What seems like a nasty cold can quickly turn into bronchitis, a respiratory disease characterized by coughing and sometimes even wheezing. If you find out you’ve come down with a case of bronchitis, it is important to take action immediately to prevent your symptoms from progressing.
There are two different types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Treating acute bronchitis at home is the route to go. However, if your symptoms last for months or years, it may be chronic bronchitis. According to WebMD, it is recommended you seek medical attention to treat chronic bronchitis.
Make it Steamy
Take a nice, long hot shower or bath to help loosen mucus build up. Once your mucus thins, it will be easier to cough up all the phlegm that it is making it difficult to breathe.
Studies have shown mullein, a plant used to make medicine, to be effective in helping to treat a variety of illnesses including bronchitis.
You can make a tea using mullein leaves. Boil one cup of water on the stove in a small saucepan. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in two teaspoons of dried mullein. Steep the tea for ten minutes, strain the tea if needed, and serve.
Eat Spicy Foods
Indulge in your favorite spicy foods to help get your mucus moving. A good curry or hot sauce should do the trick.
Put Down the Cigarettes
If you are a smoker, it is best to steer clear from cigarettes and other tobacco products when you have bronchitis. The smoke can cause further irritation to the lungs. Additionally, try to avoid second-hand smoke as that is just as likely to worsen symptoms.
Rest at Home
Getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to recover from bronchitis. Even if you feel like, “It’s just a cough,” a full night’s rest of at least six to eight hours can be helpful.
If you are having trouble sleeping due to a cough, sleep with a humidifier. The humidifier will add moisture to the air as coughing tends to dry out your throat.
Gargle Salt Water
If you have a sore throat, warm up a cup of water (Don’t boil it!), and add a teaspoon of salt. Gargle the mixture, but be careful not to swallow the salt water. You can repeat this treatment as many times as needed throughout the day.
All About the Classics
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating a bowl of classic chicken noodle soup to soothe a sore throat and encourage the thinning of mucus. Any type of warm liquid including soup, broth, and tea can help.
Breathe In Essential Oils
Eucalyptus oil is effective against both acute and chronic bronchitis. Inhale a mixture of eucalyptus oil, a citrus oil (orange, lemon, or lime), and pine needle oil to receive some relief from coughing. These oils can be purchased at your local health foods store.
Garlic
Peel and chop three cloves of garlic and boil them in one glass of water or milk. Drink it right before bed. According to Top 10 Home Remedies, this formula works because garlic is a natural antibiotic and because it is antiviral.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Sources: [Best Health Magazine, Everyday Health, Healthline, Remedy Daily, University of Maryland Medical Center, WebMD, WebMD]
