Bronchitis is a chest infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), which causes them to become irritated and inflamed. The main symptom is a cough which may bring up yellow-grey mucus and this sticky mucus is produced by the body as a protection and to bind to the bacteria or viruses, causing the infection, and bring them up out of the lungs.
Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat, wheezing and a blocked nose. In most cases it will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment. While you are waiting for it to pass, you should drink lots of fluid and get plenty of rest.
What symptoms must be investigated by a health professional?
- The cough is severe or lasts longer than three weeks.
- There is a constant fever for more than three days.
- Mucus streaked with blood is coughed up.
- There is an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma or heart disease.
Which natural foods can treat catarrh and bronchitis?
Vegetables
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Carrot
- Daikon
- Garlic
- Fenugreek
- Okra
- Onion
- Peas
- Radishes
- Tomato
- Sweet potato
- Watercress.
Fruit
Nuts
- Brazil nuts (two per day)
- Coconut (flesh, oil and water)
Seeds
- Chia
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Hemp
- Pumpkin
- Sunflower
Spices
Medicinal herbs to treat bronchitis (made into teas)
- Andrographis
- Anise
- Aloe vera
- Caraway seed
- Chamomile
- Cloves
- Coriander
- Elderberry
- Eucalyptus
- Eyebright
- Fennels seeds
- Golden rod
- Hu huang lian
- Lemongrass
- Marjoram
- Mullien
- Nettle
- Pine needle
- Rough chaff
- Tarragon
How to make herbal teas
Teas can be made with herbs and spices by adding hot (but not boiling) water to them and leaving them to steep for 20 minutes. Then strain and sip three or four cups a day slowly.
A teaspoon of honey and three cloves, which have additional antibiotic properties, can be added to sweeten and freshly squeezed lemon juice for additional benefits. These teas can be reheated gently but do not allow to boil.
Take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per day. Good to have first thing in the morning with freshly squeezed juice of one lemon and a teaspoon of honey in warm water before breakfast.
Drink at least six glasses of bottled natural mineral water daily.
Drinking some freshly made fig leaf tea and eating some fresh figs daily can alleviate symptoms of bronchitis.
Place some eucalyptus leaves in a bowl and hot water. Then place a towel over the head and the bowl and breathe in the steam. This can help to ease congestion.
Raw juice therapy can successfully treat bronchitis. The best organic natural foods to juice or make as a smoothie are:
What should be avoided for bronchitis?
Sodium can aggravate fluid on the lungs therefore it should be reduced in the diet.
Highest sources of sodium in milligrams per 100 grams
- Table salt 38758 mg
- Bicarbonate of soda 27360 mg
- Stock cubes 24000 mg
- Soya sauce 5586 mg
- Chilli powder 4000 mg
- Miso 3728 mg
- Anchovies 3668 mg
- Yeast extract 2962 mg
- Capers 2769 mg
- Processed meats (salami etc) 2260 mg
- Processed cheese 1798 mg
- Caviar 1500 mg
- Crab 1072 mg
- Spirulina 1048 mg
- Whey 1079 mg
- Margarine 943 mg
- Olives 735 mg
- Salted peanuts 667 mg
Related subjects
- A-Z of natural foods and remedies
- Antimicrobial healing plants and foods
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Influenza
- Pleurisy
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory disorders
- Virus infections