Bronchitis Home Remedies and Beneficial Advice

Bronchitis Home Remedies and Beneficial Advice

It is an acute inflammation of the airways. The inflammation of the trachea and the large and the small bronchi is caused by infection, followed by cough to clear secretions from the lungs. Bronchitis can affect both children and adults and the symptoms are identical.

Causes of bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs during flu season, or can be caused by common cold. It can be triggered by several types of viruses and various bacteria (mycoplasma pneumoniae). When you breathe in dust, smoke or other chemical solvents, we can be affected by bronchitis. The risk group includes:

• elderly people
• children
• people with weak immune system, smokers
• people suffering from chronic lung diseases

Is bronchitis contagious?

It depending on what is the reason for its occurrence. If it is viral or bacterial - yes, but if  it’s associated with smoking, air pollution or other pollutants-not.

Symptoms of bronchitis

When we are affected by infection of the upper airways, common cold or sinus infection, we related it to acute bronchitis. Symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• muscle aches
• mucus, sore throat

The most common symptom of bronchitis is a cough.
It can be dry or with phlegm and can last more than two weeks. Prolonged cough can be very painful and you can get inflammation in the chest and abdominal muscles. Severe cough even can cause loss of consciousness, while asthmatic one include a combination of wheezing and shortness of breath.

Complications of bronchitis
Seek medical care if:

• blood-tinged sputum (or rust-colored or yellow-green)
• if you have difficulty in breathing or strong wheezing
• have a temperature higher than 40 degrees
• if fever lasts more than 5 days

 Treatment of bronchitis

In the vast majority of cases, bronchitis is caused by viral infection. Do not take immediately antibiotics, they won’t help. Doctors feel pressured by expectations of the patients and therefore prescribe them (more why you should avoid antibiotics here).
Drinking plenty of fluids (water and tea, not juices and soups) is much more important than taking antibiotics. Pulmonary secretions will clear themselves much more easily if the body is well hydrated. Drink at least 2 liters of water to "flush out the infection."      

Home treatment of bronchitis

1.Chicken broth
In a tea-pot (250ml of water) put a teaspoon of minced garlic and a chicken stock cube to boil (on low heat), for about 7 minutes. Sip it when it’s still hot.It clears congestion and void out mucus. Drink several times a day.

2.Infusion (roots of coltsfoot, mullein, comfrey, hollyhock)
Soak dry roots of these herbs (chopped) in a cold water (500 ml.) for about 20 minutes, then place them to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Drink while the mixture is still hot, sweeten it with honey and drink 3 times a day.

3.Honey and onions (clearing bronchi)
Grate or chop two onions finely. Add 2 tablespoons of honey and stir it. Take daily 1-2 teaspoons about 5-6 times a day.

4.Inhalation (with eucalyptus oil)
Eucalyptus has antibacterial properties and it is used for fast voiding of mucus from the bronchi. You can change it with pine oil, which is also a very good expectorant. Lean yourself over a bowl of boiling water (put a towel over your head for better effect), with a few drops of eucalyptus.  Stay over it as long as you can, but do not overdo it!

Avoid dairy products! 

Milk contains lactalbumin, which stimulates the production of mucus in the upper and lower respiratory tract and intestines.