Bronchitis may be defined as a distressing and often serious type of inflammation affecting the windpipe, or bronchial tubes, in the chest. There are two types of bronchitis:
- Acute Bronchitis
- Chronic Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis: In acute bronchitis the larynx, trachea and bronchial tubes are acutely inflamed. The tissues are swollen because of irritation; large amount of mucus is secreted and poured into the bronchial tubes to protect the inflamed mucous membrane. Unless this thick, sticky material is removed, it may obstruct the windpipe, causing more severe diseases like atelactasis and pneumonia. The common cold is probably the most frequent cause of acute bronchitis.
During the acute stage of bronchitis there is usually a high fever and some difficulty in breathing. There is a constant cough. Hoarseness may also be present and some pain in the chest. Difficulty in breathing continues until the inflammation has decreased. And thick secretions have removed. Chilliness is present with internal coldness, also cold hands and feet, rawness beneath the sternum, some tightness and oppression of the chest, cough may be dry, hard, ringing, expulsive, paroxysmal, tearing which leaves great soreness under the sternum. After few days the cough, which was at first dry, becomes moist and is accompanied by slight expectoration of mucus and occasionally some blood. As the amount of expectoration increases all the other symptoms decreases, and then in turn abnormal secretion and expectoration also decreases at the end of 7 to 10 days.
Chronic bronchitis: It is of long duration. This condition arises from sinusitis, nasal drip, or infected tonsils and adenoids. In chronic bronchitis permanent change may have occurred in the lungs such as pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema and other serious complications.
Normally the lungs are very elastic and flexible. It is their function to expand and contract within the chest as we breathe in and out. Any chronic inflammation of the lungs, such as fibrosis or scarring, interferes with the normal movement of the lungs so that the air cannot be inhaled and exhaled freely. In asthmatic patients and those suffering from tuberculosis or congestive heart failure the situation becomes worse. Severe coughing may produce blood as well as copious mucus filled with pus and bacteria. This will lead to Bronchopneumonia a more serious condition.
Those who suffer from chronic bronchitis should stop smoking and remain in a smoke free atmosphere as much as possible. Such patients should avoid heavy exercise. They should adopt the occupations that do not require heavy breathing. As far as possible they should avoid cold draughts of air for these always bring on a paroxysm of coughing. The patient should follow a good, well balanced diet and take extra vitamins to aid in the healing of the inflamed tissues.
The below given are some of the home remedies for bronchitis cure:
- Take 2 cups fresh daikon juice and add honey to taste. Combine the juice and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Drink, warm, twice a day. This is one of the useful home remedies for bronchitis.
- Drink plenty of fluids to wash away the mucus.
- Hot, spicy foods help mucous membranes all over, not just in your nose, to secrete more liquids, which can help thin mucus, which is easy to remove.
- Patients with bronchitis should avoid smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and any other such product.
- Humidity may help soothe the irritatedbronchial membranes. Close the door to your child's bedroom and turn on the vaporizer about a half-hour before he goes to sleep and leave it on all night.
- Take half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with half a glass of milk, two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.
- Prepare a mixture comprising of half a teaspoon each of the powder of ginger, pepper, and cloves, and take three times a day. It may be licked with honey or taken as an infusion with tea. This is one of the best home remedies for bronchitis
- One teaspoon of raw onion juice, first thing in the morning, is very beneficial in such cases.
- Fifty grams of fresh leaves of spinach, and 250 ml of water should be mixed with a pinch of ammonium chloride and one teaspoonful of honey. This infusion is an effective expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis.
- Prepare a mixture by adding one teaspoon of sesame seeds, with a teaspoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt, and a teaspoon of honey, it is very effective if taken at night for cases of chronic bronchitis.
- Make a powder of seven kernels of almonds and mix the powdered kernels in a cup of orange or lemon juice.
- The powder of the dry root of Chicory or endive should be given in doses of half a teaspoon mixed with one teaspoonful of honey thrice daily.
- A hot poultice of linseed (alsi) may be prepared by mixing one cup or sixteen tablespoons of the seeds with a quantity of hot water. Apply it on the chest.
- Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also essential for the treatment of bronchitis. The patient is advised to take a morning walk every day.
- Prepare a mixture by adding ½ teaspoon honey with ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Take this every 12 hours. Honey relieves the itchiness by moisturizing the throat passage
- Mix 8 - 10 tablespoons of coconut milk with 1 tablespoon poppy seeds and 1 tablespoon of pure honey. Take this every night before going to bed. This is one of the important home remedies for bronchitis.
- In one cup of warm milk, add 2 – 3 strands of saffron (kesar) and drink twice a day.
- Mix half a teaspoon of tulsi juice with half a teaspoon with ginger juice. Add 1 teaspoon of honey. Take the above mixture 2-3 times a day till symptoms subside. This is a very effective home remedy for bronchitis cure .
- Take 1 cup of water and add 4-5 leaves of tulsi; a small piece of ginger (adrak) and 1 teaspoon of jaggery. Boil this mixture over slow heat till the quantity becomes half a cup. Drink this at least 2 times in a day.
- Slice 2 snow pears into small pieces. Add 3 bowls of water and boil until the water has reduced to 2 bowls. Strain and discard the pears, and add 30 grams of rice to the liquid. Boil again until rice is cooked. Drink the soup.
- Another home remedy for bronchitis cure is - peel 50 grams fresh ginger and cut into small slices. Boil the slices with 100 grams maltose in 2 glasses water for 30 minutes. Drink it hot, twice a day, in one day.
Reference:
The Editors of Time-Life Books. The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative and Conventional Treatments. Alexandria, VA: Time Life, Inc., 1996.
Ayurveda: A Way of Life
Clifford R. Anderson, M.D. : Your Guide To Health. Second edition.
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural Secrets to Healing, Prevention, & Longevity
MY CART 
CHECKOUT
