Antibiotics Are Not Effective for Treating Bronchitis

A study published late last year in the New England Journal of Medicine reported facts that many complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) enthusiasts already suspected: antibiotics are overly-prescribed.

The research, which originated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, found that antibiotic treatments were commonly, and perhaps unnecessarily, prescribed when it came to treating acute bronchitis.

VCU’s School of Medicine investigation determined that no clinical evidence existed that supported antibiotic treatments for short-term bronchitis, since many of the common bronchial infections are virus-related.

The danger in prescribing antibiotics so quickly as a cure-all (aside from the fact that little evidence exists supporting this Western quick-fix in treating bronchitis) is the high cost of many prescribed antibiotics as well as the increased risk of dangerous side effects like rash, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In addition, antibiotic resistance has become an increasing concern for many in the healthcare industry.

An herbal remedy that may work as an alternative to antibiotics in treating bronchitis is a topical solution made from the dried leaves of a eucalyptus tree due to its natural antibacterial agent.