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Fall Respiratory Health--Part 2

11/22/2014

In addition to using herbal allies like Wild Cherry Bark Cough Syrup to start to clear a cough and congestion, there are other simple ways to break up phlegm, open the lungs, and clear sinuses. Many people use a humidifier this time of year, and you can easily add essential oils to these in order to inhale the volatile oils (be sure to check the manufacturer recommendations). Similarly, you can create an herbal steam for a more targeted approach.

Here's how:

Pour boiling water into a bowl
Add 3-7 drops of essential oil and let evaporate for 15 seconds (please note that more is not better!)
Be sure to close your eyes!
Stoop over bowl with towel placed over your head and breathe deeply
You can also pour boiling water over the herbs and breathe in

My favorite respiratory herbs are peppermint and thyme. Both are bronchodilators, and have a soothing and opening effect on airways. Peppermint, with it's cooler nature is best used for phlegm that is sticky and yellow. Thyme is warmer, and great for phlegm that expectorates as clear or whitish.

But you don't have to stop at using just the essential oils. Incorporating thyme and peppermint into your diet this time of year is a great preventative as well. Other delicious foods that can help keep your respiratory system healthy are garlic, ginger, and onions. Even cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg have warming properties that can not only assist digestion, but keep blood circulating to warm the lungs and keep the tissue healthy. It's no wonder that we crave these flavors this time of year!

If we start tuning into these seasonal cravings more, vs. just grabbing the easiest pre-packaged item on the shelf, we can dramatically change our health and wellness. So tune in, and enjoy the flavors of the season.

Be Well,

Kristin

*This post was originally published with Kaplan's Center for Health and Wellness*

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Fall Respiratory Health--Part 1

11/17/2014

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This past week's cold front has officially brought us deep into Fall. While summer's energy is generally warm and wet, the energy of Fall is cool and dry. You can see and feel this all around you. Just as the leaves dry up, so does your skin. The cooler weather makes for cold hands and feet as blood flow gets hastily rerouted to the interior to warm the organs, causing you to grab for warm socks and gloves.

This combination of dryness and decreased circulation can wreak havoc on the respiratory system,
especially when combined with the increased contact with viruses that abound in the Fall and Winter. Stuffy noses and sinuses drain down into the lungs, where phlegm can congeal and harden. Coughs tend to be dry with the lack of moisture, making it difficult to expectorate the mucus. This in turn can cause the tissues of the throat to become inflamed, leading to sore throats and even laryngitis.

Fortunately there are many holistic ways to prevent and treat these acute respiratory conditions. We will explore several techniques in this 3-part series on respiratory health, but let's start with one of my favorite herbal recipes.

Wild Cherry Bark Cough Syrup

4 slices Astragalus
1 oz. Wild Cherry Bark
1 oz. Rose Hips
1 oz. Yarrow
1/2 oz. Elecampane
1/2 oz. Slippery Elm Bark
1/2 oz. Nettles
1-2 cups Honey
4 Cups Water

    ~Cover Astragalus, Wild Cherry Bark, Rose Hips, Elecampane, and Slippery Elm Bark with water
    ~ Bring to a low boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes, until liquid is reduced by half
    ~Turn off heat, then add Yarrow and Nettle and steep for 15 minutes
    ~Mash, strain, then return liquid to pot
    ~Add honey, simmering 5-10 minutes
    *Bottle and refrigerate for 3-6 months. Take 1-2 Tspns 2-3X daily to ease cough and sore throat

Need bulk herbs? Try Here.

This is an easy and delicious herbal syrup that even the kids will like! It not only breaks up that congealed phlegm, but will soothe the tissues of the throat and build deep immunity to keep you healthy.

Be Well,
Kristin

*This post was originally published with Kaplan's Center for Health and Wellness*

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Fall Respiratory Health--Part 2

Fall Respiratory Health--Part 1

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