Your lungs are a pair of spongy, air-fill organs…
They are located on either side of the chest and they are very important for your health – Here’s why!
Your windpipe and lungs take in air through a series of filters, becoming smaller and smaller, until oxygen is transmitted into the blood via microscopic sacs called alveoli.
This life-giving process assists your body with hundreds of functions, and it performs this vital function until you take your very last breath.
Most of us take breathing and oxygenation of our blood and tissues for granted, never giving thought to this automatic process until our lungs become compromised.
Our tune suddenly changes when we find it difficult to breathe, or we develop chronic lung illness and disease that makes regular respiratory function seem labored.
Over 50 million Americans suffer from chronic lung dysfunction such as asthma, allergies, emphysema, and COPD; with these issues significantly reducing the quality of life for many people, finding ways to safeguard and improve lung function becomes essential.
This is where holistic wisdom comes in handy and why it’s beneficial to know about when caring for your lung health.
Ancient Holistic wisdom: Lung health.
According to ancient Chinese medicinal principles, the lungs and respiratory system have a significant impact on our overall health and wellness.
It is theorized that lung imbalances play a role in the development of all kinds of diseases and that bringing this organ back into a state of health and balance improves nearly every aspect of health.
According to the philosophies present in Chinese medicine, the lung is nourished through a combination of naturopathic strategies designed for total body health. Some of these therapies include:
- Oxygenated breathing techniques
- Reducing stress and eliminating toxins
- Eating foods that are nourishing to the lungs
Practicing these fundamentals, in combination with other strategies, could improve the health of your lungs and increase your capacity to breathe comfortably.
Follow these tips and breathe easy, knowing you are strengthening your body with every oxygenated breath!
8 Ways To Improve Your Lungs And Breathing
1. Stop smoking.
Smoking is the leading cause in the development of lung-related diseases such as emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer.
The buildup of tar and other toxic substances in the lungs becomes a losing battle, as these sticky substances cling to every fiber of lung tissue, making it increasingly more difficult for the body to take in and assimilate oxygen.
The minute you stop smoking, your lungs begin the natural process of detoxification and healing naturally; you can breathe easier from your very first day of being smoke-free. Safeguard your health by removing these toxic substances from your life.
2. Bump up those antioxidants.
Several foods rich in antioxidants are good for the regeneration and protection of lung tissues. Incorporating more antioxidant-rich foods into your diet will help protect lung tissue as well as assist in detoxification processes that make breathing more efficient. Some of these foods include:
- Fatty fish
- Apples
- Apricots
- Broccoli
- Poultry
- Walnuts
- Beans
- Berries
Add these foods to your diet, and look forward to stronger lungs with each meal.
3. Exercise.
Exercise forces your lungs to take in more air more frequently; just as a muscle improves in strength with repeated use, your lungs get stronger every time you exercise.
The process of assimilating oxygen becomes more efficient, your body can repair and detoxify itself easily, and you keep infection and disease at bay. A simple thirty-minute session once daily will do; opt for more vigorous exercise a couple of times per week to mix it up.
4. Get your vaccines up to date.
Certain vaccinations help to prevent infections that could compromise or scar the lungs. Flu and pneumonia are two diseases that can cause infection to develop in the lungs; these infections could become potentially deadly if left untreated.
Getting your regular vaccine for flu will reduce your risk of contracting it, and this will be extra insurance against the development of pneumonia and other respiratory complications that could leave your lungs susceptible to damage.
5. Improve indoor air quality.
We live in a toxic world, don’t we? The use of chemicals on surfaces, in the air, and even in our water and food have us swimming in a sea of chemicals that we are breathing in, even in our own homes.
You can begin to improve air quality indoors today by following a few simple strategies:
- Clean carpets and other surfaces in your home regularly
- Use cleaning products that are biodegradable and natural
- Use an indoor air filter to purify and remove airborne pollutants such as pollen, dust, mold, etc.
The cleaner you breathe, the healthier your lungs will be.
6. Consider acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to balance and circulate energy throughout the body. The theory behind acupuncture is that when energy becomes stuck somewhere in the body, it can manifest in illness and disease.
The use of small, stimulating needles at certain meridians, or energy points in the body, helps to free this blocked energy and recirculate and balance it once more.
Studies of acupuncture in the treatment of respiratory diseases show promise that it is capable of treating and reducing symptoms related to all sorts of respiratory issues.
7. Practice yoga and meditation.
Yoga and meditation are not only great stress relievers, they are known to have benefits that are heart and lung health as well. Combinations of mindful breathing and specific postures have a remarkable effect on helping to detoxify and strengthen lung tissue.
The added bonus of lower stress adds to the development of greater lung capacity; practicing these techniques at least a couple of times per week can have significant benefits for improving lung health and reducing chronic symptoms.
8. Take strategic supplements.
A number of herbs and supplements can be effectively implemented in your daily routine to improve lung health.
Chinese medicine has long toted the benefits of substances like thyme, ivy, cumin, and ginseng for easier breathing.
In addition, mainstream medicine recognizes the positive effects of these supplements on lung health which include:
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamins D and E
- Antioxidants
- Eucalyptus oil (used in a humidifier for cleansing effects)
A naturopath or Ayurvedic practitioner can offer numerous other suggestions for herbs and other natural substances that can work to improve lung health.
Whether you are looking to protect your lung function or repair years of chronic disease and toxic buildup, following these simple tips will help to improve and repair those most important organs — your lungs!
Author: Rebecca
Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am the face behind Everything Abode! I am a lifestyle and wellness writer based out of Vancouver Island. When I’m not writing or exploring mountains and beaches with my furry rescue, I love spending time learning creative ways to manifest a healthy home. Thanks for stopping by!
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