• Cough that produces mucus (sputum)
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Ankle, foot, and leg swelling that affects both sides due to side-effects of drugs taken
• Headaches

Tests to diagnose chronic bronchitis include:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Arterial blood gas
• Chest x-ray
• Exercise testing
• Chest CT scan

Chronic bronchitis is a weak lungs condition. Cigarette smoking triggers the lungs problem. The more a person smokes, the more likely it becomes that the person will get bronchitis and that the bronchitis will be severe.

Secondhand smoke may also triggers chronic bronchitis. Air pollution, infection, and allergies make chronic bronchitis worse.

Chronic bronchitis is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma as a group are a leading cause of death in the United States.

A person who suffers from chronic bronchitis is someone who has a weak lungs condition. If lungs can deteriorate to a weak stage (because of food that drain i.e. weaken the lungs) then it can also be strengthen. The goal of treatment is to initially relieve the symptoms and prevent complications and to eventually strengthen the lungs to a point that the attack become less frequent and eventually beat the disease altogether. It takes time to strengthen the lungs because it is the largest organ in the body in terms of surface area.

It is crucial to avoid any lifestyle that cause the lungs to be weaken. If one is a smoker then it is crucial that one quits smoking to prevent chronic bronchitis from getting worse. Any other respiratory irritants should be avoided. Food that weaken the lungs should be avoided like acidic food, cold drinks, cold fruits, certain types of tea etc.

Inhaled medications that dilate (widen) the airways and decrease inflammation may help reduce symptoms such as wheezing.

Antibiotics may be prescribed for infections as needed.

Corticosteroids may occasionally be used during flare-ups of wheezing or in people with severe bronchitis that does not respond to other treatments.

Physical exercise programs, breathing exercises, and patient education programs are all part of the overall treatment plan. Oxygen therapy may be needed in severe cases. In very severe cases, a lung transplant may be recommended.

But the best way to address lung problems is to take food rich in omega-3 fatty acid. And the best source comes from herbs. Scientists have proven that these phytonutrients greatly improve lung functions.

Chronic systemic inflammation can inflict degenerative effects throughout the body. A primary cause of this destructive problem is the production of cell-signaling chemicals known as inflammatory cytokines. Along with these dangerous cytokines, imbalances of hormone-like messengers called prostaglandins also contribute to chronic inflammatory processes. What has fatty acid got to do with systemic inflammation?

The body needs fatty acids to survive and is able to make all but two of them: linoleic acid, in the omega-6 family and linolenic acid, in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by the diet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs). Perilla  is rich in linolenic/alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Since alpha-linolenic acid or ALA cannot be manufactured by the body it must be obtained from food. ALA, as well as the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), belongs to a group of fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is highly concentrated in plants like perilla. Once ingested, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. If we can consume sufficient ALA then intake of EPA and DHA is optional.

Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as lung disease like asthma and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that herbs like Perilla frutescens, Semen Sinapis Alba, Radix Pinella Ternata, Cinnamoni Ramulus, Cinnamomum Cassia, Zingiberis Rz and Glycyrrhiza Rx can benefit the lung.

Perilla Frutescens:

1) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens has potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases like bronchitis and asthma. Research showed that the anti-allergic titer of rosmarinic acid was more effective than tranilast, which is a modern anti-allergic drug. Perilla and its constituent rosmarinic acid are potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases. 72153

2) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens improves lung functions. In scientists proved that dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil in selected patients with asthma suppresses the generation of LTC4 and is associated with clinical features such as respiratory function and lipometabolism. 78492

3) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens is useful for the treatment of asthma in terms of suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by leucocytes, and improvement of pulmonary function. 32825

4) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens is an effective intervention for allergic asthma possibly through the amelioration of increases in cytokines, chemokines, and allergen-specific antibody. 1365-2222

Sinapis Alba:

1) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that allyl and phenyl isothiocyanates found in Sinapis alba are effective for strengthening the lungs. 81806

2) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that napins (the major allergenic proteins of Sinapis alba) is useful for building up the body. 66859

Glycyrrhiza Rx: Licorice has long been used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis or eczema), peptic ulcers, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Although for the most part good clinical studies in this area are lacking, the existing evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of particularly GA at least support the therapeutic rationale for some of these treatments. Early reports from the late 1950s demonstrated that 2% topical preparations of GA were beneficial in inflammatory cutaneous disorders.⁴⁰ Animal studies utilizing rodent models of inflammation during this period confirmed the efficacy of these clinical findings.41 More recently, Inoue et al. demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory effect of GA on TPA-induced mouse ear edema.⁴² Both oral and topical preparations of GA when given 30 min before TPA treatment inhibited edema formation. A possible mechanism for these anti-inflammatory effects was offered by Shiki et al., who showed that GL stabilizes lysosomes by inhibiting phospholipase A activity in the lysosomal membrane.⁴³ This prevented the release of proteolytic enzymes and acid phosphatases from lysosomes into damaged tissue. Another possible anti-inflammatory mechanism could involve GA’s ability to prevent mononuclear leucocyte migration into the injured tissue as shown in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model.⁴⁴ An additional mechanism could involve GA inhibition of the human complement cascade as shown by Kroes et al.⁴⁵

Anti-inflammatory Effects: The above-mentioned anti-inflammatory effects of GA and GL resemble cortisol’s effect on the inflammation process. Recent studies show that GA is a potent inhibitor of the skin enzyme 11-b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-OHSD) which catalyses the conversion of active cortisol into less active metabolites.⁴⁶ Thus, GA likely acts by potentiating the known anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol. This idea is further supported by studies showing that GA, GL and carbenoxolone do not have anti-inflammatory effects in adrenalectomized animals, indicating that the effects are due to cortisol. This inhibition of 11-?OHSD appears to occur in most all tissues. In rats this enzyme activity was decreased in most organs after intraperitoneal injection of GA.⁴⁷

Antitussive and Expectorant Effects: Licorice has through the years developed a reputation as an effective expectorant and cough suppressant chiefly used to treat the symptoms of the common cold. Licorice extracts are often found in a variety of throat lozenges. However, no clinical studies have been carried out supporting this widespread use. The cough suppressant effect could be related to its demulcent properties on irritated throat tissues. The well-documented protective effects on gastric mucosal cells could also occur in the upper esophagus and throat, perhaps explaining some of its claimed antitussive effects. The strong, sweet taste of GL could be partly responsible for its expectorant properties.

40. Colin-Jones E. Glycyrrhetinic acid. Br Med J. 1957;161. 41. Finney R, Somers G. The anti-inflammatory activity of glycyrrhetinic acid and derivatives. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1958;10:613-620. 42. Inoue H, Mori T. Modulation by glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives of TPA-induced mouse ear oedema. B J Pharmacol. 1989;96:204-210. 43. Shiki Y, Ishikawa Y, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on lysosome labilization by phospholipase A2. Amer J Chin Med.1986;14 (3-4):131-137. 44. Capasso F, Mascoto N, et al. Glycyrrhetinic acid, leucocytes and prostaglandins. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1983;35:332-335. 45. Kroes B, Beukelman C, et al. Inhibition of human complement by b-glycyrrhetinic acid. Immunology. 1997;90(1):115-120. 46. Teelucksingh S, Mackie A, et al. Potentiation of hydrocortisone activity in skin by glycyrrhetinic acid. Lancet. 1990:1060-1063. 47. Marandici A, Monder C, et al. Inhibition by glycyrrhetinic acid of rat tissue 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in vivo. Steroids. 1993;58(4):153-156.

Clinical research by western scientists has shown that isoflavans from Glycyrrhiza glabra were able to protect liver and respiratory mitochondria against oxidative stress and therefore the herb benefits the lung and liver. 14953

Clinical research by western scientists have shown that glabridin ((R)-4-(3,4-Dihydro-8,8-dimethyl)-2H,8H-benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b']dipyran-3yl)-1,3-benzenediol) from Glycyrrhiza glabra has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective activities. 77107

This was part of the report sent by Dr. Minh-Tri Nguyen to Dr. Gueùnaešl Rodier, Director, Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (CSR), WHO Headquarter  "Viruses are chemical particles having the ability to replicate only inside a living cell. Each virus particle or viron consist of a core of a single nucleic acid DNA or RNA surrounding by a protein coat and some cases by carbohydrates or lipids. Since viruses have no cellular organization, they have not cellular organism, have no nucleus, no cytoplasm and no surrounding  membrane, they are not alive but rather obligate parasites at genetic level (require a host cell in order to replicate). That is why antibiotics (anti=against, bio life) cannot kill coronaryviruses and consequently there is no possible vaccine for colds, influenza or SARS. Coronaryvirus (virus from Latin = poison) can be only counter-acted or neutralized by specific antidote herbs, which are highly suitable for human body." In the report to WHO he sighted that Radix Glycyrrhizae can be used for detoxification: neutralizes the poison produce by viruses and bacteria by action of  Glycyrrhizic acid C₄₂ H₆₂ O₁₆

Asthma can be controlled and treated. It takes time to strengthen the lungs as lungs, if it is spread out as a sheet, is the largest organ in the body, much bigger than the skin. Therefore to treat a large organ takes time and discipline as there are food that can build the body, so there are food that can cause the body to run down.

The above research by scientists clearly proved that herbs can be used to treat asthma holistically. Herbs can be used to strengthen the lungs, to reduce inflammation, to remove the phlegm, and to neutralizes the poison produce by viruses and bacteria through the action of  Glycyrrhizic acid C₄₂ H₆₂ O_16.

Thanks to growing trust in herbal treatments survival rates have improved over the years. Herbal formulations to treat various types of lung problems has proven to be safe and very effective without any side effects. When allopathic science failed, more and more people have to turn to trustworthy alternative source. It was desperation that saves them.