6 Soothing Herbs for Bronchitis That You Must Try

Updated on December 2nd, 2019
bronchitis home remedies

Bronchitis is a respiratory ailment that causes inflammation in the airways of the lungs, bronchi, affects more than 8.9 million Americans. The primary cause of this infection is a virus or bacteria. It can also be caused due to irritants or other dust particles which get stuck in the bronchi.

Along with the effect of pollutants and toxic gases, you might contract bronchitis if you have a family history. The common symptoms might include cough, discomfort, short breath, and tiredness.

A faster recovery at the early stages is, however, possible. Although chronic bronchitis is incurable, the treatment generally depends on the severity of the symptoms. Apart from medical procedures, various home remedies, including herbs for bronchitis, prove useful in providing relief. Certain herbs have anti-inflammatory effects and anti-microbial properties to fight against infections.

Did You Know!

  • Five percent of individuals each year are reported to suffer from bronchitis, and 90 percent of them take medical advice(1).
  • Also, according to reports, in 95 percent of these cases, the virus is the leading cause.

Try These Herbs for Bronchitis

1. Ginseng

Ginseng
Image:ShutterStock

Ginseng is extracted from roots of various plants and is known for its medicinal purposes. Panax ginseng is the most common species which is generally found in countries like China and Korea.

Ginseng, especially Panax ginseng for bronchitis is an effective treatment as improves lung functioning. A study was conducted on 40 bronchitis patients, and they were given 100 mg P. ginseng twice daily for eight weeks. The patients reported reduced bacterial counts and symptoms.

The herb has a long history in Chinese medicine and helps improve various symptoms of COPD, including bronchitis. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginseng give relief in the symptoms.

Ginseng is consumed in the form of raw herb. Typically, a daily dosage of ginseng is 1 to 2 g daily, which contain 4-7 percent of ginsenosides. One of the studies, however, reveals dosage for diabetes to be 3g daily.

A Ginseng dosage is recommended for 2-3 weeks. It is advised to take rest for a 1-2 week afterward. Since the dosage may vary across people, and it is recommended to see a healthcare expert before adhering to this regime.

[Also Read: How to Treat Bronchitis Naturally?]

2. Ginger Root

Ginger root is obtained from Zingiber officinale and is used as a primary kitchen ingredient in many dishes. Apart from adding flavor to various recipes, ginger is used for a variety of medicinal uses.

Ginger has a long history of medicinal usage and is effective in treating various conditions, including motion sickness, cold, inflammation, and gastrointestinal problems. Chinese medicines included ginger for over 2000 years to cure several health conditions.

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help with specific bronchitis symptoms. It is also believed to boost the immune system. It also activates macrophages which help with reactions in the immune system. As cough and throat irritation are also common symptoms of bronchitis, ginger tea is also useful in providing relief.

[Also Read: Benefits of Lemon Ginger Tea ]

You can eat a piece of ginger to relieve the cough and congestion. Add two tablespoons of ginger root in water. Allow it to boil and drink. You can also mix it with pepper and honey. You can eat this mixture with a spoon or add it in your tea.

The dosage of ginger supplement for an adult can range from 75 to 2,000 g daily in divided doses. Two tablespoons are recommended for a ginger drink, and half a teaspoon of shredded ginger is suggested to be added in pepper and honey mixture.

3. Licorice Root

benefits of licorice root
Image:ShutterStock

Licorice is generally used as a sweetener. Also, for thousands of years, it is being used in eastern as well as western medicines.

Licorice exhibits various healing properties and has been discovered as a helpful herb in treating various respiratory disorders. The tea made with licorice is also used in treating bronchitis symptoms. It helps break down the mucus and helps expel it from the body quickly.

Licorice tea also has some anti-inflammatory properties that give relief to a sore throat. The antiviral and antibacterial properties of licorice also help kills the microbes causing bronchitis.

You can make a licorice root drink by boiling it in water. You can also add a piece of licorice root in your regular tea to get relief from bronchitis.

You can have one-two cups of licorice tea for a week to treat the symptoms. The amount of licorice may vary across people depending on the severity of the symptoms. Hence it is recommended to consult a medical expert before adhering to this regime.

4. Wild Cherry

Wild cherry is an herb extracted from the black cherry tree. It has many medicinal benefits and has been used for hundreds of years. The presence of various minerals such as zinc, calcium, and iron add additional properties to it.

Wild cherry is helpful for the discharge of mucus from the body. It acts as an expectorant for removal of mucus and proper functioning of the lymphatic system. The antiviral and antibacterial properties also help kill microbes. It is also used in many cough syrups and proves useful for bronchitis symptoms.

You can make a wild cherry tea by boiling 2 tbsp of bark in water for a few minutes. Drain it and add in some honey. You can also try wild cherry syrups, tinctures, and capsules.

The dosage of wild cherry depends on various factors and is recommended to take medical advice for the same.

5. Garlic

benefits of Garlic
Image:ShutterStock

Garlic is a plant extracted from the Allium family and is related to onions. It grows in various parts of the world and is a popular ingredient in many cuisines. It is nutritious and possesses many health benefits.

Garlic is being used in various traditions as a medicinal remedy. It helps boost the immune system, along with treating various symptoms of bronchitis. It also has antibacterial effects on health, which helps manage the infections caused by microbes.

You can take garlic in its natural raw form. Two cloves of garlic per day are enough in treating the condition. Supplements of garlic are also available.

Two cloves of fresh garlic are sufficient per day. 180 mg supplement of allicin (a compound in garlic) is sufficient for treating bronchitis. Also, use it with caution as large amounts might result in an upset stomach.

6. Thyme

herbs for bronchitis
Image:ShutterStock

Thyme is an herb which falls under the mint family and comprises of over 400 subspecies. Apart from its place in daily recipes, thyme also has many medicinal uses.

Thyme has antispasmodic properties that make it helpful for treating bronchitis. It also helps in expelling of mucus from the body and helps fight microbes due to its antibacterial properties.

The expectorant actions of thyme are proven helpful in treating bronchitis. Thyme essential oil is also suitable for curing cough, which is also one of the symptoms.

You can easily add thyme to your diet by including it in various recipes. You can also use thyme essential oil in a diffuser or inhale it directly.

  • Mixing thyme essential oil with a carrier oil and rubbing it on the chest and back is also an effective method.
  • 2-3 drops of thyme essential oil are enough in half a teaspoon of carrier oil. Also, use one just one drop for children as it is very strong.

[Also Read: Benefits of Thyme Essential Oil]

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease affecting 5 percent of the people every year. Along with using various medical treatments, specific home remedies prove useful in treating the symptoms. Many herbs also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that provide relief to the patients.

The most common herbs used include ginger, garlic, ginseng, licorice, and thyme. Turmeric for bronchitis is also helpful because of its antioxidant activity and inflammatory properties. So, try these herbs to treat bronchitis effectively. Herbs are safe and can be taken in a raw form as well as in the form of supplements. The regular of these herbs helps treat the condition in a matter of weeks.

[Also Read: Essential Oils for Bronchitis Treatment]


FAQs

1. What are some effective home remedies for bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease and can be treated using various home remedies, including ginger, honey, garlic, essential oils, and ginseng. Some lifestyle changes, including avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising may also help.

[Also Read: Best Home Remedies for Bronchitis]

2. Which herbs are good for bronchitis?

Various herbs including ginger, garlic, turmeric, thyme, ginseng, and licorice root are useful for bronchitis. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help treat the condition. They also help in expelling of mucus out from the body.

View Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Scroll To Top

Sign up for our Newsletter !
Get access to quality &
Natural Health Tips right from the Experts
Subscribe !
Send this to a friend