Herbs and Other Support For Fires/Smoke
The devastation in the Los Angeles area is horrific. The amount of destruction that has occurred due to the fires is unfathomable. I have friends that have lost their homes and businesses which breaks my heart. Even those not at risk from the fires themselves still have to deal with the smoke and extremely poor air quality. My friend and colleague, Dr. Christian Gonzalez, practices in the Los Angeles area. He took to social media to post lung, sinus, and immune support and I’m reposting it here with some extra information. These can apply to anyone exposed to poor air quality due to smoke. Remember, EVERYTHING gets burned up - plastics, metals, chemicals, glues, paint, etc. It’s not just wood that burns.
Support herbs can include:
Mullein - clears mucus and soothes inflamed respiratory tissues. Use as a tea or tincture.
Licorice root - Reduces lung inflammation and soothes mucus membranes. Drink as a tea (careful with high blood pressure)
Thyme - Antimicrobial and helps loosen mucus. Use in a tea, in cooking, or as part of steam inhalation.
Osha root - Opens airways and improves oxygenation. Take as a liquid tincture or capsule.
Eucalyptus - Decongests and clears nasal passages. Use as part of steam inhalation therapy, drink in tea, added to a bath, or dilute it with a carrier oil or lotion and rub onto your chest.
Astragalus root- Strengthens the immune system and supports lung health. Add the root to soups, take as a liquid tincture or as a capsule.
Peppermint - Menthol helps relax respiratory muscles. Drink as a tea, use in steam inhalation therapy, add to a bath, or dilute with another carrier oil or lotion and rub into your chest.
Lobelia - Acts as a bronchodilator (opens lung passages) and clears mucus. Often as part of a lung tincture or capsule.
Ginger - Reduces inflammation and promotes mucus clearance. Use it fresh as a spice, in a tea, or in capsules.
Holy basil (Tulsi) - Fights infection and supports respiratory health. Usually used as a tea. (I have no affiliation but the Yogi brand Tulsi tea is a personal favorite).
Supportive nutraceuticals can include:
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) - Helps thin mucus and supports glutathione (antioxidant) levels. Take as a supplement.
Vitamin C - Reduces inflammation, supports immunity, supports the stress response. Consume as citrus fruits or take as a supplement.
Quercetin - Acts as an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine. Usually taken as a capsule. Foods such as apples and onions contain quercetin.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Reduces lung inflammation. Consume fatty fish, ground flax seeds, or taken as Omega-3 fish oil capsules.
Magnesium - Helps relax bronchial muscles and improves breathing, supports ATP and stress. Take as a capsule or powder. (My favorite is Prosorb+ = use code DRJONES for 10% off)
Zinc - Supports immune function and respiratory recovery. Eat pumpkin seeds or take as a capsule (warning, don’t take it on an empty stomach).
Cordyceps - Improves oxygen uptake and strengthen the lungs. Used in capsule, liquid tincture or powder form.
Mucinex - not a nutraceutical per se but the guaifenesin in it is a cough expectorant and helps break up mucus. This can be found at most all pharmacies or grocery stores.
At-Home Tips That Might Help:
Steam inhalation therapy- Take a nice sized pot and fill about half way with water. Add in supportive ingredients such as thyme or eucalyptus essential oil. Bring to a boil. Remove from water and carefully put your face over the pot then put a towel over your head/pot to trap the steam. Breathe deeply to help loosen mucus and nasal passages.
Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of water to thin mucus and keep respiratory tissues moist. Consider drinking teas such as ginger, thyme, holy basil (tulsi) or other lung or sinus supportive teas.
Saltwater gargle - Gargle with warm salt water regularly to clear the mucus in the throat and reduce inflammation.
Nasal sprays - There are various kinds out there that are saline, herbal, mixed with xylitol or contain medications. They can be really helpful to reduce inflammation in the sinuses.
Onion and honey syrup - peel and chop up an organic onion and cover it with raw or local honey in a jar. Leave it overnight. Take a 1-2 teaspoons straight into your mouth to soothe coughs and clear mucus as needed every few hours. Do not use in infants under 1 years old or if allergic to onions/honey.
Chest rub - Mix coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil and apply to chest, around the nose or on the forehead for lung and sinus support similar to vapor rub.
Change the air filter in your HVAC unit if you have one. This may need to be changed weekly until conditions improve.
Consider investing in a portable room air filter for the house. Due to the forest fires in the pacific northwest, I have 2 Air Doctors in my house.
Please remember, while I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. If you’re not sure on the best course of action for you, always talk with your own healthcare practitioner!