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Immune Support for Healthy Breathing

The respiratory system, with the lungs as its key organ, plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system. We are not only what we eat but also what we breathe! By inhaling air from the surrounding atmosphere, we become part of our environment and connect to all life on planet earth.

This process not only connects us but also constantly exposes our respiratory system to uncountable pathogens and irritants, which can result in colds, influenza, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, hay fever, asthma attacks and infections. Oxygen deprivation leads to pathological changes in other areas of the body as well. Interestingly, Traditional Chinese Medicine recognises that the lungs are specifically linked with the large intestine: when the lungs are weak it has a detrimental effect on the digestive system and vice versa. It is believed in many cultures that respiratory problems are extensions of digestive dysfunctions.

Respiration controls the amount of oxygen supplied to body tissues via the circulatory system. Regular exercise and proper breathing is invaluable and are essential factors in maintaining good health. It is needless to say that the quality of air we breathe has a direct effect on the health of our lung tissue. If we are to heal ourselves it is important to stop smoking and we will also minimise our contribution to environmental pollution.

Traditional strategies for treating respiratory diseases involve supporting the body's own defences. It is simply impossible to eliminate all pathogens around us, but we can create an internal environment where they can not harm us. A healthy whole-food diet with plenty of organic fresh fruit and vegetables provides a good amount of specific essential minerals and vitamins that improve our resistance. For people with a weakness in the respiratory system it is important to reduce mucous forming foods. These are dairy products, eggs, gluten-rich grains such as wheat, oats, rye and barley, sugar and starchy roots like potatoes, swedes and turnips. The regular use of the medicinal herbs Linden blossom, Aniseed, Elder flower, Plantain, Sage and Thyme will support respiratory health and additionally strengthen our overall immune system.

In this context it is important to curb the misuse of antibiotics. Whilst they can save lives if used appropriately they tend to dampen the innate defence system of the body when taken indiscriminately. It is proven that long term antibiotic use creates highly resistant bacteria, which are difficult to treat. High fevers and convulsions need urgent medical attention, however medicinal herbs can assist to overcome infections of the upper respiratory system efficiently and build up the immune system at the same time.


The medicinal herbs Linden blossom, Aniseed, Elder flower, Plantain, Sage and Thyme - as in an immune boosting formula - have been used traditionally to prevent and treat colds, flu, coughs, fevers and respiratory infections. In Europe these immune strengthening herbs are taken by all age groups throughout the colder season. At the first sign of a respiratory tract affliction, drink at least a litre of these herbs in a hot infusion to nip the infection in its butt and help to flush the offending organisms out. Adding fresh lemon and honey to the therapeutic tea further increases the synergy of the herbs and it tastes so yummy that children and adults alike just love it.

Asthmatic conditions can get aggravated with infections of the upper respiratory tract (e.g. bronchitis). It is therefore important to avoid such complications by supporting the body's immune defence against respiratory ailments with antiseptic, anti-viral, expectorant and anti-spasmodic herbs. Traditionally these are Linden blossom, Aniseed, Elder flower, Plantain, Sage and Thyme.

Linden blossom, Aniseed, Elder flower, Plantain, Sage and Thyme have a mucous cleansing and strengthening effect which is beneficial in the hay fever season. When these herbs are used as a preventative, they need to be taken regularly for 6 weeks prior to the start of spring.