Medicinal herbs for bronchitis: acute and chronic obstructive bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process in the lower respiratory tract localized in the bronchi. The main danger of the disease is that in the absence of effective treatment it can easily develop into bronchopneumonia (inflammation of the bronchioles), pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs), pulmonary emphysema (an increase in the volume of the organ with impaired breathing and gas exchange), and in the case of a bacterial nature of the disease, it can cause infectious and inflammatory processes in the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, etc. The disease can be treated in different ways. But if we all used only synthetic pharmaceutical drugs in the treatment of bronchitis, the incidence of pathologies of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver and some other organs would increase several times. Herbs for bronchitis help to avoid such deplorable consequences caused by complications from taking "chemistry".

Herbal treatment may not always be justified. Severe bacterial bronchitis is very difficult to treat without antibiotics. In this case, herbs will act as an auxiliary means to speed up recovery and improve immunity, which helps reduce the likelihood of relapse.

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A little about bronchitis itself

Almost all adults and even some children know that bronchitis is nothing more than inflammation of the bronchi. After all, many of us have already had this unpleasant disease, the hallmark of which is a painful cough, even in childhood. Moreover, you can have bronchitis more than once in your life, in this case, immunity is not developed.

The fact is that inflammation in the bronchi can be caused by various factors: bacteria and viruses, too cold or hot, very dry or cool humid air, inhaled chemicals and smoke (for example, bronchitis in smokers), fungi and allergens (fungal and allergic bronchitis). Any substances that irritate the bronchial mucosa can cause the development of an inflammatory process in them.

Bronchitis is a "communicative" pathology that does not like loneliness, so it often occurs against the background of other respiratory diseases of viral or bacterial etiology. ARVI, flu, tonsillitis, sinusitis and other diseases can easily be complicated by bronchitis, which a person learns about by an obsessive chest cough. Bronchitis can also become a complication of immunodeficiency states (for example, HIV infection).

With fungal bronchitis, things are even more complicated. After all, the disease can develop not only against the background of reduced immunity and failures in the immune system, like other types of pathology, but also as a result of the treatment of oncological pathologies, uncontrolled use of corticosteroids, long-term antibiotic therapy for infections.

The acute stage of the disease with pronounced symptoms typical of many colds, the main one being cough, is characterized by damage to the shallow layers of the bronchi. But the course of the disease depends on the amount of sputum secreted and the diameter of the respiratory tract. At the beginning of the disease, there is only irritation of the bronchial mucosa, so the cough during this period is dry. With its help, the body tries to free itself from the source of irritation.

Later, when irritation turns into inflammation, inflammatory exudate and mucus produced by the bronchi to clear irritants begin to be released. The cough becomes wet. By expectorating phlegm, a person feels relief.

But this is not always the case. If the sputum is too viscous, its discharge is difficult. The cough is accompanied by sharp pains in the bronchi, which exhausts the patient.

If nothing is done, phlegm will fill the bronchi, worsening the passage of air through them and causing respiratory failure. Coughing, accompanied by painful sensations, can cause spasm of the respiratory tract, which will only worsen the situation. Now we will be talking about obstructive bronchitis associated with obstruction of the bronchi.

It is clear that the narrower the lumen of the bronchi, the greater the probability of their blockage. Therefore, small children suffer from obstructive bronchitis more often than adults. This pathology is also characteristic of people with hereditary narrowness of the bronchial branches.

If acute bronchitis is not treated effectively enough and measures to boost immunity are not taken, the disease quite easily becomes chronic, in which there is damage to the deeper layers of the bronchial mucosa, structural changes in the organ, a decrease in its functionality, and deterioration of lung ventilation. But chronic pathology is always very difficult to treat. And that treatment only leads to remission of the disease, so even a slight decrease in immunity can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.

Since bacterial and allergic bronchitis is considered a rarer pathology than viral, in most cases it is possible to alleviate the patient's condition with bronchitis by using herbs with an expectorant, mucolytic and immunostimulating effect. In the case of a viral etiology of the disease, treatment of bronchitis with herbs is more than justified, because only a strong immune system can defeat viruses, and what could be better for its improvement than echinacea, eleutherococcus, ginseng, aloe, walnut leaves, St. John's wort and some other herbs and plants that are even used in the production of effective pharmaceutical immunostimulants.

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Indications for the use of herbs for bronchitis

Only inveterate skeptics can doubt the effectiveness of herbs for bronchitis. But in order for the treatment result to be really good, you need to understand in which cases you can resort to herbal medicine as the main method of therapy, and when herbs should be used only as an auxiliary means.

Besides, not all herbs are the same. For treatment, you need to choose plants that have certain properties that are useful for a specific disease. In the case of bronchitis, herbs should facilitate easy expectoration and increase immunity.

Since bronchitis is an inflammatory disease, you cannot do without plants with anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties, because severe edema narrows the lumen of the bronchi and makes it difficult for sputum to pass and air to pass, leading to obstruction. And at the end of the disease, in the recovery period, it is good to use cough soothing agents, because at this time a person may continue to suffer from an unproductive cough. Stimulating the release of sputum in this case no longer makes sense, you just need to remove the unpleasant residual symptom.

Herbs with an antipyretic effect can be used only if the body temperature during bronchitis exceeds 38 degrees, which is not always the case. Quite often, the temperature remains within the subfebrile range or fluctuates between 37 and 39 degrees, which indicates the body's attempts to fight the infection. It makes sense to use antipyretic herbs with a persistent increase in temperature, although in this case there are more effective folk remedies (for example, water, vinegar, water-alcohol rubs).

But let's return to the use of herbs depending on the type of bronchitis. As we already know, in case of viral etiology of the disease, herbs can be used even as the main component of treatment, especially if therapy is complicated due to existing pathologies of internal organs, in which chemicals can cause harm, or the lack of points of sale of medicines, which is typical for small villages.

These same properties of herbs will help the body fight bacterial infections and fungi if you use herbs in combination with antibiotics and antifungal agents. At the same time, herbs with an antibacterial effect will help reduce the duration of antibiotic treatment, which will prevent such a complication as fungal bronchitis. Herbs such as calendula, thyme, celandine, and medicinal speedwell have antifungal properties.

Treatment of obstructive bronchitis is impossible without the use of bronchodilators, in this case, treatment with herbs with an antispasmodic and sedative effect can be carried out: chamomile, valerian, St. John's wort. Thyme, licorice, angelica, oregano, primrose and other medicinal herbs help to expand the lumen of the bronchi.

But it is necessary to understand that such a complication of obstructive bronchitis as bronchospasms pose a serious danger to the patient's life, since they cause acute respiratory failure, and herbs are not able to quickly cope with such a serious symptom. Therefore, medicinal plants antispasmodics for bronchial obstruction are best used as a prophylactic agent to prevent spasms. Treatment should be carried out with effective pharmacy antispasmodics and bronchodilators.

In case of obstructive bronchitis, accompanied by the accumulation of viscous sputum in the bronchi in large quantities, herbs with expectorant and mucolytic action will also be effective, which will help to quickly clear the bronchi and restore normal breathing.

Doctors believe that treating obstructive bronchitis with herbs alone is unacceptable, since the disease is very dangerous, and delay can cost a person his life. After all, pharmaceutical chemicals act faster than herbal medicine and homeopathy. But herbs can and should be used as auxiliary means for obstructive bronchitis, but taking into account that some plants can cause allergic reactions, which only worsen the situation.

By the way, the last point is very important when choosing herbs for the treatment of allergic bronchitis or bronchial asthma.

Herbal treatment of chronic bronchitis should also be carried out taking into account the etiology of the disease and its course. After all, any type of bronchitis can become chronic if there were shortcomings in the treatment of the acute form.

But herbs for chronic bronchitis, which is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation, will have to be taken regularly. And not only when acute symptoms appear, but also for preventive purposes, especially in early spring and late autumn - during the heyday of colds.

Chronic bronchitis, like any long-term pathology, definitely leads to a decrease in immunity, and where immunity is reduced, it is quite likely that a bacterial infection will join in, the treatment of which should be carried out with antibiotics or innovative bacteriophage preparations. Recurrent bronchitis is in most cases caused by a bacterial infection, and if it is not completely eliminated, relapses will continue. The effect of using herbs for such bronchitis is often insufficient, especially when it comes to a complex composition of bacterial microflora.

Herb names for bronchitis

Even doctors do not dispute the effectiveness of treating bronchitis with herbs. Moreover, a therapist or pediatrician may even recommend drinking chamomile infusion to reduce inflammation symptoms, plantain syrup or celandine decoction to facilitate sputum discharge, and echinacea tea or tincture to boost immunity. These herbs are considered a generally accepted medicine and many herbal cough and cold remedies that we find on pharmacy shelves have been created on their basis.

But there are other herbs for bronchitis and cough that are no less effective in combating the symptoms of the disease, although doctors almost never mention them. And not because they doubt their properties, but because they are specialists in the field of medications, not folk remedies.

Let's try to figure out which herbs will help to quickly cope with such a painful disease as bronchitis, the symptoms of which can last for 3-4 weeks. Inflammation of the bronchi is one of the few pathologies characterized by a strong cough with frequently recurring, exhausting attacks. It is this symptom that affects the patient's well-being more than others, which means that it cannot be ignored.

Herbs for bronchitis and severe cough should have the following properties:

• relieve inflammation,
• thin mucus,
• to promote its rapid removal (expectoration),
• to relieve painful attacks of unproductive cough at the end of the illness
• reduce fever when the temperature rises sharply.

What is interesting about herbs in the treatment of diseases is that each of them mostly has not one of the above properties, but a whole bunch of useful effects. So it is not at all necessary to create a whole arsenal of all sorts of herbs and plants to treat colds and bronchitis with them.

Let's start with plants that help remove phlegm from the bronchi, because it is stagnation that provokes infection and all sorts of complications. There are herbs that are recommended to be used only for dry cough at the beginning of the disease, and there are those that are effective for wet cough. But most plants have the ability to help with different types of cough, unlike pharmaceutical drugs.

Dry the leaves and flowers of plants in the shade in a draft, trying to avoid moisture getting on them. Remove all brown or moldy parts from the finished raw material. It is not advisable to dry the branches of plants in ovens and dryers, except at low temperatures for a short time, if the weather does not allow this to be done naturally.

We harvest raspberries and currants when they are ripe. The greatest amount of nutrients is preserved in dried and fresh berries, ground with sugar (1:1). The fruits should be dried not in the sun, but in the shade with good air flow, or in an oven or dryer (however, the temperature here will destroy some of the vitamins).

Store dried twigs and flowers of plants in linen bags or cardboard boxes for no more than a year. Dried fruits and jam should be stored in glass containers with lids for one year.

What is very important when preparing any medicinal plants for future use is the quality and purity of the raw materials. If the roots dug out of the ground can be easily washed with cold water, and this will not affect the effectiveness of their drying, then this cannot be done with leaves and flowers. They can be washed from dust and insects only on a living plant. But the raw materials can be collected only after complete drying.

It is better to extract the roots from the ground after rain, but you should collect the above-ground parts of the plants only in dry weather. At the same time, during drying, you need to ensure that dew does not appear on the drying raw material. If the plant parts dry in the open air, then it may be better to bring them indoors at night. The same applies to rainy days. If the rains drag on, it is better to dry the herbs in a dryer.

The ideal place for drying plant materials is considered to be the attic. This provides good ventilation and protection from the sun or dew.

But even if it is not possible to make a complete collection, and herbs have to be used separately, we must not forget about the integrated approach, which can be provided by combining medicinal compositions from different herbs. For example, add a celandine infusion and linden and raspberry tea to the plantain syrup. With this approach, bronchodilator, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and immunostimulating effects are provided, which means the disease will pass quickly and without complications.

Herbs for inhalation for bronchitis

Sage is used for inhalation in the form of a decoction, which will help reduce the symptoms of inflammation in the bronchi.

2 tablespoons of dry grass are boiled in 2 glasses of water for 5-7 minutes. The decoction is cooled to a state where the steam does not burn the face, but the composition remains hot enough. Covering yourself with a towel over a saucepan with the decoction, inhale the medicinal vapors with an open mouth, trying to breathe as deeply as possible. The procedure lasts 5-10 minutes.

Angelica is recommended for inhalation in the form of essential oil. 2-3 drops of oil are dripped into prepared hot water and the vapors are inhaled for several minutes. Such inhalations together with rubbing are excellent for residual dry cough at the end of the disease.

When choosing herbs for bronchitis, do not forget about the benefits of calendula decoction, which can be used hot for inhalation. If we inhale with a nebulizer, it is better to use a pharmacy alcohol tincture, 15-20 drops of which will need to be diluted in ½ glass of water.

Inhalations are considered the most effective and safe procedure in the treatment of cough and bronchitis with celandine. But celandine in the composition for the procedure will be only one of the components. The mixture also contains licorice root and pine buds, the content of which in relation to celandine should be 2:2:1. Celandine is highly toxic, so it is taken in smaller doses.

For inhalations, use herbal infusion. Take 1 tbsp of herbal mixture per 1-1.5 liters of water, leave it with the lid closed for about 5-10 minutes in a warm place, after which you can open the saucepan and begin the procedure. You need to breathe in the healing steam for 10-15 minutes. If the water cools down, add boiling water.

To treat a dry cough and turn it into a productive one, you can do inhalations with a decoction of the seeds of the common goutweed. Throw a handful of dry or fresh seeds into the water for inhalation and let it boil. When the water cools down to 70-80 degrees, you can carry out the procedure.

Storage conditions

Most herbs retain their properties for 1-2 years, others can be stored for even 3 years or more. But you need to understand that these terms are relative and are true only if the storage conditions of the plant material are observed.

It is recommended to store herbs in a cool, dry, ventilated room, where there is no direct sunlight. Plants with long stems can be tied into bundles and stored in a suspended state. Seeds, flowers, fruits and leaves of plants are best preserved in linen bags. Seeds can also be stored in a glass container with a lid.

But in order to extract maximum benefit from plants, you also need to know when and how to properly collect and dry plant materials. First, let us remind you that any herbs and plants should be harvested away from industrial areas, highways, and landfills. The best medicinal raw materials are considered to be herbs from ecologically clean areas (usually these are the plants that are included in pharmaceutical collections ).

In order to prepare raw materials yourself, you need to be well versed in herbs, because some plants are similar to each other. By the way, some poisonous herbs are similar to medicinal plants, so you should always be extremely careful. If you are not sure that this is the herb you need, it is better to avoid it and buy the missing raw materials at the pharmacy.

Plants must be collected carefully, paying close attention to the fact that parts of other plants that may be poisonous or simply harmful to health in the presence of certain pathologies or conditions do not end up in the collection. It should also not be forgotten that each plant has its own time. Sometimes even different parts of the same herb have to be harvested at different time intervals.

When harvesting plant roots, you need to understand that they were in the ground, so they require especially careful preparation. Roots and rhizomes must be shaken off the soil and washed well with running water (ideally, any part of the plant should be washed first and then dried). Large roots and rhizomes must be cut into thin (no more than 2-3 mm) strips so that they wither and dry more easily, and do not mold. Roots must be dried in the sun, and then in the shade in a well-ventilated room or in a special dryer.

It is better to dry the leaves of plants in a draft in the shade. And the flowers can first be dried in the sun, and only later placed in the shade. Large inflorescences are better to disassemble into smaller or individual flowers, you can also dry them whole in a suspended state.

Best before date

For some reason, many people are used to thinking that only food and medicines have an expiration date, while herbs can be stored forever. This is fundamentally wrong, because plants lose their healing properties after some time. It is quite possible that after the expiration date, they will not cause poisoning, but you should not expect a noticeable effect from them. In other words, a herb that has been stored for a long time is no longer a medicine.

Effective Treatment of Bronchitis with Herbs and Plants

Mother Nature has created all the conditions for a healthy life for humans and other inhabitants of our green planet. But civilization and progress are more important to us, replacing natural products and medicines with synthetic ones. Such products ruin our health, and the medicines that are supposed to improve it only make the situation worse due to a large number of side effects.

Fortunately, recently more and more people are turning their attention to nature and its gifts, which are safer, more effective and often cheaper than chemical drugs produced by man. The main thing is to use them correctly depending on the existing pathology.

Bronchitis, like many other diseases, is not treated in a jiffy. In its treatment, it is necessary to use a number of drugs with different effects, change the composition of drugs in the absence of a positive effect, observe bed rest, quarantine and other precautions. It is clear that even having drunk a couple of times a decoction of thyme or chamomile, effective for bronchitis, you cannot count on recovery.

An integrated approach and faith in the effectiveness of the treatment are the basis for a quick recovery, so herbs for bronchitis should be selected taking into account their action, remembering that herbal mixtures are usually more effective than single-component drugs.

By the way, when treating any acute and especially chronic diseases, one should never forget about the great benefit of natural immunostimulants, which make our immune system work at full capacity and help medicines fight the disease. True, most people recognize such herbs as echinacea, ginseng and eleutherococcus as immunostimulants. But if everything is more or less simple with echinacea, it can be grown in your own garden or front garden, but with the other two plants it will be more difficult. Ginseng and eleutherococcus do not grow in our area, which means that there may be problems with their procurement. Only pharmacies can help out, where you can buy almost any herbal raw material for money.

For example, alcohol tinctures of Echinacea, Eleutherococcus and Ginseng are very popular. Echinacea tincture should be taken 20 drops three times a day, and ginseng - 15-25 drops three times a day half an hour before meals. Eleutherococcus tincture is taken only once a day, 20-30 drops in the first half of the day.

Alcohol tinctures are allowed for children only from 12 years old and then in a smaller dosage (5-10 drops). But what about babies, because they get bronchitis no less often, and even more often than adults, while their immune system is still too weak to cope with the disease on its own.

There is no need to worry, because other plants also have the ability to boost immunity and speed up recovery: leaves, flowers and fruits of raspberries, rose hips, buds and young leaves of birch, Rhodiola rosea, tall zamaniha, spotted orchis (wild orchid), elder flowers.

To replenish the body's internal strength to fight bronchitis, you can drink the following healing drinks:

• For 1 cup of boiling water, take 1 tbsp of elder flowers, leave for 40-50 minutes, strain and drink instead of tea
• For 1 cup of boiling water, take 1 tbsp of echinacea herb, keep it in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, strain and drink in 3-4 doses
• For 1 cup of boiling water, take 1 tbsp. of chopped raspberry shoots, boil for no more than a minute and leave for an hour, drink like tea throughout the day
• For 1 cup of cool boiled water, take 5 tablespoons of fresh young birch leaves, leave for 2 hours and drink the drink little by little to improve immunity
• Soak rose hips in water for several hours, put on the fire, when it boils, remove and pour into a thermos for 4-6 hours, drink in small portions throughout the day.

When treating bronchitis, you should always remember that cough is not the only symptom of the disease, and getting rid of it does not mean a complete cure, especially if we are talking about the bacterial form of the pathology. Herbs for bronchitis help reduce fever, relieve pain and soften the cough, but they are not always able to defeat the cause of the disease. In such cases, you still have to resort to antibiotics and other non-herbal drugs. And to avoid this, it is better to take herbs not during illness, but for its prevention in especially dangerous periods.

But even if it is not possible to make a complete collection, and herbs have to be used separately, we must not forget about the integrated approach, which can be provided by combining medicinal compositions from different herbs. For example, add a celandine infusion and linden and raspberry tea to the plantain syrup. With this approach, bronchodilator, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and immunostimulating effects are provided, which means the disease will pass quickly and without complications.

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