Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (124 page)

Immune-suppressive and challenging foods. These include sugar, refined grains (white bread, white rice, white pasta, pastry, etc.), salt, processed and packaged foods, additives, caffeine, and alcohol.

Red meats and dairy products because they contain saturated fats, which can be proinflammatory.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Many herbs and gentle spices have beneficial properties for bronchitis; they are often anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral. They also support digestive function, which often becomes weaker as we age. Good ones to try would be turmeric, cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander, oregano, parsley, mint, fennel, nettle, cinnamon, chives, and ginger.

The herb astragalus should be taken for a period of six months to strengthen your immune system and to fortify the lungs.

Echinacea tincture can help to prevent secondary infection and dry up excess mucus.

Expectorant herbs such as chickweed, coltsfoot, comfrey, elecampane, eucalyptus, horehound, hyssop, licorice, mullein, and pleurisy root can all help to discharge phlegm and mucus.

The herbal tincture mullein can work wonders. It can help to bring up the phlegm so you don’t cough as much.

If fever is present, add foods that make you sweat such as catnip, cayenne, chamomile, elderflower, garlic, ginger, horseradish, lemon balm, sage, spearmint, and yarrow.

Anti-inflammatory bioflavanoids can be taken as a supplement with vitamin C.

Bromelain supplements in between meals can act as anti-inflammatories, too.

Supplements of N-Acetyl Cysteine can help to lessen mucus and break it up.

EXTRA TIPS

Poultices of hot flax seed and bran placed across the chest can help. Pulped onion between layers of muslin will help to break up congestion.