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Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the airways leading to the lungs, usually set off by a viral infection, and it brings a lingering cough, often with mucus, for one to three weeks. Among supplements, the evidence is strongest for Pelargonium sidoides, and trials found bronchitis symptoms improved, with N-acetylcysteine showing moderate support too. Those pooled results came from a modest number of studies, and the N-acetylcysteine data leaned on a single review that looked at chronic bronchitis.

Sources: PMID 18222667; PMID 22360575; PMID 31598901

Supplements studied
3
Graded outcomes
4
Trials
10
People studied
9,867

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 supplements

Umckaloabo

Umckaloabo: outcomes studied for Acute Bronchitis
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bronchitis Symptoms

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect4 studies1,012 people

Studies that measured bronchitis symptoms

and 1 more on the Umckaloabo page

Appetite

Small Increase

Worsens (the measure goes up)Small effect620 people
Lung FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)10 studies4,241 people

Studies that measured lung function

and 7 more on the Umckaloabo page

FeverImproves (the measure goes up)2 studies3,237 people

Studies that measured fever

Common Cold SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study693 people

Studies that measured common cold symptoms

CoughChanges; see studies1 study719 people
Fatigue SymptomsChanges; see studies3,641 people
HeadachesChanges; see studies4,261 people
Nausea SymptomsChanges; see studies620 people
Subjective Well-BeingImproves (the measure goes up)1,111 people

N-Acetylcysteine

N-Acetylcysteine: outcomes studied for Acute Bronchitis
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bronchitis Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study968 people

Studies that measured bronchitis symptoms

Chronic BronchitisImproves (the measure goes up)1,564 people

Slippery Elm

Slippery Elm: outcomes studied for Acute Bronchitis
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cough Symptom Relief

No clinical trials evaluate slippery elm for cough suppression or relief. Traditional use as a demulcent for coughs is long-standing, and the mucilage coating mechanism is plausible for soothing irritated upper airways, but no modern clinical data supports this indication specifically.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect

Key findings

  • Bronchitis SymptomsUmckaloaboImproves (the measure goes down)
  • AppetiteUmckaloaboWorsens (the measure goes up)
  • Cough Symptom ReliefSlippery ElmImproves (the measure goes down)

The Acute Bronchitis Support protocol

2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements

See the full protocol

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Fullscript collectionImmune support: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

Or shop one supplement

The supplements graded A or B for Acute Bronchitis. Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.

  • Grade A
  • Grade B

We earn from purchases made in our Fullscript store, and links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Full disclosure

Studies cited

58 studies from PubMed

  1. Characterisation of phenolics in Flor-Essence--a compound herbal product and its contributing herbs.Phytochemical Analysis, 2009 · PMID 19609882
  2. Immunomodulatory activity of Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) water and ethanolic extracts on bone cells: Stimulation of proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and type I collagen synthesis.Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2007 · PMID 21783752
  3. Safety and tolerability of N-acetylcysteine in cocaine-dependent individualsAm J Addict · PMID 16449100
  4. The administration of N-acetylcysteine reduces oxidative stress and regulates glutathione metabolism in the blood cells of workers exposed to leadClin Toxicol · PMID 23731375
  5. N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates Fatigue Following Repeated-Bouts of Intermittent Exercise: Practical Implications for Tournament SituationsInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 21896942
  6. N-acetylcysteine, a glutamate modulator, in the treatment of trichotillomania: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyArch Gen Psychiatry · PMID 19581567
  7. New developments in the treatment of COPD: comparing the effects of inhaled corticosteroids and N-acetylcysteineJ Physiol Pharmacol · PMID 16204787
  8. Induced sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contains adhesion-promoting, therapy-sensitive factorsInflamm Res · PMID 10778915
  9. N-acetylcysteine add-on treatment in refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 23131885
  10. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Ann Palliat Med · PMID 34237968
  11. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Bronchitis Randomized on NAC Cost-Utility Study, BRONCUS): a randomised placebo-controlled trialLancet · PMID 15866309
  12. Long-term oral n-acetylcysteine reduces exhaled hydrogen peroxide in stable COPDPulm Pharmacol Ther · PMID 15607126
  13. The efficacy of -acetylcysteine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a meta-analysis.Ther Adv Respir Dis · PMID 36927162
  14. Effect of Orally Administered N-Acetylcysteine on Chronic Bronchitis: A Meta-analysis.Adv Ther · PMID 31598901
  15. A randomized controlled pilot trial of oral N-acetylcysteine in children with autismBiol Psychiatry · PMID 22342106
  16. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of N-Acetylcysteine added to risperidone for treating autistic disordersBMC Psychiatry · PMID 23886027
  17. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits renal nitrite and nitrate reabsorption in healthy subjects and in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: risk of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability loss by NAC?Int J Cardiol · PMID 25499330
  18. The role of cystine-glutamate exchange in nicotine dependence in rats and humansBiol Psychiatry · PMID 19103434
  19. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in young marijuana users: an open-label pilot studyAm J Addict · PMID 20163391
  20. N-Acetylcysteine in depressive symptoms and functionality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Psychiatry · PMID 27137430
  21. N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of craving in substance use disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Addict · PMID 28898494
  22. Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with -acetylcysteine in the treatment of schizophrenia.Aust N Z J Psychiatry · PMID 31826654
  23. Meta-analytic Techniques to Assess the Association Between N-acetylcysteine and Acute Kidney Injury After Contrast Administration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open · PMID 35788669
  24. The efficacy of adjuvant N acetyl cysteine for the eradication of H pylori infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol · PMID 34775122
  25. N-acetylcysteine in the Donor, Recipient, or Both Donor and Recipient in Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.Transplantation · PMID 37069635
  26. N-acetylcysteine use among patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.PLoS One · PMID 31071081
  27. The effect of N-acetylcysteine on bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Psychopharmacology · PMID 33641060
  28. N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Bipolar Disord · PMID 33354859
  29. N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression and major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trials.Psychopharmacology · PMID 32767039
  30. Efficacy and Safety of N-Acetylcysteine for the Management of Chronic Pain in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Pain Med · PMID 33560443
  31. The effects of N-acetylcysteine on ovulation and sex hormones profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysisBr J Nutr · PMID 36597797
  32. The effects of N-acetylcysteine supplement on metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr · PMID 37841396
  33. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in preventing aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity: implications for the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB.Thorax · PMID 26347391
  34. Effect of N-acetyl-cysteine in prevention of noise-induced hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Arch Med Sci · PMID 36457967
  35. Effect of N-acetyl-cysteine treatment on sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg · PMID 36159904
  36. No Significant Beneficial Effects of Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine on Patient Outcome in Non-Paracetamol Acute Liver Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Biomedicines · PMID 39062036
  37. Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with a pelargonium sidoides preparation (EPs 7630): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialExplore · PMID 16781588
  38. EPs 7630 improves acute bronchitic symptoms and shortens time to remission. Results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trialPlanta Med · PMID 18449849
  39. Pelargonium sidoides preparation (EPs 7630) in the treatment of acute bronchitis in adults and childrenPhytomedicine · PMID 17184981
  40. Efficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630 in patients (aged 6-18 years old) with acute bronchitisActa Paediatr · PMID 20070280
  41. Efficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630 tablets in patients with acute bronchitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-finding study with a herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoidesCurr Med Res Opin · PMID 20387996
  42. EPs 7630-solution--an effective therapeutic option in acute and exacerbating bronchitisPhytomedicine · PMID 17184984
  43. Treatment of acute bronchitis with a liquid herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre studyCurr Med Res Opin · PMID 17288687
  44. Efficacy and safety of an extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) in adults with acute bronchitis. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPhytomedicine · PMID 12807337
  45. Efficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630 in children and adolescents with acute bronchitis - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial with a herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoides rootsInt J Clin Pharmacol Ther · PMID 20197012
  46. Pelargonium sidoides for acute bronchitis: a systematic review and meta-analysisPhytomedicine · PMID 18222667
  47. Treatment of acute bronchitis with EPs 7630: randomized, controlled trial in children and adolescentsPediatr Int · PMID 22360575
  48. Effects of Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 on acute cough and quality of life - a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.Multidiscip Respir Med · PMID 36051888
  49. Treatment of acute rhinosinusitis with the preparation from Pelargonium sidoides EPs 7630: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialRhinology · PMID 19382496
  50. Can the Pelargonium sidoides root extract EPs® 7630 prevent asthma attacks during viral infections of the upper respiratory tract in childrenPhytomedicine · PMID 23142309
  51. Herbal Medicine for Cough: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Forsch Komplementmed · PMID 26840418
  52. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of EPs 7630 in adults with COPDRespir Med · PMID 23478193
  53. Efficacy of a pelargonium sidoides preparation in patients with the common cold: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialExplore · PMID 18005909
  54. The efficacy of Pelargonium sidoides in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in children with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancyPhytomedicine · PMID 22809962
  55. Treatment of signs and symptoms of the common cold using EPs 7630 - results of a meta-analysis.Heliyon · PMID 31844762
  56. Immune responses induced by Pelargonium sidoides extract in serum and nasal mucosa of athletes after exhaustive exercise: modulation of secretory IgA, IL-6 and IL-15Phytomedicine · PMID 20850953
  57. Herbal Medicine in Children With Respiratory Tract Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Acad Pediatr · PMID 28610802
  58. Pelargonium sidoides extract for treating acute respiratory tract infections.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 24146345

Supplement stack for Acute Bronchitis