Natural Cures for Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the large airways in the lungs known as the bronchi. It usually starts as a cold with a cough an progresses to a nasty cough and a scratchy feeling in the lungs when you try to take anything but a shallow breath. While there are many ways to treat bronchitis, antibiotics won’t work because it is not a bacterial infection.
You should see your doctor if you suspect you have viral bronchitis, because it could be bacterial. If it is bacterial you will need antibiotics, but if it is viral then antibiotics will not help. Your doctor will listen to you breathe with a stethoscope, check your neck glands for swelling, and perform a check of your throat and sinuses. If they see evidence of yellow mucus then it is probably not viral and they will prescribe antibiotics for you.
There are two different types of coughs associated with bronchitis. If you have a lot of congestion you may have a wet cough; with this type of cough, while uncomfortable, is necessary to get any mucous and liquid out of your lungs. Humidity is very effective bronchitis treatment, it helps to break up the mucous, making it easier to get it out of your lungs. Try standing under a hot, steamy shower for ten to fifteen minutes. Make sure you dry yourself and wrap up good when you get out. A vaporizer, either steam or cool mist, placed in your bedroom at night will help you to sleep better too. Put some eucalyptus oil in the vaporizer as an expectorant to help get rid of the phlegm in your chest.
There are many natural solutions to this problem that you can try. The first thing you should do is to try to loosen up the thickened mucous by drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. Next, you may want to turn on a humidifier in your bedroom to keep your airways moist. You can use natural anti-viral products such as oil of oregano or garlic. If you use oregano, one of the best products is Oreganol by North American Herb & Spice. You can eat one clove of crushed garlic three times a day if you wish to try that method. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, you may be able to assist your immune system in fighting off upper respiratory illnesses by drinking baking soda. He advises that if you drink one fourth of a teaspoon in cool water several times a day it may cure your illness. You can find complete details at www.mercola.com.
There are some herbal remedies that can be used, to treat your bronchitis. Use eucalyptus, bay or garlic leaves in hot water. Boil some water, drop one or all the leaves I named (to speed up the healing process) in the boiling water, let the leaves get tender and allow water to steam up, pour it in a bowl, position a towel directly over your head and the bowl to inhale the vapors. The vapors you will be inhaling will soothed your persisting cough. You can also use the remainder of the liquid to make an herbal tea.
People who want to use pelargonium should try Bronovil. The South African flower is Bronovils key ingredient is the South African geranium mentioned above. Pelargonium works by preventing viruses from attaching to cells in the body. This herb boosts the bodys immune system, which makes it useful for older people and people suffering from HIV/AIDS.
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