242 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
lung or sinus infection, bacterial or viral
The quality and quantity of mucus production are directly linked to the
well-being of the lungs. If the lungs maintain a light, moist protective
coating of mucus, they can be considered healthy. If the lungs are
overcongested with mucus and the air passages are generally infl amed,
infection will be attracted. Exercise can remove some of the excess
buildup. Lack of exercise can make the situation worse, leading to a
severely hindered and ineffective lung capacity. As a lot of lung problems
manifest themselves with the onset of damp and cooler weather, special
attention should be paid at this time. Some lung problems are a result of
poor digestion, accompanied by low stomach and bowel fl ora from an
enzyme defi ciency.
- Adopt a mucus-free diet, especially avoiding milk, yogurt, cheese, and
eggs. - Take no alcohol, tea, or coffee.
- Avoid gluten-rich grains like wheat, or refi ned grains like wheat pasta.
- Avoid sugar, meat, and fried foods.
- If you already have what you feel to be a healthy diet, then excess
mucus is probably an indication of general poor health, a cold body,
and a weakened immune system. Your system will need to be generally
sustained and strengthened with tonic and supportive herbs and foods.
Natural food choices should predominantly be those that grow re-
gionally and seasonally. - Eat onions, leeks, spring onions, garlic, turnips, fresh lemons, limes,
ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cabbage, cabbage juice, rice, and corn. - Make and drink barley water (see chapter 4).
f The immune system may be low and in need of motivation and sup-
port, so use echinacea root and Rehmannia root.
f Dr. A. Vogel, a respected Swiss herbalist, says that weak lungs need
plenty of calcium, an easily available source of which is daily nettle
leaf tea, made from young nettles (preferably picked in the spring,
and not later than July).
~ Practice breathing exercises.
If the mucus is yellow, brown, or green, you need to cool the body down:- Use plenty of lemons, limes, and garlic, alongside a little ginger, cin-
namon, and cloves.
~ Essential oils of lime and lemon with a little eucalyptus in a base oil
could be massaged into the chest and back morning and night.
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