Herbs for Wildfire Smoke Relief
Herbal Support for Wildfire Smoke Season
Even if you’re safely distanced, wildfires often bring about a serious health hazard due to the smoke they give off. With wildfire season becoming a longer and more frequent occurrence, it’s important to consider the impacts of long-term exposure to smoke from these fires. Wildfire smoke can have adverse effects on the human body and increase the risk of suffering from an array of illnesses ranging from respiratory problems to cancer. Fortunately, there are supportive herbs available that can help reduce the negative impacts of smoke inhalation and improve overall health and respiration.
The Benefits of Lung Soothing Herbs
Herbs known for moistening the lungs are especially valuable during wildfire smoke season. Not only do they help to soothe the irritation and inflammation caused by wildfire smoke, but they also provide protective and nutritive support for respiratory health. Lung-moistening herbs like mullein, licorice root, and marshmallow root are naturally soothing and anti-inflammatory, helping your lungs to stay hydrated and calm. Herbs like coltsfoot, licorice root and mullein are also known for their ability to thin mucus, helping to remove accumulated toxins and catarrh from the respiratory system. Using an array of herbal support during wildfire smoke season can both relieve congestion and help keep your airways clear of wildfire smoke particles.
List Of Herbs for Wildfire Smoke and Lung Relief
Here are some of our top plants for supporting your lungs during wildfire season. These herbs are excellent when prepared as herbal teas and can be combined to make an herbal tea blend for daily respiratory support during smoke season. Keeping a mug of lung supportive tea on-hand to sip throughout the day can help reduce smoke related symptoms and provide needed relief.
Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot is a great herb to consider during wildfire smoke season as it can provide gentle soothing relief to the lungs. Formally known as Tussilago farfara, coltsfoot is widely used as a remedy for respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma due to its anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and relaxing properties. When taken as a tea, this flavonoid-rich herb helps loosen chest congestion caused by smog and the smoke particles inhaled from wildfires. At the same time, it helps to reduce “bronchial spasms,” or coughing, while toning and clearing the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Many people opt for regular use of coltsfoot during wildfire smoke season in order to reduce their sensitivity to smoky air and to support their overall lung health.
Horehound
Horehound is an herb from the mint family that naturally supports healthy lung function, making it a valuable ally when air quality is affected by smoke from wildfires. This bitter-tasting herb has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe and protect the airways in the lungs. Additionally, it acts as an expectorant, helping to reduce mucus in the lungs. Drinking horehound in a tea, using it in a tincture, or incorporating it in a mist or cough syrup can help reduce pulmonary inflammation and other airway-related issues, making it an excellent choice for seasonal wellness.
Licorice Root
Licorice root is a powerful herbal remedy that has been traditionally used for centuries to support healthy respiratory function. During wildfire smoke season, it makes a great herbal ally in providing natural support for your lungs. Licorice root contains glycyrrhizic acid and various flavonoids which help reduce inflammation in the airways that can be caused by the harmful chemicals in smoke. As well, licorice root can help dilate your airway passages while soothing mucous membranes, and even soothe the sore throat that is so common with smoke exposure. Licorice will also help increase bronchial secretions that remove irritants and smoke particles from the lungs. In addition to these effects, licorice root also contributes a powerful antioxidant effect capable of scavenging free radicals, further protecting the lungs and body from the effects of airborne pollutants.
Lungwort
Lungwort is a powerful expectorant and anti-inflammatory herb. It improves the flow of oxygen in the lungs, and its antispasmodic properties open and relax the airways. It can also help to reduce shortness of breath and coughing during exposure to high concentrations of smoke. Lungwort is a popular herb choice for helping to reduce the burning sensation associated with smoke exposure, and it may even protect the lungs from more severe damage caused by wildfire smoke. Taking lungwort during, and after exposure to wildfire smoke is a great way to help keep your lungs healthy all summer long.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is an incredibly versatile herb and has many medicinal properties that support the lungs during wildfire smoke season. Due to its wide range of applications, many people already have marshmallow root at home. If you have marshmallow root in your cupboard already, smoke season is a great time to put it to use. It’s known to act as an expectorant, which helps to clear phlegm from the lungs and reduce bronchial irritation, as well as act as an anti-inflammatory. Marshmallow root also has antioxidant properties, which may can help protect the lungs from pollutants in the air and reduce the damage done if you have already inhaled some wildfire smoke. Additionally, marshmallow root is exceedingly high in mucilage, a compound that coats the lining of the respiratory passages and helps soothe and protect the lungs, and reduces further inflammation from smoke inhalation.
Mullein Leaf
Mullein leaf is a powerful ally during wildfire smoke season as it contains natural compounds that can support healthy respiratory function. The saponins and glycosides found in mullein leaf, which stimulate expectoration, help to reduce the thickness of mucus and make it easier to expel mucus and wildfire smoke particles from the lungs.
Plantain Leaf
Plantain leaf is a popular summer herb for its ability it relieve itching, rashes, and bug bite irritation, however, it can also be a beneficial tool when taken as a tea during the wildfire season. As a lung supportive herb, plantain leaf helps to reduce irritation and coughing caused by smoke inhalation and contamination in the air. It is also packed with active compounds like mucilage that help to reduce bronchial inflammation, making it a natural choice as a remedy for airway congestion. As if that wasn’t enough, plantain leaf is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen the immune system and improve overall respiratory health.
Slippery Elm Bark
Slippery elm bark has long been used as an herbal remedy to support the respiratory system, and is especially effective during wildfire smoke season. It has a coating effect on the lungs, helping to protect from smoke and other environmental irritants. Slippery elm bark is also rich in antioxidants that help flush out toxic particles from the respiratory system. It can help lubricate airways, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritation, as well as help in relieving coughing or throat pain associated with smoke inhalation.