Herbal Bronchitis Cures
Bronchitis makes itself apparent through hacking, coughing and lung clearing. An acute attack of bronchitis is usually brought on by a common cold when a viral infection reaches the bronchial tubes. It usually clears up in one to two weeks. Chronic bronchitis is an obstructive pulmonary disease that can be caused by cigarette smoking or allergic reactions. Herbal cures for bronchitis boost the immune system and clear the mucus from the lungs. These cures aim to prevent bronchitis from reoccurring by strengthening the airways.
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Echinacea
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Add 1 oz. of echinacea root to 1 pt. of boiling water. Turn the heat down and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the echinacea tea and add honey to sweeten before drinking. Drink four to five cups a day. After two days cut the dose in half. Drink echinacea tea only while you have symptoms. Echinacea is an antibiotic herb that simulates white blood cells to fight infections. You can build up immunity to echinacea so only take it while you are ill and not on a continuous basis. If you do not like tea you can take 500 mg echinacea capsules four times a day.
Usnea
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Take 3 tsp. usnea tincture three times a day until your bronchitis is gone. Usnea contains acids that kill bacteria that cause bronchitis. This tincture is found in health food stores. Look for a mix that is labeled as 1:5. This means that one part is usnea herb and five parts are liquid.
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Mullein
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Take a dropper full of mullein tincture in warm water every four hours while ill. Mullein is a good herb to use as the first line of defense against bronchitis. It is a tradition herb used to treat respiratory ailments.
Grindelia
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Take 20 to 30 drops of grindelia tincture five times a day. You can take this tincture straight or diluted in a cup of fruit juice. Grindelia is antimicrobial so it fights germs that cause infections. It also thins mucus, making it easier to expel it from the lungs.
Elecampane
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Add 1 tsp. shredded elecampane root to one cup of cold water. Bring up to a boil and then simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Sip three cups a day. Add honey to your elecampane tea to help improve the taste. Slowly sip this tea to avoid stomach upset. Elecampane is the root of a sunflower-like herb. It strengthens the lungs, breaks up congestion, fights infection and acts as an expectorant.
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