| Breathing problems are becoming more common as | | | | Acupuncture An imbalance in the flow of energy to |
| air becomes more polluted. Many alternative therapies, | | | | the lungs can be treated by inserting needles into the |
| especially herbal medicine and homeopathy, can help in | | | | Lung meridian on the arms, or into the meridian of |
| many of the more common conditions that affect the | | | | another organ with a related rhythm. |
| respiratory system. | | | | Bronchitis/wheezing |
| Coughs | | | | Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways that |
| Coughing is the body's natural way of clearing irritation | | | | connect the windpipe to the lungs (bronchi). Acute |
| and congestion from the lungs and airways. A dry | | | | bronchitis lasts up to two weeks and is caused by a |
| cough is reacting to an irritant, a productive cough | | | | variety of viruses and bacteria. It can be dangerous in |
| helps to expel congested phlegm. A common cold or | | | | the elderly and those with heart disease. Chronic |
| influenza is usually accompanied by a cough. But | | | | bronchitis is more serious and can last for months, |
| coughs can be a sign of other respiratory problems (a | | | | getting progressively worse. It is usually caused by |
| hoarse cough may indicate laryngitis in an adult and | | | | breathing polluted air or smoking. Coal miners and |
| croup or whooping cough in a child), or more serious | | | | construction workers, for example, are particularly |
| breathing disorders (see Pleurisy, Pneumonia, | | | | susceptible. |
| Tuberculosis, Emphysema, and Asthma). | | | | Symptoms of bronchitis include a persistent cough |
| Treatment | | | | producing phlegm, breathlessness, chest pains, fever, |
| Herbal Medicine Make infusions of the following:for | | | | and headache. |
| most coughs white horehound is effectivefor a hard | | | | Treatment |
| cough use mulleinfor an irritating cough in adults use | | | | Aromatherapy Take deep inhalations of eucalyptus |
| wild lettuce, and in children wild cherry bark (a mild | | | | and sweet thyme. |
| sedative)for a cough with a fever use yarrow or | | | | Herbal Medicine A cupful of elecampane infusion, three |
| angelicafor a catarrhal cough use elecampane or | | | | times daily, can be helpful in clearing mucus and easing |
| elderflower. | | | | a bronchial cough. And taking garlic capsules every |
| Diet and Nutrition Biochemic tissue salts, taken in tablet | | | | night in winter and herbal teas cold twice daily may |
| form:for a hard, dry cough with fever - Ferrum | | | | help prevent a recurrence of acute bronchitis. |
| phos.for a cough with thick, white phlegm - Kali mur.for | | | | Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for: |
| a cough with yellow phlegm that is worse at night - | | | | Homeopathy Remedies will be prescribed for the |
| Kali sulf.for a spasmodic painful cough - Magnesia | | | | individual case but may include the following: Aconite |
| phos.for a loose, rattling cough with watery phlegm | | | | 6c for fever, tight chest, tickly cough, and thirst might |
| ÂCalcarea, alternating with Ferrum phos. | | | | be recommended; Kali bich. 6c when there is loose |
| Aromatherapy Massage chest and back with essential | | | | white sputum, a rattling cough, and irritability; |
| oils-eucalyptus, sandalwood, frankincense, and myrrh | | | | Phosphorus 6c for voice loss, burning throat, cough, |
| are recommended. Add essential oils to hot water and | | | | and thirst; Pulsatilla for dry cough at night when lying |
| inhale to help expel phyegm. For a dry, hard cough, try | | | | down, lack of thirst, and loose green sputum in the |
| cypress, hyssop, bergamot, or cammomile oil used as | | | | morning. |
| steam inhalations. | | | | Traditional Chinese Medicine This treatment aims to |
| Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for: | | | | improve lung energy with remedies such as plantain |
| Acupressure Coughing spasms in the upper back can | | | | seed, balloon flower root, honeysuckle flowers, or |
| be relieved by pressure on the point between the | | | | gardenia fruit. |
| shoulder blade and spine, at heart level. | | | | Read out for Herbal medicines. |