Our lungs were created for the purpose of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. Because oxygen is required for survival, the lungs could be said to be the most important organs.
Oxygen levels need to be at 39% for optimal health. In the United States, the oxygen is on the decline, which might explain why respiratory health problems are on the rise.
Major Respiratory Health Issues
Asthma
Asthma causes serious obstruction of the airways, usually in the form of an “attack.” During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi constricts, inhibiting the exhalation of stale air. Breathing is very difficult. Prescription inhalers only provide short term relief. Relief never provides or leads to a remedy.
Mucus plays a pivotal role in asthma. Mucus causes the bronchial tubes to swell and become plugged. The severe burning (especially while and after coughing) is due to the inflammation caused by the mucus in the lungs. This mucus obstructs and irritates the mucous membranes (internal skin) of the lungs.
Asthma attacks involve serious coughing. Coughing is a natural body reflex to expel mucus. However, many times in asthmatic cases, there is only coughing and no expectoration of mucus. This is because the mucus is so hardened and stubborn that it cannot be dissolved with the absence of water.
Water dissolves mucus. But because the tissues of the lungs have no water in them, the mucus there cannot be dissolved, so the mucus sits in the lungs taking up room that should be for oxygen and simultaneously inflames the lungs causing that burning an asthmatic feels in his/her lungs. Remember, mucus is ACIDIC and acid burns!
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi tubes. The bronchi are tubes that lead to the lungs. Basically, the bronchi tubes are obstructed with mucus, which causes inflammation. Bronchitis also involves serious coughing in an attempt to expel mucus from the bronchi tubes.
Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. In either case, mucus is the culprit. However, the triggers of bronchial chest spasms in cases of bronchitis may be viral, bacterial, or caused by fumes, including cigarette smoke.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lungs. Pneumonia is also caused by mucus obstruction. When the tiny air sacs of the lungs become filled up with mucus, inflammation results and the medical term is pneumonia.
Natural Healing Solutions
Conscious breathing, which utilizes deep breathing, is excellent for helping manage respiratory illnesses. Deep breathing exercises will help to strengthen and revivify the lungs. It will also help to dissolve hardened mucus in the lungs, sinus cavities and nostrils. Conscious breathing exercises or yoga is highly ideal for overall respiratory health.
There are a plethora of potent and effective herbs that are great for the lungs and the respiratory system. These are pulmonary, expectorant and demulcent herbs and include:
- Mullein (leaf/flowers)
- Lobelia
- Fenugreek
- Coltsfoot
- Boneset
- Comfrey
- Marshmallow (Althea)
- Licorice
- Pleurisy
- Slippery Elm bark
- White Pine Bark
- Hyssop
- Eucalyptus
- Yerba Santa
- Elecampane
- Ground Ivy, and
- Horehound
Essential oils are also effective for respiratory health and healing. Oils such as:
- Eucalyptus
- Pine Bark
- Inula
- Cajeput
- Hyssop
- Wintergreen
- Peppermint
- Spruce
- White camphor, and
- Spearmint
These essential oils can be added to a diffuser or bath water. Inhaling the vaporized molecules of these oils in the air or hot water steam of a bath will dissolve hardened mucus, open nasal passages, and clear sinus and lung congestion.
Some of these oils such as Eucalyptus and Peppermint can be rubbed in to the chest area (on top of a carrier oil) before bed which will greatly help to do the things mentioned above.
Crystals such as Angelite, Pink Tourmaline, Aventurine, Blue Chalcedony, Emerald, Iron Pyrite, Amethyst, Peridot, Chrysocolla, Pietersite, Rose Quartz, and Prehnite help in healing all lung disorders. They can be placed directly on the Fourth Chakra (located at the thymus gland) situated between the chest area or added to drinking water.
Any country area that is laced with trees is great for healing respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis. Remember, trees help us by converting carbon monoxide into oxygen.
Arizona is one of the best places to go to help eradicate respiratory illnesses and challenges. Arizona contains many pine trees. Pine trees (as well as Eucalyptus trees) can help improve breathing conditions.
Dietary Intervention
A high alkaline diet consisting of plenty of raw and organic fruits and vegetables can improve respiratory problems. Green foods are high in alkalinity and also contain chlorophyll and will help to dissolve mucus throughout the body in general and the lungs and respiratory tract, in particular.
Drinking alkaline water can also help in eradicating respiratory diseases. Alkaline water is highly alkaline and therefore counteracts acidity. This water greatly helps to dissolve mucus so that mucus can be expectorated from the body. It is very important to drink a lot of water period, but especially so if you suffer from bronchitis or asthma.
Poor diet is the greatest physical cause of lungs and respiratory diseases. The worst offenders are:
- Dairy
- Meat
- Refined, processed grains
- Starches
- Acidic beverages
Dairy is greatly mucus forming. People battling respiratory illnesses should remove all dairy products from their diet. Dairy breaks down into LACTIC ACID, which creates mucus, especially in the lungs.
Meat breaks down into URIC ACID, which creates mucus. All meats should be eliminated from the diet if you want to regulate respiratory issues.
Refined, processed grains convert into starch and also break down in to mucus and saturate in the lungs.
Starches too, the refined and processed ones, also break down into acid, CARBONIC ACID, and cause excess mucus production that may saturate in the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract.
Acidic beverages should be avoided because they help create excess mucus buildup in the body. Acid-forming beverages include:
- Beer, wine, champagne and all other spirits
- soda pop
- milk
- hot cocoa and hot chocolate
- coffee and lattes
- chocolate milk
- butter milk
- commercial tea beverages (such as Snapple)
- egg nog
- Kool Aid
- commercial orange juice
- commercial brand punch (such as Hawaiian Punch)
- commercial brand lemonade
- commercial energy beverages (such as Red Bull, Gatorade)
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
