N-acetylcysteine. N-acetylcysteine ​​(NAC) is prescribed in Europe for the treatment of chronic bronchitis³. Its ability to thin the secretions of the bronchi could facilitate their elimination and improve the breathing of people who suffer from this type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.⁴. Long-term treatments (3 to 6 months) slightly reduce the number and duration of attacks that punctuate the course of these diseases⁵.

Dosage

Take 600 mg to 1 mg per day in capsule form, in divided doses.

 Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Eucalyptus leaves and their essential oil are used in traditional medicine in several countries to relieve inflammation of the respiratory tract. This usage is also officially recognized by the German Commission E. In addition to acting as a bronchodilator to calm a cough, eucalyptus fights the infections microbial. Researchers believe that the medicinal properties of eucalyptus leaves are mainly due to the eucalyptol (also called 1,8-cineole) they contain. A clinical trial in 242 subjects with COPD demonstrated that taking cineole (200 mg, 3 times a day) for 6 months reduced the frequency and duration of exacerbations more effectively than placebo²⁰. All subjects received their standard medical treatment in parallel. In addition, 2 clinical studies conducted with myrtol, a compound isolated from myrtle (myrtle common) and rich in 1,8-cineole, have shown good results in relieving cough and reducing the frequency of exacerbations in people with chronic bronchitis^17,21.

Dosage

Consult the Eucalyptus sheet to know the various ways to use it.

 Climbing ivyt (Hedera helix). A few clinical trials conducted in Germany have confirmed the effectiveness of a liquid extract (5-7: 1, 30% ethanol) of climbing ivy in relieving the symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults (99 subjects in total) and bronchial asthma in children (75 subjects in total)^6-9,25 . The German Commission E also recognizes the effectiveness of climbing ivy leaves in the treatment of inflammation of respiratory tracts and to relieve symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Dosage

There are several ways to consume climbing ivy. Consult our Climbing ivy sheet.

 Yoga. The practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises seems to improve the lung capacity in healthy people. It can be assumed that this effect recurs in people with breathing problems. Only a few clinical trials have been carried out so far to verify this^13-15 . The results have been positive. Breathing exercises seem to be well tolerated¹⁶.

 Diet – limited sugar intake. The results of a few clinical trials suggest that a diet low in sugar (also called carbohydrates or carbohydrates) would improve resistance to exercise in people suffering from chronic bronchitis oremphysema^10-12 . The digestion of sugars produces more carbon dioxide than that of proteins and fats. This gas must be evacuated by the lungs, which are already struggling to perform their functions. In some (exceptional) cases, it may be appropriate to replace part of the sugar usually consumed with protein or fat. Ask your doctor for more information.

 Plantain (Plantago sp). The German Commission E recognizes the medicinal use of lanceolate plantain to treat, internally, infections and inflammations of respiratory tracts and the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. In the early 1980s, a few clinical trials concluded that plantain was effective for the treatment of chronic bronchitis.^22,23.

Dosage

Consult our Plantain file.

Remark

Although Commission E has only ruled on lanceolate plantain, in practice tall plantain is also used, to which the same virtues are attributed.

 Several medicinal plants have traditionally been used to relieve symptoms associated withinflammation of the respiratory tract. This is the case with astragalus, epimedes, lobelia, and cordyceps. Consult our files to find out more.

 Traditional chinese medicine. A practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be able to prescribe traditional medicinal preparations and provide acupuncture sessions in order to support the patient and improve his quality of life. The preparations Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa et Yu Ping Feng San (Wan) of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia have been used to treat chronic bronchitis in smokers.