Herbs To Help With Breathing

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Herbs To Help With Breathing

Breathing is something that we all do without thinking, but it’s actually a complex process that’s essential to life. Our lungs take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases allows our bodies to function properly. Many people struggle with breathing problems at some point in their lives, whether it’s due to asthma, pneumonia, or even just a blocked nose due to having a cold or flu.

Taking traditional medications is often the first course of treatment recommended by medical professionals. However, some people find that changing their diet and incorporating certain herbs into their lives helps with breathing problems in a more natural way.

There are many herbs that can help with breathing problems because they contain compounds that relieve congestion. You may have to experiment a bit to find the ones that work best for you. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any kind of herbal treatment, especially if you’re already taking medications. This is because herbs can interact with some medications and cause you harm. With some trial and error, you should be able to find herbs that help make breathing easier for you.

Herbs can be used to treat a variety of conditions, especially when it comes to respiratory health. For example, sage is an herb that can be made into a tea and used as a remedy for those who have asthma or bronchitis (1).

Liquorice root is another great option if you’re experiencing breathing problems and want to explore herbal remedies. Liquorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to ease asthma (2). If you use it along with inhaled asthma medication it makes the medication work better (3).

Ginger is another popular herb that is often used to treat respiratory ailments, especially during the winter months.  Ginger is highly effective when used with liquorice root and hot water to make a tea. They work really well together to clear a blocked up nose and help you breathe more easily (4).

Peppermint has a long history of use in respiratory health. It’s a great choice for those who are struggling with asthma or bronchitis, or just a stuffy nose. It helps to open up the airways due to its anti-inflammatory nature. It shrinks the inflamed membranes in the nose, making breathing easier and allowing air to flow into the lungs more freely.

You can make a delicious tea with peppermint leaves and hot water. Peppermint oil can also be used to help clear congestion and open up the sinuses (5). Another reason peppermint helps reduce inflammation is because it kills the bacteria that causes it in the first place (6).

One reason peppermint is so effective is because it contains menthol (7). Menthol is the herb that everyone automatically thinks of, with regard to helping you to breathe. Menthol is a natural bronchodilator, meaning it helps to relax the muscles around the airways. It kills bacteria and has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve breathing problems. Inhaling a few drops of menthol mixed into a bowl of hot water can be very effective in treating respiratory conditions such as asthma.

I am sure you are familiar with the smell of menthol in cough and cold medications such as Vicks Vaporub (8). This chest rub has been used for generations on young and old alike. I am sure we all have memories of our mother lovingly rubbing it on our chests when we were young and full of cold. It helps clear blocked up noses and helps you breathe more easily.

Eucalyptus is another ingredient of Vicks Vaporub along with Camphor. Eucalyptus is a natural decongestant and can be helpful for those who are struggling with a cold or the flu. It can also help to clear congestion and open up the airways. Eucalyptus oil can be used in a diffuser or applied directly to the skin. If you’re looking for an all-round herb to help with breathing, eucalyptus is a great choice. It is particularly good for asthma and sinusitis (9).

Camphor is another aroma associated with helping us to breathe when we are ill. It is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter remedies for cold symptoms, such as chest rubs and nasal sprays and more. It helps to reduce mucus and phlegm that causes the nasal passageways to get blocked (10).

One of the reasons we struggle to breathe can be during hay fever season. This is often during spring and summer when flowers and grasses release pollen. This leads to sneezing and breathing difficulties caused by histamines which is an allergic reaction. Over the counter anti-histamines are available to ease this seasonal disorder, but there are herbs that are effective if you would rather not use medication. One of these herbs is Echinacea. It boosts immunity which helps to protect the body against the effects of the pollen (11). Other herbal anti-histamines are stinging nettle and butterbur (12).

Lungwort is a herb that can be helpful for those with breathing problems. It’s a traditional remedy for asthma and other respiratory conditions, and it has been shown to be effective in treating these issues (13).

Plantain leaf (the one found in your garden, not the one associated with the banana plant family) is another great choice for respiratory health. It’s a natural expectorant and can help to loosen phlegm and mucus, making it easier to breathe. Plantain leaf can be brewed into a tea or taken in capsule form (14).

You may be familiar with horseradish as a condiment but it is also a powerful home remedy for colds. It has long been traditionally used to open up the sinuses and treat symptoms of congestion, sneezing and coughs (15).

Here is a recipe for homemade decongestant using the powerful benefits of ginger and horseradish.

You will need:

1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 cup horseradish, peeled and grated

Combine all the ingredients in a small jar and cover with apple cider vinegar. Put on the lid and shake it really well to combine the ingredients.

Take 1-2 teaspoons a day as needed. It should last for about 2 weeks but make sure you store it in the fridge.

On a current note, marshmallow, myrrh,  liquorice, common ivy and common elder have been identified as herbs that show promising outcomes for those suffering from breathing difficulties due to the coronavirus, covid 19 (16).  However, as already mentioned it is advisable to seek a doctor’s advice before self-medicating with herbs and plants, especially when experiencing breathing difficulties. Breathe happy!

 

References

  1. Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Property of Sage (Salvia) to Prevent and Cure Illnesses such as Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Dementia, Lupus, Autism, Heart Disease, and Cancer https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003706/
  2. Glycyrrhizin and Long-Term Histopathologic Changes in a Murine Model of Asthma https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3957157/
  3. The synergistic anti-asthmatic effects of glycyrrhizin and salbutamol https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4085675/
  4. Liquorice and ginger herbal decongestants https://theherbalacademy.com/licorice-and-ginger-herbal-decongestants/
  5. The power of peppermint https://www.uchealth.org/today/the-power-of-peppermint/
  6. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Mentha piperita L. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535211000232
  7. UV-B modulates the interplay between terpenoids and flavonoids in peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1011134410001107?via%3Dihub
  8. What is Vicks VapoRub? https://www.healthline.com/health/vicks-vaporub-benefits#what-it-is
  9. 9 Unexpected Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil https://www.healthline.com/health/9-ways-eucalyptus-oil-can-help
  10. Camphor Oil: This Organic Compound Heals Your Lungs, Makes You Breathe Easy https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/camphor-oil-this-organic-compound-heals-your-lungs-makes-you-breathe-easy
  11. Mast cell degranulation and calcium influx are inhibited by an Echinacea purpurea extract and the alkylamide dodeca-2E,4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29042288/
  12. The 4 Best Natural Antihistamines https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/best-natural-antihistamines
  13. Lungwort – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-216/lungwort
  14. Evaluation of the Nomenclature of Herbal Expectorants on Russian Pharmaceutical Market: Current Status and Future Prospects https://www.sysrevpharm.org/articles/evaluation-of-the-nomenclature-of-herbal-expectorants-on-russian-pharmaceutical-market-current-status-and-future-prospec.pdf
  15. Horseradish: Nature’s Decongestant https://www.theepochtimes.com/horseradish-natures-decongestant_1229028.html
  16. COVID-19: Is There Evidence for the Use of Herbal Medicines as Adjuvant Symptomatic Therapy? https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.581840/full#B508