Our respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help you breathe. It includes our airways, blood vessels and the lungs. The muscles that power the lungs are also part of respiratory system. These parts work together to move oxygen throughout the body and clean out waste gases like carbon dioxide.
The respiratory system brings oxygen into our bodies, which we need for own cells to live and function properly. It helps us get rid of carbon dioxide - a waste product of cellular function.
Functions of the respiratory system:
- Gas exchange - oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Protection - protection from dust and microbes entering body through mucus production, cilia and coughing. Cilia are the tiny hairs that protect the nasal passageways and other parts of the respiratory tract, filtering out dust and other particles that enter our nose through the breathed air. They also remove microbes and debris from the interior of the lungs.
- Sound production; our ability to speak
- Ability to smell
- Breathing - movement of air; the air taken into or expelled from the lungs. An inhalation or exhalation of air from the lungs.
THE LUNGS
The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system. They are located in the chest cavity. The left lung is smaller because it shares space in the chest with the heart. The main function is breathing, respiration, a process of gas exhange. Oxygen from incoming air enters the blood, and carbon dioxide, a waste gas from the metabolism, leaves the blood. Cells in our body need oxygen to create energy. When the cells create energy, however, they make carbon dioxide. The air we breathe through our mouth or nose follows the windpipe which splits first into two bronchi: one for each lung.
The lungs regulate Qi energy that we absorb from natural world and distribute that energy through the body. They control breathing and distributing oxygen to the blood. The lungs work as detox organs - they help Qi and fluids descend into intestines; with kidneys they regulate water metabolism. The lungs regulate sinuses, bronchia, nose, throat and our ability to speak.
We take our breath for granted. We can't live without our breath. We take the breath in and we release it out. Inability to breathe may be a lack of trust that the breath will come in. Do you have fear to take in your life fully? Or do you refuse to take in your life fully? Are you taking in life in perfect balance?
Asthma
Asthma happens when the airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This makes breathing more difficult and can trigger coughing. Breathing in pollutans, chemicals, allergens, infection or emotional stress can worse the condition. People who suffer from asthma are in most cases people who live with emotional conflict or in a stiffling environment (family, parents, teachers, school, friends , social media influence), living constantly with fear, panic , feeling you can't breathe (living in a small house, small room, share your space with others.......). Feeling of pressure, panic, shortness of breath. Feeling guilty, un-worthy, stifled, full of fear, feeling unable to breathe. A child may suffer from asthma during his or her childhood and as soon as he or she moves away from the family or to start their adult life, having their own space, new environment, new people around, more emotional freedom, taking more charge of their lives, asthma usually dissapears. Taking too much can suffocate you slowly. Your lungs may cry as they are expressing a fear of being unloved, abandoned without emotional support.
Natural help for asthma:
eating heathy balanced diet
foods rich in folate, vitamin B9 and B vitamins , vitamin C, E - leafy greens (raw veggies) citrus fruits, berries, cruciferous vegetables, magnesium rich foods (greens, nuts, seeds, beans, cocoa), garlic, onions, probiotics, omega 3's . Balance "give and take", clear your emotional stress, change your environment.
No smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke, avoid indoor/outdoor air pollution, use air filters and change them regularly, use air purifier, do breathing exercises
Try to elliminate allergens like gluten, eggs, soy, nuts, milk products , refined, processed vegetable oils, conventional dairy, added sugar, processed carbohydrates, food preservatives, food colorants, sulfites, food treated with hormones and antibiotics (meat, fish). DON'T EAT COLD FOODS.
Talk to your doctor for more information and treatment. Remember that medical drugs for respiratory problems can be full of chemicals and can have side effects. Choosing an alternative medicine doctor may be a better choice.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection (bacterial or viral) due to the flu, exposure to indoor/outdoor air pollution. The lungs become filled with pus and mucus and it is hard to breathe. A protein in influenza virus that helps it multiply also damages lung epithelial cells, causing fluid buildup in the lungs. Fluid accumulates in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and preventing oxygen from reaching the blood. The flu is a response to mass negativity - "the world is too congested and can't breathe "- too much negativity.
Symptoms: coughing, fever, trouble breathing, chest pains, nausea and more
Natural prevention:
boosting immune strength
boosting gut health (probiotics in food)
enough sleep
exercise, maintain healthy weight
stop smoking and avoid seconhand smoke
avoid indoor/outdoor air pollution
avoid exposure to people who have the flu or other viral infections
eat healthy balanced diet (turmeric, vitamin C.......)
drink lot of quality water to prevent dehydration
have doctor's annual check ups
Plants recommended for cough and lung infections:
Plantago
Coltsfoot
Licorice root
Cannabis
Thyme
Oregano
Eucalyptus
Mint
Talk to your medical professional or alternative medicine doctor for more info.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. This inflammation can cause coughing with mucus and it is hard to breathe. Sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, runny nose, fever, vomiting , diarrhea, are other symptoms. Bronchitis can be chronic or acute.
Lot of smoking, cold and flu viruses can cause bronchitis. Weak immune system, contact with dust or chemicals vapors can contribute too. Metaphysically it can be product of inflamed family environment (yelling, arguments, fear, panic.....)
Lung cancer
Cough that doesn't go away; coughing up blood, chest pain, hoarseness, bone pain, headaches, shortness of breath and more. Smoking is damaging the cells that line the lungs. Smoking or exposure to seconhand smoking, exposure to radon gas, asbestos or other carcinogens.
Our lungs don't like:
Polluted air, lots of smoking, too much alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, unstable family environment that can lead to sadness, depressions, repressed emotions, grief, tiredness, self-rejection, easily catching colds, flu and other illnesses, dehydration; foods like fried foods, excessive greasy or spicy foods, processed foods, sugary foods and sugar-sweetned beverages or added sugars, refined oils, cold foods - these foods can promote inflammation in our bodies
Our lungs like:
Healthy foods - apples, green tea, leafy greens like arugula, spinach, kale........, garlic, ginger, turmeric, bananas, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, beans, nuts, probiotics, bone broth, omega 3's, anti-inflammatory foods, echinacea, ginseng,.....
lot of quality water, essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, oregano
clear air, stable family upbringing, exercises - Qi gong, Yoga etc.
loving the self, practising self-love daily to achieve courage, vitality, acceptance, control, harmony and more
AFFIRMATIONS FOR THE LUNGS:
I take in life in perfect balance.
I feel worthy of living my life fully.
I breathe in with confidence.
I live fully and freely.
I declare peace and harmony within me and around me.
It is ok for me to take charge of my own life.
I'm not afraid to take in life fully and deeply.
Breathe and let go.......
I love myself
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