Home Remedies for Bronchitis

Hot tea and soothing honey are better home remedies for bronchitis than a spoonful of sugar. Here are nine more remedies you can find in your kitchen.

Before trying your own bronchitis home remedy, you should know that bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. That’s a big difference.

Acute bronchitis often lasts between one and three weeks. It can be caused by a cold or the flu. Common colds and flu viruses are contagious, meaning that acute bronchitis can be as well.

Chronic bronchitis lasts a lot longer, usually several months or longer and may come back year after year. It’s a serious health problem.

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Both acute and chronic forms of bronchitis occur when the lining of your bronchial tubes are inflamed. A sure sign is a recurrent cough accompanied by a thickened yellowish mucus. You can also have flu-like symptoms. If you notice an increase in phlegm, you should see a doctor; you may be coming down with a bacterial infection and need antibiotics.

If you have chronic bronchitis, don’t use these home remedies. Instead, make an appointment to see your doctor. Chronic bronchitis is serious. Without proper medical treatment, you can develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

If you have acute bronchitis, and experience a fever, coughing, or wheezing, stay home, keep warm, and drink plenty of fluids. You can also try these home remedies for bronchitis.

1. Tea with honey

Mary Poppins said: “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Actually, hot tea and soothing honey are a better bronchitis home remedy. Honey, which contains antibacterial properties, boosts your immune system. Use one teaspoon in one cup of hot tea. The hot tea also makes you feel better when you are sick.

You can also add a few drops of lemon juice. Lemon juice can reduce throat inflammation.

2. Gargle with warm saltwater 

Mix one teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Stir and gargle. The saltwater in this bronchitis home remedy cuts the mucous, which causes the irritation. Repeat at least 3 to 4 times a day. Don’t swallow.

3. Add fresh ginger to your tea

Grate about a teaspoon of fresh ginger into a cup of hot tea. You can also add a half-a-teaspoon of pepper and cloves to your hot tea. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. Drink about 3 to 5 cups of this bronchitis home remedy each day.

4. Drink O.J.

Orange juice is filled with vitamin C, which boosts your immune system. It also soothes an inflamed throat.

5. Eat garlic

Dice up fresh garlic cloves and spread them on bread with a little olive oil. Garlic contains antiviral and antibiotic properties. It’s one of the tastiest home remedies for bronchitis.

6. Try raw onions

Loaded with antibacterial and antiviral properties, raw onions can soothe a sore throat and ease inflammation. You can eat a raw onion or drink the juice of one — if you can stomach it. An easier way to ingest raw onion is to mix it, chopped, in a green salad.

7. Make a salve out of mustard

Mix one part of dry yellow mustard with four parts of flour. Add water to make a paste. You can add olive oil for a smoother touch. Spread the mixture onto your chest and cover it with a clean, dry washcloth. Lie down for 20 to 30 minutes and relax. Mustard is an anti-inflammatory.

8. Eat chili peppers

Hot and spicy chili peppers contain capsaicin, which can fight inflammation. This bronchitis home remedy will make your nose run and break up the mucus in your lungs. Just make sure you can handle the heat.

9. Licorice tea

Sweet licorice tea can calm an inflamed throat. Licorice tea is available at most supermarkets. If you can’t find it, you can boil a teaspoon of anise seeds in a cup of hot water. Drink and enjoy.

10. Eat raw, salted, or dry roasted almonds

Almonds contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that encourages healing in respiratory infections. 

In addition to the above bronchitis home remedies, getting a good night’s sleep allows your body to rest and heal. 

You can try these remedies, but see a doctor if your bronchitis persists.

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