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