In 2020, we found ourselves evacuating from our home in Oregon at 1:00 AM in the morning. Wildfires were not that common here until more recent times, and never in my life did I think I would find myself running from one in the middle of the night. With animals shoved into cars as best as we could, and with our hands filled with what could have been our only belongings that survived, we headed out. 

Thankfully, our story was not like many of those around us who lost their homes. The fire went up and around our property and came down the other side, leaving our farm, home, and business safe and protected. We were blessed to be safe, but for weeks, we had to endure heavy, smoke-filled air. The poor air quality caused my tomatoes to think they were done growing, and made it hard for me to breathe while I was outside trying to rescue what was left of those plants. 

Today, we will be discussing the best herbs for lungs and how you can use herbs for breathing easier when exposed to smoke. If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, then you will want to have herbs for lungs on hand for that season and have your bug out bag packed and ready to go in case of any emergency evacuation.

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How Herbs Can Help During Wildfire Season

Herbs can be incredibly helpful during wildfire season by helping your body deal with the negative effects of smoke exposure. The healing and soothing qualities of certain herbs for the lungs can help reduce discomfort in your throat and sinuses, fight the risk of disease, and, of course, make it so much easier to breathe. 

For our family, becoming more knowledgeable about healing herbs has not only been a great way to make the most out of God’s creation, but it has also helped us feel more confident, at peace, and prepared to deal with unplanned emergencies like wildfires.

Although you should always take preventative measures like limiting your inhalation of smoke when possible and wearing a protective mask if you have to be outside during or after a fire, herbs can be part of a healthy routine if you live somewhere where smoke inhalation is an ongoing risk.

Living in proximity to fires

Unfortunately, the fire of 2020 wasn’t the only reason that I had to look for support for breathing due to the smoke. Growing up, they would burn the fields around our home as an alternative to spraying them for bugs. While I love the idea, my body did not love the smoke, and I would often get sick. This led me to turn to herbs for a natural remedy.

Herbs are a good natural alternative to pharmaceuticals, and best of all, you can grow and harvest them in your own garden, giving you easy access to affordable natural medicine whenever you need it. I have loved using herbs to make delicious tea blends like our Farmhouse Teas Take a Breather Tea, which is made with various herbs that are known for their ability to provide respiratory support. 

The danger of smoke inhalation during fire season

Inhaling smoke can seriously harm your health, causing not only short-term discomfort but also long-term damage to your lungs and other parts of your body. Some of the possible short-term effects may include throat and sinus irritation, chest pain, coughing, headaches, and fatigue. Long-term effects may become permanent. These include lung scarring, increased risk of heart attacks, and even increased risk of cancer. 

In an ideal world, we would want to avoid any situation that might lead us to inhale smoke. However, this is not always possible in emergency situations, or if you live somewhere where there are more fires in general — whether they be controlled burns or accidents. 

While some things are truly out of our control, one thing that we do have control over is how we respond to the situation and how we take care of ourselves. Natural herbs for lungs make the best medicine and can be a huge help to anyone who may have inhaled smoke.

Allergies vs. Fire Season Symptoms: What’s the Difference?

Did you know that there are many similarities between the symptoms of allergy season and the symptoms of fire season? The reason for this is that both of these seasons put stress on the respiratory system and the immune system, resulting in common symptoms in the throat, nose, and sinuses. 

The difference between these two sets of symptoms is their cause. Allergies are caused by naturally occurring elements like pollen, grass, or even dust. If you struggle with allergies, be sure to check out our allergy fighting tea recipe and our tips for brewing herbal tea for allergies. You can use herbs for lungs when dealing with either allergies or wildfires.

What makes fire season symptoms different is that they are the result of toxic particles that come from smoke inhalation and irritate the sensitive airway. Although these symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms — including a runny nose, coughing, sinus irritation, and difficulty breathing — fire season ultimately poses a much higher health risk than allergy season due to the chemical toxicity of the smoke from the fires.

All About the Best Herbs for Lungs

Here are our top herbs for lungs that you should have on hand in case of wildfires. These herbs can be used topically or consumed in other ways, such as tea or cooking, to help ease discomfort in the lungs while also boosting your overall health. 

Rosemary 

Rosemary is known to benefit the body in so many different ways, but it is especially helpful for the lungs because of its anti-inflammatory properties and how rich in antioxidants it is. To enjoy the benefits of this herb, you can incorporate fresh rosemary into your kitchen or use some rosemary essential oil topically for aromatherapy and relief.

Sage

Another one of the best herbs for lungs is sage, thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Sage can help with lung irritation and sinus congestion caused by smoke inhalation. Making tea with sage is one of the simplest ways to access its benefits, but one word of caution to keep in mind is that sage should be avoided during pregnancy.

Horehound

As a member of the mint family, horehound is known for its cooling properties. This is one of our favorite herbs for lung health because of how it helps clear up mucus. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help soothe their airways after smoke exposure. 

Mullein

Mullein is one of the most well-known respiratory herbs and is commonly used to reduce congestion by clearing up mucus. One of its most valuable features is its soothing mucilage, which can coat irritated areas of the lungs and provide relief there after being exposed to wildfire smoke.

Herbs for Lungs Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different ways to use herbs for lung health?

In addition to making and consuming herbal teas, you can also use herbs to make tinctures, capsules, or powders that have a similar effect. Some other effective methods include steam inhalation or taking a calming bath that’s infused with healing herbs.

Who is most at risk from smoke inhalation?

While smoke inhalation is generally harmful for everyone, certain individuals may be at higher risk of harm when smoke is inhaled. Children, elderly folks, and pregnant women should be extra cautious when it comes to wildfire smoke.

Are herbs safe for children?

Some herbs may be safe for your little ones, but you should be cautious with the dosage as well as the type of herbs you give them. As always, you should consult with a pediatrician before introducing anything new to your kids for medicinal purposes.

Breathe Easier with Herbs for Lungs

With the right herbs for lung health, you can breathe easier and know exactly how to find relief during fire season, allergy season, or other stressful situations that might be out of your control. Being prepared with your herbal remedies means that you are one step ahead! We hope some of this was helpful for you and finds you breathing a lot easier!

We recommend keeping a monograph journal handy so that you can record all of the most important information about these healing herbs and your other favorites. Download our FREE Monograph Journal Pages to get started with your own entries!

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