Cleansing Your Lungs Has Never Been Easier

 Protecting your lungs is vital, if you want to preserve your long-term health. Over a period of time, toxins from mold and bacteria can build up in your lungs causing you ill health. Therefore, getting into the habit of cleansing your lungs on regular basis is a good thing to do. A lung cleanse promotes normal lung functioning, helps to reduce swelling and inflammation and rejuvenates lung strength and vitality. 

To add to this, it also helps clear any mucus from your airways and improves circulation. It can even help treat asthma, throat infections, bad breath and chronic bronchitis. Fortunately, cleansing your lungs is pretty simple to do; you can easily do it with some home remedies mixed with lifestyle and dietary changes. 

Here are ten great ways you can cleanse and detox your lungs: 

1. Do Deep Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing exercises can help improve your lung capacity by delivering more vital oxygen to your body. This will strengthen your lungs, and clear and cleanse your airways. To add to this, it will increase your energy and reduce stress. To carry out this exercise, follow the instructions below: 

1. Find a comfortable place and lie flat on your back. 

2. Place your hands on your stomach at the bottom of your rib cage. 

3. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply through your nose while counting to 5. 

4. Hold your breath for 2 seconds, and then breathe out slowly while counting to 5. 

5. Repeat 9 or 10 times. 

6. Do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day.

2. Use a Castor Oil Pack 

Castor oil stimulates waste elimination and draws toxins out of the lungs, uterus, digestive system and liver. It can even help reduce inflammation and improve lymphatic circulation. To make this pack, follow the instructions below: 

1. Soak 2 to 3 pieces of wool flannel in 1 cup of warm castor oil (use only organic, cold-pressed castor oil). 

2. Lie down on a large plastic sheet. 

3. Place the soaked wool flannels on your chest and sides so that they cover your lung area. 

4. Cover these flannels with the large plastic sheet. 

5. Place a heating pad over the plastic sheet for 1 to 2 hours. 

6. Remove the packs and wash with warm water to remove the oil residue. 

7. Repeat twice a week for at least one month. 

 

3. Take a Hot shower/Visit a Sauna 

 A hot shower or sauna increases sweat secretion which helps your lungs to get rid of toxic substances. Please remember to drink some water if you have spent a long time in a hot shower or sauna so that your body does not become too dehydrated. 

4. Add Ginger to Your Diet
Ginger can also be used to detoxify your lungs as it contains several chemical compounds which help eliminate air pollutants from the air passages before they have the chance to irritate your lungs. It also improves blood circulation. To make use of ginger to clean your lungs, you can: 

1. Drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea each day. To make this tea, simply boil 1 teaspoon of sliced ginger in 1 cup of water. Allow it to simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Strain it and add some lemon juice or honey to improve the taste. 

2. Include raw ginger in your cooking. 

3. Ask your doctor for a ginger supplement.

 N.B. If you are taking heart or high blood pressure medication you should avoid taking ginger in excess. 

5. Consume Licorice 

 Licorice is an effective herb which can help cleanse your lungs. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can reduce inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Furthermore, it has antibacterial and antiviral properties which help prevent and treat mild lung infections, as well as reduce irritation from a cough, sore throat or allergies. To cleanse your lungs using licorice, you can: 

1. Drink 2 to 3 cups of licorice root tea over the course of a few days. To make this tea, simply add 1 teaspoon of licorice powder to a cup of hot water (not boiling), cover and leave for 10 minutes before drinking. 

2. Add half a teaspoon of licorice powder with a tiny bit of honey and consume it twice a day for a few days.

 N.B. Licorice may not be suitable for pregnant women, infants and people who have kidney diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure or low potassium levels. 

6. Steam Eucalyptus Oil 

Eucalyptus is commonly found in cough sweets and syrups. It's effective due to its expectorant compound called cineole, which can help fight coughs, congestion and soothe irritated sinus passages. To use eucalyptus oil to cleanse your lungs simply add a few drops of it to hot water and inhale the steam for up to 15 minutes. N.B. Eucalyptus oil can decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medication. Therefore, taking eucalyptus oil with medications can increase their side effects and effects. Please talk to your healthcare provider to determine whether any medications you take may be affected. 

7. Consume Antioxidant-rich Foods

Eating a healthy diet can drastically improve the strength of your lungs, and foods which are high in antioxidants are especially beneficial. Antioxidants have been shown to increase lung capacity and improve the quality of a person’s breathing. Foods that are high in antioxidants include blueberries, broccoli, spinach, grapes, sweet potatoes, fish and green tea. 

8. Consume Lobelia 

 Lobelia is yet another herb that can cleanse your lungs. The alkaloid present in it, known as lobeline, helps to promote the expulsion of phlegm by thinning mucus. It even helps to stimulate the release of epinephrine, which relaxes the airways and makes it easier to breathe. To detox your lungs using lobelia, you can: 

1. Place 5 to 10 lobelia leaves in a pot of boiling water. Cover and steep for around 5 minutes, then inhale the steam. Do this for about 10 minutes each morning and evening for a few days to cleanse your lungs. 

2. You can also drink it as a herbal tea. However, this herb can be toxic if taken in high doses, so take it under the supervision of an herbal practitioner. 

9. Drink Mullein Tea  

The mullein plant is known to clear mucus and cleanse bronchial tubes. The flowers and leaves of this plant are used to make an herbal extract that can strengthen the lungs. To make a mullein tea, simply add one teaspoon of the dried herb to a cup of boiled water. 

10. Add More Oregano to Your Diet 

Oregano contains carvacrol and rosmarinic acid. Both of these compounds are natural decongestants and histamine reducers which have been shown to benefit the respiratory tract and nasal passage. The oils in oregano (thymol and carvacol) inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa.

I thought I was eating clean until I audited my diet for inflammatory foods By Siya Bhambwani

 

 I spent two years trying not to look too closely at myself. I wasn’t living on classically inflammatory foods. On paper, my lifestyle looked balanced. I walked my 10k steps. I didn’t binge on weekends. Yet almost overnight during the lockdown, my body felt unfamiliar. My gut was unsettled. My usually predictable skin developed angry patches, flare-ups and a general sort of puffiness that made everything feel slightly swollen.

I thought the culprit had to be something dramatic. A night of cocktails. A food slip-up. Something obvious. Instead, every practitioner I spoke to circled back to the same boring phrase: low-grade inflammation. It took time, scans, blood tests and uncomfortable honesty to realise that what was happening to me was a more intense version of what many people live with without realising it.

You think you’re doing everything right, yet your body reacts as if you’re living on takeout. Dietitian Vinoshini Rengaraj, nutrition expert at Bodycraft Clinic, sees this pattern often. “What I notice first in clients isn’t dramatic symptoms. It’s the things they ignore,” she says. “Feeling unusually tired by afternoon, mild puffiness around the eyes, random sugar cravings, slower digestion or skin dullness.”

When I finally sat down with my nutritionist, she didn’t ask about cheat meals. She asked about normal days. We broke it down: the rushed breakfast that was a banana and a protein bar, the 4pm Americano, the late-night handfuls of peanuts because “I haven’t eaten properly all day”.

What experts wish you’d focus on instead

The two biggest shifts my nutritionist suggested sounded almost too simple. Rengaraj frames them as daily habits rather than rules.

Stay properly hydrated

Inflammation builds when things stagnate: circulation, digestion and lymph. Drinking water throughout the day sounds basic, but it supports your body’s own anti-inflammatory pathways in the background.

Add, before you subtract

“Add at least one naturally antioxidant-rich food to your meals every day,” says Rengaraj. “Colourful vegetables and fruits, herbs, spices, nuts and seeds all provide compounds that buffer inflammation.”

My own plan also involved stabilising blood sugar. Pairing carbs with protein and fat made a measurable difference: fruit with nuts instead of fruit alone, toast with an egg instead of a swipe of jam and avoiding the all-day drip of liquid sugar through juices and smoothies.

Sometimes it isn’t obvious ‘junk’ that causes trouble. It’s the foods you rely on without question. “Even nutrient-dense foods can trigger inflammatory responses depending on your gut health, genetic tendencies, stress levels or hormone balance,” says Rengaraj. Dairy for one person, particular grains or nuts for another, even specific fruits for someone with a sensitive gut. It’s less about labelling foods as bad and more about accepting that your body has preferences.

Switching to a Mediterranean-style eating pattern helped me. A 2014 study shows that this pattern, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, olive oil and fish, can reduce inflammatory markers, like CRP (C-reactive protein: an inflammation indicator from your liver) and IL-6 (interleukin-6: a messenger chemical used by your immune system) over time.

You don’t need to suddenly eat like an Italian nonna. You can build an Indian version of that logic with legumes, extra vegetables, seeds on your curd and larger portions of fish or lentils.
How to start without turning your life inside out

Some starting points that almost every expert I spoke to agreed on:
Pick one daily offender and downgrade it

Maybe it’s a sugary drink. Maybe it’s nightly fried snacks. Swap just that one thing for something slightly better for a month and see what shifts.
Sneak in fibre and colour

Add a bowl of salad to the meals you already eat. Sprinkle seeds on breakfast. Add one extra serving of fruit that isn’t juice.
Think of ultra-processed foods as occasional extras

Instant noodles, packaged pastries, flavoured chips. They don’t need to disappear, but if breakfast, snack and dinner all come with a barcode, that’s a pattern worth rethinking.
Watch your body, not just your mirror

Check how your energy feels in the afternoon. Notice if your rings fit more comfortably. See if your skin looks calmer. These cues matter as much as numbers.
Why it has to come from you

With clients, Dr Prarthana Shah, integrative health coach and founder of Buova, focuses on softening the all-or-nothing mindset. “Instead of ‘I missed my workout so the day’s ruined’, we ask, ‘What’s one thing I can do right now to feel good?’ Sometimes that’s a slow stretch, a quick walk outdoors or simply sitting down to a nourishing meal.”

It isn’t always as fun as ordering exactly what you want. But it can be the difference between dragging yourself through the day and actually having the energy to live it.

For me, the turning point was understanding that I wasn’t being punished by giving up inflammatory foods. I was relearning how food could dial down the internal static I had been living with for years.

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Did You Know? There Are Many Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s strikes fear in all of us. The thought of losing your mind as you grow older is terrifying and made worse by the fact that, before now, there appeared to be little we could do to slow down or avoid Alzheimer’s, which is the most common form of dementia. Today, research has found many factors that raise or diminish the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Following these tips, you could slash your chances of developing the disease: 

 

1. Check out your ankle 

Low blood flow in your foot is a clue to trouble in your brain and a simple test can reveal its cognitive state and your likelihood of stroke and dementia. The theory is that the health of your blood vessels is similar throughout the body. The degree of clogged arteries and blood flow in the feet can suggest atherosclerosis in cerebral blood vessels. Ask your doctor for an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test which involves an ultrasound device and a blood pressure cuff that compares the blood pressure in your ankle to that in your arm. To remedy any impairment of blood flow your GP may advise stepped-up exercise or a change in diet/medication. 

 

2. Antioxidant-rich foods  

Certain foods infuse your brain with antioxidants that can slow memory decline and help prevent Alzheimer’s. All fruit and vegetables are good but at the top of the list are black raspberries, elderberries, raisins, and blueberries.

3. Beware of bad fats  

The type of fat you eat changes your brain’s functioning for better or worse. Stay away from saturated fats which strangle brain cells causing them to become inefficient. Buy low fat or fat-free dairy products including milk, cheese, and ice cream. Cut down on deep-fried foods. 

 

4. Chocolate  

Treat Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, has sky-high concentrations of antioxidants called flavanols, which possess strong heart and brain-protecting properties. Drinking cocoa increases blood flow to the brain. Cocoa powder has twice as many flavanols as dark chocolate, which has twice a many as milk chocolate. White chocolate has zero. 

 

5. Grow a bigger brain 

Your brain starts to shrink when you reach 30 or 40 so it takes longer to learn. However, scientists now believe you can increase the size of your brain through learning. Try studying, learning new things or broadening your circle of friends for stimulation. 

 

6. The Estrogen Evidence

68 percent of Alzheimer’s patients are women, possibly because midway through life, they lose the protection that is provided by estrogen, which boosts memory. Unless your GP says otherwise, start taking estrogen immediately at the time of menopause – starting any later opens you up to the risk of dementia and stroke.

 

7. Raise good cholesterol 

It’s well known that having a high level of good-type HDL blood cholesterol protects you from heart disease, but it can also save your brain. Researchers claim it blocks sticky stuff that destroys brain cells and acts as an anti-inflammatory to lessen brain damage. Ways to ramp up good cholesterol include exercise, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol and losing weight. 

 

8. Google something 

Doing an internet search can stimulate aging brains even more than reading a book. And MRI scans show that savvy surfers have twice as many sparks of brain activity as novices. Go online to search for information, things to buy, or games to play. Although it’s not known how much it will benefit your brain, it’s better than passive pursuits. 

 

9. The ApoE4 gene 

One in four of you reading this has a specific genetic time bomb that makes you three to ten times more susceptible to developing late-onset Alzheimer’s. The gene is called apolipoprotein E4. If you inherit a single variant of ApoE4 from one parent, your Alzheimer’s risk triples. If you inherit a double dose from both parents, your risk rises by 10 times. Ask your doctor about a DNA test to reveal your ApoE4 genotype. 

 

10. Say yes to coffee  

Coffee is emerging as a tonic for the aging brain. It is anti-inflammatory, helps block the ill effects of cholesterol in the brain and cuts the risks of stroke, depression, and diabetes, all promoters of dementia. It is also high in antioxidants and caffeine which stop neuronal death and lessen diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes that bring on dementia. For most people, a moderate daily intake of coffee, two to four cups, won’t hurt and may help.  

 

11. Dangers of weight loss

Unexplained weight loss after age 60 or so maybe a sign of Alzheimer’s. A study showed that women with the disease started losing weight at least 10 years before dementia was diagnosed. Among women of equal weight, those who went on to develop dementia slowly became thinner over three decades and, when diagnosed, weighed an average 12lb less than women who were free of Alzheimer’s. Talk to your doctor about unexplained weight loss after 60. 12. Drink wine A daily glass of wine may help delay dementia. Research says that alcohol is an anti-inflammatory and raises good cholesterol which helps ward off dementia. High antioxidants in red wine give it additional anti-dementia clout. Such antioxidants act as artery relaxants, dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow which encourages cognitive functioning. 

 

13. Know the early signs  

Memory problems are not the first clue. You may notice a decline in-depth perception, for example, you reach to pick up a glass of water and miss it. Or you misjudge the distance in walking across a street. Doing a jigsaw puzzle or reading a map may also be confusing. Losing your sense of smell can also be an early clue, as well as asking the same question repeatedly or misplacing belongings in odd places (like putting keys in the fridge). Be aware of memory problems as the earlier the signs are spotted, the more successful lifestyle changes and medications are likely to be. 

 

14. A Mediterranean diet 

The Mediterranean diet, no matter where you live, can help save your brain from memory deterioration and dementia. Studies consistently find that what the Greeks and Italians eat is truly brain food. Following this diet – rich in green leafy vegetables, fish, fruits, nuts, legumes, olive oil and a little vino – can cut your chances of Alzheimer’s by nearly half. Rather than depending on just one food or a few nutrients, it is a rich menu of many complex brain benefactors, including an array of antioxidants, which shield brain cells from oxidative damage. 

 

15. Middle Age Obesity  

Your brain cares if you are fat. A study showed obese people had 8% less brain tissue and overweight people had 4% less brain tissue than people of average weight, which according to some scientists hugely increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. Moreover, brain shrinkage occurred in areas of the brain targeted by Alzheimer’s, which are critical for planning, long-term memory, attention and executive functions, and control of movement. Tackle signs of rising weight early, when you are young or middle-aged. Oddly, being obese after the age of 70 does not raise the risk of Alzheimer’s but that doesn’t mean you should neglect exercise as it is the best way of stimulating cognitive functioning and may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s at any age. 

 

16. Get a good night’s sleep

Look More Youthful and Radiant by Adopting These Daily Habits

Looking radiant and put-together isn’t just nice for special occasions, as it can really boost your confidence and make you feel ready to face the day, even if you’re just planning to spend it in pajamas. This is especially true when we get older and feeling effortlessly beautiful becomes a bit tougher. Don’t get us wrong, we strongly believe that there’s nothing wrong with being older and looking your age.

At the same time, we can all need a pick-me-up from time to time, and having the habits in place that will make you feel better about your appearance never hurts, to say the least. Below, we list 10 everyday habits that can help you feel and look your best, which to most comes down to looking more radiant and youthful. 

 

1. Use the same skincare you use on your face on the neck and hands

People often spend a lot of time and money to care for their faces but tend to neglect other key areas of the body that are just as telling of one’s age. For example, one study conducted in 2006 revealed that people can tell a woman’s age by looking only at her hands.

Other areas that can show your age are your neck and decollete area. So, if you’re not wearing turtlenecks and gloves all the time (which most of us don’t) it only makes sense to extend our anti-aging skincare routine down the neck, chest, and hands. 

 

When it comes to hand care in particular, dermatologists and aestheticians also point out that it’s a great habit to apply hand cream with SPF during the daytime, as it will reduce the appearance of sunspots on the hands over time while also preventing the development of new ones. 

 

2. Sleep on your back

Gravity is not our friend if our goal is to appear younger. Luckily, we can trick it, at least in some cases. One such case is your sleeping position. When you sleep on your side, you’re pushing your face against the pillow, and in the morning, you’ll likely observe that the wrinkles on the side you were sleeping appear more visible. 

 

Sleeping on your back accomplishes the opposite effect - the gravity helps lift and smooth out the facial skin in your sleep, and you’ll wake up looking more refreshed. In addition, sleeping on your back as opposed to the side or belly will also help prevent swelling by promoting lymphatic drainage, so if you want to enhance your beauty sleep, definitely try out sleeping on your back.

 

3. Experiment with nail colors  

One trick that will make your hands appear younger is a nice clean manicure. In fact, one research article showed that participants who looked at pictures of hands with nail polish and natural nails consistently rated the hands with the nail polish as being younger. What color and style should you choose? It’s best to have a neutral clean nail shape, but you can experiment with the color as much as you’d like. In fact, bright, deep, and even neon colors can look as chic as the classic nude-colored nails, according to stylists and manicurists. 

 

4. Eat antioxidant-rich foods

 

Of course, we can’t look radiant and youthful when we don’t feel well, so you must eat healthy to look healthy. One group of nutrients we’d like to bring your attention to are antioxidant-rich foods, which are present in all kinds of plant-based foods, from vitamin A-rich carrots and tomatoes to berries and leafy greens rich in anthocyanins and resveratrol. 

 

All these antioxidants will help you fight off harmful free radicals and prevent them from damaging your cells, especially the skin. Antioxidants are also very good for resisting environmental damage, including UV damage from the sun, so eating plenty of fruit and veggies will help protect your skin from premature signs of aging, such as deep wrinkles and sunspots.

 

5. Pick the right undergarments

While many people think that wearing nice underwear is only meant for special occasions, you’d be surprised at how much a well-fitting undergarment, be it a bra, panties, or a slip, could really improve the look of your overall silhouette and clothing. 

 

The above-mentioned misconception is evidenced by the fact that as much as 80% of women are wearing a bra of the wrong size. This sounds about right and is hardly surprising since there is a vast variety of body shapes and an equal amount of lingerie styles to meet those different requirements of coverage and support. To feel more confident and comfortable, we recommend experimenting with different fits and styles or getting fitted professionally at a lingerie store. 

 

6. Relax and give yourself some “me” time

When we feel exhausted, anxious, and stressed out, it shows. On one hand, we simply don’t have the time to get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and take care of ourselves in high-stress periods, or at least we think that we don’t and start neglecting our appearance and diet. 

 

On the other hand, stress on its own can manifest itself through anything from acne and skin redness, to dark circles under the eyes, and even hair loss. Therefore, taking care of your psychological well being and giving yourself time to spend on hobbies, meditation, or any other activity that relaxes you is also an investment in your appearance as well. 

 

7. Care for your hair

It doesn’t matter if you like your hair long or love a pixie cut, if you’re embracing your gray hair or dyeing it, the most important part is to invest in your hair and maintain the hairstyle you chose on a regular basis. After all, our hairstyle is one of the most powerful and constant accessories, one that can either flatter our face shape and express our personality or do the absolute opposite. 

 

Whatever your preferred style is, make sure to always care for your hair and go to the hair salon on a regular basis, if possible. This is especially important as we grow older, as the hair texture becomes coarser and more unruly with age, and we need a smart and tailored haircut and a hair care regimen to address those issues.

8. Add a splash of color to your wardrobe

No, we’re not saying that you should abandon all neutral colors and start wearing rainbow-colored outfits, or that you should dress head to toe in one color. By all means, keep all those staple tan, beige, black, and gray clothes, but try embracing color accents in your wardrobe, too, be it a colorful scarf, a bright shirt peeking through from a gray or tan cardigan, or colorful accessories. 

 

These colorful items will not only lift your mood, but they will also add some interest into your wardrobe and will make it fresher and yes, more youthful. 

 

9. Stay away from teeth-staining foods

According to dentists, yellow or discolored teeth can make a person look older and less attractive. So by taking good care of your pearly whites, you’ll also be making yourself look younger, no matter your age or gender. Unfortunately, brushing and flossing are often not enough to maintain a bright smile, as the foods we eat often darken and stain our teeth. 

Some of the foods that can do so are red wine, coffee, dark soda, tea, and even dark-colored sauces and dressings, such as soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. Fortunately, the solution is simple - just rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking these items, and you’ll be able to maintain a charming smile for years. 

 

10. Wear less makeup - but do your brows

There is a common misconception that women of a certain age need to pile on more makeup to compensate for the less-desirable wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. This is just not true, as the layers upon layers of foundation and other makeup products will only accentuate those problems by creasing, highlighting dry patches and discoloration. 

 

Instead, we recommend you work in thin layers and place foundation and concealer strategically only in the areas that need it, which is usually the under-eyes, around the mouth and nose, and the T-zone. 

 

That said, the often overlooked part of your face that you should spend more time on are your eyebrows. Grooming and lightly defining the outline of the brows and filling in any sparse spots with a pencil that matches the color of your brows will help frame your face and add structure, which can compensate and balance out the slight drooping of the eyes and wrinkles according to makeup artists.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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