Gentle folk remedies to help reduce cough and loosen phlegm in cases of mild bronchitis. Using natural, easily available, and safe ingredients to soothe the respiratory tract...
1. A cough remedy using kumquats and rock sugar.
Kumquats, also known as calamansi, are rich in vitamin C and essential oils that help fight bacteria and effectively relieve coughs. This is a very popular remedy because of its pleasant taste, suitable for both adults and children.
Instructions: Choose about 5-7 ripe yellow kumquats, wash them thoroughly, and cut them in half, leaving the seeds intact as kumquat seeds have excellent expectorant properties. Place the kumquats in a bowl, add a little rock sugar, and steam them for about 15 minutes. Patients should suck on both the juice and the kumquat pieces several times a day to experience relief from sore throats and a noticeable reduction in coughing.
Note: Choose fresh, clean kumquats. Do not use kumquats from ornamental kumquat trees used during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), as these trees often use many growth stimulants and preservatives to make the tree and fruit large, juicy, and fresh for longer.
Steamed kumquats with rock sugar.
2. Remedy using chives and rock sugar
Chives have warming properties and contain natural antibiotic compounds that effectively reduce inflammation.
Instructions: Take a handful of fresh chives, wash them thoroughly, and cut them into short pieces. Put the chives in a bowl with rock sugar and steam them until the chives are tender and the sugar has dissolved. The patient should strain the liquid and drink it two to three times a day, about two teaspoons each time. This remedy is particularly effective in reducing dry coughs and coughs with phlegm at night.
Steamed chives and rock sugar help soothe a sore throat when coughing.
3. Remedy using fresh ginger and honey
Ginger has warming properties that help warm the respiratory tract and has strong anti-inflammatory effects; when combined with honey, it helps soothe damaged throat lining.
Instructions: Wash fresh ginger, slice it thinly or chop it finely, then steep it in boiling water for 10 minutes like tea. Afterwards, add a spoonful of pure honey to the warm ginger water and sip it slowly. Note that you should only drink ginger tea in the morning or afternoon, avoiding drinking it too late in the day as ginger can cause restlessness and difficulty sleeping.
4. Remedy using garlic and honey
Garlic is considered a powerful natural antibiotic due to its active ingredient allicin, which helps boost immunity and kill the agents that cause bronchitis.
Instructions: Take a few cloves of garlic, peel them, and crush them. Put the crushed garlic in a bowl, add honey, and steam it in a double boiler for 10 minutes. Patients should not eat raw garlic directly because its pungent taste can irritate the stomach; instead, drink the mixture after steaming to reduce the strong smell and maximize its benefits.
5. Remedy using Houttuynia cordata and rice water
This is a very effective folk remedy for helping to reduce mild fever and relieve cough with phlegm caused by bronchitis.
Instructions: Take a handful of fresh Houttuynia cordata leaves, wash them thoroughly, and crush them. Boil the crushed leaves in thick, clean rice water for about ten minutes. Then strain the liquid and drink it while still warm. Rice water provides B vitamins and soothes the throat, while Houttuynia cordata helps fight inflammation and detoxify the body.
6. A remedy made from pears and rock sugar
Steamed pears with rock sugar.
Pears have a cooling effect, helping to clear heat and moisturize the lungs, making them very good for people with bronchitis accompanied by persistent dry cough or hoarseness.
Instructions: Choose a large pear, wash it, peel it, and cut it into small pieces or remove the core. Place rock sugar in the center of the pear or mix it with the pear pieces, then steam it. The patient should eat the pear pieces and drink the juice that comes out; this will help soothe the throat and reduce dryness and irritation.
Note: These folk remedies are only intended to support treatment for mild cases or as an adjunct to a doctor's treatment plan. If the patient experiences high fever, difficulty breathing, or a persistent cough, they should immediately seek medical attention for a thorough examination. These remedies should not be used for children under 1 year old.