Homeocan Yerba Santa - 30ml

BRONCHITIS & LUNG HEALTH

By: Articles by a Naturopathic Doctor and a Holistic Nutritionist

Recurrent bronchitis and lung infections are more common than ever - natural medicine can help you reduce congestion, irritation, and boost your immune system...

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways that can often result in difficulty breathing. It can occur acutely as the result of an infection or chronically in the case of respiratory diseases like asthma, or emphysema. Acute bronchitis most commonly begins with cold symptoms and a dry cough. As it progresses the cough can become deeper, painful and more productive in respect to mucous.

Phlegm And Congestion

Whether it's acute or chronic, most people when they have an attack of bronchitis will have congestion, which is partly caused by phlegm. Phlegm can be clear, white, or yellow and can vary in thickness. Chest tightness and breathlessness can occur as a result. Acute cases usually resolve in a few weeks, while chronic cases can last over extended periods of time.

The cough of chronic bronchitis is usually less severe but constant. Phlegm may or may not be produced. This is usually caused by repeated irritations like tobacco smoke, environmental chemicals or other allergens. A weak immune system can also result in repeated bronchial infections.

Conventional Treatments

Conventional treatment of severe or chronic bronchitis involves bronchodilators. They treat the symptoms of bronchitis by reducing bronchospasms and inflammation. They do not address the root cause of the problem. Acute infective bronchitis is often treated with antibiotics. Make sure to replace the helpful bacteria in your system with a probiotic supplement after antibiotic therapy.

Pay Attention To The Air You're Breathing

Avoidance of all irritating substances is important for prevention of bronchitis. Home air purification systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be helpful. Keep plants that remove pollutants from air. These types include bamboo palm, Boston fern, dracaena, English ivy, ficus ali, peace lily, rubber plant and spider plant.

Breathing Exercises

Regular moderate exercise and deep breathing practices can decrease hypersensitivity of the airways. Steam inhalations with thyme or eucalyptus essential oils are antispasmodic and antimicrobial.

Use hydrotherapy to boost the immune system. At the end of your shower alternate one minute of hot water with one minute of cold water. Alternate several times always ending with cold. To restore strength to the lungs blow up a balloon several times a day.

Diet And Bronchitis

Dietary approaches to bronchitis are as follows. Increase fluid intake to decrease viscosity of mucous secretions. The lungs are used as a pathway for toxins to be excreted when the primary organs of detoxification are overwhelmed.

Reduce Inflammation

It’s important to keep the body detoxified to reduce strain on the lungs. Our lungs work to filter through toxins, so by altering the diet to ensure adequate intake of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants you can improve bronchial symptoms. Raw fruits and vegetables are best and by including onion and garlic you can cause an anti-inflammatory effect in the lungs. Another source of anti-inflammatory healing are flax seed and fish oils.

Avoid

Some foods to avoid are dairy products, white flour, sugar, processed foods which increase mucous production. Animal products should be avoided due to their inflammatory precursors.