02.23.10
Lung health
When you breathe, the air goes down into your lungs, where it eventually makes it to the alveoli and to blood capillaries where the oxygen and other components of the air you breathe make it into your blood stream. Components of tobacco smoke and environmental toxins appear to trigger the release within the lungs of chemicals that damage the walls of the air sacs (alveoli). Over time, the sacs no longer have the same ability to bring oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream
People who have eaten a Standard American Diet for many years, especially with a lot of dairy foods, tend to have lungs tissue that has excess fat and lungs that have excess mucus in them. The fat and mucus coupled with physical and/or emotional stress in the chest or upper back can lead to asthmatic attacks.
In addition, the lungs can often bare the brunt of the toxic chemical attack on the system as the chemicals are, for some people, constantly being breathed in. It is important to cleanse and heal the lungs as well as to remove toxic chemicals from the air.
Herbs for the Lungs
1. Lotus Root Tea
This tea helps dissolve and eliminate mucus and lung
congestion over time.
Fresh Lotus Root (preferable)
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a. Grate a 2-inch piece of fresh lotus root and
squeeze out juice through a cheesecloth. Add 2-3
drops of ginger juice squeezed from freshly grated
ginger root and a tiny pinch of sea salt. Add an
equal amount of spring water and boil for a few
minutes.
Lotus Root Powder
—————–
b. Add one teaspoon of powder to a small cup of
water. Add a tiny pinch of sea salt and 2-3 drops
of ginger juice. Heat on low flame and turn off
flame when boiling begins.
2. Lotus Root Plaster
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Lotus root plasters are excellant for dissolving mucus
deposits in the bronchi and sinuses.
Supplies needed:
1. Everything that is needed for Ginger Compress (see
above).
2. White flour.
3. Fresh lotus root (check chinese grocery store or
natural food store).
4. Cotton cloth.
5. A sheet or other cloth to keep plaster in place.
Steps:
1. Perform a ginger compress for 10-15 minutes on lungs
region.
2. Grate fresh lotus root.
3. Mix lotus root with 5% grated ginger and 10-15%
white flour.
4. Spread paste on cloth about 1/2 inch thick.
5. Apply cloth so that plaster directly touches the
skin.
6. Tie in place with sheet or large cloth.
7. Keep plaster on for several hours. You can sleep
with it on if you tie it in place.
8. Procedure should be repeated for 7-21 days. Thick
mucus will start to be discharged.
Many years ago, when I did this on my sinuses, I had to
stay home from work because so much thick mucus was pouring
from my eyes and nose.
A more complete description of the Lotus Root Plaster
can be found in the following book:
Macrobiotic Home Remedies
by Michio Kushi
Japan Publications, c1985
ISBN 0-87040-554-3
Rebuilding & Strengthening
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1. Well-ventilated bedroom
2. Taking walks along the ocean or in the mountains can be
Extremely beneficial over time. If that is not possible,
any walking outside (away from pollution) or even deep
breathing by an open window can be helpful.
3. Healthy, natural foods diet that strengthens the
digestion and avoids overly cold foods and too much flour
and fruit.
4. Yoga, pranayama, and emotional healing techniques
can be very helpful over time.
