Articles ¬ The Source ¬ Bronchitis

Bronchitis refers to an infection or irritation of the bronchial tree or tubes that lead to the lungs. This condition usually follows an upper respiratory infection or cold. Symptoms of bronchitis can include fever, deep coughing, back and chest pain, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and a build up of mucus in the throat or chest.

The therapy for bronchitis depends on its cause, whether bacterial, viral, or due to irritants, but mainly revolves around treating any present infection as well as thinning and draining the mucus from the lungs and throat.

To strengthen your immune system to help fight off the bacteria or virus that may lead to bronchitis use echinacea. This herb works best with the two main types in combination (angustifolia and purpura) and in liquid or tincture form. The dosage for an adult would be 20 drops each time taken. If you are trying to prevent an infection use it every two hours, but once a day at this dosage has passed and you still feel ill decrease the frequency to four times daily. Do not use echinacea if you have an autoimmune condition, have AIDS or are trying conceive, unless supervised by a Holistic health professional.

Garlic and onions are both excellent for helping to loosen mucus and increase the efficiency of the immune system. Garlic can be increased in the diet, or supplemented by taking one enterically coated pill daily which contains close to 4200mcg of Allicin and 9500mcg of Alliin.

If you do get sick postural drainage for excess mucus should be performed three times daily. To do this, lie down on your bed, with the upper half of your body hanging over the edge, using your forearms as support. This position should be held for 5-15 minutes, during which you are encouraged to cough and expectorate the mucus into a basin on the floor beneath you. To ease the loosening of the mucus, have another person strike you on the back with the flat of their hand.

To help thin mucus, drink at least eight glasses of water, vegetable juice, herbal teas, or soup broth every day.

Sugar can increase the thickness of mucus and lower the immune system, and should therefore be avoided. If you drink fruit juice, dilute it with an equal amount of water. You should also not eat dairy products while you have bronchitis, as they tend to increase mucus production.

A cough syrup can be made using six chopped onions and a half cup of honey. This mixture should be cooked over low heat for two hours and then strained. While still warm, it can be used for coughs, soothing the throat, and encouraging the expectoration of mucus. Use one to two tablespoons as needed.

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