If you wake up one morning, hoping you’ve struggled with that terrible cough, only to find yourself coughing up phlegm again, you may have developed a rather painful infection that may indicate bronchitis.
What is bronchitis?
Before I go on to tell you some easy remedies that can help with acute bronchitis, you have to know a little more about the infection itself. Armed with this information, you will have a better chance of fighting it.
Acute bronchitis is a fairly common infection that afflicts at least 1 in 10 people you meet on your way to work . Very often, bronchitis is caused by the same virus that causes colds and coughs; bronchitis can also be caused by bacteria or even fungi .
Bronchitis often follows a common cold when your resistance is very low. If not corrected, bronchitis can lead to pneumonia which can be life threatening.
How do you know if you have bronchitis?
- Persistent cough with the expulsion of mucus
- Wheezing
- Chest discomfort
- Difficulty breathing
Home remedies for bronchitis:
If you feel related to the above symptoms, you may be suffering from bronchitis , and it is time for you to pay a visit to your doctor . Along with some antibiotics to reduce phlegm, the following home remedies are essential to speed your recovery.
1. Gargle:
Spit every time you cough and get rid of that sputum . Better outside than inside. Inhale steam at home, but be careful when doing so. Boiling water can cause burns if you’re not careful. Gargle with warm water and remember to add salt to the mixture, a pinch of turmeric added to the water will help decongest the phlegm in your airways.
2. Eucalyptus oil:
The fragrance of eucalyptus oil itself can soothe the most nagging and persistent headache . Keep the eucalyptus oil on hand. Put a few drops on your tissue and smell it often. The oil is said to have germ-fighting abilities and helps fight coughs by killing germs. Inhaling this oil will also help clear narrowed airways.
3. Hot drinks:
Unlike common slang in many local indigenous languages, by hot drinks we do not mean alcohol. Make sure to keep your respiratory system slightly moist to avoid excess pain from coughing. Drink plenty of hot liquids, water, tea, coffee, soup, hot chocolate, etc. to keep the throat moist and avoid feeling dry as it often leads to irritation and an itchy sensation.
4. Almonds:
Soak almonds and eat them on an empty stomach with a glass of hot milk. Remember to chew properly. You can also crush some almonds in a glass of orange juice for quick results. Almonds are rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and they help fight germs and bacteria that cause bronchitis.
5. The chili peppers:
Eat chili peppers as this will help thin the thick and stubborn mucus and flush it out of your system. Chili peppers, hot sauce or dishes made with cayenne pepper are a great treat when you are suffering from a bout of bronchitis or even cold.
6. Exotic oregano:
Did you know that oregano is a great antibiotic? Oregano has been used for decades to cure and fight bronchitis. It works as an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent, and helps reduce congestion in the chest due to swelling and stops the progress of infection by slowing the growth of bacteria and microbes.
7. Garlic and Honey:
This is one of the best home remedies for bronchitis . Chop garlic and onion, and eat them with honey. The combination has to be swallowed without chewing and is taken twice a day. Both onion and garlic have antibiotic properties and put you on the road to quick recovery. Honey also helps you lower the strength of the mixture.
8. A Sweet Remedy:
Delicious food ingredients, cinnamon and honey are loaded with antioxidants and enzymes that send the body into activity by producing disease-fighting white blood cells and strengthening the immune system . Honey has a soothing effect on the throat as well.
9. It is flavored:
There’s nothing like a cup of steaming hot tea when you’re sick with bronchitis . Add to your tea a little thyme and spring, and surely you have prepared the best home remedy that can help fight bronchitis.
10. Drink lots of water:
Water is a natural mucolytic. Most of us swallow spoonfuls of expectorants (cough syrups) forgetting that drinking lots of plain water will have the same effect. If your throat hurts, warm up some water and enjoy it throughout the day.