5 Traditional bronchitis remedies that help relieve symptoms

Bronchitis patients may often experience a cough with phlegm that causes chest pain when coughing. Of course this interferes with daily activities. Apart from medical treatment options for bronchitis, traditional medicines or herbal ingredients can also relieve symptoms of bronchitis. Traditional remedies that you can do yourself at home may be a complement to the treatment recommended by your doctor. What are the choices of natural ingredients?

Folk remedies for bronchitis

Several herbal remedies that are traditionally processed can overcome the discomfort you experience due to bronchitis. In fact, traditional medicine may also help reduce the chances of complications from bronchitis. Here are some herbs that can help you:

1. Pineapple

People who have bronchitis experience inflammation of their bronchi or airways. Well, pineapple can be an alternative to traditional medicine for bronchitis problems.

Pineapple contains bromelain. This enzyme bromelain has been shown to be effective at reducing inflammation in the body. Pineapple fruit can also relieve cough with phlegm symptoms.

Bromelain is easily absorbed by the body without producing severe side effects. Quoted from a journal published by Biotechnology Research International, bromelain contributes many benefits to the treatment of bronchitis, sinusitis, and surgical trauma.

2. Ginger

As is well known, ginger has a calming effect on the body. Ginger is also widely used as one of the traditional medicines to relieve cough, which is a symptom of bronchitis.

Ginger is good for inflamed respiratory tract and acts as an expectorant (removes foreign substances in the body). Experts suggest drinking 2 cups of warm ginger cooking water every day as an herbal remedy for bronchitis.

3. Mix honey and lemon

Honey has long been used as an ingredient in medicinal mixes since ancient times. One of the reasons is thanks to the antibacterial properties in it. Meanwhile, lemon juice is said to be able to eradicate foreign substances in the body. The combination of honey and lemon is what then makes it one of the most reliable traditional bronchitis remedies.

However, you need to remember, do not give honey to children aged 1-3 years, because it will cause symptoms of botulism (poisoning) which can cause muscle paralysis.

4. Garlic

The results of a study published in the National Library of Medicine show that garlic can effectively inhibit the viruses that cause bronchitis. This statement shows that garlic can be used as a bronchitis herbal remedy.

5. Turmeric

A 2011 study published in the journal Inflammation found that turmeric also has anti-inflammatory benefits, even more so than ginger. Turmeric can also increase antioxidants which can overcome irritation and increase your body's resistance.

You can process turmeric as a traditional bronchitis medicine in various ways, such as pounding it, brewing it, and burning it to inhale the smoke.

What are the home remedies for bronchitis?

In addition to various traditional medicinal ingredients, there are various ways that can help you treat bronchitis naturally, namely:

1. Get enough rest

Experts say, the cure for all the most basic diseases is enough sleep. A 2015 study published by the Sleep Journal Foundation found that people who get less sleep are more likely to catch the flu virus than those who get enough sleep.

Likewise, when you want to fight the infection that causes bronchitis, your body really needs time to rest the entire system. The reason is, the flu virus will easily attack a body that is not fit (due to lack of sleep). This condition can often develop into bronchitis. Therefore, according to the advice of Amy Rothenberg, doctor at American Association of Naturopathic,sleeping and resting is the easiest natural way to treat bronchitis.

2. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of mineral water can be one way to treat acute bronchitis naturally. A hydrated body will help thin mucus in the respiratory tract.

Plenty of drinking is also useful to replace lost body fluids. The reason is, when you feel bronchitis, you also feel the symptoms of fever. Avoid drinking alcoholic and caffeine-containing drinks during coughs and fever.

3. Warm steam

Source: Smart Girls

Apart from medicine, inhaling warm steam is one of the traditional methods of bronchitis which is highly recommended. This method can reduce the mucus and wheezing that bronchitis patients usually experience.

Inhaling warm steam is easy, and cheap. You only need to prepare a basin, hot water, and a wide towel.

Pour hot water into the basin. You can also add essential oils, such as eucalyptus or eucalyptus oil. Cover your head and basin with a large towel, bending over to inhale the hot steam from the basin.

4. Gargle salt water

Actually, gargling with salt water does not get rid of the viruses or bacteria that cause bronchitis. However, this method relieves cough symptoms that are usually experienced by bronchitis patients.

Researchers in Japan conducted a study on 400 volunteers who volunteered to gargle with plain water and diluted with an antiseptic. As a result, 36% of people who gargled 3 times a day showed fewer symptoms of respiratory tract infections than those who rarely gargled.

5. Eat warm chicken soup

Researchers at the University of Nebraska published the results of an experiment in chicken soup as a natural bronchitis remedy in the journal Chest in 2000. The results show that chicken soup supports infection resistance of the respiratory tract due to its anti-inflammatory effect.

Herbal, traditional, or natural remedies can indeed help you relieve symptoms of bronchitis. However, you need to remember, all these plants and herbs can not replace the medical treatment given by a doctor. Make sure you do not abandon medical treatment as directed by your doctor.