Bronchitis is a respiratory disease which is characterized by inflammation, infection, and/or swelling of the mucous membranes in the bronchial passages of lungs. A virus, bacteria, or external particles irritate the mucous membranes to cause bronchitis. Bronchitis can be acute or severe. While the former normally lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, the latter lasts anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. Chronic bronchitis is a serious long-term health condition that needs regular medical attention and treatment.
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Causes of bronchitis
The most common causes of bronchitis include:
- Cough and cold
- Respiratory infections
- Allergies
- Seasonal changes
- Environmental changes
- Dusty air
- Fog or smog
- Pollution
- Smoking
Symptoms of bronchitis
These are some of the most common symptoms of bronchitis:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing accompanied by mucous (yellowish or greenish)
- Chest pain
- Muscle aches
- Nasal congestion
- Fever
- Fatigue
Home remedies for bronchitis
Over-the-counter medications are usually helpful in managing the symptoms. However, there are some easy, simple, and completely natural home remedies for bronchitis that can help provide relief. Let’s take a look:
1. Bay leaf
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Bay leaf is extremely effective in helping treat bronchitis.
Remedies
- Soak a few bay leaves in hot water for half an hour. Apply these soaked leaves on your chest as a poultice. Cover it with a towel to keep them in place. Warm the leaves as and when needed to help relieve the congestion.
- To 1 cup of boiling water, add 1 fresh bay leaf and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for a few minutes, before taking away the leaf. Drink the liquid twice a day once it’s cooled completely.
2. Epsom salt
A bath taken with Epsom salt helps find relief from acute bronchitis symptoms.
Remedy
- Add 1 kg of Epsom salt to your bath water and dissolve it completely. Soak your body in this bath water for about 30 minutes. For chronic bronchitis, repeat this remedy twice a week. For acute bronchitis, follow this remedy every other night to find relief.
3. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil contains anti-bacterial properties that help bring down the infection caused by bronchitis. Additionally, when eucalyptus oil is added to steam and inhaled, it helps soften the mucous, thereby clearing the airways and providing relief.
Remedies
- Pour a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball and apply it externally on your chest. It will not only help get rid of the mucous, it also improves your respiratory functioning.
- Bring about 2 glasses of water to a boil and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it. Pull a broad towel over your head and inhale the steam rising out of the pan, till the steam stops. Repeat this twice a day for a few days to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
4. Garlic
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Garlic possesses anti-viral and antibiotic properties, which help in treating acute bronchitis effectively.
Remedy
- Peel 3 cloves of garlic and chop them finely. Put them in a glass of milk and bring this to a boil. Let it cool down a bit, before drinking it at night before going to sleep.
5. Ginger
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Ginger is another highly beneficial ingredient which is extremely effective in treating bronchitis. It contains anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties that help in relieving inflammation, irritation, and/or swollen bronchial tubes.
Remedies
- Add 1 teaspoon each of freshly chopped ginger and black pepper powder to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes, before adding a bit of honey to make it more palatable. Drink this once it’s cooled. Repeat this remedy twice daily to get relief from bronchitis symptoms.
- Mix together 1 teaspoon each of pepper powder, cloves powder, and ginger powder. Add this to 1 tablespoon of honey or a cup of warm milk and drink it thrice a day for best results.
- To 1 cup of hot water, add half a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Stir well and drink this for a few days to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
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6. Holy basil
Holy basil is a medicinal herb, and it possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It helps relieve symptoms of bronchitis quite effectively.
Remedies
- Chew a few leaves of holy basil to find relief from lung infections.
- Add a few leaves of holy basil to 1 cup of boiling water and cover it with a lid. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Drink this twice a day to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
7. Honey
Honey has been used to treat cold and bronchitis for many years. It possesses anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, that will help soothe your throat, while also helping boost your immune system.
Remedies
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to 1 glass of lemon water and dissolve. Sip this 2-3 times a day to help with congestion and throat inflammation.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to your regular cup of normal tea or green tea and drink it while suffering from bronchitis.
8. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is rich in citric acid and vitamin C, that help treat bronchitis successfully.
Remedies
- Put a couple of lemon wedges into 1 cup of boiling water and let it stand for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink it twice a day for best results.
- Add 1 teaspoon of grated lemon rind to 1 cup of boiling water and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Sip this liquid twice a day to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
9. Onion
Onion contains an expectorant property which helps dissolve mucous, phlegm, and congestion in the respiratory system. Additionally, onion juice helps prevent further mucous buildup as well.
Remedies
- Add raw onions in your food, either on a salad or in any other dish to help find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
- Consume 1 teaspoon of raw onion juice every morning on an empty stomach to relieve symptoms of bronchitis.
10. Orange juice
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Orange juice is packed full of citric acid and vitamin C, and vitamin C is known to help boost your immune system. It provides essential nutrients to your body, while also helping soothe your inflamed throat.
Remedy
- Add half a teaspoon of crushed almonds to 1 glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and stir well. Drink this every night before going to bed to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
Tip: Do not add sugar or any other kind of sweetener to the orange juice.
11. Salt water
Salt water gargle is known to help relieve the symptoms of bronchitis considerably. It helps relieve the inflammation in the throat, while also helping expel any mucous blocking your nasal passages.
Remedy
- Add 1 teaspoon of table salt to 1 glass of warm water and dissolve it. Use this to gargle thrice a day for best results.
Tip: Do not add too much salt since it can cause a burning sensation in the throat. On the other hand, too little salt isn’t as effective either.
12. Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds possess medicinal properties that help treat bronchitis, while also helping relieve chest pain that accompanies.
Remedies
- Add half a teaspoon of dry sesame seeds powder to 2 tablespoons of water and drink this twice a day for best results.
- Add 1 teaspoon each of sesame seeds, flaxseeds, and honey, along with a pinch of common salt into a clean bowl and mix well. Consume this every day before going to bed to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
13. Turmeric
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Turmeric has been used to treat cough and other flu-like symptoms associated with bronchitis for quite some time. This amazing ingredient helps expectorate all the excess mucous from your respiratory system, providing relief.
Remedy
- To 1 glass of milk, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and stir. Bring this to a boil, letting it simmer for 5 minutes. Drink this twice a day to find relief from bronchitis symptoms.
14. Water
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When you’re suffering from bronchitis, plenty of water is recommended so as to keep your body well-hydrated. Constant coughing and congestion make your throat and mouth dry, while also putting you at risk for mild dehydration. So it’s imperative that you keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Remedy
- Drink plenty of water through the day. 8-10 glasses of water is recommended.
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Additional tips
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine as they tend to irritate your already congested throat.
- Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Another way to keep yourself hydrated is to drink vegetable juice and fresh fruit juices, but without added sugars or sweeteners.
- Use humidifiers in your room to help add moisture to the air your breathe, as dry air tends to dry out your nasal passages, exacerbating the condition.
- Avoid inhaling polluted air or smoke.
- Avoid air fresheners, scented candles, and such as they tend to aggravate your condition.
- Get proper rest to help your body heal that much quickly.
These are all the highly beneficial home remedies for bronchitis. For more updates on health and fitness, subscribe to our newsletter today!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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