Home Remedies for Coughs and Bronchitis!
Coughing is a common symptom that often prompts people to seek medical attention. It can be triggered by various factors, including infections, tobacco smoke, air pollutants, allergens, and inhaled foreign objects. Coughing serves as one of the body’s defense mechanisms against illness.
Acute bronchitis is the most frequent cause of coughing. In approximately 90% of cases, the infectious agent is a virus. Symptoms typically begin in the upper airways, with a sore throat and runny nose. Some viruses may extend below the trachea (windpipe) into the bronchi (large airways that deliver oxygen to the lung’s tiny air sacs). The bronchial mucous membranes become swollen, leading to increased mucus production. Additionally, the cilia—tiny hairlike projections that normally move mucus upward toward the mouth—become paralyzed. The cough associated with acute bronchitis usually lasts about three weeks, sometimes longer after an influenza viral infection. Expectoration of yellowish phlegm is normal and indicates that the immune system is actively working.
Other causes of coughs include:
Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, which can lead to postnasal drip and nighttime coughing.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn, which may cause coughing and a burning sensation.
Asthma, as patients with asthma are more prone to developing a persistent cough.
Chronic bronchitis refers to a cough lasting longer than three months. Smokers and those living with them are often affected by chronic bronchitis. Tobacco smoke compromises immune defenses, inflames the bronchial lining, increases mucus production, and paralyzes the cilia. Individuals with chronic bronchitis are at higher risk of acute infections
Here are some home treatment recipes for managing cough:
Garlic Honey: Garlic has natural antibacterial properties. To make garlic honey, crush a few garlic cloves and mix them with honey. Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Take a spoonful of this concoction as needed to soothe your throat and reduce coughing.
Old Thyme-y Honey: Thyme is known for its antitussive (cough-suppressing) properties. Steep fresh or dried thyme leaves in hot water to make a thyme tea. Add honey for sweetness and drink it warm. Thyme can help alleviate cough symptoms.
Cough-Cutting Peppermint Tea: Peppermint tea is refreshing and can help ease throat irritation. Brew a cup of peppermint tea using fresh or dried peppermint leaves. Add honey or lemon for extra flavor. Sip it slowly to soothe your throat and reduce coughing.
Eucalyptus or Vicks Vaporub Chest Rub: Eucalyptus oil is commonly used for respiratory relief. Mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) and gently massage it onto your chest. Alternatively, you can use a commercial chest rub like Vicks Vaporub, which contains eucalyptus oil. The menthol in these products can provide relief from congestion and cough.
Remember to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and consult a healthcare professional if your cough persists or worsens. These home remedies can complement medical advice but should not replace professional evaluation when needed. 🌿🍯
Coughing is the symptoms that most often sends people to doctors. Anything that irritates the airways- infection, tobacco smoke, other air pollutants, allergens, an inhaled foreign objects- cause coughing. It is one of the body’s defenses against illness.
The most common cause of cough is acute bronchitis. Ninety percent of the time the infectious agent is virus. Typically, symptoms start in the upper airways with a sore throat and runny nose. Some viruses are more likely to extend below the trachea (windpipe) into the bronchi (large airways that deliver oxygen to the lung’s tiny air sacs). The mucus membranes lining the bronchi swell and generate more mucus. Cilia, tiny hairlike projections from the cell that normally move the much carpe upward toward the mouth, become paralyzed. The cough normally lasts three weeks, sometime longer after an influenza viral infection. Expectoration of yellowish phlegm is normal and indicates your immune system is doing its work.
Other causes of coughs: allergic rhinitis and sinusitis can lead to postnasal drip, which tends to produce a night time cough. GERD or heartburn can cause the coughing and sometimes a burning sensation. The patients with asthma are more susceptible to produce cough.
Chronic bronchitis is the cough lasting longer than three months. Smoker and those who live with them often have chronic bronchitis. Tobacco smoke compromises immune defenses, inflames the bronchial lining, increases mucus, and paralyzes the cilia. People with chronic bronchitis are more at risk of acute infection.
Home treatment for cough
Garlic honey
4 garlic heads, 1 1/2 cups (480g) honey
Prepration:
peel the cloves and gently squash each one with the flat of the knife
Drops the cloves into the clean pine-size (475ml) mason jar
Add enough money to completely cover the garlic
Stir with a chopstick
Cap the jar and let it sit for 4 to 6 weeks in a cool, dry place
Use:
take honey by the teaspoon to relieve cough
You can eat the garlic cloves along with the honey
Yield:
- about 50 doses
Old thyme-y Honey
1 cup (43g) dried thyme leaves or (38g) fresh leaves
1 1/2 to 2 cups (480 to 640g) honey
Prepration:
put the thyme in the top of double boiler
Add enough honey to completely covert
Add water to the bottom pan and bring to a boil
Lower the heat to simmer
Keeping an eye on the honey, and stirring frequently
Simmer for 2 hours
You can either bottle it with the thyme leaves or strain out the thyme leaves and bottle the herb-infused honey
Use:
take honey by the teaspoon to relieve the cough
Yield:
about 24 doses (less if the thyme is removed)
Cough-cutting peppermint Tea
2 cups (475ml) water
1 teaspoon (1g) dried thyme
3 teaspoons (5g) dried peppermint leaves
Honey (optional)
Preparation:
bring the water to a boil in a small pan
Add the herbs
Remove the pan from the heat
Cover and steep for 15 minutes
Strain and add honey
Use:
drink the tea and inhale the steam through your mouth
Try to drink several cups a day
Yield
1 serving
Note: buy a box of peppermint tea bags and use them for this remedy
Eucalyptus chest rub
1/4 cup (55g) petroleum jelly or unscented hand lotion
2 or 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Preparation:
In a small bowl, blend the petroleum jelly or lotion with the eucalyptus drops
Use:
rub on your chest
Wrapping up in a warm sweater or blanket and piping hot herbal tea, which will increase circulation to your chest.
Note: you can buy the Vicks VapoRub topical cream and apply a thick layer of the medicated ointment on your chest and throat to temporarily relieve cough
How do they recipes work?
Garlic is antimicrobial and an expectorant. Some of its chemicals are excreted across the lungs.
Thyme helps open tight airways, combats infection, calms coughs, and helps expel mucus
Peppermint reduces chest tightness and coughing and helps clear mucus
Honey is antibacterial and moistening. Studies show that honey reduces nighttime cough in children more effectively than a placebo, antihistamines, and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.
The essential oil of eucalyptus is the antiviral and antibacterial. The oil is absorbed across your skin to help fight congestion and clear excess respiratory mucus.
Vicks VapoRub is specially formulated with three active cough suppressants: menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil. These oils are absorbed across your skin and help relieve the cough.
