Bronchitis is a respiratory disorder in which there is an acute inflammation in the air passages of the lungs. This would include inflammations of the windpipe or trachea, or the large and small bronchi, which are airways in the lungs. The inflammation may be caused by an infection or otherwise. The condition is however one that can be resolved and is in most cases not very serious. Neglecting the condition can however lead to complications that may prove fatal.
Although treatments for this disease are quite effective, the symptoms can be quite disturbing and almost debilitating to some. A cough is the main symptom, but is a lot more severe and prolonged. The cough may be dry, or there may also be phlegm. The prolonged coughing is likely to cause muscle soreness in the chest and abdomen, and in severe cases it may even cause damage to the chest wall. Wheezing and shortness of breath are also common symptoms that are caused due to the inflammation.
In cases where bronchitis is caused by an infection the use of antibiotics is ineffective as the infections are largely viral. Such treatment is in fact counterproductive as it increases bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Treatments for the symptoms are therefore the best bet as the actual infection resolves naturally. In cases caused by respiratory irritants like particulate matter, smoke or dust, it is necessary to minimize exposure to the irritants. When dealing with natural treatments to relieve the symptoms aromatherapy is possibly the most effective and widely used for all respiratory ailments. They are extremely effective and not as expensive as conventional medications.
Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils of fragrant plants and herbs. These oils possess great healing powers, some directly stemming from the fragrances, while others can be attributed to their chemical composition and properties. Some of the commonly used methods of application include baths and soaks, massages, steam inhalation and inhalation with diffusers or vaporizers. Steam inhalations are probably the most popular and widely used for respiratory diseases.
Here are some essential oils that would be recommended for bronchitis treatment:
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Pine
- Myrrh
- Hyssop
- Thyme
- Myrtle
- Spruce
- Lavender
Here are some examples of how you can use these oils, along with the method of application:
Make a blend with 30 drops of eucalyptus oil, 15 drops of lavender, 12 drops of pine, 6 of marjoram, and 3 of thyme. Store the blend in a glass bottle, and add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water for an inhalation. This is an extremely effective remedy.
For a chest rub you can also make a blend of 5 drops of tea tree oil, and 5 drops of eucalyptus with 20 ml of grapeseed oil. Applying half a teaspoon of the blend onto your chest twice, preferably before going to bed and in the morning, can help signifi