With cold temperatures (in most areas) and the challenges with viruses I thought it would be prudent to discuss clearing lungs. Many people get bronchitis / pneumonia / flu this time of year and there are many things one can do to minimize the effects and strengthen your immune system to help reduce your chances of getting any.
Let’s start with strengthening your immune system. Eating properly to get the nutrients your body needs is most important. If you have problems with your stomach, you may want to start keeping a food journal. This would entail jotting down how much you eat, when you eat, and how you feel afterwards – not only your gut’s reaction but mentally and physically as well. This will help you determine how many meals you should eat each day (you should never nibble or snack through the day – you should be eating enough at mealtime to sustain you – 2 – 3 meals each day), when you should eat your first meal / last meal of the day, and if there are any foods that you should eliminate for 30 days to see if you are sensitive.
Eating foods that with strengthen your immune system would be next on the list. Many foods are also antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibiotics. I’ve provided a list of several below – this list is by no means a complete listing.
Antibacterial: Cinnamon, turmeric, cranberries, honey, goldenseal, black cumin, oregano oil, garlic, mullein. These foods help in a variety of ways and not all the same. Ensure you read on each before using. Vinegar is also an antibacterial that can be used to naturally kill germs on surfaces without using bleach or other harmful chemicals.
Anti-Inflammatory: Tomatoes (night shade), olive oil, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, fatty fish, strawberries, blueberries, cherries and oranges. High stress in our lives create and inflamed body. This means we struggle with sleep, exercise, and even to digest our foods properly.
Antibiotic: Honey, onions, garlic, ginger, echinacea, goldenseal, clove, oregano, grapefruit seed extract, apple-cider vinegar, colloidal silver and cinnamon.
Antiviral: Fermented foods (kombucha / yogurt / kefir / kimchee / sauerkraut), fresh fruits, oregano, sage, basil, fennel, garlic, peppermint, rosemary, echinacea, ginger, zinc, black pepper, licorice root and mushrooms.
Foods that are problematic to your lungs when you are not well include bread, anything that has yeast and any dairy products. These increase your mucous growth and should be eliminated until your lungs are clear.
Helping your lungs heal. There are several very straightforward directives when you have problems with your lungs:
- Sleep sitting up. This allows for proper breathing and reduces the settling of mucous in your lungs.
- Movement. Regardless of how you feel you need to be up and moving at least once an hour for 10 minutes or more.
- Ginger. Grated ginger can be wrapped in gauze / linen / paper towel and placed on your chest to help pull up mucous from your lungs. This can burn the skin and may need to be moved from time to time to reduce the chances of burns.
- Hot drinks. This also breaks up congestion and should be sipped throughout the day
- Proper hydration. Ensure you are drinking enough. When you are not 100%, your body needs more water to flush out toxins and bacterial from your body.
- Onions on Feet. Onions draw out toxins through the skin. Before bed, slice an onion and put on the bottoms of your feet. Cover with socks. In the morning, be careful not to touch the onion – dispose. This can be repeated as needed.
- Eucalyptus Oil. Place a large pot on your stove and add eucalyptus oil to it – slow boil. Ensure you watch this as the water evaporates and add more water / oil to it as needed. This provides additional moisture to your surroundings for you to breathe in along with the benefits of the menthol in the oil. When I am having problems with my breathing, this is always on (during the day) my stove.
- Sleep. When your body says it is time to sleep – do so. It needs extra energy to heal your body and the more you are forcing your body to do other things, the harder it is for your immune system to do its work effectively.
- Extra Vitamins. Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D and Vitamin A – should all be doubled. I take 2,000mg of Vitamin C morning and night at my worst. Ensure you are taking your vitamins with food.
- Colloidal Silver. This is a natural antibiotic and can completely replace water if you choose. I take ½ c in the morning and at night at the first sign that I am not feeling well and then about 1 – 2 T three to four times a day after until I am well.
- Remove from diet. Bread, milk products and anything made with yeast. These increase the growth of mucous and extend your down time.
Blessings for a healthy season! – E