5 plants that are good for lung health
Among the plants traditionally used to help cleanse and protect the lungs, the five described below offer particular efficacy.
Thyme
Thyme, whether of the garden or wild variety, has been one of the cornerstones of the traditional European pharmacopoeia since ancient times - it was valued by the Romans for its numerous benefits, as were most other herbs.
With a high content of thymol and flavonoids, thyme is reputed to have antiseptic and antifungal properties (1).
It was traditionally attributed with numerous benefits for respiratory health, including in particular, easing coughing fits, treating sore throats, and acting as an expectorant, thus detoxifying the lungs and helping those with asthma and allergies to breathe more easily. It can be consumed in the form of a herbal tea.
Spruce
A relative of the pine tree, with which it is often confused, the spruce is a popular choice of Christmas tree.
terpenes in spruce that are of particular interest to naturopaths and phytotherapists. These metabolites are thought to have antiseptic and expectorant properties, and to help thin mucus in the lungs (2).
Indeed, any plant related to the spruce can equally be used phytotherapeutically for the same purpose: Scots pine, fir, Aleppo pine and especially the excellent maritime pine.
Green tea
Green tea also has an excellent reputation. It is high in antioxidant flavonoids called catechins, one of which, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may specifically help to reduce lung damage (3).
The nutritional supplement Lung Detox contains extracts of both green tea and maritime pine bark, along with several other beneficial compounds such as the super-antioxidant quercetin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), recognized for helping to protect and clear the respiratory organs. This supplement has been specifically formulated to facilitate breathing and detoxify the lungs.
Eucalyptus
A large tree native to Australia, eucalyptus contains an active ingredient called eucalyptol, which is used in traditional pharmacopoeia to treat respiratory problems.
Containing volatile essential oils, eucalyptol (4) may have a beneficial effect on the fluidity of mucus in the lungs, improving the function of bronchial tubes. Traditionally, it is used either as an infusion or an inhalation.
Ginger
Last but not least in this list of lung-supportive plants is ginger. As a result of one of its most potent active ingredients, gingerol, this amazing root is used phytotherapeutically in many ways (5).
A powerful antioxidant, ginger is believed to have a significant effect in helping to cleanse and strengthen the lungs (try, for example, the supplement Super Gingerols) (6).
References
- Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis and Thymus hyemalis essential oils, María C.Rotaa, Antonio Herreraa, Rosa M.Martínez, Jose A.Sotomayor, María J.Jordán, Food Control, Volume 19, Issue 7, July 2008, Pages 681-687
- Secrets d’une herboriste. Marie-Antoinette Mulot, éditions du Dauphin, 2015
- Furushima D, Ide K, Yamada H. Effect of Tea Catechins on Influenza Infection and the Common Cold with a Focus on Epidemiological/Clinical Studies. Molecules. 2018;23(7):1795. Published 2018 Jul 20. doi:10.3390/molecules23071795
- Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma : a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. R. JUERGENS, U.DETHLEFSEN, G.STEINKAMP, A.GILLISSEN, R.REPGES AND H.VETTER, Respiratory Medicine, Volume 97, Issue 3, March 2003, Pages 250-256
- Comparative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol, Swarnalatha Dugasani, Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika, Vishna Devi Nadarajah, Madhu Katyayani Balijepalli, Satyanarayana Tandra, Jayaveera Narsimha Korlakunta, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier, 3 February 2010
- Shirpoor A, Gharalari FH, Rasmi Y, Heshmati E. Ginger extract attenuates ethanol-induced pulmonary histological changes and oxidative stress in rats [published online ahead of print, 2017 Nov 1]. J Biomed Res. 2017;31(6):521-527. doi:10.7555/JBR.31.20160151
Keywords
14 Hours
The associate who helped me was very…
The associate who helped me was very polite and hekpful.
Wendell
3 Days
Great product.
Great product. Very fast delivery.
SILVA SANTOS Alice
4 Days
Ordering from Supersmart was easy to…
Ordering from Supersmart was easy to understand and navigate. The wait time was surprisingly short and exactly what I wanted. Thank you very much.
RAYFORD Linda
5 Days
Superb Product quality
Product quality, availability, excellent packaging and timely shipping!
Mohamad Hussein
7 Days
I’ve been buying from here for years
I’ve been buying from here for years. The products have been great and the customer service very helpful.
CORENEVSKY Albert
18 Days
Great customer service
The address correction app put in the incorrect address and I missed it when I hit the accept option. I noticed it when the order was already in route and called customer service to request that they change it to the correct address as the shipper and they were right on top of it. They called me back right away and changed the address. They sent a new email with the tracking information and called me to let me know it was all taken care of. Really happy with the product and customer service.
B Ball
19 Days
Fast service good products.
Fast service good products.
PERCY
25 Days
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!! FAST SERVICE!
HENDERSON B.
27 Days
EVERYTHING!
EVERYTHING!! NO ISSUES!
DOMINIC
28 Days
The service has been good
The service has been good. However, the telephone and email responses were better before. Most of the products are great. Returns are processed promptly, and I do believe this is an honest and caring company. I plan to continue to buy your products.
DANIEL FORD
31 Days
My order arrived when promised in the…
My order arrived when promised in the condition described
Lisa
40 Days
10/13/24 Dania needs a helper
10/13/24 Y ou were a bit slow to respond, but still helpful.
David Rolston
45 Days
I received wehat I ordered in a tiomely…
I received wehat I ordered in a tiomely fashion. Great job to the whole staff 👏
Monica P
45 Days
Great prouducts
Pomises products that work.Fast shipping. Will recommend to family and friends.
NEW Virginia
46 Days
Excellent product
Excellent product. Timely delivery. Only had one issue over the last few years. Great. Thanks
LEGG Jennifer