Our lungs are the most ignored organ of our body.
Daily, they are exposed to killer pollutants and microbes that get deposited from the air you inhale. In the case of smokers, their healthy pink lungs turn black with the deposition of tar in their lungs.
Regular detoxification of lungs will help in smooth functioning and help in expulsion of toxins.
Here are some tips for healthy lungs:
1. Go cold turkey
The best way to detox your lungs is by quitting smoking. Nicotine and tobacco smoke inhibit lung functions and also put you at risk for lung infections and lung cancer.
2. Discard dairy
Get rid of all the dairy products, this will help your body exclude the toxins during the cleanse.
3. Bring on the green tea
Drink a cup of your favourite herbal green tea before bed to release toxins in the intestine that can lead to constipation. Refrain from overloading your lungs with tedious work during this purification process.
4. Lemons rule
In a tall glass of warm water, add a quarter cup of fresh lemon juice and drink it before breakfast. You can also opt for a glass of pineapple or cranberry juice instead of lemon juice.
5. Drink carrot juice.
Drink at least 300 ml of carrot juice between breakfast and lunch, so you can alkalise your body for the detox.
6. Get your potassium kick
For lunch, indulge in potassium rich drinks to clean your lungs. Cantaloupe, oranges, banana, sweet potato, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, apricots, figs, dates and berries are all rich in potassium.
7. Ginger
Dear old ginger helps in unclogging the respiratory tract and eliminates toxins from the lungs. The best way to consume ginger is by eating it raw, or having ginger tea. You can also indulge in a ginger powder bath for about half an hour. This will promote sweating and result in exclusion of toxins from the body.
8. Load on the antioxidants
Before going to bed, drink 400 ml of pineapple or cranberry juice to fight infection causing bacteria in the lungs. The antioxidants in these drinks are very helpful for your respiratory system.
9. Take a hot bath
A 20 minute hot bath daily will aid in removing toxins. You could also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water and inhale the steam to purify your lungs naturally. The expectorant compound found in eucalyptus helps in soothing sore throat, congestion and sinus problems.
10. Freak out on the oregano
Oregano is rich in natural decongestants and histamine reducers that aid in smooth nasal airflow and better functioning of the respiratory tract. Simply sprinkle oregano to your food or drinks and drink it daily to purify your lungs naturally.
11. Include peppermint in your diet
This humble herb is a fantastic decongestant. Chew on 3 to 5 peppermint leaves daily to fight infection-causing bacteria in the lungs.
12. Choose the yoga way
Practice deep breathing for half an hour daily. This will help in flushing out the impurities from your lungs.
13. Include healthy foods, specifically for your lungs, in your diet
Water, cruciferous veggies, apples, fatty fish, beans, nuts, carrots are all foods that will boost lung health and keep them healthy.
Lizel Britz 072 243 7707.
