Locations:
Search IconSearch

Battling Bronchitis? Try These Home Remedies

Simple solutions like adding moisture to the air and using nasal sprays can help ease your cough and other symptoms of the illness

Hand holding hot glass mug of tea, with medicine packet open on bed cover

You have a miserable case of bronchitis and your cough could wake the dead. Everyone around you is keeping a safe distance. (Can you really blame them?) Even your pets seem to be in hiding.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

So, are there any home remedies for bronchitis that can calm your agitated airways and get life back to normal? Family physician Matthew Goldman, MD, shares some advice for treating bronchitis.

Home remedies to treat bronchitis

If you’re battling bronchitis, expect your cough to last several frustrating weeks. Bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus. That means antibiotics won’t help — and there’s not much you can do to speed up the recovery process.

So, the first thing you’re going to need is a healthy dose of patience, emphasizes Dr. Goldman. After that, consider these resources for a little bronchitis self-care to feel a little better.

Over-the-counter medications

You won’t find a cure for bronchitis on the shelves of your local pharmacy, but some products can help ease symptoms. Two that may be helpful are:

  • Cough expectorants that help loosen mucus, allowing you to clear the gunk out. As the medication works its magic, you may feel the urge to cough more — so, expectorants are best taken during the day.
  • Cough suppressants to help calm your coughing reflex. These are especially useful at night if constant coughing is getting in the way of much-needed ZZZs.

Fluids

Bronchitis fills your airways with mucus. When you’re sick, this gunk generated by your immune system often turns thick and sticky, which isn’t exactly ideal for breathing when it’s in your windpipe.

Advertisement

Drinking plenty of fluids can help loosen up that mucus to make it easier to cough up, explains Dr. Goldman. (It’s gross yet gratifying.)

Simple water is ideal for hydrating. Herbal teas featuring turmeric, cinnamon and ginger work well, too. Ditto for broths.

Moisture

Mist thrown by a vaporizer or humidifier adds moisture to the air that can loosen mucus so you can cough it up. Steam rising from hot water can do the trick, too.

Try spending a few extra minutes under the water in a steamy hot shower to clear your airways, suggests Dr. Goldman. Even something as simple as breathing in the steam off a cup of tea may help.

Nasal spray

Even though bronchitis settles more in your chest, nasal congestion and a runny nose are often part of the package. Saline nasal sprays can help flush out mucus from your sinuses to make breathing a bit easier.

A basic saline nasal spray can be used daily. Decongestant nasal sprays, on the other hand, shouldn’t be used for more than three or four days in a row to avoid building a tolerance to them.

Honey

Can honey clear chest congestion from bronchitis or halt your hacking cough? Not likely, says Dr. Goldman. But it can soothe a sore throat, which explains why adding this natural sweetener to tea has long been a classic remedy for treating colds and general ickiness.

Cough drops

Medicated cough drops often contain menthol, an organic compound that works to open airways to reduce coughing and congestion. Plus, like honey, these little wonders can make a raw throat feel better.

Salt water

Gargling with salt water can help soothe and hydrate a sore throat that’s irritated from coughing and nasal drip.

Essential oils

While there’s no evidence that essential oils can help with bronchitis symptoms, some people find breathing in steam spiked with eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil (which has menthol) can help open nasal passages and ease coughing.

But caution is advised when using this complementary form of medicine. They may even escalate breathing problems if used incorrectly.

Bottom line? There are better options on this list.

What to avoid when you have bronchitis

Bronchitis inflames and irritates your lungs, so the last thing you want to do if you have the infection is add more irritation, emphasizes Dr. Goldman. Your lungs will be much happier if you avoid:

  • Smoking. Lighting up is NEVER healthy for your lungs (or the rest of your body), but smoking while you have bronchitis can slow recovery while also doing its normal damage. Vaping with bronchitis is a bad idea, too.
  • Fires. Wood releases millions of tiny particles in smoke as it burns. Breathing those in while sitting around a cozy campfire or living room fireplace can worsen bronchitis symptoms.
  • Dust. Inhaling dust and other allergens around your home can stir up trouble in your lungs. If you’re sensitive to allergens, consider wearing a mask while cleaning to keep from breathing in anything that’s kicked up. Home air filters can clean the air, too.
  • Pollution. Pay attention to air quality alerts, which warn of contaminants dirtying the air you breathe. Poor air quality can irritate airways and worsen breathing-related conditions like bronchitis. Outdoor activities should be limited on high-pollution days.

Advertisement

When to see a doctor

Bronchitis symptoms can sometimes linger for a few weeks as the virus runs its course. But over time, you should feel better. But that doesn’t mean you should wait it out indefinitely. Contact your healthcare provider if:

  • You develop a cold that extends three to five days after onset without signs of improvement. “Why wait?” asks Dr. Goldman. “Get seen sooner rather than later.”
  • Coughing persists beyond two weeks despite taking over-the-counter medications or it becomes painful or produces blood.
  • You get a fever that lasts longer than five days or climbs above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
  • You begin wheezing or experience shortness of breath.

“If you or those around you have concerns, don’t delay getting evaluated by a healthcare professional,” he advises. “Starting treatment early can help prevent a more complicated illness and improve outcomes.”

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Gloved hands cleaning bathroom sink with spray bottle
Tips for Cleaning Up and Disinfecting After Norovirus

Use a bleach solution to sanitize surfaces like doorknobs, counters, toilets and light switches

Older male reclining on couch, blowing nose, with cold medications and products on coffee table
What’s the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is milder and doesn’t always require medication — but it’s also highly contagious

Healthcare provider examining person's throat in office, with oversized germs around
November 21, 2024/Infectious Disease
How Laryngitis and COVID-19 Can Impact Your Voice

Infection and inflammation can cause you to lose your voice and have other voice changes until you’re fully healed

Person lying stomach down on bed, head on crossed arms, staring into the distance
Having COVID-19 May Increase Your Risk of Depression

A COVID-19 infection can bring on depression or anxiety months after physical symptoms go away

Person in mask and medical coveralls handling COVID-19 vials with gloved hands
November 14, 2024/Infectious Disease
COVID-19 Variants: What’s New and Why We’re Still Concerned

Just like the flu, COVID-19 continues to evolve every year with new and smarter variants

Scientist/lab tech in lab wearing mask and white coat working, with test tubes on counter
November 11, 2024/Infectious Disease
FLiRT COVID Variants: What To Know

The latest omicron subvariants carry specific mutations that may allow the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be better at evading immune protection

Person holding to-go coffee cup in one hand and dog leash in the other, walking dog in park, in autumn, leaves falling
November 5, 2024/Sleep
Feeling Tired? Here’s How To Stay Awake

Drink some water, take a little walk, step away from your computer and chat with a coworker, or even your toddler, to help ward off daytime sleepiness

Person on couch, brows furrowed coughing into hand, with other hand on their chest
What Is Respiratory Season, and Are You Ready?

Getting vaccinated in October can help protect you against severe illness between November and March

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad