Getting rid of bronchitis
![Bronchitis is swelling of airways mostly due to a virus.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/acute-bronchitis.jpg?output-quality=75)
Bronchitis is swelling of airways mostly due to a virus. Rarely, bacteria or fungi can also be the reason. Swelling in bronchial tubes may restrict air to and from your lungs. It typically causes a bad cough, chest discomfort, and fatigue. You may need to consult a doctor to distinguish bronchitis from pneumonia. Below are a few ways to reduce the symptoms of bronchitis naturally.
Simple remedies to manage bronchitis at home are:
- Hydration: Liquids loosen the mucus and secretions in the throat. Make sure you drink a lot of warm water, broths, or soups. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Green tea steeped in ginger and lemongrass may work wonders.
- Honey has many medicinal properties. Soothing a sore throat is one of them. The honey also has antibacterial properties, which may help with your infection. Sipping honey diluted in half a glass of water soothes many cases of bronchitis. Do not give honey to kids younger than 1 year.
- Spicy foods containing capsaicin like chili peppers can significantly reduce congestion and coughing and relieve the symptoms of bronchitis. You can drink pepper tea or sprinkle your chicken soup with pepper powder.
- Gargling with salt water may provide a double dose of relief by soothing the inflammation in the throat and by cutting through some of the mucus that may be coating and irritating the sensitive throat membranes. Take one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle with this solution as often as needed but be sure to spit the salty water out after gargling.
- Use a warm- or cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air. The added humidity will soothe the sore throat and help you to breathe better.
- Standing in a steamy shower with the bathroom door closed, or inhale the warm, moist air/vapor by keeping a pan of water at a slow boil on the stove or using a tea kettle can also help loosen and bring up phlegm. If you add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the water, it can be quite soothing.
Common kitchen remedies may be tried but they have no proven benefits:
- Onions are expectorants and help the flow of mucus. Gather some fresh onions (and garlic for added power) and cut them into thin slices. Steam them for some time and place them in an old (but clean) sock. You have essentially created a natural poultice. Place this over your chest and back to loosen the phlegm.
- Mustard seed expectorant: The high content of sulfur compounds in the mustard help thin the mucus. Grind one teaspoon mustard seeds in a coffee grinder and soak in one cup warm water for 15 minutes and take a teaspoonful thrice a day.
Bonus remedies:
- Thyme contains a chemical compound called thymol. It has distinct antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties that are useful in beating back various types of infections, including bronchitis. As a powerful expectorant, this herb helps rid the body of mucus, strengthens the lungs to fight off infection, and acts as a shield against bacteria. One can use dried thyme as a seasoning or make a tea by adding one-fourth to half teaspoon thyme to one cup boiling water (it's a very strong herb, so you don't need much). Steep for 5 minutes and sweeten with honey. If you have thyme oil on hand, you can use that instead. Dilute it (two parts olive or corn oil to one-part thyme oil) and rub it on your chest to cure congestion.
- Marshmallow root is an herbal supplement thought to soothe irritated mucus membranes located in the throat and mouth. The roots and leaves of marshmallows contain a thick substance called mucilage. When mixed with water, mucilage forms a gel-like texture that can coat the throat like honey.
The worst of acute bronchitis typically lasts anywhere from 3 to 10 days. However, in many (unlucky) cases, it may drag on for 3 weeks. You may be dealing with the remnants of those symptoms for 1 to 2 months because your body tries to recover. In other words, ease back into your normal exercise routine and try to keep stress under control to give your system its best chance to return to normal sooner rather than later. Take Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin to reduce high temperatures (fever) and ease any aches, pains, and headaches. (Children under 16 years should not take Aspirin.) If you smoke, trying to stop for good.
Top How Do You Get Rid of Bronchitis Naturally? Related Articles
ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herbal adaptogen used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments and to improve general physical and mental health, energy, and youthfulness. It has also been shown to improve reaction time in children with ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Side effects of ashwagandha with large doses may include stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and liver problems (rare). Do not take if you are on high blood pressure (hypertension) medications. Do not take ashwagandha if you are pregnant because of risk of miscarriage. Avoid use if you are breastfeeding.bearberry
Bearberry leaves have been used by the indigenous people of America for centuries to treat urinary tract infections. Bearberry supplements are available over the counter (OTC) as dried leaves, powder, or liquid extracts that can be taken orally. Bearberry may have antimicrobial, astringent, and antioxidant properties. The suggested uses of bearberry include urinary tract infection and inflammation, bladder inflammation (cystitis), enlarged prostate, and bronchitis. Common side effects of bearberry include nausea, vomiting, irritability, insomnia, and greenish-brown urine. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.What Is the Best Medicine and Treatment for Bronchitis?
Learn what medical treatments can ease your bronchitis symptoms and help you manage this condition.Acute Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lung. Acute bronchitis is short in duration (10-20 days) in comparison with chronic bronchitis, which lasts for months to years. Causes of acute bronchitis include viruses and bacteria, which means it can be contagious. Acute bronchitis caused by environmental factors such as pollution or cigarette smoke is not contagious. Common symptoms for acute bronchitis include nasal congestion, cough, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue. Acute bronchitis in children also my include runny nose, fever, and chest pain. Treatment for acute bronchitis are OTC pain relievers, cough suppressants (although not recommended in children), and rest. Infrequently antibiotics may be prescribed to treat acute bronchitis.Bronchitis Picture
Acute bronchitis usually comes on quickly and gets better after several weeks. See a picture of Acute Bronchitis and learn more about the health topic.What's Bronchitis? Symptoms and Treatments
Is bronchitis contagious? Learn about bronchitis, an inflammation of the lining of the lungs. Explore bronchitis symptoms, treatments and medication for bronchitis.Bronchitis Quiz
What happens within the body when a person develops bronchitis? Take this quick quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, treatments, and complications of this common respiratory illness.cefpodoxime
Cefpodoxime is a broad spectrum third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including bronchitis, pneumonia, gonorrhea, sinus infection, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, urinary tract infection (UTI), middle ear infection, and more. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loose stools, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, indigestion (dyspepsia), gas (flatulence), constipation, loss of appetite (anorexia), vulvovaginal fungal (yeast) infections, diaper rash, and others.cefuroxime
Cefuroxime is an antibiotic used to treat infections of the middle ear, sinuses, skin, tonsils, and throat, and to treat laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, COPD, and early Lyme disease. Common side effects of cefuroxime include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, rash, hives, vaginitis, and mouth ulcers.cephalexin
Cephalexin is a prescription antibiotic used for treating middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, bone infections, throat infections, bronchitis, and bone infections. Common side effects of cephalexin include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, and vaginitis. Dosage of cephalexin depends on the type of infection.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How Do You Know if You Have Bronchitis or COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
What is the difference between bronchitis and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? Learn how to recognize the symptoms of bronchitis and COVID-19 to help you treat either illness. Bronchitis or “chest cold” refers to the inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs. Air passes through the lungs within a network of tubules called bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is often associated with persistent, nagging coughs with mucus. Learn more about when a cold becomes bronchitis.How Do You Know If Your Child Has Bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a common problem that affects many children. Learn the signs of bronchitis, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.Is Bronchitis Contagious Through Kissing?
Bronchitis is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of bronchitis, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.ofloxacin
Ofloxacin is an antibiotic medication prescribed for the treatment of pneumonia, bronchitis, staph infections, STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia), urinary tract infections, and prostate infections caused by E. coli. The most common side effects of ofloxacin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, headache, dizziness, itching, and vaginitis in women. Do not take ofloxacin if pregnant or breastfeeding.penicillin V
Penicillin V (Veetids and Pen-Vee-K have been discontinued) is an antibiotic prescribed to treat infections from a variety of bacteria that causes infections of the middle ear, tonsils, throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract, and gonorrhea. Side effects include rash, itching, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea. Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.rifampin
Rifampin is a semisynthetic antibiotic used to treat latent or active tuberculosis, a disease caused by mycobacterial infection, and the asymptomatic carrier state of meningococcal disease. Common side effects of rifampin include heartburn, abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting, gas (flatulence), abdominal cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite (anorexia), elevated liver enzymes, and mild itching and flushing. Overdose of rifampin can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, itching and lethargy, with unconsciousness in people with severe liver disease. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.turmeric
Turmeric is a perennial herb (Curcuma longa) used orally and topically in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for multiple ailments. Turmeric may be used to treat fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, headache, fever, bronchitis, indigestion (dyspepsia), diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas (flatulence) and bloating, minor skin irritations, ringworm, leech bites, infected wounds, inflammatory skin conditions, and others. Mild side effects of oral turmeric include stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea. Do not take turmeric if pregnant or breastfeeding.