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