B >> Bad breath/Halitosis, Backache, Boils, Bronchitis
Bad Breath -Halitosis:
Halitosis is the technical name given to bad breath. Halitosis affects slightly more than half the population, and though it can be embarrassing, it can also be an indicator of a larger problem. There is no substitute for routine and regular dental care, but there are several home remedies that are effective against halitosis.
Home remedies:
Tip 1: Mixing baking soda with warm water and using it to clean your mouth and teeth is a good home remedy recommended for halitosis. This is because baking soda changes the pH in the mouth and makes it difficult for bacteria to multiply.
Tip 2: Parsley is another home remedy for halitosis. Take two cups of water and boil it with several coarsely chopped parsley. Add two to three whole cloves or one table spoon of powdered cloves. Remove it from the stove and allow it to cool. Stir it occasionally while it is cooling. Strain the leaves and use the liquid as a mouth-wash. You can also gargle the same several times a day.
Tip 3: Certain Ayurvedic therapies like ‘Kavala’ and ‘Gandusha’ are good for halitosis. In fact these therapies are one of the best home remedies for halitosis. These therapies are performed by keeping medicated herbal decoction or any liquid material into the mouth. You should either gargle or retain the solution for couple of minutes. Practicing regularly takes off the bad breath.
Tip 4: Fenugreek is the most effective herbal remedy for bad breath. If you can buy a tea made with fenugreek leaves from a herbal shop that would be sufficient. Just drink the tea about two to three times a day for maximum efficiency. With in no time, your bad breath will just be a bad memory. If you can’t find fenugreek tea, you can prepare some yourself by boiling a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water. Simmer it for fifteen minutes. Strain it and drink it while it is luke warm.
Tip 5: Add 2 to 3 drops of oil of oregano in the drinking water. this would help solve the problem of halitosis.
Tip 6: Choose a mouth wash which contains eucalyptol and thymol. Derived from eucalyptus and thyme respectively, these prove worthwhile in destroying bad breath.
Tip 7: Chewing mint leaves is also beneficial in curing a person who is suffering from bad breath or halitosis.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BACKACHE:
Backache is one of the most common ailments prevalent today. Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, cause backaches. As the back bears theweight of the entire body, overweight persons feel the strain on the back when they have to carry an extra load.
Causes and Symptoms:
In most cases of backache, the pain is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. In a condition of acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden. About ninety per cent of backache patients suffer from what is called cervical and lumbar spondylosis. It is a degenerative disorder in which the different vertebrae adhere to each other through bony unions. As a result of this, the spine loses its flexibility.
The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, straining of the joints, poor posture, and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, influenza, and arthritis, may also lead to backache. Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels, and emotional problems which may cause painful muscle cramping.
Home Remedies:
1. Garlic: The most important home remedy for backache is the use of garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results. An oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oils which are used as rubefacients, such as mustard oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil can be used according to one's choice. They should be fried on a slow fire till they are brown. After the oil has cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may, thereafter, take a warm-water bath. This treatment should be continued for at least fifteen days.
2. Lemon: Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.
3. Chebulic Myroblan: The use of chebulic myroblan is beneficial in the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals. This wiII give quick relief.
4. Vitamin C: Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches.
5. Potato: Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterised by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the form of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.
Dietary advice:
The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce, and, at least, two steamed or lightly¬ cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach, and plenty of fruits, except bananas. The patient should have four meals daily. Fruit and milk are advised for breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole wheat chapatis for lunch; fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening; and a. bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.The patient should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods; curd, sweetmeats and sugar; condiments; and tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet
Other Measures:
Smoking or taking tobacco in any form should be given up completely. Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief. Yogic asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of backache are bhujangasana, shalahhasana, halasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BOILS
Boils are localized, tender, inflamed, pus-filled swellings in the skin surrounded by large red areas. They are infections of the hair follicles of the skin. They are quite painful, particularly in areas where the skin is closely attached to the underlying tissues, such as the nose, ears, or fingers. They usually occur in teenagers andyoung adults. The common sites for boils are the face, neck, buttocks, and thighs.
Causes and Symptoms
At first, a painful red nodule appears on the skin. This grows bigger and then breaks down in the middle where the pus collects. The patient experiences a great deal of irritation and itching. There may be a single boil, or several boils in the same area or in different areas at or about the same time, or they may come in successive crops. The swelling may not be limited to one hair follicle but may extend to several follicles. When the boils ripen, they give out a discharge. Fever may sometimes accompany the boils.
Boils are caused mainly by staphylococcus germs which enter the sweat glands or hair follicles. The essential cause of this disorder is thus bacterial. However, several factors predispose the growth of bacteria in hair follicles. Of these, the chief factor is a toxic condition in the blood stream, which is due to a faulty diet and a frenetic pace of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down and devitalized condition.
Home Remedies
Garlic and Onion:
Garlic and onions have proved most effective among the several home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of boils. The juice of garlic or onion may be applied externally on boils to help ripen them, break them, and evacuate the pus. An equal quantity of the juices of these two vegetables can also be applied with beneficial results. Eating of two to three pods of garlic during meals will also bring good results.
Bitter Gourd:
Bitter gourd is another effective home remedy for blood-filled boils. A cupful of fresh juice of this vegetable, mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice, should be taken, sip by sip, on an empty stomach daily for a few months to treat this condition.
Milk Cream:
Milk cream is beneficial in the treatment of boils. One teaspoon of milk cream, mixed with half a teaspoon of vinegar, and a pinch of turmeric powder, makes an excellent poultice. It helps in ripening the blood boils and in their healing without allowing them to become septic.
Betel Leaves:
Betel leaves are a valuable remedy for boils. A leaf is gently warmed till it becomes soft. It is then coated with a layer of castor oil. The oiled leaf should be spread over the inflamed part. It should be replaced every few hours. After a few applications, the boil will rupture, draining out all the purulent matter.
Cumin Seeds:
Cumin seeds are beneficial in the treatment of boils. The seeds should be ground in water and made into a paste. This paste can be applied to boils with beneficial results.
Margosa Leaves:
The use of margosa leaves has proved effective in boils. They can be used as a poultice, decoction, or liniment with beneficial results. To make the decoction, 15 gm of margosa leaves should be boiled in 500 ml of water till it is reduced by one-third.
Parsley:
To treat boils, this vegetable should be steeped in boiled water till it is soft and juicy. When comfortably hot, it should be wrapped with clean muslin or linen cloth and applied to the boils as a poultice.
Turmeric:
Application of turmeric powder on boils speeds up the healing process. In the case of fresh boils, a few dry roots of turmeric are roasted, the ashes dissolved in a cupful of water, and then applied over the affected portion. This solution enables the boils to ripen and burst.
Dietary Considerations
A thorough cleansing of the system is essential for the treatment of boils. To begin with, the patient may fast on orange juice diluted with water on a 50:50 basis for three to four days, or adopt an exclusive diet of fresh juicy fruits from five to seven days.
After the short juice fast or the all-fruit diet, as the case may be, the patient should adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on wholegrain cereals, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits. Further periods of a juice fast or an all-fruit diet may be necessary, depending on the general health level and bodily condition of the patient
The patient should avoid tea and coffee, starchy and sugary foods, especially cakes, pastries, sweets, chocolates, white sugar, and white bread. He should also avoid all condiments, pickles, and sauces.
Other Measures
A warm-water enema should be given daily during the initial juice fast or all-fruit diet This will help to cleanse the bowels. Warn moist compresses should be applied three or four times a day over the tender area. This will help to bring the boil to a head and encourage easy drainage. A hot Epsom salts bath is highly beneficial and should be taken by the patient two or three times in a week until the boils persist and once a week thereafter. Other helpful measures in the treatment of boils are daily dry massage in the morning followed by a cold sponge. Fresh air, breathing exercises, and outdoor exercises are also essential for toning up the system. In case constipation is habitual, all measures should be taken to overcome it.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BRONCHITIS
Bronchitis refers to the inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the bronchial tubes within the lungs. Bronchitis may be acute or chronic. In chronic cases, the disease is of long duration and more serious.
Causes and Symptoms
Due to inflammation in the bronchi, large quantities of mucus are secreted and expelIed as phlegm. This phlegm is sticky, semi -fluid and may even be purulent The patient suffers from fever, experiences some difficulty in breathing, and has a cough. Other symptoms are hoarseness, pain in chest and loss of appetite.
An important cause of bronchitis is smoking. Excessive smoking irritates the bronchial tubes and lowers their resistance, so that they become vulnerable to germs breathed in from the atmosphere. Other causes are living or working in a stuffy atmosphere, use of drugs to suppress earlier diseases, and hereditary factors. Changes in weather and environment hasten the onset of the disease.
Home Remedies
Turmeric:
One of the most effective home remedies for bronchitis is the use of turmeric powder. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be administered with half a glass of milk, two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.
Ginger:
Another effective remedy for bronchitis is a mixture comprising of half a teaspoon each of the powder of ginger, pepper, and cloves, three times a day. It may be licked with honey or taken as an infusion with tea. The mixture of these three ingredients has also antipyretic qualities and is effective in reducing fever accompanying bronchitis. It also tones up the metabolism of the patient.
Onion:
Onions have been used as a remedy for bronchitis for centuries. They are said to possess expectorant properties. They liquefy phlegm and prevent its further formation. One teaspoon of raw onion juice, first thing in the morning, is very beneficial in such cases.
Spinach:
Fifty grams of fresh leaves of spinach, and 250 ml of water should be mixed with a pinch of ammonium chloride and one teaspoonful of honey. This infusion is an effective expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis.
Sesame Seeds:
An infusion of one teaspoon of sesame seeds, mixed with a teaspoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt, and a teaspoon of honey, can be given once at night with beneficial results in bronchitis. Half a teaspoon of dry seeds pounded into powder should be given, mixed with two tablespoons of water, twice daily. Alternately, a decoction of half a teaspoon of the same should be taken twice daily.
Almond:
An emulsion of almonds is useful in bronchial diseases, including bronchitis. It is prepared by making a powder of seven kernels of almonds and mixing the powdered kernels in a cup of orange or lemon juice. This emulsion may be taken once daily at night.
Chicory:
Chicory or endive is another effective home remedy for bronchitis. The powder of the dry root of this herb should be given in doses of half a teaspoon mixed with one teaspoonful of honey thrice daily. It is a very useful expectorant in chronic bronchitis.
Linseed:
A hot poultice of linseed (alsi) should be applied over the front and back of the chest. This poultice may be prepared by mixing one cup or sixteen tablespoons of the seeds with a quantity of hot water, sufficient to convert them into a moist mealy mass. This should then be applied carefully. Turpentine may also be rubbed over the chest.
Dietary Considerations
In acute bronchitis, the patient should fast on orange juice and water till the acute symptoms subside. Thereafter, he should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days.
In the case of chronic bronchitis, the patient can begin with an all-fruit diet for five to seven days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits. After the all-fruit diet, he should follow a well ¬balanced diet with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water, or cold/hot plain water may be taken.
Other Measures
A hot Epsom salts bath every night or every other night is valuable during the acute stages of the attack. This bath is prepared by dissolving 11/2 kg of Epsom salt in 60 litres of water having a temperature of 37.8"C. The patient should remain immersed in the bath for about twenty minutes. In the case of chronic bronchitis, this bath may be taken twice a week.
Hot towels wrung out and applied over the upper chest are helpful in both chronic and acute bronchitis. After applying three hot towels in turn for two or three minutes each, one should always finish off with a cold towel. A cold pack can be applied to the upper chest several times daily in acute conditions. The procedure is to wring out some linen material in cold water, wrap it two or three times round the affected part and cover it with flannel. The pack can remain for about an hour at a time.
Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also essential for the treatment of bronchitis. The patient is advised to take a morning walk every day. He should also perform yogic kriyas (cleansing exercises) such as jalneti and vamandhauti, and yogic asanas (body postures) such as ekpaduttanasana, yogamudra, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, padmasana, and shavasana. Simple pranayamas (breath-holding procedures) like kapalbhati anuloma-viloma, Itjjai, and bhramari will also be beneficial.
<<<<< Click on the links below for more home remedies >>>>>
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Bad Breath -Halitosis:
Halitosis is the technical name given to bad breath. Halitosis affects slightly more than half the population, and though it can be embarrassing, it can also be an indicator of a larger problem. There is no substitute for routine and regular dental care, but there are several home remedies that are effective against halitosis.
Home remedies:
Tip 1: Mixing baking soda with warm water and using it to clean your mouth and teeth is a good home remedy recommended for halitosis. This is because baking soda changes the pH in the mouth and makes it difficult for bacteria to multiply.
Tip 2: Parsley is another home remedy for halitosis. Take two cups of water and boil it with several coarsely chopped parsley. Add two to three whole cloves or one table spoon of powdered cloves. Remove it from the stove and allow it to cool. Stir it occasionally while it is cooling. Strain the leaves and use the liquid as a mouth-wash. You can also gargle the same several times a day.
Tip 3: Certain Ayurvedic therapies like ‘Kavala’ and ‘Gandusha’ are good for halitosis. In fact these therapies are one of the best home remedies for halitosis. These therapies are performed by keeping medicated herbal decoction or any liquid material into the mouth. You should either gargle or retain the solution for couple of minutes. Practicing regularly takes off the bad breath.
Tip 4: Fenugreek is the most effective herbal remedy for bad breath. If you can buy a tea made with fenugreek leaves from a herbal shop that would be sufficient. Just drink the tea about two to three times a day for maximum efficiency. With in no time, your bad breath will just be a bad memory. If you can’t find fenugreek tea, you can prepare some yourself by boiling a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water. Simmer it for fifteen minutes. Strain it and drink it while it is luke warm.
Tip 5: Add 2 to 3 drops of oil of oregano in the drinking water. this would help solve the problem of halitosis.
Tip 6: Choose a mouth wash which contains eucalyptol and thymol. Derived from eucalyptus and thyme respectively, these prove worthwhile in destroying bad breath.
Tip 7: Chewing mint leaves is also beneficial in curing a person who is suffering from bad breath or halitosis.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BACKACHE:
Backache is one of the most common ailments prevalent today. Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, cause backaches. As the back bears theweight of the entire body, overweight persons feel the strain on the back when they have to carry an extra load.
Causes and Symptoms:
In most cases of backache, the pain is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. In a condition of acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden. About ninety per cent of backache patients suffer from what is called cervical and lumbar spondylosis. It is a degenerative disorder in which the different vertebrae adhere to each other through bony unions. As a result of this, the spine loses its flexibility.
The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, straining of the joints, poor posture, and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, influenza, and arthritis, may also lead to backache. Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels, and emotional problems which may cause painful muscle cramping.
Home Remedies:
1. Garlic: The most important home remedy for backache is the use of garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results. An oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oils which are used as rubefacients, such as mustard oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil can be used according to one's choice. They should be fried on a slow fire till they are brown. After the oil has cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may, thereafter, take a warm-water bath. This treatment should be continued for at least fifteen days.
2. Lemon: Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.
3. Chebulic Myroblan: The use of chebulic myroblan is beneficial in the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals. This wiII give quick relief.
4. Vitamin C: Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches.
5. Potato: Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterised by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the form of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.
Dietary advice:
The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce, and, at least, two steamed or lightly¬ cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach, and plenty of fruits, except bananas. The patient should have four meals daily. Fruit and milk are advised for breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole wheat chapatis for lunch; fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening; and a. bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.The patient should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods; curd, sweetmeats and sugar; condiments; and tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet
Other Measures:
Smoking or taking tobacco in any form should be given up completely. Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief. Yogic asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of backache are bhujangasana, shalahhasana, halasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BOILS
Boils are localized, tender, inflamed, pus-filled swellings in the skin surrounded by large red areas. They are infections of the hair follicles of the skin. They are quite painful, particularly in areas where the skin is closely attached to the underlying tissues, such as the nose, ears, or fingers. They usually occur in teenagers andyoung adults. The common sites for boils are the face, neck, buttocks, and thighs.
Causes and Symptoms
At first, a painful red nodule appears on the skin. This grows bigger and then breaks down in the middle where the pus collects. The patient experiences a great deal of irritation and itching. There may be a single boil, or several boils in the same area or in different areas at or about the same time, or they may come in successive crops. The swelling may not be limited to one hair follicle but may extend to several follicles. When the boils ripen, they give out a discharge. Fever may sometimes accompany the boils.
Boils are caused mainly by staphylococcus germs which enter the sweat glands or hair follicles. The essential cause of this disorder is thus bacterial. However, several factors predispose the growth of bacteria in hair follicles. Of these, the chief factor is a toxic condition in the blood stream, which is due to a faulty diet and a frenetic pace of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down and devitalized condition.
Home Remedies
Garlic and Onion:
Garlic and onions have proved most effective among the several home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of boils. The juice of garlic or onion may be applied externally on boils to help ripen them, break them, and evacuate the pus. An equal quantity of the juices of these two vegetables can also be applied with beneficial results. Eating of two to three pods of garlic during meals will also bring good results.
Bitter Gourd:
Bitter gourd is another effective home remedy for blood-filled boils. A cupful of fresh juice of this vegetable, mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice, should be taken, sip by sip, on an empty stomach daily for a few months to treat this condition.
Milk Cream:
Milk cream is beneficial in the treatment of boils. One teaspoon of milk cream, mixed with half a teaspoon of vinegar, and a pinch of turmeric powder, makes an excellent poultice. It helps in ripening the blood boils and in their healing without allowing them to become septic.
Betel Leaves:
Betel leaves are a valuable remedy for boils. A leaf is gently warmed till it becomes soft. It is then coated with a layer of castor oil. The oiled leaf should be spread over the inflamed part. It should be replaced every few hours. After a few applications, the boil will rupture, draining out all the purulent matter.
Cumin Seeds:
Cumin seeds are beneficial in the treatment of boils. The seeds should be ground in water and made into a paste. This paste can be applied to boils with beneficial results.
Margosa Leaves:
The use of margosa leaves has proved effective in boils. They can be used as a poultice, decoction, or liniment with beneficial results. To make the decoction, 15 gm of margosa leaves should be boiled in 500 ml of water till it is reduced by one-third.
Parsley:
To treat boils, this vegetable should be steeped in boiled water till it is soft and juicy. When comfortably hot, it should be wrapped with clean muslin or linen cloth and applied to the boils as a poultice.
Turmeric:
Application of turmeric powder on boils speeds up the healing process. In the case of fresh boils, a few dry roots of turmeric are roasted, the ashes dissolved in a cupful of water, and then applied over the affected portion. This solution enables the boils to ripen and burst.
Dietary Considerations
A thorough cleansing of the system is essential for the treatment of boils. To begin with, the patient may fast on orange juice diluted with water on a 50:50 basis for three to four days, or adopt an exclusive diet of fresh juicy fruits from five to seven days.
After the short juice fast or the all-fruit diet, as the case may be, the patient should adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on wholegrain cereals, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits. Further periods of a juice fast or an all-fruit diet may be necessary, depending on the general health level and bodily condition of the patient
The patient should avoid tea and coffee, starchy and sugary foods, especially cakes, pastries, sweets, chocolates, white sugar, and white bread. He should also avoid all condiments, pickles, and sauces.
Other Measures
A warm-water enema should be given daily during the initial juice fast or all-fruit diet This will help to cleanse the bowels. Warn moist compresses should be applied three or four times a day over the tender area. This will help to bring the boil to a head and encourage easy drainage. A hot Epsom salts bath is highly beneficial and should be taken by the patient two or three times in a week until the boils persist and once a week thereafter. Other helpful measures in the treatment of boils are daily dry massage in the morning followed by a cold sponge. Fresh air, breathing exercises, and outdoor exercises are also essential for toning up the system. In case constipation is habitual, all measures should be taken to overcome it.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BRONCHITIS
Bronchitis refers to the inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the bronchial tubes within the lungs. Bronchitis may be acute or chronic. In chronic cases, the disease is of long duration and more serious.
Causes and Symptoms
Due to inflammation in the bronchi, large quantities of mucus are secreted and expelIed as phlegm. This phlegm is sticky, semi -fluid and may even be purulent The patient suffers from fever, experiences some difficulty in breathing, and has a cough. Other symptoms are hoarseness, pain in chest and loss of appetite.
An important cause of bronchitis is smoking. Excessive smoking irritates the bronchial tubes and lowers their resistance, so that they become vulnerable to germs breathed in from the atmosphere. Other causes are living or working in a stuffy atmosphere, use of drugs to suppress earlier diseases, and hereditary factors. Changes in weather and environment hasten the onset of the disease.
Home Remedies
Turmeric:
One of the most effective home remedies for bronchitis is the use of turmeric powder. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be administered with half a glass of milk, two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.
Ginger:
Another effective remedy for bronchitis is a mixture comprising of half a teaspoon each of the powder of ginger, pepper, and cloves, three times a day. It may be licked with honey or taken as an infusion with tea. The mixture of these three ingredients has also antipyretic qualities and is effective in reducing fever accompanying bronchitis. It also tones up the metabolism of the patient.
Onion:
Onions have been used as a remedy for bronchitis for centuries. They are said to possess expectorant properties. They liquefy phlegm and prevent its further formation. One teaspoon of raw onion juice, first thing in the morning, is very beneficial in such cases.
Spinach:
Fifty grams of fresh leaves of spinach, and 250 ml of water should be mixed with a pinch of ammonium chloride and one teaspoonful of honey. This infusion is an effective expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis.
Sesame Seeds:
An infusion of one teaspoon of sesame seeds, mixed with a teaspoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt, and a teaspoon of honey, can be given once at night with beneficial results in bronchitis. Half a teaspoon of dry seeds pounded into powder should be given, mixed with two tablespoons of water, twice daily. Alternately, a decoction of half a teaspoon of the same should be taken twice daily.
Almond:
An emulsion of almonds is useful in bronchial diseases, including bronchitis. It is prepared by making a powder of seven kernels of almonds and mixing the powdered kernels in a cup of orange or lemon juice. This emulsion may be taken once daily at night.
Chicory:
Chicory or endive is another effective home remedy for bronchitis. The powder of the dry root of this herb should be given in doses of half a teaspoon mixed with one teaspoonful of honey thrice daily. It is a very useful expectorant in chronic bronchitis.
Linseed:
A hot poultice of linseed (alsi) should be applied over the front and back of the chest. This poultice may be prepared by mixing one cup or sixteen tablespoons of the seeds with a quantity of hot water, sufficient to convert them into a moist mealy mass. This should then be applied carefully. Turpentine may also be rubbed over the chest.
Dietary Considerations
In acute bronchitis, the patient should fast on orange juice and water till the acute symptoms subside. Thereafter, he should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days.
In the case of chronic bronchitis, the patient can begin with an all-fruit diet for five to seven days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits. After the all-fruit diet, he should follow a well ¬balanced diet with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water, or cold/hot plain water may be taken.
Other Measures
A hot Epsom salts bath every night or every other night is valuable during the acute stages of the attack. This bath is prepared by dissolving 11/2 kg of Epsom salt in 60 litres of water having a temperature of 37.8"C. The patient should remain immersed in the bath for about twenty minutes. In the case of chronic bronchitis, this bath may be taken twice a week.
Hot towels wrung out and applied over the upper chest are helpful in both chronic and acute bronchitis. After applying three hot towels in turn for two or three minutes each, one should always finish off with a cold towel. A cold pack can be applied to the upper chest several times daily in acute conditions. The procedure is to wring out some linen material in cold water, wrap it two or three times round the affected part and cover it with flannel. The pack can remain for about an hour at a time.
Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also essential for the treatment of bronchitis. The patient is advised to take a morning walk every day. He should also perform yogic kriyas (cleansing exercises) such as jalneti and vamandhauti, and yogic asanas (body postures) such as ekpaduttanasana, yogamudra, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, padmasana, and shavasana. Simple pranayamas (breath-holding procedures) like kapalbhati anuloma-viloma, Itjjai, and bhramari will also be beneficial.
<<<<< Click on the links below for more home remedies >>>>>
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z