It could be that nebulizer is the most effective method in treating bronchitis. But not all families have a nebulizing machine to start with? What are home remedies that are suitable for children in the absence of a nebulizer? Look for affordable pocket nebulizers.
In principle, the home remedies suitable for children are the same as described above: bed rest, teas, compresses, rubbing in and, if necessary, inhaling. But: The corresponding warning notices must be observed! They concern, on the one hand, the duty of care (e.g. when inhaling) and, on the other hand, specific dangers in infancy and small children (e.g. bronchospasm risk from essential oils).
The most important home remedy for children, on the other hand, is always suitable: loving touch with holding hands, gentle massages and caressing. In this way, the annoying symptoms of a cold can also be endured much better.
Home Remedies For Bronchitis
1. Inhalation: Hot vapors (with or without essential oils) or an inhaler with a nebulizer function can also significantly alleviate your symptoms. Inhaling is one of the most frequently recommended treatments by doctors for painful coughs and stubborn phlegm.
Attention! Do not use essential oil on infants, toddlers, bronchial asthma, whooping cough or croup. The little patients should also only inhale under supervision!
How to do it? Fill an inhaler with a mouth and nose attachment with hot, no longer boiling water and then breathe in and out slowly and deeply as often as possible. The inhalation should be repeated regularly, e.g. every three hours. To inhale with isotonic saline solution, a teaspoon (or approx. 9 g) of salt is added to 1 liter of hot water.
The classic alternative to the inhaler is the bowl and towel. However, this method is less convenient and should be used with caution due to the risk of scalding. So don’t lower your head over the bowl until the hot liquid has cooled down a bit!
2. Onion and honey: Both are mostly present in the household and have a calming effect on the inflamed bronchi. Alone or in combination as home-brewed cough syrup or syrup, they are classics among home remedies. The valuable ingredients of onions include essential oil, sulfur-containing compounds and flavonoids. They provide expectorant, germicidal and slightly anti-inflammatory effects. The widely valued bee sap was particularly convincing in some studies because of its good effect in the treatment of coughs and sore throats in children.
Attention! Due to the risk of infant botulism, honey is not suitable in the first 12 months of life. Traces of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum can be found in honey. This can cause a rare type of food poisoning (botulism) in babies. Therefore, it is recommended not to give honey to babies in the first year of life.
How to do it? Dice the onions and bring to the boil with honey or rock sugar over low heat (or put in a sealable glass over medium heat in the oven until the onion juice has come out). Then strain through a cotton cloth or a coffee filter, if necessary leave it to soak in the refrigerator overnight, and take in a teaspoon at a time. Onion sachets are also a good option for neck and chest wraps.
3. Ginger tea is a popular and effective home remedy for colds and bronchitis. In addition to the essential oils, the hot substance gingerol is primarily responsible for the beneficial effects of the ginger tuber. Especially with sore throats and coughing in the context of acute bronchitis, you benefit from the fact that the tuber not only has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect, but also supports our immune system in the fight against pathogens.
How to do it? To make a ginger tea, pour boiling water over some freshly cut, thin slices of ginger. Cover and let the infusion stand for about five to ten minutes. Then the parts of the plant are strained and the tea, depending on taste, is seasoned with a little honey and lemon.
Which medicinal plants are particularly effective in treating bronchitis?
The following medicinal plants have proven to be particularly effective in treating bronchitis: thyme, ivy and primrose. The herbal ingredients have an expectorant, expectorant, mucous membrane protection, antispasmodic, cough-relieving, germ and anti-inflammatory effect. The dominant properties vary depending on the plant.
Incidentally, the effectiveness of approved herbal medicinal products has been proven. Ask your pharmacists. There are very good and proven lozenges that are effective to alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis. Check its ingredients. Those that have thyme, ivy, and primrose are among those effective lozenges and cough drops.
Tip: By regularly sucking pastilles or cough drops, you can additionally stimulate your saliva flow and thus also support the moistening of the mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx). The active ingredients of thyme contained in these lozenges also alleviate the irritation of the throat and the hoarseness.