What is the best Chinese herb for bronchitis

Condition analysis:
Bronchitis is a lung disease that is aggravated by industrial pollutants, dust, and smoke. If left untreated, bronchitis can result in the irreparable destruction of lung tissue. Asthma is a respiratory sensitivity to common irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollen, mold, and dust. Asthma is often associated with bronchitis, because a person with asthma has a higher likelihood of developing bronchitis. Asthmatic episodes are marked by the muscular walls of the breathing tubes in the lungs to contract in a sudden, sometimes violent, loss of oxygen, rendering a person unable to catch his or her breath.

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view, qi (the vital energy proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health) circulates throughout the body on pathways called meridians. Qi can be heavily influenced by emotional, environmental, and elemental forces, and disruptions in the flow of qi are thought to be responsible for disease. TCM views bronchitis as a disruptive invasion of wind, either hot or cold, into the body system. Conversely, Western medicine sees the same symptoms as a standard respiratory infection. Each patient has a unique condition, and acupuncture sessions take into account the individual details of the patient, both physical and emotional. Acupuncture treatments are designed to stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin metal needles into the skin. The needles work to remove blockages in the flow of qi, allowing the body to return to a state of balance.

Alongside acupuncture, herbs are successfully used to treat bronchial symptoms, including cough, cold, perspiration, stomachaches, phlegm, chills, and headaches. Recent studies have shown that patients treated with Chinese herbs have a shorter duration of signs and symptoms. Frankincense, myrrh, Calculus Bovis, Chinese Paris Rhizome, and other herbs are used to reduce swelling, promote tissue regeneration, and clear heat and toxic materials.

Useful Tips:
Tip #1
The treatment of bronchitis may vary from person to person. While in healthy persons with normal lungs and no such chronic problem, there is no need to give antibiotics even if there is a bacterial infection. It is through coughing that your body get rid of excess mucus, this step is usually encouraged more often. But when this cough do not allow you to get your required sleep and is often painful, you may need an immediate medical treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a cough suppressant and will advise you to take rest and take lots of fluids.

Tip #2
Marshmallow – This herb soothes and coats inflamed areas in the body, including in the respiratory system.

Tip #3
Considering the fact that asthmatic bronchitis mostly involves obstruction of the respiratory tract, medical treatments should be effective in both unblocking the airways and fighting against bacteria. In most cases, medical treatments with antibiotics are accompanied by steroids and inhaled medicines. These medicines are called bronchodilators and they are useful in decongesting the airways clogged with mucus.

Tip #4
Another natural remedy is the warmth of an old-fashioned mustard plaster. It relieves symptoms of many respiratory ailments, including bronchitis. Take one tablespoon dry mustard and mix with 4 tablespoons flour. Stir in enough warm water to make a runny paste. Oil the chest with vegetable shortening or olive oil, then spread the mustard mix on a piece of cloth, muslin, gauze or a kitchen washcloth cover with an identical piece. Apply to the chest. Keep in place until cool, but check every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn the skin.