Definition

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes (Catarrh is the old term).
Back to Top

Causes

Infectious agents such as viruses, esp. influenza virus, or pyogenic organisms such as various species of Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Staphylococcus, and Hemophilus. Infection often is preceded by the common cold, and often leads to pneumonia (inflammation of the lung). Predisposing factors for bronchitis: chilling, fatigue, and malnutrition. Acute bronchial irritation may also be caused by various physical and chemical agents such as dust and fumes. Allergic factors may be of importance. Exercising in cold air, one should wear a mask to warm the air inhaled.
Back to Top

Symptoms

Incessant coughing due to the irritation present, a build-up of mucus, fever, back and chest pain, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Chronic bronchitis results from frequent irritation of the lungs, but is not an infection. Allergies may be responsible for chronic bronchitis. If the chronic bronchitis goes untreated, the space in the lungs available for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide diminishes, the heart has to work harder to keep an adequate volume of blood. This can lead to heart disease. If caused by bacteria, antibiotics should be prescribed. Cough suppressants should not be used in the treatment. A chest X-ray should be taken to rule out lung cancer.
Back to Top

Treatment

Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
Folk Medicine Formulas
Chinese Formulas
Ayurvedic Formulas
Back to Top

Nutrients

Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids, 3,000-10,000 mg. daily in divided doses. Beta-carotene, 15,000 IU per day, is needed to protect the lung tissue. Proteolytic enzymes, taken between meals, helps reduce inflammation. Vitamin A capsules, 20,000 IU twice daily for 1 month, then 15,000 IU, for healing of tissue and protection of all tissues. Vitamin E, 400 IU twice daily, needed for healing of tissues and improved breathing. Chlorophyll tablets, 3 times per day as directed on the label. Garlic tablets, 2 tablets with meals, is a natural antibiotic that reduces the infection and detoxifies the body. Multimineral formula plus zinc, 50 mg. per day, needed for healing. Calcium chelate, 1,000 mg. per day, needed for healing. Magnesium, 500 mg. per day. Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. 3 times per day, activates many enzymes needed for healing.
Back to Top

Herbs

• Angelica
• Arnica
• Balsam fir
• Bayberry
• Bearberry
• Betony
• Black radish, extract
• Bloodroot
• Bryony, white
• Buttonbush
• Calamus root
• Cardamom
• Catalpa, common
• Catnip
• Celery seed
• Cherry bark (Prunus virginiana)
• Chickweed
• Cinnamon
• Clover, red
• Collinsonia
• Coltsfoot
• Coughwort
• Cowslip
• Cubeb
• Echinacea, tea
• Elecampane root
• Ephedra
• Eucalyptus
• Euphorbia
• Fennel
• Fenugreek
• Fern, maidenhair
• Flag, sweet
• Flaxseed
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Golden seal
• Gum plant
• Hickory bark
• Horehound, white
• Hyssop
• Indigo, wild
• Irish moss
• Juniper
• Labrador tea
• Lemons
• Licorice
• Liver leaf
• Lobelia
• Lungwort
• Marshmallow
• Mugwort
• Mullein
• Plantain
• Pleurisy root
• Mint (Mentha piperita)
• Moss, Iceland
• Mugwort
• Mullein
• Myrrh
• Pau d'arco, tea
• Pleurisy root
• Pomegranate
• Red clover
• Rue, garden
• Sandalwood
• Sarsaparilla, yellow
• Senega snakeroot
• Slippery Elm, bark
• Speedwell
• St. John's wort
• Stillingia
• Sundew
• Tamarack
• Thyme
• Turnip, Indian
• Valerian
• Wahoo
• Wild cherry bark
• Yerba santa

Recommendations

Add moisture to the air. Drink plenty of fluids. For those with chronic bronchitis, cigarette smoke, even as a passive smoker, is very harmful.
Back to Top

Bibliography

• Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; pgs., 235, 280-283.
• The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 62, 461-462.
• The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs., 138-139.
• Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., pgs., 30, 48, 50, 70, 72, 76, 90, 94, 106, 114, 122, 130, 138, 150, 158, 178, 184, 190, 242, 250, 266, 308.
• The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, pgs., 34, 105-109, 163.
• Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 106, 134, 139, 188, 223, 230, 237, 284, 298, 304, 305, 337, 359, 361, 379, 384, 388-391.
• Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pgs., 67-68, 132-133.
• Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 9, 17, 23, 55, 59, 75, 85, 88, 100, 121, 122, 147, 152, 164, 165, 168, 171, 173, 179, 194, 197, 198, 201, 222-223, 246, 258, 261, 267, 269, 275, 278, 283, 316, 318.
• Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., pgs., 113-114.
• The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; pgs., 85, 348, 394, 415, 455, 457, 462.
• The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 39, 63, 67, 104, 108, 109, 112, 118, 119, 126, 127, 128, 131, 132, 135, 139, 143, 151, 155, 164, 167, 172.
• The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, pgs., 132, 142-143.

Back to Top