Bronchitis!

Acute Bronchitis.

Natural Cures Can Shorten Bronchitis Bouts:

Professional care...if your symptoms persist longer than 7 to 10 days, or you develop a fever, of course see your doctor. You could have pneumonia. Also if you have shortness of breath, start coughing up larger quantities of mucus or you notice a change in color from clear to yellow, green or black again see your doctor, you may have bacterial bronchitis which requires treatment. Also if you have chronic lung disease such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema or heart disease and develop acute bronchitis you need to be under a doctors supervision. This condition can become life threatening.

When you have a stuffy nose, sore throat from a cold and the viruses that have invaded your body decide to move further and invade the mucus linings of the bronchi, the tubes that move the air from the windpipe to the lungs. What you have now is acute bronchitis with the painful, persistent cough.

Conventional medicine says that you have no choice but to wait for 7 to 10 days of a typical case of acute bronchitis perhaps taking over the counter medications to mute the symptoms and make you a little more comfortable. But alternative medical doctors say you can shorten a bronchitis attack without drugs. Also there are alternative home remedies that thin the mucus so you can cough them up more easily and they help boost your immune system.

NAC: a mucus thinner.

NAC the nutrient n-acetylcysteine can thin the mucus in your bronchi making it watery and a lot easier to cough up, which is the main goal in the case of acute bronchitis. The dose suggested is 2 600 milligram doses per day. One when you wake up and 0ne just before you go to bed until your symptoms subside. Also continue for a few weeks to be sure to clear up all of the mucus.

HOMEOPATHY: use antiviral engystol.

A homeopathic remedy Engystol-N which is manufactured by BHI and available only through your health care practitioner is a potent virus fighter. It is recommended to patients for all kinds of viral problems, from colds, sore throats to viral acute bronchitis. Acute Bronchitis can also occasionally be caused by bacteria. Follow your doctors advice and dosage continuing until symptoms are gone. The usual dosage is one pill under the tongue three times a day, or up to 6 times a day in very acute episodes.

ASTRAGALUS: an exceptional expectorant.

Astragalus is what herbalists call an expectorant that helps you cough up mucus. Dosage is six to eight drops of astragalus root tincture dissolved in water or take one 500 to 600 milligram capsule of pure root three times a day.

GRAVITY: (yes gravity) a slanted approach.

You can spend time on a slant board an inclined, cushioned board that you lie down on with your feet at the top and head at the bottom. This can help bronchial secretions come up faster and easier. You set the board at a 30 degree angle and lie on the board for up to 30 or 40 minutes at least twice a day.
If you use some astragalus and then lie on the board you should find within 30 to 60 minutes you will be coughing up large quantities of phlegm. Again do this as long as your symptoms persist.

THYME ESSENTIAl OIL: steamy remedie.

Thyme essential oil is helpful in bringing up bronchial mucus, pour water up to the fill line of a vaporizer that generates hot (not a cool mist). Add a few drops of the oil and operate the vaporizer while you are in the room.

HYDROTHERAPY: speed up recovery with mustard.

Covering the chest with a mustard plaster made by applying mustard paste to a warm wet towel is another way to thin the mucus in the bronchi.

- mix 1/2 teaspoon of dried mustard powder with 3 to 4 tablespoons of white flour.

- add enough water to make a watery paste.

- spread paste on a kitchen towel (not a washcloth) and fold the towel into a rectangle about 3 by 6 inches, covering the paste (never put paste directly on the skin) it may burn.

- place right over the breastbone the bronchi are directly under this area.

- fill a hot water bottle with hot (not scalding hot) and put it directly over the towel.

- leave the plaster on for at least 1 hour, but if it becomes too hot remove it. Repeat every 3 to 4 hours until you feel better.

FOODS: helpful hints.

Remember what you eat and drink during a bout of acute bronchitis can either work for or against you, here are some tips...

- Stay away from milk or dairey products as they can produce even more mucus.
- Drink lots of water eight or more glasses a day to help thin the mucus.
- Avoid refined sugar, which weakens the immune system.
- Increase your intake of spicy foods such as horeradish, garlic, onions, and hot peppers at the first signs of acute bronchitis. Spicy foods help break up plugs of mucus in your bronchi so you can cough them up.