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Respiratory System
Updated: Oct 28
The respiratory system has two interconnected parts: the upper and lower respiratory tract. Its purpose is to exchange oxygen — needed by the body for all its processes — for carbon dioxide, the waste product our cells produce. This system also allows us to speak, sing, make sounds, and smell. Air travels down through branching airways that narrow again and again, much like the branches of a tree, until it reaches the alveoli, where the actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. This beautifully symbolizes the oxygen exchange because trees provide us with the oxygen we inhale, while we provide the carbon dioxide trees “inhale”. Our bodies and plants truly work together in a symbiotic relationship.
Upper Respiratory System
The upper respiratory system includes the nasal cavity, sinus, and larynx. The nose is the opening for passage of air. It cleans, heats, and moistens the air as it is breathed in. It is also responsible for smelling and is involved in voice production.
Lower Respiratory System
The lower respiratory system includes the trachea, which is the tube that oxygen flows down to enter the lungs where the bronchioles and alveoli are located, and the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange is made. At this point oxygen is taken to all the parts of the body via the blood, while carbon dioxide is ‘exhaled’ back up through the trachea and out the naval cavity.
Respiratory Care
If the blood is the "river of life" flowing through the body, the breath is what keeps this life force flowing. Practicing certain breathing exercises, consuming tonic respiratory foods and regular exercise can strengthen and build this most important system.
Breathe clean air. Make sure to change home filters regularly and go outside for fresh air each day. Even better, nature walks, and hikes are very lung cleansing, taking deep breaths while out in nature.
Breathe deeply. Mindfully inhale all the air you can and then exhale it slowly. Doing this for 5 minutes each day not only strengthens the respiratory system, it also reduces stress, improves immune function, better oxygenates the blood and focuses the body towards healing.
Yoga. This type of exercise focuses on the breath while moving with the body. It calms both the mind and body which reduces stress, improves immunity, and strengthens not only the respiratory system, but the body as a whole.
20 minutes of light exercise five days a week. This could be any fun activity you enjoy doing such as walking, riding a bike, roller blading, hiking, dancing, tennis, or any type of sport specific to you, and my favorite - nature walks. Find something you enjoy doing and just get out and do it.
Foods that feed and strengthen the respiratory tract include beets, peppers, tomato based foods, blueberries, pumpkin, apples, and red cabbage.
Lung Tonic herbs are herbs that can be taken to strengthen, support, increase energy to, and stimulate the respiratory system.
Comfrey
Garlic
Ginger
Mullein
Turmeric
Wild cherry
Astragalus
Elecampane
Fenugreek
Lungwort
Pleurisy root
Reishi mushroom
Herbs for the Respiratory Tract
The upper and lower respiratory tract are closely connected, so congestion or irritation in one area often affects the other. Each of these five herbal actions has a distinct purpose, but many herbs aren't limited to just one. Peppermint is a good example: it works as an antispasmodic to ease tight, spasming airways, an expectorant to help loosen and clear mucus, and a decongestant to relieve stuffiness in the sinuses.
Respiratory Conditions
Conditions affecting the respiratory tract, lung and bronchioles, resulting in chest congestion, cough, pain and discomfort can be considered cold and flu caused by a virus, infection caused by a bacteria, allergies, emphysema, bronchitis, croup, whooping cough, pleurisy, asthma, tuberculosis, etc. These remedies should help with all these conditions, with a focus on just a few.
References
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies
Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains
The Herbal Drugstore
The Green Pharmacy
Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria
