treatment efficacy was considered good (68.7% good and 16.9% average by the physician, and 77.1% good and 9.6% average by the patients and their parents). 75% of the children said they would take the syrup again. Only 3 of the 83 children did not like its taste.(3) Precautions, contraindications and interactions Do not use in case of bronchial asthma and whooping cough or if you are allergic or sensitive to products derived from bees. Consult a healthcare practitioner if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discontinue use immediately if there are any signs of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction. Avoid taking in case of known allergy to any of the ingredients in the product. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Store below 30°C (87°F). Do not use if security cap is broken. Keep out of the reach of children. References 1. Culpeper N. The Complete Herbal. Foulsham &co, London, UK. 2. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Physician's Desk Reference 1999. Medical economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey, USA, 3. Shah D, Trost P. Bronchite aiguë chez l'enfant : Traitement par le sirop pour la toux Santasapina®. Schweiz Zschr GanzheitsMedizin 1997;9:298-300