06/29/2023
Need help dealing with the effects of poor air quality? Here's a great post on it. 😊
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=665124662101035&id=100058105210305&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Friends and neighbors suffering from wildfire smoke and poor air quality: Here in the Midwest, the air quality has been absolutely terrible. I can't imagine what it's like closer to the wildfires, or for anyone suffering from asthma, COPD, or other lung issues.
I'm working on a proper blog post on herbs for smoke and wildfire season, but I wanted to give you all some herbal suggestions/info NOW if you need it sooner than later. Because, dang, I'm relying on these right now.
Before we dive in, one quick note: All of the herbs I've listed below grow abundantly here in Wisconsin (some are even considered 'weeds'). For me, foraging my medicine gives me a deeper appreciation of the way plants work, but it's not everyone's jam. Don't be afraid to purchase these herbs in the bulk section at your natural foods store if you prefer. If you do forage your own while the air is so smokey, consider wearing a mask if you're experiencing lung or throat irritation–and pick conscientiously and with gratitude. The plants are here for us. Let's be here for them, too.
Wildfire Season: Herbs for Lung and Throat Support
🌿 Mullein Leaf: Relieves irritation of the mucus membranes (demulcent) and helps ease a dry cough. Brew as a tea, straining well (through a coffee filter or tea towel) to remove potentially irritating hairs. (Note: if foraging your own, pick consciously, avoiding contaminated areas. Mullein draws metals from the soil so don't pick this one roadside, instead choose more out-of-the-way plants for your apothecary.)
🌿 Marshmallow root and leaf (Althaea officinalis) or Field Mallow root and leaf (Malva sylvestris): wonderfully soothing and moisturizing herb for raw, scratchy mucous membranes. Marshmallow is mucilaginous (a fancy herbal word for gooey/somewhat snotty when steeped) and provides a glorious coating on sore tissue. Brew in cold water (overnight is great, or steep-and-sip-and-refill if you forget). Sip this one all day long.
🌿 Plantain (Plantago ssp.) This common friend of yards, trails, and other disturbed areas is an easy-to-identify and abundant ally for lung care. Added to teas, it provides soothing comfort and moisture to dry tissues. Add to any herbal tea blend.
🌿 Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) leaf and flower: my favorite herb for sore throat season. If its too warming for you (or if you don't h ave any available to you), try peppermint instead. Bee Balm oxymel can be made by filling a jar 3/4 full with chopped, wilted leaves and flowers, then covering with half apple cider vinegar and half honey. You can sneak doses out with a spoon as soon as the first day (or blend for a faster infusion), or ideally steep for 2-3 weeks before straining and bottling. Use as you could a sore throat syrup.
✨Other herbs to explore ✨
🌿 Burdock (Arctium lappa) and/or Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinalis): These deep, restorative roots support our body's detoxification by nourishing the liver, responsible for processing the gunk our bodies are taking in and taking on. They also support a healthy digestive system which in turn supports all of us. Gently simmer roasted or dried roots in water for 10 minutes, strain and drink. Sweeten with maple or honey if desired.
🌿Basswood/Linden flowers (Tilia ssp.) for nervous system support, to promote healthy sleep, and for coughs
🌿Common sage (Salvia officinalis) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris) from your herb cabinet for cough care and lung support
🌿Tulsi, chamomile, and lemon balm for nervous system support
Edited to add: Plantain, Bee Balm, and Mullen are three of the plants I feature in depth in my beginner/kids herbal book, Herbal Adventures. It's currently out of print but I have copies available on my website (www.lusaorganics.com) - if you'd like to learn more about these and other common, easy-to-identify backyard herbs. 🌿 Stay well!
