Lung diseases are characterized by coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, bronchial spasms, the production of excess mucus, chronic inflammation of the delicate tissues and hypersensitive, irritated airways. Asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia and COPD are examples of these lung diseases. According to Michael T. Murray, N.D. in "The Healing Power of Herbs," herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to provide relief of these symptoms, allowing you to breathe more freely.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus leaves contain a volatile oil that is antibiotic in nature, which fights off lung infections, clears congestion, improves blood flow and reduces swelling, all helpful in healing your lungs. It is found in herbal cough and cold remedies such as lozenges, syrups, rubs and vapor baths. Herbalists recommend drinking tea made with fresh eucalyptus leaves to treat bronchitis and sinusitis and applying ointments to the chest to relieve congestion in the lungs. Inhaling eucalyptus vapors also helps to treat bronchitis, coughs and the flu.
Expectorants
Expectorants can be classified as stimulating or relaxing substances. Stimulating expectorants help to expel excess mucus from your lungs by irritating the bronchial pathways so that phlegm is coughed up. Examples include elecampane, blood root and white horehound. Conversely, relaxing expectorants, such as coltsfoot and comfrey, soothe your bronchial spasms and loosen thick mucus.
Licorice Root
These can be used to reduce your lung inflammation and spasms, help expel phlegm, soothe your bronchial airways and treat respiratory ailments, bronchitis and asthma. It is an ingredient in many herbal cough medications and has been used as an expectorant and antitussive for thousands of years.
Bromelain
A group of enzymes found in the inedible stem of the pineapple plant called bromelain help suppress coughing and can be used to treat chronic bronchitis. They also loosen up thick mucus, reducing its viscosity and making it easier for you to cough it up and get it out of your lungs. These enzymes can relieve your respiratory congestion and improve your lung capacity, health and function.
Warning
As always, care should be taken when using herbal therapy, and remedies should be used in moderation. Side effects are rare, but herbs can cause an allergic reaction in some people or interact negatively with prescription medications. Consult with your health-care provider or a qualified herbalist for serious lung problems.
References
- "The New Age Herbalist"; Richard Mabay; 1988
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James F. Balch, MD; 1997
- University of Maryland Medical Center
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