Your body begins to heal as soon as you stop smoking. According to a July 1, 2008 Time Magazine interview with Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, your lungs improve within weeks or months of quitting smoking. Your lung capacity improves and breathing is easier. You might find that you cough more, but that's just your body's natural mechanism to clean out your lungs of excess mucus and phlegm. If you've developed asthma from smoking, you may notice that your condition improves. During the healing process, there are some things you can do to facilitate the recovery of your lungs.
Step 1
Use a vaporizer in your bedroom or office. A vaporizer is a device you fill with water that diffuses steam mist into the air, making the air moist. Vaporizers can help alleviate chest congestion by loosening phlegm and facilitating breathing, according to MedlinePlus.
Step 2
Breathe in the aroma from an essential oil blend of rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus oils. According to Kathi Keville and Mindi Green in their book "Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art," these essential oils can decrease respiratory problems and loosen congestion. Mix 2 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of rosemary and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil in a small glass vial. Inhale the aroma directly from the jar or put a drop on a tissue and breathe in the scent.
Step 3
Drink water or other liquids to help the mucus in your lungs and throat become thinner and looser. According to MedlinePlus, keeping hydrated can help ease symptoms of cough and congestion. If you don't want to drink plain water, try drinking chicken or beef broth instead.
Step 4
Leave an area if others are smoking, and limit your exposure to smoke. Secondhand smoke contains numerous irritants and cancer-causing agents that can worsen your cough and make it more difficult to breathe, according to the American Cancer Society. Avoiding others who smoke will also make it easier for you to prevent a smoking relapse.
Step 5
Take a daily multivitamin containing vitamins A, C, E and B-complex. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these important nutrients are vital to maintaining healthy lungs and repairing the damage from free radicals caused by smoking.
Step 6
Drink 2 to 4 cups of green tea daily. Green tea is a very potent antioxidant that also helps to repair the damage caused by free radicals. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea can be prepared from the dried leaf of the herb. You can also purchase commercially-prepared teas to obtain the same benefits.
Things You'll Need
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Small glass vial
- Vaporizer
- Multivitamin
- Green tea
