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The lungs are unusual among organs because they are filled with air and are relatively dry. Good circulation helps them stay dry, preventing fluid buildup. Herbs, diet, and lifestyle choices that help the lungs stay dry generally improve respiratory health. The lungs thrive when they are both dry and warm. Cold, damp conditions make the chest and body feel heavy.
Blood chemistry has a strong effect on the lungs. Rich, sweet blood increases mucus formation and fluid buildup. Thus, cakes, cookies, wheat, dairy, and other rich foods can put a strain on your lungs because they make the blood sweet and rich. They should be avoided whenever you have mucus congestion. The heat from spices, on the other hand, increases your heart rate and gets your blood moving. This keeps your lungs dry and improves lung immunity. Hot spices also increase your respiration rate, oxygenating you, and making you feel courageous and bold. So, eat spicy food when congested to clear out the traffic jam and get things moving again!
Congestion and mucus are not always the cause of lung problems. Sometimes, the opposite can happen and the lungs become too dry. A light diet would aggravate lung dryness in this case. When the lungs are too dry, sweeter foods are actually recommended. Ayurveda will always try to uncover the unique imbalance and root cause of a lung disorder, rather than adopting a "one size fits all" approach.
The lungs are very sensitive to toxins (ama). For all lung conditions, eliminate ama from your body by keeping the bowels clean with laxatives and avoiding foods that cause gas and bloating. Avoid dust, air pollution, and chemicals which can harm the lungs. Whenever you have a respiratory condition in the winter, wear a scarf over your mouth to avoid breathing in very cold air directly.
Long life, however, is not the only goal. The chest is also the seat of courage, where we boldly meet our destiny. Long, slow breaths have the quality of meditative stillness. Quick, short breaths have the quality of boldness and action. Both are needed for a life well-lived.
Your breathing rate is connected to your thinking rate. One of the best ways to calm down your mind is by relaxing your breath. Breathing should always be smooth, not choppy. On a full inhalation you should see your belly expand, called belly breathing. This means you are breathing deeply and that your abdomen is relaxed.
The health of the respiratory system lies not just with the lungs, but also the sinuses, nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and the brain.
The respiratory system maintains adequate fluid secretions in the lungs so gaseous exchange can occur. These fluid secretions also support and protect the lungs. The fluids of the respiratory tract are called avalambaka kapha, and have their source in the sugars and carbohydrates absorbed during the digestive process (kledaka kapha).
Vata type processes in the nervous system (prana vayu) control the breath rate, depth of inhalation, and the tension in the breath. When these are disturbed, breathing becomes erratic. Pitta type processes (bhrajaka Pitta) bring the heat that is responsible for maintaining blood flow to the lungs, while Kapha processes secrete the lung's protective mucosal lining.
Try to keep the throat relaxed while in a coughing fit to minimize irritation, which will only make the coughing worse. If your nose is stuffed up, you may be forced to breath through your mouth, which will also irritate your lungs and make your coughing worse. Over several days, a dry cough can develop into wheezing and tightness in the chest if the lungs are not properly protected.
Soothe the lungs by keeping a humidifier in the room. This is essential to prevent a dry cough from descending deeper into the lungs. A Spiced Milk Honey Lung Tonic will nourish and moisten the lungs, which is especially good for susceptible Vata individuals. Add licorice root for even stronger soothing, coating effect. Lemon & Honey Ginger Tea is also helpful. The sourness in lemon and the sweetness in honey moisten the throat, offering reprieve and comfort. Ginger is a cardiac stimulant that increases blood flow to the lungs which will help eliminate excess mucus.
These Lung tonics can help build strength and nourish tissues, particularly after a period of illness. First among lung tonics and immune boosters is chyavanprash, a famous herbal jam given to kids and adults alike to prevent and reduce the severity of coughs and colds!
Is your nose constantly drippy? If you are one who can't leave the house without tissues on hand, you probably have post nasal drip. The nose is one of the body's pathways to eliminate toxins, and a major site of immune system activity. Post nasal...
Kapha people have watery lungs, and are more vulnerable to mold allergies.
Sudden onset of shortness of breath is a medical emergency and could indicate: A clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) Aspiration of a foreign body Heart attack Shortness of breath, even when mild,...
Asthma is chronic inflammation of the lungs characterized by easily triggered spasms of the bronchial tubes. These spasms, inflammation of bronchial tubes, and mucus induce wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is...
Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often due to infection, allergies, or exposure to other lung irritants such as smoking, or fumes. Bronchitis is considered chronic when a person has a productive cough for at least 3 months or 2...
Pneumonia is a lung infection causing inflammation of the deepest lung tissue (lower bronchial tubes and airsacs). Common respiratory infections typically affect the upper branches of the lung only and does not descend into the air sacs (alveoli) of...
Wheezing is the sound that happens when air in your lungs moves through constricted or obstructed air passages. Wheezing usually comes from the bronchioles - smaller tubes deeper in the lungs. Wheezing on the exhalation points to bronchiolar disease....
Many people smoke without thinking, leading to addiction. As a first step to quitting, Ayurveda recommends smoking slowly and with full attention.
Allergies may be a consequence of chronic underlying inflammation (of the skin, lungs, or digestive tract) that exposes the immune system to allergens. For example, a respiratory infection can cause the immune system to overreact to dust or other...
Allergies may be a consequence of chronic underlying inflammation (of the skin, lungs, or digestive tract) that exposes the immune system to allergens. For example, a respiratory infection can cause the immune system to overreact to dust or other...
Many people smoke without thinking, leading to addiction. As a first step to quitting, Ayurveda recommends smoking slowly and with full attention.
Emphysema is a condition where the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs are damaged and rupture, creating large air filled spaces in the lungs. The early symptoms of emphysema are shortness of breath, coughing, and recurrent lung infections....
Inflammation of Airways The lungs may be inflamed due to irritants including air pollution, allergies, infection and cigarette smoke. It can lead to asthma. Pleurisy - Inflammation of the lining of the...
Lung infections typically start out as viral in healthy adults and then progress, often rapidly, into bacterial infections. As the infection progresses, mucus will change in color from clear, to white, then yellow and finally green. Mucus may be mixed...
Even though flowers release pollen all summer long, many people are more sensitive to pollen in the springtime. The body releases winter fats in the springtime, making the blood rich and sweet. When the blood is rich, any single grain of pollen...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by long term airflow limitation due to lung fibrosis. The main symptoms are cough and shortness of breath. Pathogenesis COPD results...
A runny nose with thin mucus is often a Vata condition with cold. Toxicity (ama) is another factor. Toxins irritate the nasal passages. Toxins build due to leaky gut, constipation, or gas and bloating. Check for signs of...
Dry Nasal Passages Heating systems, especially air heat, tend to dry out the air, creating dryness in the nasal passages. Apply sesame oil and ghee to the nose with the pinky finger. Humidifiers can help.
The winter chill in the air and the smell of cedar logs crackling and burning in a far off chimney refreshes the senses. Yet after several minutes of walking, my nasal passages have swollen shut. An unsightly drop of clear mucus prompts me to reach for...
Nasal passages become blocked when either swollen or filled with mucus. Infections, as well as dryness in the air can irritate passages, making them swollen. Electric and gas heat are very dry in nature. Cold air causes the nasal passages to swell as...
Snot is dried mucus, and a sign of Vata. Moist, slimy snot is more Kapha in nature.
Limited sense of smell could come from various causes. Toxins in the body reduce the sensitivity of the nose. Sinus inflammation or sinus infection could reduce sensitivity. Acid reflux may affect smell. Injury or trauma to the septum, or sphenoid bone...
Loss of taste and flavor makes it hard for you to choose the right foods for your body. Impaired taste can cause you to eat too little and lose weight, or it could make you eat too much and gain weight. Impaired taste can predispose you to using too...
A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane. Polyps may form in the nasal passages, colon, uterus, ear and bladder. Polyps may obstruct the passage, and are easily irritated and/or inflamed. In some cases they are...
Dry Nasal Passages Heating systems, especially air heat, tend to dry out the air, creating dryness in the nasal passages. Apply sesame oil and ghee to the nose with the pinky finger. Humidifiers can help.
Thick mucus is a sign of Kapha. Thin mucus is a sign of Vata. Mucus is increased by cold. Thin or clear mucus is often a sign of cold sinuses, or irritation of the sinus membranes due to toxicity. It is typical of a common cold due to deficiency in...
Mucus is generally a sign of "sweet blood". Blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins is sweet blood. Sweet blood is thicker than dry blood and causes mucus. Sweet blood causes thick mucus while toxicity generally creates thin, clear mucus.
When mucus is a yellow or green color, generally this means there is an excess of Pitta in the lungs and a possible sign of infection (Pitta is responsible for infection). The quality of this mucus is hot, sharp and penetrating. You will feel this...
Thick mucus is mucus that is viscous, like molasses, instead of watery. Thicker mucus is generally a sign of "sweeter blood". Sweet blood is blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins. Sweet blood plasma (rasa) is thicker than deficient...
Thin or clear mucus is often a sign of cold sinuses, or irritation of the sinus membranes due to toxicity. It is typical of a common cold due to deficiency in autumn. Thin mucus often increases with gas or constipation, due to toxins (ama). The...
Mucus is generally a sign of "sweet blood". Blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins is sweet blood. Sweet blood is thicker than dry blood and causes mucus. Sweet blood causes thick mucus while toxicity generally creates thin, clear mucus.
Mucus is generally a sign of "sweet blood". Blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins is sweet blood. Sweet blood is thicker than dry blood and causes mucus. Sweet blood causes thick mucus while toxicity generally creates thin, clear mucus.
Mucus is very difficult to digest, buffers acids, and should not be swallowed. When excess mucus is swallowed, it causes nausea and vomiting.
Overview Excess mucus is generally a sign of "sweet blood". Blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins is sweet blood. Sweet blood is thicker than dry blood and causes mucus. Sweet blood causes thick mucus while toxicity...
Cystic fibrosis is a congenital inherited disorder of the exocrine glands causing thick, tenacious mucus, and pancreatic insufficiency. A genetic mutation causes excessive release of sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions (CTFR dysregulation). These...
A sore throat may due to acid reflux, dryness, or 'sweet blood'. Sweet blood encourages proliferation of bacteria that irritate the throat.
A dry cough is a cough where lung tissue is void of mucus. The sound of a dry cough is raspy. Irritation of the upper respiratory tract, as well as inhalation of dust could create the urge to cough. Oddly, when a person relaxes or breathes slowly it...
A cough may be caused by a respiratory infection (often viral but sometimes due to bacteria). Examples include the common cold (rhinovirus), rsv, and the flu. The cough may be wet (with mucus) or dry (without mucus). Coronovirus causes a dry...
A thick coating on the tongue is a sign of ama - toxins accumulating in the body. It may be a sign of thick blood and aggravated Kapha, or aggravated Vata with constipation. The coating is formed by action of bacteria on the tongue. The presence...
Laryngitis may follow an upper respiratory infection & swelling, excessive use of the voice, acid reflux, or other causes.
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics. By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
