Love your lungs week

Whether it is a respiratory infection or a chronic respiratory issue such as asthma these herbs have shown to be useful lung tonics.

Verbascum thapsus (mullein)
A relaxing expectorant, can be used for a wet or dry cough with catarrh
Soothes irritated & inflamed airways and eases spasms
The infused flower oil is often used for earaches

Inula helenium (elecampane)
A stimulating expectorant, removes excess mucous & chronic catarrh.
An excellent lung restorative herb used in chronic respiratory conditions
Anti-inflammatory & anti-spasmodic
Antibacterial properties, a study in 2009 found it’s antimicrobial properties as a potential treatment for MRSA

Thymus vulgaris (thyme)
A wonderful respiratory herb, dries excess catarrh & is antispasmodic to the bronchial passages
Also a broad-acting antimicrobial.
One that most people will have in their kitchens or in the garden, can be drunk as a tea.
Or one drop of the essential oil in a steam inhalation can be very useful.

Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree)
Most often a herb associated with heart & vascular conditions it can be great for allergic respiratory issues such as asthma.
Anti-allergy (stabilises mast cells) & anti-inflammatory.
Reduces hyper-reactivity in the airways & improves circulation to the lungs (bronchodilator)