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BRONCHITIS
BENEFICIAL HERBS
Alternate among several of the
following herbs to get all of their medicinal benefits.
- Lobelia is a very effective expectorant and is used
in the treatment of bronchitis
- Hollyhock, marsh mallow and pleurisy root are good
for irritated conditions of the mucous membranes, especially bronchitis
- Inhaling the vapors of eucalyptus oil from a
vaporizer produces a stimulating expectorant and helps to relieve chronic bronchitis.
- Other herbs that may help relieve bronchitis include
cinnamon, thyme, wall germander, ginger, rosemary, and cloves.
- Alcohol-free echinacea and goldenseal extract helps
to fight viruses and bacteria and enhance the immune system. Goldenseal relieves
congestion and is soothing to inflamed mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes, throat,
nasal passages, and sinuses. Caution: Do not take goldenseal on a daily
basis for more than a week at a time, and do not use during pregnancy. Do not give
goldenseal to children under two. Do not use goldenseal without consulting a physician if
you have had heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, a stroke, or high blood pressure.
- Grindelia, yerba santa, fenugreek tea and horehound
are all good expectorants relieving mucous congestion of the lungs and bronchia
- St. John's wort is a good expectorant and has a
calming effect on the body
- Catnip may help relieve bronchitis
- Mullein reduces irritation due to bronchitis
- Astragalus strengthens the body's resistance to
disease. Caution: Do not use astragalus in the presence of a fever.
- Boneset is good for inflammation of the mucous
membranes. Drink it hot and mix with brown sugar to make it palatable. Caution: Do
not use boneset on a daily basis for more than one week, as long-term use can lead to
toxicity.
- Licorice is an excellent demulcent and is soothing
to the mucous membranes and respiratory passages. Licorice also has immune-enhancing and
anti-viral properties. Caution: Do not use licorice on a daily basis for
more than seven days in a row, and avoid it completely if you have high blood pressure.
- Slippery elm bark lozenges or raspberry tea may help
to soothe a scratchy throat.
- For a sore and irritated throat, gargle with tea
tree oil or fenugreek.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Drink lots of fluids. This helps loosen up any mucus
in your lungs and helps you to breathe easier.
- Chicken soup can help clear airways
- Chew on a chili pepper or eat a spicy Mexican meal.
Do so three times a week if breathing problems are chronic.
- Sprinkle ten to twenty drops of Tobasco sauce in a
glass of water and drink it or gargle with it.
- Add whole peeled garlic cloves to your soup. Heating
the garlic in a microwave oven first helps preserve alliin, the primary therapeutic
substance.
- Decrease your salt intake
NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION
A well balanced diet is a more natural source of
nutrients and it is best to get as much as possible from food. If you are not eating a
varied mixture of the main food groups or foods high in a certain nutrient needed for your
health situation then make up the remaining through vitamin and mineral supplementation.
- Vitamin C: 200 milligrams
NON DIETARY TIPS
- Blowing up balloons could help you relieve some of
your symptoms
- Take a hot shower. The steam helps loosen up mucus
in your lungs.
- Do not smoke, smoking irritates the bronchiole tubes
and causes vessels to constrict.
- Try to exercise daily.
In some
cases, herbal products can interact negatively with other medications.
Such interactions can be dangerous. Herbal remedies are not regulated and
their quality is not controlled. Moreover, while there is an abundant
supply of information circulating about herbs, not much of it has
been scientifically proven. Consult your physician. Informing your
doctor and pharmacist of what herbal products you are using is just as important
as letting them know what drugs you are taking. Your physician and the
pharmacist on duty at your pharmacy can assist you in deciding which herbs
are safe.
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