Bronchitis Remedies Worth Trying
There are several bronchitis remedies that you can try in your own home that are for the most part quite effective in relieving the symptoms, clearing up the condition, or both. Since most cases of bronchitis are caused by a virus, the condition usually has to go away on its own, but home bronchitis remedies can make the situation favorable to that end, and also help prevent complications, such as pneumonia, from occurring should the virus hang on for an extended period. Some remedies are designed purely for the purpose of relieving the symptoms, which in itself can eventually lead to curing the underlying problem.
The term bronchitis literally translates to bronchial inflammation, which is what is happening. Not only does the inflammation result in irritation, such as a scratchy or burning throat, which can bring on fits of coughing, or make swallowing uncomfortable, but also cause mucus to accumulate in the throat which constantly needs to be coughed up. Home bronchitis remedies are fine for most adults who have a strong immune system, probably most of us, but are not always sufficient for those with a weaker immune system. In such cases, the underlying problem needs to be dealt with, not just the symptoms, and a physician should be brought into the picture. Those with weaker immune systems tend to by young children, the elderly, and those who suffer from certain systemic diseases.
The first thing some people do is rush to the drug store or supermarket and get a bottle of over the counter cough medicine. This should actually be a last resort, especially if the person having the bronchitis is taking any other medication. Cough medicine rarely cures anything, but in many cases will help suppress coughing. The problem with this is, coughing is one way the infection is eliminated from the body. Bronchitis by the way is a contagious infection, spread both through the air, from coughing, and from physical contact. Coughing should not be discouraged however unless one is in a place where it's definitely inappropriate, or when it's interfering with sleep.
Humidity And Fluids - Humidity can help relieve coughing and is better for you than is a cough suppressant. At the very least, try to avoid having to stay where the air is very dry, as this can irritate the throat and bronchial tubes.
If you don't have a humidifier and don't want to spend a lot of time sitting over a pan of boiling water to breathe in the steam, just drinking plenty of fluids can help. Fluids, especially juices, help break up the mucus. Even plain water helps. Gargling can also help, at least as far as cleaning out the mucus in the back of the throat is concerned. Warm salt water is recommended, with a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water being about the right amount.
Nuts, Herbs, and Spices - There are some things you can eat or drink, besides water and juices that can help. Almonds, one of the healthiest food items of the tree nut family, are supposedly very good for bronchitis. Eating nuts can sometimes cause coughing, so this is something to be tried once to see if it will work or not. But almonds are known to have healing powers, so are worth a try. If eating them whole tends to make you cough, try eating slivers of them in a vegetable or fruit salad. An onion is also good, at least as far as being an expectorant is concerned. Prepare the onion anyway you like. If chewing on a raw onion isn't your idea of a fun cure for anything, try onion soup. A cup of hot soup if nothing else will be soothing to the throat.
Lemon juice is good as well, whether you drink it or use it as a gargle. Various herbs and spices can offer relief, and you don't necessarily have to eat them. The good old fashioned mustard plaster, applied to the chest is often very effective. Applying a mustard plaster may even bring back pleasant memories of childhood.
In summary, there are plenty of bronchitis remedies worth trying, almost all of them being superior to cough medicine.