| Numerous herbs have anti-inflammatory and | | | | is optional. A mustard plaster can be applied to the |
| expectorant capabilities and are helpful in fighting | | | | chest to loosen deep congestion. |
| bronchitis. A handful of common remedies follow. | | | | Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| To soothe a dry bronchial cough, drink a hot | | | | Acupuncture Acupuncture is useful in opening up |
| mullein-coltsfoot tea several times a day | | | | congested bronchial tubes and lessening inflammation, |
| To make the tea, steep 1 teaspoon each of dried | | | | which can ease breathing. and relieve the chronic |
| mullein, coltsfoot, and anise seed in 1 cup boiling water | | | | cough that plagues many bronchitis sufferers. |
| for 10 minutes; strain. | | | | Using auricular therapy, an acupuncturist targets the |
| For bronchial spasms, drink thyme 3 three times daily. | | | | bronchi, heart, lung, and adrenal gland points. In |
| To prepare the tea, steep 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves | | | | performing full-body acupuncture, various lung, liver, |
| in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes; strain | | | | stomach, and bronchial points are manipulated. If |
| through cheesecloth. | | | | additional symptoms are present (coughing, phlegm, or |
| To quiet a cough, try echinacea tincture. Take 15 to 30 | | | | fever) other points are targeted, as necessary. |
| drops 2 to 5 times daily. | | | | Acupressure To relieve bronchial spasms, acupressure |
| To loosen phlegm and open clogged bronchial tubes, | | | | targets the lung, spleen, stomach, kidney, bladder, |
| drink coltsfoot tea daily. To make the tea, steep 1 to 2 | | | | conception vessel, and adrenal points on the forearm, |
| teaspoons of the herb in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 | | | | front of the calf, back of the neck, chest, ankles, and |
| minutes; strain. | | | | upper back (between the shoulder blades and the |
| To soothe inflamed bronchial tubes, sip plain mullein tea. | | | | spine). |
| To make the tea, steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of the herb | | | | Chinese Herbal Therapy Chinese doctors blame |
| in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes; strain. | | | | internal damp-heat conditions for bronchitis, and thus will |
| For an expectorant, try aniseed and garlic. | | | | most often treat this condition by using herbs to expel |
| Other therapeutic herbs include horehound, goldeneal, | | | | the damp-heat and fortify the lungs and bronchial |
| and ginseng. Herbal products are available in health | | | | tubes. |
| food stores and in some pharmacies and | | | | For centuries, apricot seed has been used in formulas |
| supermarkets. Follow package for specific directions. | | | | to treat the coughs and wheezing associated with |
| Homeopathy | | | | bronchitis. Use caution with this herb, as apricot seed |
| Bronchitis may respond to homeopathic treatment. | | | | alone can be toxic in high doses. |
| However, the selection of a remedy-more than one is | | | | Joint fir, or ephedra, is a well-known herbal bronchial |
| available depends on your symptoms and the stage of | | | | dilator, but like apricot seed, is best used in combination. |
| the Condition. Don't try treating this disorder yourself. | | | | Multi-ingredient formulas commonly used to treat |
| See a homeopathic professional. | | | | bronchitis symptoms are Rehmannia Six, Bronchitis Pills |
| Hydrotherapy | | | | (compound), Ginseng and Astragalus, Fritillaria Extract |
| Use steam inhalation to help clear congestion. See | | | | Pills, and Mahuang and Ginkgo Formula. Read out for |
| "Aromatherapy" in "Introduction to Complementary | | | | Liposuction cost. |
| Therapies" section for directions. Adding aromatic oils | | | | |