Bronchitis

(see also Cough)

 

Symptoms

Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes. It usually occurs with an existing cold and typically begins with a dry, shallow cough. As it progresses, phlegm develops and the cough becomes painful. The chest feels tight, causing some shortness of breath. The phlegm changes from a gelatin-like substance into a thick, yellow mucus.

Cold symptoms such as a fever, chills, aching muscles, sore throat and runny nose are also present. An acute case of bronchitis usually resolves itself within two weeks. Asthma can develop similarly with a cold, but the cough is spasmodic and wheezing can be heard.

A mild but constant cough is usually the sign of a chronic bronchitis, which can continue indefinitely if preventive steps are not taken. The repetitive coughing is very hard on the lungs and respiratory system, allowing infections to develop more easily. Bronchitis or coughing can also lead to emphysema later in life. Persistent coughing must be evaluated professionally to rule out more serious problems, including cancer.

Bronchitis Causes

Sudden acute bronchitis is often caused by a virus, sometimes in combination with bacteria. Any cough is a healthy reaction to irritation within the air passage, and in bronchitis the cough is necessary to eliminate infectious mucus from the body. Coughing should not be suppressed.

Susceptibility to a chest infection is more likely after becoming chilled or fatigued. Irritating chemicals such as tobacco, ammonia and environmental pollution also predispose the chest to infection. A chronic bronchial cough lasting weeks and months, even years, is usually due to an irritating substance, such as tobacco, and sometimes due to excessively dry air and dust, common to some workplaces. Repeated spells of bronchial infection are usually linked to a weakness in the respiratory tract, due to allergies, asthma and sinusitis or other respiratory disorders. Weakened resistance to colds can also allow repeated infections to occur.

An inadequate diet with too much meat and processed foods and too little fiber has been linked to lung weaknesses. Toxins can build up in both the lungs and the colon. When the respiratory tract is overloaded with toxic material, respiratory problems like bronchitis are more likely to surface

Bronchitis Nutrition

Leeks are a good healing food for bronchitis. Their oil contains sulphur, which is partly eliminated through the lungs, easing bronchial mucus. Eat vegetables and fruits raw whenever possible to retain immune-boosting enzymes which are lost through cooking. The vitamin A that fruits and vegetables provide strengthens lung tissue, and the vitamin C they contain promotes healing and improves resistance to infection. To boost immunity, eliminate the consumption of refined sugar and drink large amounts of diluted juices, soups and herb teas. Use honey instead of sugar as sweetener for herb teas, Avoid mucus-forming
dairy foods, heavy starches and saturated fats from animal meats to reduce congestion.

Bronchitis Nutritional Supplements

Vitamins A and C are the most important nutrients in combating bronchitis. Vitamin A maintains the mucus membranes of the respiratory tract and lungs, while vitamin C stimulates the immune system to fight infection.

One of the most effective remedies for eliminating, or at least reducing, phlegm from the respiratory tract is an amino acid derivative called N-acetyl-cysteine. This mucolytic agent, which is also a powerful antioxidant, can be taken in oral capsule form. It dissolves the mucus by cutting up mucoprotein molecules into smaller, less viscous fragments. N-acetyl-cysteine is also an excellent oral chelation agent—it can hook up with toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, copper, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium in the body and remove them through the kidneys.

Take bioflavonoids with vitamin C to improve absorption. Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A, and can be taken in conjunction or in place of vitamin A. Take zinc to support the immune system in its fight against infection.

Daily dosages:

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few hours for a total of 3,000–10,000 mg daily. If the stools become loose, reduce the dosage.

Vitamin A, 25,000 IU

(avoid during pregnancy)

Beta-carotene, 100,000 IU

Zinc, 60 mg, with 3 mg copper

N-acetyl-cysteine, 200 mg three times daily. Stop taking it as soon as symptoms disappear.

Bronchitis Herbal Remedies

Herbs naturally loosen and expel mucus, relieve coughing and soothe bronchial tubes. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp. herbs, add 1 tsp. honey and drink hot.

Mix 2 tbsp. lindenflowers, 3 tbsp. camomile and 5 tbsp. elderflowers in 1 cup boiling water to reduce fever.

Cayenne taken with ginger cleans out bronchial tubes. Boil 1 tbsp. sliced ginger in 1 cup water and add a dash cayenne.

Lobelia tea loosens mucus and relieves a dry, hacking cough.

Black cohosh, coltsfoot, anis, fennel, fir tips, caraway, peppermint and thyme teas loosen and expel phlegm from bronchial tubes.

To relieve the cough, drink hot tea made from any herbs: plantain, Iceland moss, pine needle tips, primrose, thyme or violets.

Horsetail and plantain juice alleviate chronic bronchitis; add coltsfoot juice to loosen phlegm and relieve the condition. Take 1 tbsp. of
juice daily.

Use 5 drops thyme oil or tea tree oil mixed with lindenflowers, camomile and eucalyptus for inhalations, baths and compresses.

If you have a tendency for bronchitis, chew the sap of fresh larch and pine shoots to prevent recurrence.

Perspiration induced with a sweat-promoting herbal tea like elderberry eliminates all toxins and helps heal bronchitis. Partially healed bronchitis leaves the body predisposed to other problems later on.

Bronchitis Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies can speed healing time and alleviate symptoms. The remedies listed below are among those most commonly used for bronchitis. Choose one of the treatments in a 6c strength, repeating hourly for three doses, then four times daily until marked improvement occurs. Take 2 tablets under the tongue.

Aconite is excellent for relief when used within the first twenty-four hours of a cold, if the symptoms include a dry, tickly cough and a high fever associated with restless anxiety. It is useful for sudden, severe symptoms.

Belladonna is another excellent remedy in the beginning stages, if symptoms include a high fever, flushed cheeks and glassy eyes. The head throbs and feels dull. Belladonna is also recommended for sudden, severe symptoms.

Bryonia can promote healing when the cough is very dry and painful, causing stabbing pains in the chest. The person often needs to hold the chest during the cough to prevent the pain. Irritability is usually noticeable, and the person just wants to be left alone. Deep breathing, excitement or eating can bring on the cough.

Kalium bichromium should be used to remedy the later stages of a bronchitis, when the phlegm is so tough and stringy that it is difficult to bring up.

Antimonium tartaricum is excellent for clearing up loose, rattling coughs. The chest is filled with mucus that is difficult to expel.

Bronchitis Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets hourly under the tongue in the beginning then four times daily once improvement is noticeable.

Ferr phos supplies oxygen to the lungs and is particularly useful for the first acute stage of any bronchial infection, especially when the cough is dry, irritating and accompanied by fever.

Kali mur is helpful in alleviating a cough that occurs in spasms and produces thick white phlegm. The tongue has a whitish coating. It is useful for long-term chronic bronchitis.

If the phlegm is yellow and the cough is worse in a hot environment, try Kali sulph. It is helpful in relieving long-term chronic cases of bronchitis.

For a persistent spasmodic cough without phlegm, Mag phos is most helpful to relieve spasming.

Bronchitis External/Physical Therapies

Hot chest wraps to promote sweating are essential to improve this condition. Apply a hot mustard chest wrap, and leave it on for five to ten minutes only, to avoid skin burn. If the skin turns red, remove the wrap immediately and wipe the skin clean with a warm, damp cloth.

Use a four-week hot compress and Kneipp hydrotherapy schedule to relieve acute, feverish bronchitis.

Increase the application of the hot wraps and packs if pus-like, colored phlegm is being expelled. Keep warm and rest afterward.

Speed the healing process with fresh air. Beware of cold drafts.

In addition, saunas and breathing exercises are most beneficial.

Avoid places that are smoky and filled with stale air.

Use a humidifier in the bedroom, especially with a dry cough. Balance rest with moderate activity to keep mucus secretions from settling.

Reflexology

To decongest the bronchial tubes, work on the reflexes of the lung and bronchial area once a day.

Bronchitis Other Suggestions

As for any infection, resting in bed and drinking lots of liquids are essential.

Bronchitis Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Co-Q-Max (Flora)

Multi Element Buffered C (Klaire Laboratories)

Zinc Plus (Klaire Laboratories)

C 500 mg Natural Fruit Chews

(Natural Factors)

Ester C (Natural Factors)

Hi Potency Multi (Natural Factors)

Super Multi Plus (Natural Factors)

Ultra Multi Plus (Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Other Nutritional Supplements

Bee Health Propolis Capsules (Inno-Vite)

Herbal Remedies

FloraGuard Echinacea Tincture (Flora)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Medicinal Tea: Bronchial (Flora)

Salus Alpenkraft Herbal Cough Candies (Flora)

Salus Alpenkraft Herbal Cough Syrup (Flora)

Salus Echinacea Tincture (Flora)

Schoenenberger Coltsfoot Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Schoenenberger Echinacea Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Aller-Ease (Natural Factors)

Cold and Cough (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Cough and Cold Formula (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Throat Spray (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)

Black Cohosh Root (Nature's Herbs)

Bronc-Ease (Nature's Herbs)

Cayenne-Power (Nature's Herbs)

Chamomile Extract (Nature's Herbs)

CL-7 Formula (Nature's Herbs)

Cold Control (Nature's Herbs)

Elderberry Flowers & Berries (Nature's Herbs)

Fenugreek-Thyme Combination (Nature's Herbs)

Ginger-Peppermint Combination (Nature's Herbs)

Green-Power (Nature's Herbs)

Homeopathy

Aconite (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Belladonna (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Bryonia (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Kali Bichromium (Nelsons Homeopathy)

External Therapies

Basil Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Benzoin Resin (Karooch Essential Oils)

Cedarwood Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Frankincense Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Sandalwood Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)