{"id":3268,"date":"2019-01-24T05:45:12","date_gmt":"2019-01-24T05:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3268"},"modified":"2021-03-23T21:15:39","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T21:15:39","slug":"15-practical-bronchitis-home-remedies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-practical-bronchitis-home-remedies\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Practical Bronchitis Home Remedies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What starts as a tickle in the back of your throat ends up in mucus-laden bouts of coughing fits. Bronchitis irritates the throat, as well as inflammation of the bronchial tubes, making breathing feel laborious.
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Bacterial and viral infections cause bronchitis, and the symptoms begin to subside after a few days. It\u2019s common for people in the early stages of the disease to develop low fever and a runny nose as the body ramps up T-cell production to fight off the invading cells.
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Some cases of bronchitis require medical assistance to remove bacterial infections. Your mucus should appear clear or have a slight yellow tinge. If you notice dark green or brown specks in your mucus, it means you have a bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.
However, it\u2019s possible to clear up bronchitis using home remedies and rest. Here are eight practical home remedies for you to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Lemon
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During the early stages of infection, it\u2019s vital that you do all you can to boost your immune system and get ahead of the virus before it reaches its peak. Lemons <\/a>offer tremendous relief from coughing and the additional phlegm produced during the early and advanced stages of bronchitis.
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The skin of lemons contains plant polyphenol compounds known as \u201climonoids.\u201d These plant flavonoids include potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that increase immune function and help you recover faster from the infection.
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It\u2019s important to note that limonoids exist in the skin of the lemon, and far less in the soft, juicy fruit. Your best bet to obtain the limonoids from lemons is to grate the rind of the lemon and add it to hot water. Let the tea steep for 5-minutes to absorb all of the limonoids from the zest. Add a teaspoon of raw honey and drink the tea as hot as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Garlic and Ginger
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Garlic <\/a>has a pungent aroma, and it hangs around on your breath for hours after eating. Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to worry about garlic breath, because the chances are your nose is blocked up. For thousands of years, traditional medicine has relied on garlic to cure a wide variety of diseases and infections, including bronchitis.
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Garlic contains allicin, a Sulphur compound that\u2019s excellent in fighting off bacterial infection. Allicin converts into other Sulphur compounds in the body that also have potent disease-fighting effects.
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Ginger is an herbaceous perennial plant with a sweet, spicy aroma, and zesty taste. Grating up some ginger for use in your bronchitis treatment allows you to benefit from the lignans, \u201cgingerol,\u201d found in the ginger root. This antioxidant compound not only cures feelings of nausea and anxiety, but it helps strengthen the immune system as well.
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Grate up some ginger root to mix in your lemon tea for a supercharged bronchitis fighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Eucalyptus oil
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Most people recognize eucalyptus <\/a>from its robust and distinctive aroma that reminds you of a sterile hospital environment. Eucalyptus is an effective bronchial relaxant, helping to open up your airways and mobilize mucus.
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Eucalyptus contains bactericides, polyphenol compounds that kill bacteria. The bactericides directly attack the bacteria causing your bronchitis, destroying it faster than most other natural treatments. The essential oil of the leaves contains natural antibiotics and expectorants. You can use eucalyptus in a variety of different applications. We recommend you try the following.
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Steaming \u2013 Boil some water and add it to a bowl. Toss in a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water and cover your head with a towel. Lean over the water and breathe deeply to absorb the bactericides.
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In the shower \u2013 Blend eucalyptus oil with a little water in a spray bottle. After showering, mist the steamy air with the spray and breathe in the potent healing compounds.
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Massage oil \u2013 Blend a few drops of eucalyptus with coconut oil and use it as a topical ointment. Rub it into your chest and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Mustard
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The ancient Romans understood the healing power of mustard powder. Ground from tiny mustard seeds, this powder is an excellent topical treatment for bronchitis<\/a>. Mustard contains compounds with antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and diaphoretic properties. The seeds get their therapeutic value from the polyphenols caffeic acid, gallic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin.
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When you feel the onset of bronchitis, mix up some mustard paste using a teaspoon of mustard powder, combined with a teaspoon of almond flour and a few drops of water. Blend the ingredients until you achieve a fine paste, and apply it to the skin around your throat and chest.
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Breathe in the fumes from the paste and let the potent medicinal properties of the polyphenols do their work. If you have paste leftover, store it in the fridge to keep it fresh. If the paste is a little tacky after storing it in the refrigerator, blend in a few drops of hot water to rejuvenate the mixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Chicken Soup
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Your grandma wasn\u2019t kidding you when she said chicken soup<\/a> is the best cure for what ails you. A steaming bowl of healthy soup helps to soothe inflammation of the airways while providing you with calories that keep your body nourished during your bout of bronchitis.
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If you don\u2019t feel up to making your chicken soup, order a store-bought version online or order from the local take-out. Studies conducted by the University of Nebraska show that store-bought chicken soup is more effective at fighting off disease than traditional, home-made soups \u2013 go figure.
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The same study also shows that eating chicken soup helps infection-fighting white blood cells speed up the movement of mucus in the nasal passages and sinus. Hot soup creates dilation in blood vessels that increases circulation, allowing your mucus to flush out the bacterial infection. Broths and soups also contain water which keeps you hydrated, preventing further infection and speeds up your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Raw Honey
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Before we get started with this remedy, it\u2019s critical that you understand the difference between the honey you buy at the supermarket, and raw honey available at the health food store. Commercial beekeepers pasteurize their product to remove the pollen, royal jelly, and wax.
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Unfortunately, this process removes the health benefits, turning it into a sugary syrup that\u2019s lacking the traditional medicinal benefits of the food. Purchase raw honey that\u2019s not undergone any pasteurization process, leaving the beneficial compounds intact.
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Raw honey contains anti-inflammatory<\/a>, anti-microbial and antiseptic properties that help your body fight off bacterial and viral infections. Mix a tablespoon of raw honey into a glass of hot water and drink it two to three times a day to gain relief from your symptoms. This drink helps loosen the mucus and phlegm in your chest and throat, while reducing inflammation of the airways, making it easier to breathe while reducing your coughing symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Salt Water Gargle
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The persistent coughing fits caused by bronchitis infection result in inflamed airways and a sore upper respiratory tract. Gargling with salt water helps to reduce the irritation and improve your swallowing, as well as your breathing.
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When we gargle with salt water, we\u2019re creating a high-salt barrier. The salt absorbs the fluids and water from your throat, pulling the bacteria or virus out of the tissues surrounding the esophagus and sinus<\/a>. Essentially, you\u2019re washing out the infection by gargling with salt water. Saltwater is an antimicrobial compound that goes to work eradicating the bacterial infection.
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Make sure you don\u2019t swallow the saltwater, too much of it can upset your stomach and send you running to the bathroom with a bout of diarrhea. We prefer to use Himalayan pink salt, also known as rock salt, for our gargling. This salt is the purest in the world, but regular salt will do fine if you can\u2019t find rock salt anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Steam Diffusing
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Diffusing with steam is our last home remedy for dealing with a bout of bronchitis. Purchase a diffuser online from a health equipment supplier. They\u2019re cheap and highly effective at providing relief from your bronchitis symptoms.
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Diffusing relieves wheezing and coughing <\/a>by opening up the airways. The moist air lubricates your bronchial tubes, mobilizing phlegm and mucus, making it easier to expel during a cough. Set up your diffuser in your bedroom during the evening before you go to bed. The diffuser produces steam and floods the room with moisture.
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We recommend you add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil into the water and let the antimicrobial properties of the medicated steam clear your lungs and reduce the inflammation in your airways. This technique works best at night time. When we sleep, our body goes into restoration mode, increasing its efficiency at clearing infections and using a diffuser accelerates the healing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Menthol Rub<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A menthol rub is a strong-smelling rub that you can apply to your chest in order to help clear your passageways. As mentioned, bronchitis may predominantly affect the chest, but that doesn\u2019t mean that it doesn\u2019t also cause congestion <\/a>in the nose and throat. Using a menthol rub can be a highly effective way to break this up, and to gradually ease your breathing again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to use a menthol rub is at night. Apply a little before going to bed by rubbing it into your chest, and that way it will be in a position to help you breathe. Do make sure that you don\u2019t have an allergic reaction to the substance though, and keep in mind that this is only intended to combat some of the symptoms \u2013 rather than being a cure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Garlic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Garlic <\/a>is often hailed as one of the very best natural antibiotics there is going. This makes it very effective at helping you to drive out infections and is particularly popular as it shouldn\u2019t run any risk of causing antibiotic resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to get the benefits of garlic, however, is, unfortunately, to eat it raw! Take a clove and put it in your mouth, then crunch and swallow. This can be a little unpleasant though, so there is an alternative method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, take a mug of warm water. Boil in the kettle, and then simply top off with some cold water from the tap. Place a couple of cloves of garlic in here, and squeeze in some lemon (which we already know is high in vitamin C, not to mention a great pick me up that provides lots of energy). Finally, add in a little bit of honey, some ginger shavings, and single red chili pepper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drink this concoction and you\u2019ll be sure to feel comforted, while also benefiting from many of the positive effects of the ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Rest<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best thing you can do for a whole host of different types of illnesses and infections is just to rest.<\/em> When you rest, you give your immune system time to fight the illness and to drive bacteria <\/a>out of your system. At the same time, this allows your body to avoid circulating the germs around your body more by increasing your heart rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes we don\u2019t want to take time off, because we feel as though we are letting people down. Perhaps you have a lot of commitments and responsibilities that you don\u2019t feel you can ignore. While this is an admirable stance to take though, it can ultimately lead you to make yourself less <\/em>useful for longer! Listen to your body, and take the time off that you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Warm Bath<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another great way to help yourself recover more quickly and to ease some of the symptoms in the immediate term is to take a warm bath. This has a number of great benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, a warm bath is relaxing. This forces the muscles to release tension <\/a>and helps you to feel pampered and calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, a warm bath will produce steam. Breathing this steam through your nose will help to break up mucus and phlegm, while also reducing inflammation and irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, then, a warm bath can provide you with a host of different advantages, all of which are extremely beneficial when it comes to fighting the effects of bronchitis and giving your body more of a fighting chance when it comes to driving that bacteria out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Analgesics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Analgesics <\/a>are just the technically accurate name for painkillers. An analgesic can help to ease the pain and discomfort that you feel from any illness, including bronchitis. What\u2019s more, is that analgesics will help you to get the rest that you need. Very often we feel the need to \u2018power through\u2019 an illness, as though using medication is somehow admitting defeat or being weak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In truth, using analgesics is just an effective way to help yourself feel better so that you can allow your body to get to work. Not only that but when you use certain types \u2013 such as aspirin or ibuprofen \u2013 you\u2019ll also benefit from the blood-thinning effects. These will help you to break up any phlegm that is affecting your chest or your lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important things to do when you have any kind of illness is to drink plenty of water. Water <\/a>isn\u2019t a home remedy in the classic sense. This is not some old-wives tale that\u2019s going to make you instantly recover and feel amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, water is just a very important substance that you should be consuming any time <\/em>you feel the least bit unhealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is water a valuable element that is involved in countless interactions throughout the body as a catalyst, but it is also crucial for helping you to keep your temperature cool, for helping you to avoid dehydration when you have a fever, and for encouraging your body to continuously \u2018flush\u2019 the system so as to help you drive out bacteria and other unwanted invaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Sunlight<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, our last tip is to fight that urge to stay in the house all day. When you feel ill, you often just want to crawl under the covers and stay there. In fact though, vitamin D<\/a> \u2013 which we get from exposing ourselves to sunlight \u2013 has been shown to be far more effective than vitamin C even when it comes to helping our immune systems to fend off illness. Combine this with the benefits of fresh air, and you have an immensely potent combination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get outside and you might just feel better sooner!
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