In the wake of COVID 19, a simple cough can be a sign of the unthinkable: a Coronavirus case. Thankfully, the worst case scenario isn’t always the case, and a cough can be a symptom of a far less deadly illness: bronchitis. The bronchus is a passage for air to get into the lungs and bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes. Symptoms of bronchitis include:

• Cough

• Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Slight fever and chills

• Chest discomfort

In traditional Chinese medicine, bronchitis is attributed to heat in the lungs. This heat impairs the flow of air into the lungs and causes coughing and breathlessness. The body excretes fluids to cool the lungs down. If the heat continues, the fluids bake, causing them to become thick and change to a yellowish color in the middle stages and, as the heat advances, to green. The continued fight causes the body to have to expend more and more energy, which leads to fatigue, chills and fever. Symptoms of excessive heat in the lungs include:

• A barking cough

• Shortness of breath

• Asthma

• Chest oppression

• Yellow/green mucus

The tongue will also show signs of heat in the body by having a red appearance and a thick, sticky yellow coating.

If you’re suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, we recommend treating bronchitis through your diet, essential oils, lifestyle changes and, of course, regular acupuncture treatments to bring your body back to its natural healthy state.

Diet

Add water chestnuts to your diet to clear heat and mucus in the lungs. If you’re a tea drinker, drink 3 to 5 cups a day of your favorite tea with fresh water chestnuts and honeysuckle flowers.

Asian pears are also useful in treating bronchitis. They regenerate body fluids, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs and dissolve mucus. They are also a great cough suppressant. To use Asian pear, core a pear and fill it with honey, steam and enjoy. Do this 3 to 4 times a day. Lemon juice with honey, as well as white radish, are excellent food to relieve a cough. Take one white radish approximately the size of a fist and cut it into thin slices. Mix it with 1 TBS of honey and 1 cup of water; cook for 20 minutes; drink and feel the instant relief.

Eliminate spicy, cold and raw foods from the diet because they can constrict the bronchial tubes leading to spasms. You also can avoid infections by eating a diet high in garlic and onions, and increase your water consumption.

Essential oils

They aren’t just for your diffuser. While essential oils are widely known to be power aids in aromatherapy, they also can be used topically. When using essential oils with regards to bronchitis treatment, we recommend applying 2 drops of eucalyptus on the chest to open up your lungs and nasal passages.

Acupuncture

It’s a well known fact that acupuncture is great for boosting the immune system, managing pain and improving your overall health. Acupuncture is also an amazing tool to treat bronchitis. There are several different reasons for bronchitis, i.e lung dampness and phlegm heat. The goal of acupuncture treatments is to clear lung heat, dissolve phlegm and regulate qi circulation to relieve wheezing and dyspnea.

At The Point of Health Wellness Center, we understand that health and wellness is a journey—not a destination. Suffering from bronchitis in the era of COVID-19 can be scary to say the least. But have no fear, The Point of Health is here to guide you on your path to optimal health. With regular acupuncture treatments, simple yet effective lifestyle and dietary changes, using essential oils combined with a positive attitude, the sky's the limit for your health and well-being goals.