NaturalMedications

Thyme is known as a powerful antiseptic and a general tonic, with healing powers. It is said to be used in cases of anemia, bronchial and intestinal disturbances.

A cure for bronchitis popular throughout Europe may bring tears to your eyes - but it will also relieve your symptoms. In this treatment, a hot onion poultice is applied to the chest. Both the vapors and the heat ease breathing by clearing the airways.

The Indians of Peru, as well as many inhabitants of El Salvador, treat bronchitis the same way they treat asthma - by eating the thick sap of the balsam tree. The sap works especially well for bronchitis because it is an expectorant, which means it makes coughing easier. This clears out the lungs, thereby shortening the course of the illness.

From Australia: Boiling the leaves of the eucalyptus tree in water and inhaling the steam is one of the best treatments for bronchitis. This softens mucus in obstructed airways and easier breathing.

For bronchitis and sinus congestion, the Swedes use hot chili peppers. When you bite into a hot pepper, your eyes water, and your nose runs. Your lungs and bronchial passages also produce watery secretions. The mucus in the lungs is thinned, and coughing is eased. The compounds that give pepper its fiery effect are oily, and water can't dilute them. If you need to "douse the fire" after eating hot peppers, eat some cool yogurt or

bread, or drink some milk. These substances will absorb the oils and carry them downward.

In Tudor times in England, bronchitis and severe coughs were treated with a well liked remedy: apples baked with honey and served mashed with butter. (Canadian researchers have now determined that people who eat apples or drink apple juice on a daily basis tend to have a lower incidence of colds and upper respiratory ailments.)

Bronchial Herbal Tincture/Tea

1 part Elecampane

1/2 part Coltsfoot

1 part Mullein leaf

1/2 part Usnea

1 part Marshmallow

1/4 part Osha

1/2 part Echinacea

Combine the required proportions of the herbs together and mix well. This formula is best prepared as a tincture but can be prepared as a tea as well. You may want to increase your dosage of Usnea in addition to the amount provided in this formula, especially if you are preparing the Bronchial Formula as a tea because the usnic acid does not dissolve well in water.

Dosage is 30 drops 3 times per day, or up to 4 cups of tea per day using 1 tablespoon of herb per cup.

TEA FOR BRONCHIAL CONGESTION

1 ½ oz Aniseed

1 oz Calendula flowers

3/4 oz Marshmallow root

1/3 oz Licorice root

Crush aniseeds and add to herbs. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp mixture; cover & steep 10 minutes

Herbal Cough Syrup

Very soothing to the throat.

*1/4 cup dried herbs or 3 cups packed fresh herbs, washed & dried

1 quart of water

2 Tbs. honey

Combine the first two ingredients in an enamel sauce pan. Bring mixture

to a boil. Keep at a slow boil until the mixture has reduced by half.

Add the honey and mix well. Put in a glass jar and store in the

refrigerator for up to 1 month.

*An example of an herb to use is horehound, you would use the leaves and

take 1/2 to 1 tsp. up to 3 times a day. This helps relieve coughs,

colds, sore throats and bronchitis.