12 home remedies for bronchitis that you did not know about

Bronchitis is the result of respiratory tract infection. Its treatment is mainly oriented towards the use of antitussives to relieve coughing, which is why many people rely on the use of home remedies that offer this property.

This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles that make up the respiratory system, although there is also involvement of the nasal passages, larynx and pharynx in the first days of illness.

Note: The main symptom of acute bronchitis is the constant presence of cough which worsens at night and persists for approximately 2 weeks, also its severity increases as the disease progresses.

This cough can be dry or be accompanied by expectoration.

Other symptoms would be fever and muscle pain, and in more serious cases there may be respiratory distress. It is important to point out that acute bronchitis is one of the most common causes of consultation in the emergency medical service.

Bronchitis is of viral origin in approximately 80% of cases, and 20% is attributed to the action of some bacteria. That is why the use of antibiotics to treat this disease is contraindicated unless a doctor prescribes it.

Important: If the bronchitis developed due to a virus, antibiotics, being formulated to destroy bacteria, will have no effect, and their use will only favor the development of antibiotic resistance in the body.

This resistance response (which is usually the product of self-medication and indiscriminate use) is one of the reasons why plant-based treatments and home remedies usually have a positive effect on the body.

There are a variety of plants, herbs and fruits that, thanks to their components, alleviate the respiratory symptoms caused by bronchitis, which is why they are an effective therapy to accompany the treatment prescribed by the specialist doctor.

This is why we have created a list of 12 home remedies (backed by scientific evidence) for bronchitis therapy.

1. Tea with honey

Tea is known to have antioxidant properties thanks to its vitamins C and E, which act in conjunction with catechins and the catalase enzyme to protect against diseases as they reinforce the activity of the immune system.

For its part , honey has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects largely thanks to the action of cytokines. A study showed that the union of honey with tea offers good antioxidant and protective properties to tissues.

In addition, in another investigation they determined that honey decreases the frequency and severity of coughing in children and adults undergoing treatment with this natural remedy.

Note: To make a green tea infusion, first boil a cup of water, once it reaches the boiling point it is removed from the heat, a tablespoon of green tea is added and it is left to rest for 5 minutes. Finally, you must strain it and add two tablespoons of honey.

2. Water vapor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breathing steam from a vaporizer or directly from a bowl of hot water helps decrease stuffy and runny noses by loosening mucus.

Another feasible option is to take hot showers for a few minutes, which also allows fluids to drain more easily.

3. Ginger

Some of the benefits of ginger are having various therapeutic properties, it is a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, relaxing and antimicrobial, which is why it is an adjuvant in the treatment of infectious diseases.

This root consists of two molecules, gingerol and 6-shogaol, which have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as they inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins.

Ginger is ingested in the form of a decoction, for this part of the root is crushed, and then boiled in two cups of water for 10 minutes. This remedy can be accompanied with two tablespoons of honey and a few drops of lemon.

4. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is used to treat respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, either with the use of its leaves or its essential oil. This treatment can be performed orally or inhaled depending on the presentation used.

When the essential oil is eliminated through the respiratory tract, it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, mucolytic and expectorant properties due to the action of cineole. In addition, it also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins.

In addition to this, eucalyptus essential oil is antitussive, reducing dry cough.

To highlight: A study carried out in 242 people with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis who were indicated a treatment with 200mg of 1,8-cineole for 10 days, resulted in a decrease in the amount of secretion, frequency of coughing and respiratory distress. .

For the eucalyptus decoction, place a liter of water and a handful of leaves in a pot, and let them boil for approximately 15 minutes. Inhale the steam covering your head with a cloth, perform up to three times a day.

You can also do inhalations with three drops of essential oil in 250ml of boiling water, three times a day.

If you want to use it orally, make an infusion with a tablespoon of pulverized leaves in a cup of water and drink it up to 4 times a day.

Another option is to rub a few drops of essential oil on the chest or back twice a day.

These remedies are indicated for use in people over 5 years of age.

5. Lemon juice

Lemon is a fruit highly used in naturopathic medicine. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects have been scientifically proven thanks to its amino acids and B vitamins, especially C, also called ascorbic acid.

Its therapeutic effects are also mediated by its flavonoids (diosmin, hesperidin, limocitrin) which give it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Lemon juice can be drunk at room temperature, but ideally it should be eaten warm. For this, pour a cup of previously boiled water over the juice of a lemon, if you wish you can sweeten it with honey. It is taken every 4 hours.

6. Water and salt

Saline water or salt water can be used to gargle and rinse your mouth and thus reduce excess mucus that covers and irritates the throat.

To do this, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water (previously boiled) and proceed to wash the mouth and throat for 30 seconds.

7. Mallow infusions

Mallow flowers and leaves have therapeutic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tissue protection effects. This action is mediated by the flavonoids (anthocyanins) that compose it, found mainly in the flowers.

Another of its properties is antitussive due to its mucilages present in the leaves (mainly), flowers and roots.

Finally, its antioxidant action is also given by vitamin E (tocopherols) and vitamin C.

Note: The mallow infusion is made by adding a tablespoon of flowers to a cup of previously boiled water and letting it rest for a few minutes. Two to three cups are taken a day.

8. Oregano

Oregano essential oil, through its phenolic compounds such as thymol and carvacrol , provides antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Note: Oregano is prepared as a decoction with three tablespoons of it and two cups of water. This drink can be sweetened with honey if desired.

9. Marshmallow root

The marshmallow has among its components: phenolic compounds, amino acids, mucilage, etc., which have been previously mentioned as adjuvants in the treatment of symptoms caused by bronchitis. (3)

That is, this plant offers antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and antioxidant properties through its root and flower extracts.

Its anti-inflammatory action is given by the inhibition of interleukin-6 (cytokine with anti-inflammatory action).

In turn, the root also favors the action of the immune system thanks to the fact that it increases the action of phagocytes and macrophages and the number of T lymphocytes.

Tip: Make a decoction with 1 teaspoon of root in half a cup of water. Take 3 times a day.

10. Bromelain

Bromelain or bromelain is an extract from pineapple that has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties, as well as favoring the absorption of antibiotics (remember that a small percentage of bronchitis is caused by bacteria).

Its anti-inflammatory action is due to the fact that it activates interleukin and interferon.

Since bromelain is extracted from the stem and raw fruit, it is recommended to eat a cup of pineapple once a day.

11. Thyme

Thyme is one of the herbs with the highest level of antioxidants, its flavonoids include lutein, zeaxanthin, luteolin, thymonin, among others. Being thymol (phenolic compound) its main antioxidant.

Other of its antioxidants are vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy mucous membranes, and vitamin C promotes resistance against the action of infectious microorganisms and enhances the elimination of free radicals.

In addition to this, it is considered to provide antiseptic, antitussive, antimicrobial and antiviral activity.

Note: Thyme is used as an infusion made with a teaspoon of dried flowers for each cup. This drink can be ingested three times a day.

12. Almonds and hot milk

One of the benefits of almonds is being rich in vitamin E which enhances and stimulates the action of the immune system. At the same time, it consists of antioxidants such as: quercetin, catechin, quercitrin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, epicatechin, naringenin, etc.

The almond in union with the milk is an effective remedy to relieve the cough and the irritation that this produces. It is recommended to ingest a glass of warm milk sweetened with honey to which 2 tablespoons of almond powder are added.

Key Findings

• Bronchitis is an infection of the respiratory tract where the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles tend to become inflamed. In some cases, the nostrils, larynx, and pharynx are compromised.
• For this disease it is very common for people to initially rely on the use of home remedies. Well , it is of viral origin in 80% of cases. The other 20% is attributed to the action of some bacteria.
• Among the most common home solutions to treat bronchitis are: tea infusions such as tea with honey, ginger and thyme. As well as breathing the vapor either from water or eucalyptus.
• The use of antibiotics is contraindicated to treat this disease, unless the condition requires it and it is prescribed by a doctor.