These molecules known as hydrocolloids are water-loving, swelling as they collect and retain water molecules. If you have ever soaked flax or chia seeds, you have seen this in action. Drinking a tea of demulcent herbs can be just what you need to support throat health, which is the gateway to the respiratory tract.

Marshmallow root, slippery elm, and licorice root are all great examples of demulcent herbs. Astringent herbs have the opposite effect. Astringent herbs used for respiratory health include elderflower , rosehips, and yarrow flower. Mucolytic Herbs As you might guess from the sound of this word, mucolytics have to do with our mucus.

Herbs with this action, like licorice root, elecampane root, and eucalyptus leaf help the body maintain a clear airway from excess mucus.

Aromatic Herbs Within the bronchial tree, bronchi and bronchioles contain smooth muscles, which constrict or relax depending on the volume of air required by the body. Fennel seed and thyme leaf are two aromatic herbs that contain specific volatile constituents, such as esters and anethole, which seem to have a calming effect on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract.

This suggests that they could also support a normal, relaxed tone in the muscles of the airway. Eucalyptus leaf can also be employed here as it contains the volatile constituent eucalyptol, a compound that supports the respiratory system.

Often our environment is a great indicator for our respiratory health: if you live somewhere hot, dry, and dusty, a blend that is cool and moistening is a good companion. Our Throat Coat Eucalyptus tea contains a soothing blend of marshmallow, licorice root, and eucalyptus leaf to support throat health and the respiratory system.

As for tea, our Breathe Easy blend of warming fennel and ginger combine with the power of licorice to promote respiratory health like a breath of fresh air. A great option for soothing a cough or sore throat is our line of Throat Coat Lozenges.

Erin Masako Wilkins is an Asian American herbalist and acupuncturist. She has been a practicing herbalist for over a decade specializing in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. She aims to Tis the season of green! We are proud to announce that we at Traditional Medicinals have joined forces with the Environmental Media Association EMA , using our voices to elevate eco-consciousness Photo taken by Danielle Cohen Meet Rosemary Gladstar, known as the godmother of modern herbalism, she has captivated a global audience with her wealth of knowledge and passion for herbal Meet RAab Stevenson, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, arranger, producer, artist and developer.

Climate change is altering landscapes. Big emotions are often natural reactions to very real challenges. Occasional stress, overwhelm and stretches of melancholy can feel scary. While clear, dewy skin is often a bit of good luck, long-term health is very much dependent on healthy habits.

Herbalists use plants inside and out to nourish the skin, Have you ever had an anxious gut feeling about something or felt nervous and experienced butterflies in your stomach? These sensations emanating from your belly remind us that the brain Our gut works hard for us every minute of every day.

When it is functioning properly, we hardly think twice about it. Life can be busy, and while we try to stay prepared, sometimes we need extra support.

This is when we turn to herbal allies that boost our immune system when Updated on November 12, It is also an expectorant which means it has the ability to clear mucous from the airways.

Wild cherry is a great herb for kids and is often used in natural cough syrups. Thyme contains a naturally occurring compound called thymol which has strong antimicrobial properties, making it effective against bacterial infections.

It is great for sore throats, laryngitis, blocked noses, clearing catarrh and relieving coughs due to its expectorant action. Thyme can be taken as a liquid tincture or capsule for a more therapeutic dose. Alternatively, you can steep fresh thyme leaves in boiling water for 5 to 8 minutes and drink a few cups during the day.

Eyebright is the perfect herb for sinusitis, nasal congestion and respiratory allergies. It contains an astringent compound called tannins that helps dry up mucous and catarrh by toning up the mucous membranes that line the nasopharyngeal cavities the upper part of the throat and sinuses.

Eyebright is best taken as a liquid tincture or in tablet or capsule form. Lung tonic herbs are specific herbal remedies that promote healthy lung function, oxygen absorption and respiratory airway support. They can assist with clearing congestion, expelling mucous from the airways and relieving a cough.

Mullein is a demulcent, expectorant and anti-catarrhal herb which means it can soothe inflamed mucous membranes, dry up phlegm and loosen lodged mucous in the chest or throat, making it easier to expel. Mullein is great for stubborn chesty or dry coughs as it opens up the lungs, reducing the tightness and spasms caused by the coughing action.

It is best taken as a liquid tincture or drops; however, it can also be taken as a capsule or tablet. Elecampane has decongestant and antibacterial properties, and is also fantastic for clearing mucous out of the airways.

Rich in phytochemicals, Elecampane is effective at reducing mucous secretions, soothing irritated lungs and suppressing the coughing action.

You can take Elecampane as a liquid tincture, a capsule or in powdered form to make a tea the dosage and preparation instructions will be indicated on the packaging. Elecampane is often found in natural cough syrups with other immune herbs.

Marshmallow root is a mucilage herb which means it has the ability to produce a gel-like coating that can protect and soothe irritated tissues and inflamed mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. Marshmallow can relieve a sore throat and dry cough, and also reduce inflammation in the airways.

Marshmallow is best taken as a liquid tincture or in powder form mixed with water follow the instructions as indicated by the supplier. It can also be taken in capsule form or as a tea using the dried herb.

All of the above herbs can be sourced from a health food shop or online from a reputable herbal medicine supplier. Follow the dosage as indicated by the supplier as dosages will differ brand to brand. Liquid tinctures, tablets and capsules are much more concentrated than herbal teas.

Learn more about Herbal Medicine. A literature review looked at the impact of both low and high doses of NAC on the frequency of exacerbations in thousands of people with COPD. Treatment time ranged from 4 to 36 months.

The researchers found that those who took NAC had significantly fewer exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or COPD. One study divided people with COPD into two groups.

One group took a total of 1, mg of NAC daily along with traditional bronchidilator medications. The other group took placebos and practiced conventional airway expansion therapy.

Over the months-long study period, markers of immune status in blood tests showed that the group who took medications and NAC improved their inflammatory status. Herbs and supplements provide a natural alternative to medications, sometimes with fewer side effects.

Research on their effectiveness against COPD continues to grow. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. There's no cure for COPD, but conventional treatment can be complemented by treatment with essential oils to treat its symptoms.

Here's what you need…. Some research suggests that acupuncture may be an effective complementary treatment for COPD. Learn more about the COPD symptoms that acupuncture may…. Effective treatment often requires you to add medications to better manage symptoms or subtract medications if they are deemed unnecessary.

COPD and acute bronchitis both cause lung irritation and inflammation. They can trigger similar symptoms, including coughing, chest pain, and fatigue. During pulmonary rehab, your doctor will coach you though breathing exercise as well as lifestyle modifications that can help treat your COPD.

Air pollution can reach dangerous levels during wildfire seasons or become hazardous over time from vehicle emissions or agricultural practices….

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Herbs and Supplements for COPD. Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT , Nutrition — By Dale Kiefer and Alyssa Northrop, MPH, RD, LMT — Updated on February 23, Thyme English ivy Ginseng Melatonin Curcumin Licorice root Vitamin D N-acetylcysteine NAC Outlook For centuries, herbs and supplements like thyme and vitamin D have been used to help alleviate symptoms related to COPD.

English ivy Hedera helix. Ginseng Panax ginseng. Licorice root. Vitamin D. N-acetylcysteine NAC. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Feb 23, Written By Dale Kiefer, Alyssa Northrop, MPH, RD, LMT.

Because of this, Oregano is thought to be able to help maintain healthy lung function. For a healthy dose of Oregano, add Gaia Herbs Oil of Oregano to your routine and enjoy antioxidant support while helping to maintain immune defenses so you can continue feeling your best.

Take 1 capsule 2 times daily with meals. The suggested maximum time of use is 2 to 4 weeks. At first glance, Elecampane may look like a sunflower. While it is a member of the same family, this herb offers different benefits than the common sunflower.

One of the key differences between Elecampane and the sunflower is that the former contains a chemical compound called inulin. Inulin has been shown to support healthy immune function and to help maintain healthy lungs and a strong respiratory system.

Elecampane is very astringent and bitter. Because of this, it is best taken in combination with other herbs. Take as directed to support your overall lung and respiratory health. Native Americans use the bark of the Bayberry plant as an herbal supplement to support various structures and functions in the body.

Because of their high levels of tannin, Bayberry herbs are best taken in combination with other herbs to offset the astringent taste. Gaia Herbs Sinus Comfort includes Bayberry, Yarrow, Plantain, Gaia-grown® Nettle, and other herbs that provide your body with the support it needs to help maintain sinus health, and help you breathe easy all day long.

Despite its name, Oregon Grape is not a grape at all. The plant gets its name from the purple fruit that develops from the dense yellow flower cluster. Those edible fruits were often traditionally consumed in combination with Salal berries and huckleberries as a way to support healthy skin , digestion, liver function, and the immune system.

To support respiratory health, add Gaia Herbs Echinacea Goldenseal Propolis Throat Spray to your daily routine. This herbal throat spray contains a harmonious blend of herbs including Echinacea grown on Gaia's own certified organic farm in combination with Goldenseal root, a natural source of Berberine.

These herbs are all traditionally used to support throat health, making this one of our most popular products for anyone experiencing throat stress. Take 60 drops in a small amount of water 1 to 3 times daily.

You can be assured that our products are safely produced without the use of pesticides and other toxins that can damage our bodies and the earth. To purchase our Respiratory Support herbal products online, shop now at our online store.

Or to find a store nearby that carries Gaia Herbs products, enter your zip code on our Where to Buy page. A review. Made with Gaia-grown ® Nettle. Featured Products Best Seller. Featured Products.

Best Seller. Shake vigorously to combine, then shake it every day or two. Strain after 1 month, squeezing as much liquid out of the herbs as you can. Take ½ teaspoon as needed for coughs especially wet coughs and thick mucus congestion.

Excerpted and adapted from Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies © Maria Noel Groves. by Maria Noel Groves. This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around April 2, This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

Learn more about this author. by Brittany Wood Nickerson. by Rosemary Gladstar. by Sarah Farr. Easy to grow in your garden or commonly found in the wild, these herbs provide powerful support to the respiratory system.

Photo © Stacey Cramp, excerpted from Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies Some are easy to cultivate, and many are commonly-found backyard wild plants and weeds. Mullein Leaf Verbascum thapsus Photo © Stacey Cramp, excerpted from Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies.

Horehound Leaf Marrubium vulgare Photo © Stacey Cramp, excerpted from Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies. Wild Black Cherry Prunus serontina and Chokecherry P. virginiana Bark Photo © Stacey Cramp, excerpted from Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies.

Marshmallow Leaf and Root Althaea officinalis and other Mallow Leaves Malva spp. Photo © Stacey Cramp, excerpted from Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies. Plantain Leaf Plantago spp.

More Herbs for Respiratory Health Other useful respiratory herbs include nettle leaves, goldenrod flowering tops, bee balm, oregano, thyme, rosemary, black elderberry and flower , peppermint, anise hyssop, Korean licorice mint, white pine and related not all evergeen needles , sage, New England aster flowering tops, reishi mushroom, peach twigs and bark, and elecampane root.

Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies by Maria Noel Groves. Expert herbalist Maria Noël Groves has advice for budding herb gardeners: grow just what your body needs! In Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies , Groves provides 23 garden plans specially tailored to address the most common health needs, along with simple recipes for using each group of herbs.

For chronic stomach problems, marshmallow, plantain, rose, fennel, and calendula make the perfect medicine, with recipes for tummy tea and gut-healing broth. Groves teaches you how to plant, harvest, and care for each medicinal herb, and in all of her plant suggestions, she emphasizes safe, effective, easy-to-grow herbs that provide abundant harvests and can be planted in containers or garden beds.

Format Trade Paperback ebook. Maria Noel Groves About the Author Maria Noël Groves is the author of Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies and Body into Balance. She is a clinical herbalist and herbal medicine teacher with more than two decades of experience, and a registered professional member of the American Herbalists Guild.

Modern research points out its role in improving lung function. Menthol, present in the mint family, displays antispasmodic activity. It works as a decongestant, which means it helps to soothe swollen membranes in the nose and loosen mucus that gets stuck in the respiratory pathway.

Kothari suggests using fresh or dried leaves to make yourself herbal teas. You can also add some peppermint leaves with ginger, tea and spices and sweeten with honey, giving a nourishing twist to the classic masala chai.

Breathing correctly can help you build immunity and get better skin. Here's how. Air pollution: What can individuals do to counter this health threat? By Namrata Kedar. By Violeta Valdés. By Utkarsh Mani Tripathi. By Fiona Embleton. By Hannah Coates. By Ana Morales.

By Isha Sutaria. Vasaka Vasaka has been considered very therapeutic in Ayurveda for respiratory health, says nutrition consultant Sangeeta Khanna.

Ginger is often combined with turmeric, tulsi, or lemon for an effective tonic. To help bring balance, try sipping a ginger-infused tea.

Revel in the spicy warmth as it opens your airways, allowing your breath to come naturally. Bibhitaki, Terminalia bellirica , is a large tree commonly found on the plains and lower hills in South Asia. The fruit or nut of the tree is used in traditional Ayurveda as a Rasayana , for longevity, stamina, and to invigorate and rejuvenate the body.

Bibhitaki is one of the three fruits of Triphala which helps balance all three doshas and can be found in a convenient capsule to support your overall wellness. Bibhitaki contains essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, potassium and selenium.

Thanks to its powerful antioxidant and bioactive constituents, bibhitaki has many health benefits, including its ability to support a healthy inflammatory response in the respiratory system. It is a strong expectorant that helps support open airways. Known as Rujamari in Ayurveda, rosemary is an aromatic herb largely used as a seasoning and garnish in culinary dishes.

It has a distinctive fragrant aroma and is a member of the mint family. You may have noticed rosemary essential oil as an ingredient in your soap and other skincare products. This is because rosemary contains antioxidant properties that protect the skin and reduce the signs of aging.

Those same antioxidant properties, along with the expectorant and cleansing properties, make rosemary an excellent choice to support the health of your lungs. To help clear nasal passages, add rosemary oil to a diffuser. Alternatively, you can add a few drops to a mug or small pot of boiling water and carefully inhale the vapor.

This helps clear mucus from your lungs, enabling you to breathe easier. Another option is to make rosemary tea. Simply place one teaspoon of dried rosemary into a mesh tea basket.

Add some ginger, cardamom and a piece of a cinnamon stick for additional flavor. Bring two cups of water to a boil, then place the mesh tea basket into the hot water, allowing the flavors to blend while you enjoy the pungent, lavender-like aroma.

This bristly plant grows throughout North America and Europe and is often thought of as a weed. Nettle has been used as an herbal panacea for thousands of years because of its dense variety of nutrients.

The nettle leaf contains a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals and polyphenols that support a healthy inflammatory response among other benefits.

The baby leaves that grow at the top of the plant in the early spring are used to nourish and detoxify the body. In Ayurveda, nettle is a Rasayana , a nourishing and rejuvenating herb. It is astringent in nature and very pungent.

It stimulates the Vata dosha while balancing the Pitta and Kapha doshas. Try making a stinging nettle infusion by adding one ounce of dried nettle leaves or two ounces of fresh leaves to four cups of hot water. Start by boiling the water and pouring it over the leaves in a glass jar.

Let it steep for at least four hours or overnight. Drink this herbal infusion within the next 36 hours. These powerful plants and herbs with their countless benefits have stood the test of time.

For more than years, people have achieved and sustained wellness through conscious living and by implementing natural remedies into their daily lives. At Organic India USA, our teas make it easy to incorporate Ayurvedic remedies for lung health into your daily life.

Take care of your respiratory system this winter with a few of our powerful products. Now that your lung and respiratory health are up to speed, check out these herbs for immunity for immune support and whole system wellness.

Herbs for Lung Health: Breathe Easier With These 7 Herbs For thousands of years, people have used Ayurvedic herbs to support lung and respiratory health.

Peppermint Peppermint is undoubtedly one of the most well-known herbs. Respiratory health - we have heard a lot about th is in recent months. Breathing is obviously very important to 1 l ife and 2 living well. Many of us struggle to breathe properly and this can result in fatigue, anxious feelings and can also impact y our concentration and cognition.

So learning to breathe deeply can have profound health effects. A simple exercise you can do is breathe in for the count of ten , hold for ten and then b reathe out. Doing this in times of stress can help you re-centre and regroup. But what herbs can you use to support respiratory health and relaxed breathing?

Thyme is a well known culin ar y herb , but it has its roots in western herbal medicine as a powerful plant to support your respiratory system. It is a hardy , evergreen shrub that came from the Mediterranean, it has beautiful white, pink and purple flowers in late spring and has a very distinctive smell.

We are profoundly lucky to live close to central Otago and its abundance of wild thyme. We hero this amazing plant in our C hest Tonic , Throat Spray , Defence Elixir as well as F ire C ider. Thyme has been used traditionally for years as it is an incredible herb for respiratory health, supporting both the chest and airways.

It has anti microbial, anti bacterial and anti fungal properties that can support not only the lungs but digestive and skin systems. You can take thyme as a tea, a tincture, a glycetract or simply infuse it in honey and take when needed.

Thyme helps y our respiratory system in a multitude of ways. As we said above it has powerful anti viral and bacterial properties but it is also very helpful in promoting relaxed and easy breathing.

It also works as a spasmolytic which means it can help with coughing fits and help to calm the respiratory muscles really helpful for those that suffer from asthma as well.

This amazing N ew Z ealand native plant acts as a great herb for respiratory health as it help s to support an irritated respiratory system. Kumerahou helps to support bronchial and lung health.

It is a bitter plant but can help to support stubborn respiratory conditions as it helps to thin and bring mucus up. Kumerahou' s expectorant action is from the saponins which are a main active constituent of this plant.

Saponins help to dissolve things a bit like a soap so this is how it can help to clear and support y our breathing. Traditionally in Rongoā, ku merahou was used internally for anything to do with breathing.

Visually, it has beautiful yellow flowers and is found mostly in the North Island, but you can find it as a tincture or in a tea. This is another amazing N ew Z ealand native that is a great herb for respiratory health! Hoheria , more commonly known as lacebark, works as a demulcent calming , an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and also as a broncho spasmolytic.

It helps to calm irritated airways and also is a New Zealand alternative to m arshmallow and s lippery e lm which is over harvested.

Hoheria was also used as a poultice topically to help calm burns. Often it is taken as a tincture or as a strong infusion tea. White horehound is a native to Europe, north Africa and Asia. It has white flowers which are produced in summer.

In herbal medicine both the flowers and the leaves are used. Horehound has been used traditionally for years as a herb for respiratory health because it helps support relaxed and efficient breathing and also helps support sore throats and coughing fits.