lungs. Bronchitis could be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is usually preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection (common cold, or influenza) and characterized by cough, a cough that is dry at the beginning and then become productive later. It may be associated with fever, chest discomfort, and sore throat.
Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a chronic, persistent productive cough, which is worse in the morning. It may be associated with recurrent attacks of acute bronchitis, shortness of breath, and wheezes. People with chronic bronchitis often have a history of smoking or long exposure to chemicals and irritants.
Potential contributing factors:
- Viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.
- Environmental allergies.
- Food allergies.
- Smoking.
- Second hand smokers.
- Exposure to chemicals or irritants.
- Weak immune system.
- Stress.
Nutritional Supports:
Restricted Foods:
- Processed foods.
- Fried foods.
- Sugars and sweets, as they weaken the immune system.
- Foods that increase production of mucus: sugars, chocolate, dairy products, caffeine, bananas, eggs, wheat products, pastries, and beer.
- Red meats.
- Allergenic foods.
- Cold or iced drinks.
- Frozen foods.
Recommended Foods:
- Water: 2 liters or more a day, as dehydration may exacerbate bronchitis.
- Chicken soup or broth. It contains a high level of amino acid cysteine, which thins out mucus.
- Hot barley soup.
- Fish.
- Legumes.
- Flaxseeds.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially onions, garlic, ginger, horseradish, and mustard.
- Cayenne pepper, as it contains capsaicin that it may relieve airways irritation and congestion.
Recommended Supplements:
- N – Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): 500 – 1000 mg a day. It has a mucus-thinning effect, and reduces the viscosity of the sputum, making easier to cough it out.
- Vitamin C: 2 – 3 grams a day.
- French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day. It is a powerful antioxidant that increases blood flow and reduces inflammation.
- Grape Seed Extract. 100 – 200 mg a day.
- Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 2 – 3 grams a day. It has an anti-inflammatory activity against chronic bronchitis.
- Vitamin A: 3000 – 5000 IU a day.
- Ivy leaf: 25 – 50 drops a day. It contains saponins and emetine that help relieve symptoms of bronchitis by reducing spasm of airways and acting as an expectorant.
- Plantain Weeds: dried leaf as a tea three times a day, as a syrup or tincture 2 -3 ml three times a day. Its active ingredients are mucilage, tannins, and iridoid alkaloids (aucubin and catalpol), and they exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antispasmoic effects. Plantain is particularly helpful in chronic bronchitis.
- Bromlain: 1500 – 2000 mg a day. It has a natural anti-inflammatory activity.
- Licorice: 1000 – 2000 mg a day, or 1 ml of the tincture 3 – 4 times a day. Licorice alleviates irritation of the respiratory tract, reducing coughs.
- Astragalus: 1000 – 2000 mg a day, or 3 ml of tincture 2 – 3 times a day. Astragalus supports the immune system against infections.
