5 Powerful herbs that can keep your respiratory system healthy by: Arsenio Toledo for Natural News
Keeping the lungs healthy is very important. But it can be difficult to do so when there are a lot of pollutants in the air, such as cigarette smoke, dirty automobile exhaust and other aerosol contaminants. Fortunately, nature has plenty of herbs that can support respiratory health. Here are five of them. (h/t to NaturalHealth365.com)
Osha root
Osha or osha root is a wild perennial herb native to the Rocky Mountains and northern New Mexico but can also be found in many parts of the southwestern United States. It has been used by Native Americans for centuries for its healing properties.
In traditional Native American and Indigenous Mexican medicine, osha roots have been used to treat respiratory illnesses, sore throats, coughs, colds and other lung-related complications like asthma and emphysema.
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Osha root’s abilities also extend beyond aiding against respiratory conditions. This fantastic herb has also been used to treat skin wounds, fever, gastrointestinal problems like indigestion and circulation and heart issues.
Lomatium
Lomatium, also known as biscuitroot, Indian parsley or desert parsley, is a family of herbs native to western North America. Like osha root, lomatium has been used extensively by Native Americans not just as a traditional medicine but also as a food source.
In modern herbal medicine, lomatium is used as a respiratory aid due to its fantastic ability to reduce irritation and soothe the airways. This can be partly attributed to lomatium’s antioxidant properties, which are vital for supporting the health of the organs and for maintaining overall wellbeing.
Pleurisy root
More commonly known as butterfly weed, pleurisy root is more commonly found in the prairies and grasslands of the Midwest and the Great Plains, but is also found anywhere from the southwestern U.S. to Florida, Maine and even as far north as Quebec in Canada. (Related: 10 Potent herbs to protect your respiratory system.)
In traditional Native American and Canadian First Nations medicine, pleurisy root is most commonly used to treat bronchitis by helping loosen bronchial secretions. Pleurisy root is also commonly used against all types of respiratory infections, including pleurisy – as its name suggests – and pneumonia.
Mullein
Mullein is a herbaceous plant that is native to Asia and Europe but was introduced to North America in the early 18th century. Today, it has naturalized to the U.S. and is most commonly found in the Appalachia region.
Mullein contains strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it fantastic for dealing with upper respiratory problems like sore throat, dry cough, hoarseness, bronchitis and asthma.
This wonderful herb has also been used to treat the flu, ear infections and urinary tract infections.
Licorice root
Licorice root is a perennial legume native to Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe. It has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, dating back thousands of years.
Licorice root has strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects that make it useful for treating upper respiratory conditions. Studies show that glycyrrhizin extract taken from licorice root can help relieve asthma, especially when used in addition to other asthma treatments. It can also be used to protect against strep throat and prevent sore throat.
Its many other qualities give licorice root the ability to aid in skin conditions, acid reflux, indigestion and against cavities.
These excellent herbal supplements are just five of the many different herbs that can support healthy respiratory function. They work best when used with other medications prescribed by trusted health practitioners.
