Where I live in Oregon, our mountains and forests are on fire. This creates an unhealthy air quality that we have no control over. 

This month I want to share with you a few of my favorite recipes and tricks to help support and heal lungs that are suffering from smoke.

Marshmallow (Althea officinalis), which is easy to grow and will love to find a home in your gardens, is soothing and it's demulcent properties help soothe and moisten dry tissues- all through the body. All parts of the plant can be used and I do use them for respiratory support. The root powder soaked in cold water will create a mucilaginous sludge, which can be taken twice a day for soothing of dry and irritated lung tissue and mucous membranes. 

Chopped roots can be soaked in cold water and drunk throughout the day as well. The following is a tea recipe that I use to support the respiratory system for any dry, irritating condition:

Equal parts Mullein leaf, Marshmallow leaf and flower, Linden flowers, 1/4 part Rose and 1/4 part Licorice root. Steep the tea in hot water for 20 minutes and drink throughout the day.

The mullein leaf has small hairs on it so I like to strain this tea through a coffee filter. 

Hopefully many of you reading this will not have to deal with smoke inhalation but this recipe can help any dry lung condition and is helpful for winter months when using wood heat in your home. 

Here's wishing you easy breathing!

Photos by Darius Bashar and Fabian Møller on Unsplash