Are you concerned about the impact of wild fires on your lungs? Many of us are. Smoke exposure can cause many issues in our lungs, as well as worsening existing conditions like allergies, asthma, and COPD. In the wellness department here we have seen an uptick in requests for respiratory support as fires continue in Canada. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you all to make searching for respiratory support more simple.
Reishi and Cordyceps
These medicinal mushrooms are widely known for their protective capacities for the lungs, with Reishi especially associated with calming inflammation to the lungs, and Cordyceps most known for its support to lung capacity. Reishi and Cordyceps also support us to have improved sleep, which is often impacted by poor air quality. Reishi’s support for regulating stress hormones and Cordyceps’ ability to improve oxygenation of the blood both can help to improve overall sleep quality. These two mushrooms are an excellent pair, with Reishi having a more calming and regulating action, and Cordyceps with its rapid lung expanding action helping to relieve exhaustion and improve energy levels. I love working with Cordyceps on its own to improve my lung capacity before strenuous activities such as stacking logs, but I find my experience is always improved when I remember to pair Cordyceps with Reishi as well.
Respiratory Mushroom Blend from Gaia includes both of the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms in a dose high enough to show impact while also allowing some flexibility if you’d like to multiply the dose to suit your needs.
Breathe from Host Defense works with mycelium of these two mushrooms, along with Reishi fruiting body, and Chaga mycelium. It comes in capsule or extract form.
You can work with any of these mushrooms easily through powder or tincture. My favorites have been the powders from Malama, and I think someone particularly struggling right now with proper lung capacity might prefer the flexibility of dose with Malama Cordyceps extract powder. While powders require some prep, they can be more accessible if you are looking for a higher dosage.
For my respiratory blend I like to mix:
- 4 oz water
- ½ tsp Cordyceps extract powder
- ½ tsp Reishi extract powder
- 1 tsp Honey Gardens Throat and Lung tonic or similar
- 3 drops lobelia tincture
- Lemon juice to taste
Cordyceps has a stronger flavor than other medicinal mushrooms, but I find it goes well with lemony flavors. When I’m struggling with my asthma, I’ll drink this twice daily and especially if I am planning strenuous activity. Feel free to substitute powders for tinctures, aiming for a dose of 1000mg up to 4000mg.
I like to add tincture of Lobelia Inflata because I’m prone to tension in the lungs and this herb has a beautiful relaxant action specific to the lungs. Lobelia is a low dose herb, usually dosed 1-10 drops, making it an affordable choice for relaxing the lungs.
Mucous Membrane Supports
Keeping our mucous membranes hydrated as well as keeping the mucous moving is essential for our respiratory and immune health. I have been shocked at the amount of Mullein tincture sales we have had since the beginning of wildfire season, and with the feedback we have gotten from customers who work with Mullein regularly to improve chronic respiratory issues. Mullein helps to divert fluids towards the mucous membranes while helping to relax the lungs.
Mullein isn’t the only herb who loves to support our mucous membranes. Other herbs, whom I love to discuss frequently, such as marshmallow root and astragalus root are beautiful ways to support the integrity of our mucous membranes. How do I pick?
If you are concerned about the health of your membranes, but sometimes feel heavy dampness in your lungs, then Mullein is the right choice for you. Mullein has some astringency which keeps it regulating rather than purely moistening. Some herbalists discuss Mullein as an assistant to the lymphatic process that helps clear gunk while moving in new fresh fluids. If you run especially dry, then Marshmallow root is the perfect choice for supporting your lungs as marshmallow rushes in to soothe and moisten dry and irritated tissues. I learned from our Trust Your Gut class that when our bodies sense demulcent herbs like Marshmallow in the gut, it actually triggers our goblet cells to produce more lubrication throughout the body.
When we combine mullein with marshmallow, we help to both direct moisture towards the mucous membranes and exchange stagnant fluids, with the direct demulcent support of the marshmallow. I find them to be a very powerful combination for people who can feel the dryness in their lungs and throat.
Reach for Astragalus as your demulcent support if you also know your immune system could use some support. We have discussed Astragalus as an immune support for preparing the body to defend against ticks, but Astragalus also has structural benefits to our bodies with its sweet and slippery qualities which directly support the mucous membranes. Astragalus may also be the right choice for you if you struggle with both respiratory and cardiovascular concerns. Astragalus, with its abilities to improve immune function, helps our bodies to moderate hormonal responses to stressors. This herb is even well known in TCM for supporting insomnia over time as it helps us to calm feelings of alarm that don’t need to be there.
Avena Lung Tonic is an excellent way to pair Astragalus, Mullein, Marshmallow, Reishi, and another powerful herb Schisandra. If you want to support the mucous membranes while also soothing the inflammation response, this is a beautiful blend to utilize.
Schisandra berry in TCM is what’s called a “stabilize and bind” tonifying herb, and helps to keep fluids where they should be. If you react to smoky air with a runny nose that can’t be controlled, that’s a perfect example of a time when a stabilizing and binding herb could help. Schisandra helps to tonify and strengthen the lung tissue especially when worked with over time.
Avena Bronchial Support is a little different, and can be taken concurrently. This tincture is for more acute care, pairing mullein with aromatic expectorants Elecampane, White Pine, Horehound, and Thyme. This blend is meant for getting things up and out.
Bottom line – smoky air is stressful to both our bodies and minds. It isn’t just environmental, it is deeply emotional as we cope with the future of our planet. Many people are also struggling with worsened sleep quality, and even brain fog during the day. When we are concerned about air quality, we should always look at healthy sleep and do extra to support ourselves through stress. Consider exchanging one of your water bottles for the day with a lung supportive and stress relieving tea blend. Brew up a quart of linden, mullein, and tulsi as a simple but powerful daily support to your lungs and emotions during this time. Then, include other supports as you’re able.
Deep breaths, and be well.
Article by Torsten Peterson, Assistant Wellness Manager
For more reading, check out:
Herbalism and Climate Change: Fires
As always check with your medical practitioner for your specific needs. These are recommendations only and not meant for medical advice.
