Lung care & coping with poor air quality
If you are in need of respiratory respite from the aftermath of the horrible air quality as a result of the many wildfires currently burning on the West Coast, here are a few tried and tested suggestions from Christina Chan, R.Ac. who in addition to finding the air thicker than she would prefer is also recovering from a July chest infection:
- TAKE IT EASY! Especially if you have asthma or suffer from allergies, in combination with the summer heat, it’s best to limit extraneous activity if you are struggling to breathe
- Bioactive Quercitin – highly absorb-able bioflavinoid that can control allergy symptoms
- N-acetyl-L-cysteine – amino acid precursor to glutathione, which relieves upper respiratory inflammation
- Thieves Oil – either as a soothing steam or the balm for applying to your chest and throat
- Nin Jiom – time-tested herbal remedy from Hong Kong that soothes harsh coughs, sore throats and keeps the lungs moist, it can be easily found in Chinatown
- Sinus saline rinse – simple, drug-free method of keeping your sinuses squeaky clean
- Vitamin D – I prefer liquid form for rapid absorption, the liquid sunshine has been shown to support immune function
- ACUPUNCTURE of course to open your lungs! Book online
In TCM, the lungs are considered a “tender organ”. They prefer specific conditions that are not too dry or moist and also not too hot or cold. They are also susceptible to external pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, mold, but also other environmental particulate including pollen, pet dander and in our current conditions, pollution.
More importantly, the role of the lungs is to circulate a thin protective, fluid layer that lies just below the skin’s surface, called the “Wei qi”, which in TCM theory, acts as a barrier to pathogens trying in invade our bodies. So if your lungs are suffering, so is your immune system and your ability to keep the nasties out! Hence, it is extremely important to support lung function, especially with the impending shift in seasons and the first wave of autumn colds and flu are on the horizon…so be tender, to your tender organ.
Even better, these suggestions work well for most upper respiratory issues, including recovery from viral infections and hayfever, so book mark these suggestions!
So take care of yourself and those very important, sensitive lungs of yours!
