Natural Remedies for Bronchitis

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Natural remedies for bronchitis
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Natural Remedies for Bronchitis

You probably already know that there are many natural remedies for colds and flu. One hundred years ago, families wouldn’t have made the trek to the doctor for something so easily managed at home.

There’s a misconception that bronchitis is a very serious illness that always needs a trip to the doctor and a prescription. Though bronchitis can be serious, it almost always clears up on its own, although it may take a while. In the meantime, there are some natural remedies for bronchitis that can help speed healing and offer symptom relief.

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. This and the excess mucus produced cause a cough and make it harder to breathe.

Bronchitis most often occurs from a virus (like a cold or flu) but occasionally it’s caused by bacteria. In fact, 95 percent of acute bronchitis cases (bronchitis that doesn’t recur) are caused by viruses, not bacteria, meaning antibiotics are almost never needed.

Most cases of bronchitis are acute (about a 5-10 day flare-up). Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that happens persistently, usually caused by environmental factors like cigarette smoke or excessive pollution.

Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis: What to Look For

Since bronchitis most often occurs after a viral illness, many of the symptoms of bronchitis are similar to a cold or flu. The main symptom of bronchitis is a cough that is persistent and productive (brings up phlegm).

  • mucousy cough
  • wheezing
  • low fever and chills
  • chest tightening
  • sore throat
  • body aches
  • breathlessness
  • headaches
  • stuffy nose and sinuses

To know when a cold is turning into bronchitis, pay attention to the symptoms. If a cough becomes more productive or if you feel like you have a “chest cold,” you may have bronchitis.

As always this is the advice of a mom and not a doctor, so check with one if you have any concern about your symptoms. Some troubling signs might be if you have a cough for more than two weeks, a fever, produce bloody or colored mucus, or have any wheezing or other difficulty breathing.

Bronchitis Treatments

Conventional treatment for bronchitis may include bronchodilators, OTC pain relievers, and cough medicines, which all have side effects. Bronchodilators are prescription medications that help relax the bronchial muscle to make breathing easier. Common side effects include:

  • headaches
  • nausea
  • stomach upset
  • flu-like symptoms
  • cold symptoms
  • ear infections
  • bronchitis
  • cough

Uh… these side effects sound very similar to the original illness! This is the main reason I prefer to use natural remedies for bronchitis and colds instead.

OTC pain relievers like Tylenol can be harmful (and overdosing is common) especially in children whose livers aren’t as good at processing toxins. It also makes sense to avoid putting toxins into a body that is already burdened by fighting an illness.

As far as cold medicines, there’s no hard evidence for or against taking them for bronchitis, so I wouldn’t risk the side effects or the burden on the body. In my view, a good dose of elderberry syrup will do more to fix the problem and heal faster than cold medicines do.

Though medications have their place, my first choice is always a more natural approach to avoid side effects and risks.

Natural Remedies for Bronchitis

Bronchitis can bring on miserable symptoms, but conventional treatments come with some hefty side effects. These are some of my favorite natural remedies for bronchitis.

Remove Irritants

If bronchitis is brought on by cigarette smoke or other environmental irritants, the first thing to do would be to remove those irritants. An air filter or purifier is helpful in removing irritants that are causing respiratory problems.

Rest

Sleep affects almost every aspect of health, so getting enough sleep and rest are really great starting points to fight illness. For those who have trouble sleeping on a regular basis, getting good sleep regularly can help keep the body at optimal germ-fighting ability.

Healthy Diet

It’s always a good idea to eat healthy food, but during an illness it’s especially important. Since bronchitis is often preceded by a cold or flu, boosting the body’s ability to fight illness is important.

  • Eliminate white foods. This includes grains, sugars, milk, cheese, dairy, sweeteners, soda, etc. These foods suppress immune function and slow the body’s ability to heal.
  • Eat homemade chicken soup. Chicken soup contains cysteine, a natural amino acid, which helps loosen mucus so it can be expelled more easily.
  • Focus on high nutrient, anti-inflammatory foods when hungry, but don’t force eating. The body doesn’t need to eat much while sick and fasting allows the the body to focus on healing rather than digestion.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is incredibly important for optimal health but is especially crucial during illness. If fighting a fever too, the body needs even more water than usual to avoid dehydration. Herbal teas and water are the best choices to keep hydration levels up. Getting enough fluids also helps loosen mucus and moisturizes the throat.

Humidifier

A humidifier in the bedroom at night or throughout the house in the day can make a huge difference in breathing. Moist air soothes and relaxes the bronchial tubes making breathing easier. More moisture also helps cut down on nosebleeds and other chronic ailments that come with dry, irritated nasal passages.

Honey

Honey is one of my favorite home remedies since it’s powerful and yummy — even kids love it. It soothes irritated mucous membranes and is effective against upper respiratory infection in children. Swallow a spoonful of honey (let it sit at the throat if possible) as needed.

Herbs

Herbs are a great way to deal with ailments naturally and are backed by science.

  • Echinacea – This herb has been used for centuries by Native American tribes to treat colds, flus, and similar illnesses. A 2011 study showed that echinacea has potent antiviral properties. All strains of human and avian influenza viruses tested (including a Tamiflu-resistant strain) were very sensitive to a standard echinacea preparation. Other illnesses that echinacea were found to be useful for are herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinoviruses.
  • Astragalus – This herb that can boost the immune system. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus has specific action on the lungs. According to the University Maryland Medical Center, astragalus can help prevent upper respiratory infections. Another study shows that astragalus is helpful in reducing inflammation.
  • Ginseng – Well known even in mainstream health, ginseng is a potent herbal remedy. Ginseng has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties which help boost immune function.

Supplements

Because our food is so depleted of important nutrients (even the healthy stuff!), supplements can be very helpful to give the body what it needs to function properly and heal.

  • Glutathione – Glutathione is the most important molecule for optimal health (as mentioned by Dr. Mark Hyman in this post) and is necessary to help the body fight infection and illness. Try 1 sublingual tablet daily for general immune support.
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) – A study published in the European Respiratory Review shows that this amino acid derivative can be useful for treating chronic bronchitis as this supplement increases glutathione in the body. I use this one.
  • Vitamin C – Vitamin C is one of the most common remedies for colds and flu, but vitamin C can also be beneficial in treating bronchitis. Studies show vitamin C to be a useful tool against viral and bacterial infections by preventing, shortening, and alleviating infections (including respiratory). In one study, mega doses of vitamin C (3000 mg daily in 3 doses) relieved and prevented symptoms of cold and flu. This is the best supplement I’ve found.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can be incredibly potent natural remedies when used safely. For respiratory illness, steam inhalation or diffusing are the best ways to use essential oils.

  • Eucalyptus – A 2009 study published in Respiratory Research shows that eucalyptus oil can reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function.
  • Oregano and Thyme – A study published in Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease found that oregano and thyme essential oils have potent antibacterial action. (It is not safe for children or pregnant women, and possibly breastfeeding women as well).
  • According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), other essential oils for bronchitis treatment are spike lavender and rosemary (both unsafe for children under 6 years old), and tea tree oil for steam inhalation.

The Bottom Line on Beating Bronchitis

The best way to avoid illness is to eat a healthy diet, and live a healthy lifestyle every day. But illness is still going to happen occasionally. When bronchitis strikes, natural remedies are the best first line of defense that may also improve overall health.

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Have you treated bronchitis naturally in your home? What was your experience?

Sources
  1. Smith SM, Schroeder K, Fahey T. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(11):CD001831.
  2. MSc, I. M. (2007, December 01). Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/571638
  3. Hudson, J., & Vimalanathan, S. (2011, July). Echinacea—A Source of Potent Antivirals for Respiratory Virus Infections. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058675/
  4. Huang, L. F. (n.d.). The effect of Astragaloside IV on immune function of regulatory T cell mediated by high mobility group box 1 protein in vitro. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22981502/
  5. Shergis, J. L. Therapeutic potential of Panax ginseng and ginsenosides in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25440386/
  6. Hemila, H. Vitamin C and Infections. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409678/
  7. Gorton, H. C. (1999). The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10543583/
  8. Worth, H. (2009). Concomitant therapy with Cineole (Eucalyptole) reduces exacerbations in COPD: A placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Retrieved from https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1465-9921-10-69
  9. Formonitti, M. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of cultivated oregano (Origanum vulgare), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4400296/
  10. Fulchur, L. Essential Oils for Acute Bronchitis. Retrieved from https://naha.org/index.php/naha-blog/essential-oils-for-acute-bronchitis

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

36 responses to “Natural Remedies for Bronchitis”

  1. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    This article misses 2 important things. First, raw dairy products should not produce an immune response and there isn’t scientific documentation that dairy increases mucous. Second, you don’t specify which type of echinacea should be used. Echinacea angustifolia root is the only echinacea with beneficial antiviral capabilities. If people are depending on your information, it’s imperative that it’s accurate.

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      Much of the scientific research done on Echinacea is with E. purpurea and it also has a long history of use as an antiviral, especially in indigenous communities. Here’s one example https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16177972/ Some herbalists are still of the opinion though that E. angustifolia is the better option, it just depends on who you ask.

      And opinions on milk and mucus production are mixed, but there is some evidence supporting it can be an issue for some people. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19932941/

  2. Anadia Avatar

    Hi from South-Africa!
    I love reading your blogs.

    Could you perhaps help me with some studies/ trials about the benefits of Fulvic and Humic acid for humans?
    I am really battling to find any.

  3. Gina Avatar

    Aloe Vera!! Clears mucus like a boss. Serious business.
    I always have a plant in my house. Let’s not mention how it also excels at healing burns and other ills.

  4. Tanya Avatar

    Love all of the recommendations. I end up getting bronchitis every time I get a cold. What has worked from me in the past was Licorice root tea.

  5. Arlene Avatar

    I have heard that a lot of bronchitis is fungus/yeast/mold derived and that by taking antifungals (natural herbs or over the counter) and eating a ton of veggies and clean protein (eliminating sugar/carbs that feed the yeast) will get rid of the cough.

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