Bronchitis - Supplements

A constant, nagging cough may point to a case of acute or chronic bronchitis. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Fill up on fruits and veggies
Help keep your lungs healthy by getting the antioxidant nutrients you need from fruits and vegetables
Take some extra C
Help recovery from acute bronchitis by supplementing with 200 to 2,000 mg a day of vitamin C
Get to know NAC
Taking 400 to 600 mg a day of the supplement N-acetyl cysteine may reduce the thickness of lung secretions and improve symptoms of chronic bronchitis

Also indexed as:

acute bronchitis,
bronchitis,
chronic bronchitis

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
N-Acetyl Cysteine	400 to 600 mg daily	NAC, which appears to work by reducing the thickness of mucus, has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for chronic bronchitis.
N-Acetyl Cysteine 400 to 600 mg daily A review of 39 clinical trials of NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) found that 400 to 600 mg per day was a safe and effective treatment for chronic bronchitis.⁸ NAC supplementation was found to reduce the number of aggravations of the illness in almost 50% of people taking the supplement, compared with only 31% of those taking placebo. Smokers have also been found to benefit from taking NAC.⁹ In addition to helping break up mucus, NAC may reduce the elevated bacterial counts that are often seen in the lungs of smokers with chronic bronchitis.¹⁰ In another double-blind study, people with chronic bronchitis who took NAC showed an improved ability to expectorate and a reduction in cough severity.¹¹ These benefits may result from NAC’s capacity to reduce the viscosity (thickness) of sputum.¹² What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Thymus Extracts	3 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) body weight daily	Thymus extract from calves, known as Thymomodulin, has been found to decrease the frequency of respiratory infections in children who were prone to such infections.
Thymus Extracts 3 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) body weight daily The thymus gland plays a number of important roles in the functioning of the immune system. Thymus extract from calves, known as Thymomodulin®, has been found, in a double-blind study, to decrease the frequency of respiratory infections in children who were prone to such infections.¹³ The amount of Thymomodulin used in that study was 3 mg per kg of body weight per day. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin C	200 mg daily	In a double-blind study of elderly patients hospitalized with acute bronchitis, those given vitamin C improved to a significantly greater extent than those who were given a placebo.
Vitamin C 200 mg daily In a double-blind study of elderly patients hospitalized with acute bronchitis, those who were given 200 mg per day of vitamin C improved to a significantly greater extent than those who were given a placebo.¹⁴ The common cold may lead to bronchitis in susceptible people, and numerous controlled studies, some double-blind, have shown that vitamin C supplements can decrease the severity and duration of the common cold in otherwise healthy people.¹⁵ Vitamin C and vitamin E may prevent oxidative damage to the lung lipids by environmental pollution and cigarette smoke exposure. It has been suggested that amounts in excess of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance) are necessary to protect against the air pollution levels currently present in North America,¹⁶ although it is not known how much vitamin E is needed to produce that protective effect. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Geranium	30 drops of extract three times per day	Geranium is an herbal remedy used to treat infections of the respiratory tract, ear, nose, and throat.
Geranium 30 drops of extract three times per day Geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) is an herbal remedy used in Germany, Mexico, Russia, and other countries for the treatment of respiratory tract and ear, nose, and throat infections. In a double-blind study of adults with acute bronchitis, participants given an extract of geranium had a significantly shorter duration of illness, compared with those given a placebo.¹⁷ No serious side effects were seen. The amount of the geranium extract used in this study was 30 drops three times per day, taken before or after meals for seven days.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Ivy Leaf	Adults: 50 drops extract twice per day; children: 25 drops twice per day	Ivy leaf is anti-inflammatory and has been shown to be as effective as the drug ambroxol for chronic bronchitis.
Ivy Leaf Adults: 50 drops extract twice per day; children: 25 drops twice per day Anti-inflammatory herbs may help people with bronchitis. Often these herbs contain complex polysaccharides and have a soothing effect; they are also known as demulcents. Ivy leaf is approved in the German Commission E monograph for use against chronic inflammatory bronchial conditions.¹⁸ One double-blind human trial found ivy leaf to be as effective as the drug ambroxol for chronic bronchitis.¹⁹ Ivy leaf is a non-demulcent anti-inflammatory. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Plantain	3 cups tea daily made from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried herb per cup	Plantain is a soothing herb that has been shown to help people with chronic bronchitis.
Plantain 3 cups tea daily made from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried herb per cup Anti-inflammatory herbs may help people with bronchitis. Often these herbs contain complex polysaccharides and have a soothing effect; they are also known as demulcents. Plantain is a demulcent that has been documented in two preliminary trials conducted in Bulgaria to help people with chronic bronchitis.²⁰ ^{, 21} Other demulcents traditionally used for people with bronchitis include mullein, marshmallow, and slippery elm. Because demulcents can provoke production of more mucus in the lungs, they tend to be used more often in people with dry coughs.²² What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Anise	Refer to label instructions	Expectorant herbs like anise help loosen bronchial secretions and make mucus easier to eliminate.
Anise Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions and make elimination of mucus easier. Numerous herbs are traditionally considered expectorants, though most of these have not been proven to have this effect in clinical trials. Anise contains a volatile oil that is high in the chemical constituent anethole and acts as an expectorant.²³ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Chinese Scullcap	Refer to label instructions	Chinese scullcap might be useful for bronchitis as an anti-inflammatory.
Chinese Scullcap Anti-inflammatory herbs may help people with bronchitis. Often these herbs contain complex polysaccharides and have a soothing effect; they are also known as demulcents. Chinese scullcap might be useful for bronchitis as an anti-inflammatory. However, the research on this herb is generally of low quality.²⁴ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Echinacea	Refer to label instructions	Echinacea is an immune-stimulating herb that is widely used by herbalists for people with acute respiratory infections.
Echinacea Antimicrobial and immune stimulating herbs may also potentially benefit people with bronchitis. Echinacea is widely used by herbalists for people with acute respiratory infections. This herb stimulates the immune system in several different ways, including enhancing macrophage function and increasing T-cell response.²⁵ Therefore, echinacea may be useful for preventing a cold, flu, or viral bronchitis from progressing to a secondary bacterial infection. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Elecampane	Refer to label instructions	Elecampane is a soothing herb that has been used to treat coughs associated with bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough.
Elecampane Elecampane is a demulcent (soothing herb) that has been used to treat coughs associated with bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough. Although there have been no modern clinical studies with this herb, its use for these indications is based on its high content of soothing mucilage in the forms of inulin and alantalactone.²⁶ However, the German Commission E monograph for elecampane does not approve the herb for bronchitis.²⁷ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Eucalyptus	Refer to label instructions	Eucalyptus leaf tea is used to treat bronchitis and inflammation of the throat, and is considered antimicrobial.
Eucalyptus Caution: Do not use eucalyptus oil internally without supervision by a healthcare professional. As little as 3.5 ml of the oil taken internally has proven fatal. Eucalyptus leaf tea is used to treat bronchitis and inflammation of the throat,²⁸ and is considered antimicrobial. In traditional herbal medicine, eucalyptus tea or volatile oil is often used internally as well as externally over the chest; both uses are approved for people with bronchitis by the German Commission E.²⁹ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Horehound	Refer to label instructions	Horehound is an expectorant herb, meaning it helps loosen bronchial secretions and eliminate mucus.
Horehound Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions and make elimination of mucus easier. Numerous herbs are traditionally considered expectorants, though most of these have not been proven to have this effect in clinical trials. Horehound has expectorant properties, possibly due to the presence of a diterpene lactone in the plant, which is known as marrubiin.³⁰ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Horseradish	Refer to label instructions	Horseradish contains antibacterial substances and has mucus-clearing properties that are beneficial for people with bronchitis.
Horseradish Horseradish contains substances similar to mustard, such as glucosinolates and allyl isothiocynate.³¹ In addition to providing possible antibacterial actions, these substances may also have expectorant (mucus-expelling) properties that are supportive for people with bronchitis. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Lobelia	Refer to label instructions	Very small amounts of this herb are considered helpful in suppressing or easing coughs. The herb has also shown anti-inflammatory properties.
Lobelia Lobelia contains many active alkaloids, of which lobeline is considered the most active. Very small amounts of this herb are considered helpful as an antispasmodic and antitussive agent (a substance that helps suppress or ease coughs). Anti-inflammatory properties of the herb have been demonstrated, which may be useful, since bronchitis is associated with inflammation in the bronchi.³² Lobelia should be used cautiously, as it may cause nausea and vomiting. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Mullein	Refer to label instructions	Mullein has been used traditionally as a remedy for the respiratory tract, including bronchitis. It works as an expectorant, meaning it helps expel mucus.
Mullein Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions and make elimination of mucus easier. Numerous herbs are traditionally considered expectorants, though most of these have not been proven to have this effect in clinical trials. Mullein has been used traditionally as a remedy for the respiratory tract, including bronchitis. The saponins in mullein may be responsible for its expectorant actions.³³ Anti-inflammatory herbs may help people with bronchitis. Often these herbs contain complex polysaccharides and have a soothing effect; they are also known as demulcents. Plantain is a demulcent that has been documented in two preliminary trials conducted in Bulgaria to help people with chronic bronchitis.³⁴ ^{, 35} Other demulcents traditionally used for people with bronchitis include mullein, marshmallow, and slippery elm. Because demulcents can provoke production of more mucus in the lungs, they tend to be used more often in people with dry coughs.³⁶ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Pleurisy Root	Refer to label instructions	Pleurisy root is traditionally used to loosen bronchial secretions and is thought to be helpful against all types of respiratory infections.
Pleurisy Root Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions and make elimination of mucus easier. Numerous herbs are traditionally considered expectorants, though most of these have not been proven to have this effect in clinical trials. Pleurisy root is an expectorant and is thought to be helpful against all types of respiratory infections. It is traditionally employed as an expectorant for bronchitis. However, owing to the cardiac glycosides it contains, pleurisy root may not be safe to use if one is taking heart medications.³⁷ This herb should not be used by pregnant women. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Thyme	Refer to label instructions	Thyme has antispasmodic, mucus-clearing, and antibacterial actions.
Thyme Thyme contains an essential oil (thymol) and certain flavonoids. This plant has antispasmodic, expectorant (mucus-expelling), and antibacterial actions, and it is considered helpful in cases of bronchitis.³⁸ One preliminary trial found that a mixture containing volatile oils of thyme, mint, clove, cinnamon, and lavender diluted in alcohol, in the amount of 20 drops three times daily, reduced the number of recurrent infections in people with chronic bronchitis.³⁹ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin E	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin E appears to help keep the lungs healthy and prevent damage from environmental pollution and cigarette smoke exposure.
Vitamin E Vitamin C and vitamin E may prevent oxidative damage to the lung lipids by environmental pollution and cigarette smoke exposure. It has been suggested that amounts in excess of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance) are necessary to protect against the air pollution levels currently present in North America,⁴⁰ although it is not known how much vitamin E is needed to produce that protective effect. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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