As we head into the cold and flu season I wanted to share with you some remedies we use to treat illness in our home. Today I want to focus on treating respiratory illnesses by feeding, nourishing and supporting the respiratory system. Respiratory illnesses include but are not limited to the following conditions: croup, bronchitis, whooping cough, pneumonia, pleurisy, etc.
At the first sign of any illness I immediately apply an immune support essential oil blend (clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, rosemary- Four Thieves) to the bottoms of the feet every morning and every evening before bed along with diffusing it in the air throughout the duration of the illness.
The next thing I do is cut out all meat, dairy and sugar until the patient is 100% once again. Meat is heavy on the system and the energy put into digestion could go toward healing, dairy congests the body by producing lots of mucus that we don't want clogging up the lymph and respiratory system and sugar is a strain on the immune system, preventing it from doing its job at healing the body. Administer lots of fluids, including herbal teas, smoothies, fresh juice, broth and probiotic drinks. Stay away from processed drinks and juices that are high in sugar, artificial colors and other not so great ingredients - fresh is always best! Add more garlic, onions, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger and herbs to your meals.
Healing from the Inside Out
Respiratory Support
So lets focus now on the respiratory system. I use a respiratory support essential oil blend (mine contains; eucalyptus, myrtle, spruce, peppermint, pine, lavender, marjoram and cypress) with my Respiratory Salve as the carrier, it is a pretty potent healer. I massage them over the chest and back, following up with a minute of chest claps. A chest clap is simply cupping your hand and whacking it firmly over the chest and back to break up mucous, just make sure that the hand is cupped or else you will just be smacking, not clapping. During the evening run a humidifier in the room of the sick one and add a few drops of one of the oils below or the blend above to the water. If the patient is having a hard time breathing, wrap warmly in blankets and take out into the cool night air, letting them breathe deeply for several minutes. This can be repeated as often as needed. If it is warm outside go into the bathroom and turn on a hot shower to produce some steam (adding essential oil to the floor of the shower will diffuse it into the steam, opening the bronchial passages) let them inhale for several minutes, then take them out into a cool room. Another option is to do a steam inhalation with decongestant herbs like peppermint, mullein, lavender or ginger.
I also administer herbal tinctures and herbal tea, sweetened with raw honey, throughout the day. I give 2 dropperfuls of Dr. Christopher's Lung and Bronchial Formula (or sip on a cup of the tea) every hour, along with Elderberry Glycerite about 3 times a day, 2 dropperfuls. I have noticed that my children don't have much of an appetite when dealing with respiratory illness so I try to give several nourishing and healing liquids throughout the day. I make smoothies using probiotics like rejuvelac, kefir, plain yogurt or water kefir, throw in some greens, fruit, chia seeds and raw honey. Whole chicken broth is also very healing and of course herbal teas. My favorite herbal tea blends are Immune Booster Herbal Tea, Heal All Herb Mix, and Ginger Lemonade. All of these aid the body in fighting illness and strengthening the respiratory system.
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Baths and foot soaks are also very healing. I like to make a strong herbal infusion with the Heal All Herb Mix and pour into the bath water. Other options for a healing bath are adding a few drops of respiratory essential oil blend or one or more from the list below, Cinnamon Bath Salts, or a Ginger Bath. I mix these up from night to night until the patient is healed. When someone in the house is sick everyone gets my immune support essential oil blend in their bath water until all is well again.
myrtle
ravintsara
eucalyptus
palo santo
rosemary
thyme
ponderosa pine
wintergreen
pine
oregano
melaleuca
balsam fir
bay laurel
copaiba
mountain savory
ravintsara
eucalyptus
palo santo
rosemary
thyme
ponderosa pine
wintergreen
pine
oregano
melaleuca
balsam fir
bay laurel
copaiba
mountain savory
Expectorant Herbs
(aids elimination of mucus from throat and lungs)
You can purchase high quality, organic herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store.
For more remedies you can visit my home remedies section on Respiratory Ailments.
