In acute cases of bronchitis, the patient should fast on orange juice and water till the symptoms subside. The procedure is to take the juice of an orange in a glass of warm water every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. During this period, the bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm water enema. After the juice fast, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days.
In case of chronic bronchitis, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for five toseven days in the beginning of the treatment. In this regimen, he should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches and melons. Bananas, and dried or stewed or tined fruits should not be taken. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or cold or hot plain water may be taken.
After the all-fruit diet, the patient should follow a well-balanced diet based on the three basic good groups, namely, seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, as outlined in Chapter 1 on Diet in Health and Disease. The patient should avoid meats, sugar, tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods, soft drinks, candies, ice cream and products made from sugar and white flour.
Certain vegetable juices have been found valuable in the treatment of bronchitis. The combined juice of carrot and spinach is especially beneficial. Formula proportions considered helpful in this combination are carrot 10 ounces and spinach 6 ounces to prepare 16 ounces or 1 pint of juice.
A hot Epsom salt bath every night or every other night will be highly beneficial during the acute stages of the attacks. The patient should remain immersed in the bath for about 20 minutes. In case of chronic bronchitis, this bath may be taken twice a week. Hot towels wrung out and applied over the upper chest are also helpful. Fresh air and outdoor exercises are also essential to the treatment of bronchitis and the patient should take a long walk every day.