Home Remedies for Cough and Bronchitis

Coughing is the symptom that most often sends people to their doctors. Anything that irritates the airways—infection, tobacco smoke, other air pollutants, allergens, an inhaled foreign object—causes coughing. It’s one of the body’s defenses against illness. In fact, elderly or otherwise debilitated people are more at risk for pneumonia because they can’t summon a forceful, airway-clearing cough.

The most common cause of cough is acute bronchitis. Ninety percent of the time, the infectious agent is a 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 mucous membranes lining the bronchi swell and generate more mucus. Cilia, tiny hairlike projections from the cell that normally move the mucus carpet upward toward the mouth, become paralyzed. The cough normally lasts three weeks, longer after a bout of influenza. Expectoration of yellowish phlegm is normal and indicates your immune system is doing its work.

Other causes of coughs: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinusitis can lead to postnasal drip, which tends to produce a nighttime cough. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or heartburn) can cause coughing and sometimes a burning sensation. Colds can aggravate asthma, which can produce coughing, and more easily lead to bronchitis. People with cystic fibrosis are very vulnerable to lung infections.

Chronic bronchitis (cough lasting longer than three months) is common in smokers and those who live with them. Tobacco smoke compromises immune defenses, inflames the bronchial linings, increases mucus, and paralyzes the cilia. People with chronic bronchitis are more at risk of acute infection.

RECIPES TO TREAT COUGHS AND BRONCHITIS

Garlic Honey 

4 garlic heads 1½ cups (480 g) honey

PREPARATION AND USE: 
Peel the cloves and gently squash each one with the flat of the knife. (Doing so activates an enzyme that converts an inactive chemical in garlic to one of the key ingredients.) Drop the cloves into a clean pint-size (475 ml) mason jar. Add enough honey to completely cover the garlic. Stir with a chopstick. Cap the jar. Let it sit for four to six weeks in a cool, dry place. (If you already have a cough, you can dip into the honey pot in two days.) You can eat the garlic cloves along with the honey.

Yield: about 50 doses

How it works:
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. Garlic is antimicrobial and an expectorant. Some of its chemicals are excreted across the lungs. Although that may give you garlic breath, the good news is some of garlic’s beneficial chemicals are coming into contact with your lungs.

Old Thyme-y Honey 

1 cup (43 g) dried thyme leaves or (38 g) fresh 1½ to 2 cups (480 to 640 g) honey

PREPARATION AND USE:
You have two choices for prep: 1. Pour the thyme into a clean pint-size (475 ml) mason jar. Cover completely with honey. Stir to blend (a chopstick works well for stirring). Let sit for two weeks in a sunny window. At this point, you can either call the recipe done or strain the honey, discard the herbs, and rebottle. We don’t mind the thyme leaves and hate to waste the delicious honey clinging to the leaves. Store in the cupboard. 2. Put the thyme in the top of a double boiler. Add enough honey to completely cover it. Add water to the bottom pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a 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. Take honey by the teaspoon to relieve coughing.

Yield: about 24 doses (less if the thyme is removed, more if it isn’t)

How it works:
Thyme helps open tight airways, combats infection, calms coughs, and helps expel mucus.

Peppermint Honey 

¼ cup (80 g) honey 3 to 5 drops peppermint essential oil

PREPARATIoN ANd USE:
Put the honey and peppermint essential oil in a small, clean jar and blend with a chopstick. Cap and store in a cupboard. Take 1 teaspoonful up to four times a day.

Yield: 12 doses

How it works:
Peppermint reduces chest tightness and coughing and helps clear mucus. Warning: This recipe is for teens and adults only. Most of the time, essential oils are used externally only. However, peppermint is safe in small amounts.

Italian Steam 

2 cups (475 ml) water ½ cup (about 24 g) Italian seasonings: fresh thyme, oregano, and/or rosemary leaves

PREPARATION AND USE: 
Boil the water in a saucepan. Turn off the heat. Add a handful of the herbs and stir. Cover for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set on a hot pad. Remove the lid. Lean over the steaming water and cover your head with a clean towel. Breathe the vapors through your mouth for about 1 minute. Rewarm and repeat several times a day as needed. If you store the covered saucepan overnight in the refrigerator, you may reuse the next day. Optional: After you steam, strain the liquid into a warm bath. After discarding the herbs, soak.

Yield: one to two days’ worth of steaming

How it works:
These Italian seasonings are all members of the peppermint family. As such, they relax smooth muscle (thus relaxing the airways) and discourage infection. Note: If you have eucalyptus trees in your area, you can substitute those leaves, crushed, for the Italian herbs.

Eucalyptus Steam 

2 cups (475 ml) water 2 to 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil

PREPARATION AND USE: 
Boil the water in a saucepan. Turn off the heat. Transfer the pan to a hot pad. Add 2 to 3 drops of eucalyptus oil. Bend over the pan and cover your head with a clean towel. Inhale the steam through your mouth for about 1 minute. Repeat four or five times a day. Because the essential oil vaporizes quickly, you’ll need to reheat the water and add fresh eucalyptus essential oil each time.

Yield: 1 Steam Session

How it works:
Essential oil of eucalyptus works against a range of bacteria and viruses. It also favorably alters immune function and helps clear excess respiratory mucus. By breathing in through your mouth, you allow the essential oil steam to come in direct contact with your throat. Note: Inhaling vapors from the smell of essential oils may trigger asthmatic coughing. If you have asthma, try plain steam first. If the steam doesn’t trigger your asthma or worsen your coughing, add 1 drop of essential oil. If you tolerate that, work your way up to three. People with asthma usually have no problem using chest rubs that include essential oils, such as eucalyptus.

Cough-Cutting Peppermint Tea 

2 cups (475 ml) water 1 teaspoon (1 g) dried thyme 3 teaspoons (5 g) dried peppermint leaves Honey (optional)

PREPARATION AND USE: 
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, if desired. Drink the tea and inhale the steam through your mouth. Try to drink several cups a day.

Yield: 1 Serving

How it works:
Peppermint and thyme both help calm coughs and combat infection. Peppermint can also ease throat discomfort associated with coughing. Note: Buy a box of peppermint tea bags and keep them handy for your this remedy. Lemon Up 1 lemon Less than ¹∕8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION AND USE: 
Slice the lemon in half. Sprinkle the black pepper over one half. Suck in the liquid and swallow. Brush your teeth afterward to remove the acidity from your teeth.

Yield: 1 Serving

How it works:
Lemon packs flavonoids and vitamin C for fighting infection. Pepper increases circulation, which helps the healing process.

Mustard Plaster 

Ask someone to assist you with the application of this remedy. 1 tablespoon (9 g) dry mustard 1 tablespoon (8 g) all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) warm water, plus more as needed 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

PREPARATION AND USE:
Mix the mustard and flour in a small bowl. Blend in the water. Add more water as needed to make a spreadable paste. Cover your chest with the olive oil (it will protect the skin from mustard’s somewhat irritating effects). Place a clean cloth on your chest (use a bandana, thin dishcloth, or muslin—something you don’t mind turning yellow). Spread the mustard plaster over the cloth. Cover the plaster with a plastic bag. On top, place a warm, moist hand towel (your assistant can heat it in the microwave on high for 30 to 60 seconds). After 5 minutes, remove the mustard plaster and wash your skin. Do not leave on longer, as blistering can occur.

Yield: 1 aapplication

How it works:
Mustard contains irritating chemicals that stimulate blood flow. The idea is that increasing blood supply promotes delivery of infection-fighting white blood cells. While the infection isn’t in the skin, this plaster can create a deeper sense of warmth. This traditional remedy has not, as far as we know, been subjected to scientific study. However, many people swear by this remedy. Note: If you have sensitive skin or allergies, try a small test patch first. Cases of contact dermatitis (allergic skin reactions) have been reported. Do not apply to inflamed skin or open wounds.

When Simple Doesn’t work
Several studies support the use of an extract of pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides, a South African geranium) as a bronchitis treatment. The Zulu have long used this plant. In one study, people taking it returned to work two days sooner than did those taking a placebo. You can find this product in natural food stores sold under the brand name Umcka.