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Lung and Breathing Support Part Two

Here are some more helpful methods for assisting lung function; whether temporary such as during an illness, or for people were chronic problems..

1. The practice of using a neti pot is generally supportive of breathing in general; helps clear the sinuses and is very useful for people with allergies. It is neither painful nor uncomfortable; quite the reverse, when done properly – especially with the right amount of salt in the water – it is very relieving and safe to do daily.

Once a client with very severe allegies (and he was worked in a bank dealing with mortgages and had to talk to people all day) started using a neti about 4 to 5 times a day, as well as other measures I recommended, and in a few weeks his allergies were so minimal that it was quite miraculous. I have an article about how to do neti which I will post later.

2. Applying oil into the nostrils – this is especially helpful in winter when the air inside houses is dry because of indoor heat, and winter is when more people get sick. But it’s good any time of the year. A neutral oil (refined sesame is my favorite, or mixed with coconut, almond oil works too) is inserted into each nostril, I just use my little finger.

There is an Ayurvedic practice of actually dropping a few drops into each nostril and “snurfling” it up, which I have done. Just rubbing it inside the nose as far as possible is easier. The best kind of oil has some essential oils in it (any of the ones listed in Part One above) adds to the efficacy. Be very careful about not adding too much EO to plain oil.

This helps open sinuses, thus opening upper breathing passages; protects delicate mucus membranes inside the nose thus helping to prevent viruses or bacteria from gaining a foothold, and also helps the mind stay alert, especially when EOs are used in the oil.

3. Lungs are affected by what we eat and drink. Cold foods and drinks cause any excess secretions including mucus or phlegm, to increase and coagulate so more is generated and it is harder to cough/hack etc it out. Therefore, refrigerator cold foods and drinks, and especially frozen ones, are contraindicated for people with breathing issues.

Since I have asthma and get very affected by smoke, and I live in SW OR where breathing smoke all summer has become almost habitual, I have to be very cautious with iced drinks etc even in the hottest weather. I can feel the impact on my breathing within hours. I eat ice cream maybe once every few years.

Hot drinks and warm foods are much better for people with breathing issues or during respiratory related illnesses. This includes not just hot temperatures, but spicy hot. Ginger tea is very good and I will post some recipes later today. Best is fresh ginger root. Other spices help with clearing the lungs such as cinnamon, cardamom, chili peppers, black pepper, ginger powder as well as fresh ginger, and cloves.

Any kind of hot drinks can have pinches of any of these spices added to them and you can make a blend (say ginger, cinnamon, cloves) and keep in a jar to add to black or green tea, herb tea, coffee or even hot chocolate, or hot lemonade. Hot spices can be added to foods (as tolerated).

4. Staying well hydrated is vital for lung health, to keep secretions liquefied and easier to eject from the body. Many people do not drink enough, and plain water is sometimes not as well absorbed into the cells; that is why hydration drinks can be better. Special drinks like Gatorade have very nasty ingredients and it’s much easier to just make drinks at home. A pinch of salt, a pinch of baking soda, a bit of lemon juice or other fruit juice, a small bit of natural sweetener, and a lot of water makes a better drink that store bought rehydration drinks.

But under regular circumstances most people don’t need specialized rehydration drinks, there are many teas including herb blends that taste good and are cheap when made at home. In the summer I mix herb teas, fruit juice, and water to make good drinks. In the winter I sometimes make oatmeal water for a warm, somewhat nourishing drink. Eating soups, blender drinks and other foods with high moisture content is another way to stay hydrated.

5. Sometimes wearing a mask is just sensible. I cannot tolerate regular N95 masks, something in the material makes my skin burn and itch, so I use 100 cotton washable masks, and usually put some drops of essential oils on them as well. I use when mixing dry herb blends as the powder wafts into the air, during summer when going outside if there is a lot of wildfire smoke, or any times when I will be exposed to substances (including car fumes, laundry fumes (other peoples’) and the like. Do other people think I’m weird? IDKAIDC….I don’t know and I don’t care! I like breathing.

Golden Milk (one of many medicated milks, which I will post more later.)

Golden milk seems to be getting well popular lately, although it is part of an ancient tradition of cooking herbs and spices in milk, or milk and water, for easier absorption and strength, as the milk itself helps carry the potency of the herbs. There are many recipes, this is the one I use, amended slightly, from one of my favorite herbs books. For people who want to increase turmeric uptake, it is a tasty way, and by adding black pepper, this is considered to be more beneficial. The benefits of turmeric take up a few pages in many herb books.

First make Turmeric paste:

1/4 cup turmeric powder
1/2 cup water
Place in small pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a thick paste is formed. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Golden Milk

In a small pot, pour 1 cup milk 1/4 to 1/2 t. turmeric paste (I use about 1 1/2 t. for two servings), 1/8 to 1/4 t. finely ground black pepper and (optional) 1 t. almond or other oil. Blend well and cook over medium to low heat, stirring, until it comes to a boil. Add 1 t. honey or raw sugar, and I add 1/2 t. vanilla to offset the strong turmeric taste, since I add a lot. Cinnamon or cardamom can be sprinkled on top.

Turmeric has many incredible benefits only a few of which I will list now, but if there is interest I will start adding information about many of the herbs I use regularly and am familiar with.

Turmeric actions:

Alterative, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, chologogue, choleretic, carminative, cyclooxigenase inhibiting, topical antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, antihelmintic, hypotensive, anti-atherosclerotic, anticancer

Some of the many conditions turmeric can help:

Colds, coughs, sore throat, pharyngitis, asthma, allergies, infections, poor circulation, diabetes, arthritis, anemia, wounds, bruises, skin disorders, weak digestion, indigestion, sprains, jaundice, gallstones, hemorrhage, colic, flatulence, prevents cataracts

I use a neti pot at least once, but usually a few times a day. U really don’t know how I survived without it.

If I’m congested I put a pinch of red pepper in my coffee or hot chocolate.

Fresh ginger is hard to keep very long.

I started putting mine in the freezer. It keeps a long long time and is just about as good as fresh. I just grate however much I need and put it back in the freezer.

I also slice and freeze my mushrooms when I buy them so they won’t go bad.

You can’t tell the difference if you’re just using them in pasta sauce or stroganoff or an omelet or something.

Thank you for all the info. You have great knowledge.

It’s been a while since I read these, I definitely went into detail! My asthma has been acting up because I’ve been sick, but usually it doesn’t bother me much. As long as the neighbors don’t do laundry and the wind is blowing from the south...