What Are Natural Supplements That Clear Up Congestion In The Lungs?

Certain natural supplements may be helpful in clearing up your lung congestion. According to the Canadian Lung Association, some lung conditions cause swelling and excessive mucus in your respiratory tract that obstructs air flow into and out of your lungs. Congestion in your lungs may impair your lung's gas exchange abilities. Before taking natural supplements to help treat your lung congestion, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Licorice

Licorice, also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a natural supplement that may be helpful in clearing your lung congestion. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, licorice has been used to help treat many health problems, including bronchitis, sore throat, stomach ulcers and viral infections. Licorice, a member of the legume family, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to certain parts of Europe and Asia, has a sweet and nutritious taste and possesses moistening tendencies. The root of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that licorice is an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, demulcent and expectorant that soothes coughs and helps clear phlegm from your respiratory tract. If you have high blood pressure or congestive heart failure, notes Smith, you should avoid taking natural supplements containing licorice.

Elecampane

Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that elecampane, also known as Inula helenium, is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, immune system modulator and expectorant that is tonifying to your lungs. Elecampane, notes Tilgner, has been used to help treat numerous lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, silicosis and emphysema. Elecampane is a perennial plant that grows throughout Great Britain, central and southern Europe and Asia, as far east as the Himalayas. Elecampane belongs to the aster family, has a sweet, pungent taste and possesses slightly warming, drying and stimulating tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the root of the plant medicinally. Tilgner cautions that large doses of elecampane may cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach spasms in some individuals.

Colt's Foot

Colt's foot, a member of the aster family, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to certain parts of Europe and Asia, although it now grows throughout North and South America. Colt's foot, also known as Tussilago farfara, has a sweetish taste, grows along roadsides and paths and is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world. The whole plant, especially the leaves, are used to help treat numerous health problems, including congestion in your lungs. Tilgner states that colt's foot is a demulcent and diffusive expectorant, or a substance that causes the expulsion of secretions from your bronchopulmonary mucosa. Colt's foot has been used to help treat numerous lung conditions, including asthma, emphysema and silicosis. According to Tilgner, colt's foot improves your cilia's ability to move mucus and debris up and out of your respiratory tract. Cilia are hair-like projections that line your trachea, or windpipe.