Natural Support for Respiratory Health

Nearly all of us take the act of breathing for granted.  For most of us, it’s something we don’t even notice.  For millions of adults and children, taking a deep breath of fresh air is a struggle and is always appreciated.  With the rise of environmental toxins and other irritants in the air, it is easy to understand that more and more people are dealing with poor lung and respiratory health.

An unhealthy respiratory system deprives the body of the most important nutrient of all – oxygen.  Organs and tissues cannot function properly without adequate amounts of oxygen.  Furthermore, a poorly functioning respiratory system puts people at risk for developing secondary health issues and increases the necessity for strong, healthy immune defenses. 

The respiratory system is a group of organs and tissues – not just the lungs.  It is comprised of airways (bronchi and bronchioles), the lungs and their linked blood vessels and the muscles that enable breathing.

A combination of nutrients, herbs and medicinal mushrooms can address the overall health of the main parts of the respiratory system and provide support for the immune system.

HOW WE BREATHE

The lungs are located inside the rib cage.  They are made of spongy, elastic tissue that stretches and constricts as we breathe.  The trachea, the bronchi and the bronchioles bring air into the lungs; these airways are made of smooth muscle and cartilage, which allows the airways to constrict and expand.  The lungs and airways carry oxygen to the blood and exchange it for carbon dioxide, the waste product made by our cells.  When we inhale, the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles (muscles between the ribs) contract and expand the chest cavity which allows air to flow in and inflate the lungs.  When we exhale, the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, and the chest cavity gets smaller.  This action forces air to flow out of the respiratory system.

ANTIOXIDANTS AND OTHER NUTRIENTS

The lungs exist in an oxygen-rich environment, which requires balance between toxic free radicals and protective antioxidants.  An increase in oxidative stress caused by free radicals can initiate dysfunction within the respiratory system.  Oxidative stress is one of the reasons that smoking cigarettes is so harmful to the respiratory system.  The sheer volume of free radicals created by breathing in those combustible materials overwhelms the antioxidants, which are the lungs’ first line of defense.

Vitamin C is arguably the most important water-soluble antioxidant found in the airways.  It is well-known that smokers and the children of smokers have far lower levels of vitamin C compared to non-smokers.  Vitamin C works by protecting the airways against environmental toxins, particulate matter, including pollen and pathogens.  These substances can cause increased oxidative stress and lead to a narrowing of the airways.

Vitamin B₆ is another nutrient beneficial for those dealing with lung health issues.  The body requires B₆ for more than 60 different enzymes, some of which are directly involved in the respiratory system.  Although extreme deficiencies of vitamin B₆ are rare, researchers have demonstrated the importance of B₆ in numerous health conditions.  Clinical studies examining B₆ supplementation show it supports overall lung function and decreases the severity of wheezing and chest tightness even though no deficiency is apparent.  For those people on prescriptions medications, including theophylline, B₆ supplementation is important because these drugs and others can depress levels of active B₆ in the body.

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for the respiratory system.  As a cofactor in over 300 different biochemical processes in the body, it affects every tissue, including the smooth muscles of the airways.  Low levels of magnesium enhance smooth muscle contraction, while higher levels promote airway relaxation.  Providing the muscles of the respiratory system with good amounts of magnesium will impact how the lungs inflate and deflate.   Studies show dietary magnesium intake is directly related to lung function and the occurrence of airway constriction and wheezing.

SUPPORTING HEALTHY LUNG FUNCTION

Several herbs and medicinal mushrooms can provide specific support to keep the lungs and the airways elastic, open, and clear to ensure easy breathing and healthy respiratory function.  Looking to the ancient herbal traditions of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we can find a rich history of using medicinal mushrooms and herbs to support the lungs and other components of the respiratory system.

For centuries, TCM practitioners have used both cordyceps and reishi mushrooms to resolve disharmonies within the lungs.  Cordyceps and reishi mushrooms are prized medicinals throughout Asia for their capacity to support multiple body systems.  These mushrooms bring many positive benefits to the table.  In addition to their antioxidant activity, cordyceps and reishi have direct impacts on the respiratory system.  Many clinical studies and other research studies have shown that cordyceps improves a cough; has expectorant activity and improves pulmonary function.  This powerful mushroom relaxes the smooth muscles of the respiratory system, which eases a cough and opens airways.  Likewise, reishi’s benefits for the lungs have been confirmed in clinical studies.  As the “mushroom of immortality”, The Pharmacopoeia of the PRC recommends reishi for cough and to ease breathing and shortness of breath.  Studies have also shown that reishi can protect the lungs from toxins breathed in from the air. 

Adhatoda vasica, also known as Vasaka, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,00 years.  This small evergreen shrub has a rich tradition of use to promote a healthy respiratory system.  The active constituents of this herb, including alkaloids, flavonoids and essential oils promote healthy bronchial muscle function and have anti-spasmodic activity in the lungs. 

RESOLVING PHLEGM

Phelgm, the mucosal secretions of the respiratory system, is a normal and necessary substance for healthy respiratory function.  However, when the lungs are irritated, phlegm can accumulate and cause obstructions with the airways.  This accumulation of phlegm can harbor bacterial and fungal growth.  Herbs can also be used to promote healthy mucosal secretions and promote clear respiratory passages. 

Ginger root is a common ingredient found in the phlegm-resolving formulas of TCM.  It provides a warming quality to the body, which makes it easier to expel phlegm from the airways.  Combining ginger root with the demulcent and soothing actions of mullein creates a synergy to protect both the lungs and the throat. 

SUPPORTING A STRONG & BALANCED IMMUNE SYSTEM

Healthy, balanced immune system function is vital to respiratory health.  Immune sensitivities are known to cause airway obstruction in some people and a weakened immune system makes us vulnerable to infectious pathogens.  Fortunately, cordyceps and reishi mushroom can keep the immune system strong while suppressing problematic overreactions.  As adaptogens, these mushrooms can modulate the immune system.  Studies show both reishi and cordyceps have anti-allergy properties and help calm overactive immune responses.  They exert this action while simultaneously bolstering immune defenses by promoting natural killer cell, T-cell and macrophage production.  In addition, both mushrooms support a healthy inflammatory response.  While a part of a normal immune response, excess inflammation can deter the normal elastic qualities of the bronchial passageways and make breathing difficult.  Reishi and cordyceps combined with ginger root can balance inflammatory factors, such as histamine, to promote a healthy inflammatory response.

ADDRESSING THE IMPACT OF STRESS

The stress response is one of our body’s greatest defense mechanisms.  However, in a world where people are constantly bombarded by physical, environmental and emotional stressors, this defense mechanism meant to protect us against life-threatening situations becomes a chronic response that ends up damaging the delicate balance between body systems and organs.  Chronic stress can lead to unabated inflammation, an overall suppression of the immune response and a tightening of the muscles within the respiratory system.  For those who struggle with breathing daily, chronic stress can exacerbate those issues.  Adaptogens are nature’s weapons against the ravages of chronic stress. 

Reishi and cordyceps are revered in TCM and other Asian systems of medicine because of their ability to protect the entire body and they do so down to the cellular level.  Both mushrooms have proven anti-stress properties.  They modulate and balance cortisol, the main hormone of the stress response, and protect the body from the negative effects of excess cortisol.  As adaptogens, they have potent antioxidant activity; protect the cardiovascular system; promote healthy liver function; support healthy cognition and the list goes on.

Supporting respiratory health requires balancing support for the entire body and vice versa. After all, every cell in the body is dependent upon the precious oxygen our lungs provide.