There is so much information out there on how to stay healthy during these uncertain times. I am going to tell you here what I am doing personally and you can do anything that feels right for your body.
First lets talk about the role of the lungs in the body
The function of the lungs is to regulate respiration, take in energy through the breath and transports it to the blood and the rest of the body.
The element of the lungs is metal which metaphorically can be seen like a protection armor. The skin is governed by the lungs and we can see how it is like the bodies armor. The skin being a line of protection for the body also letting go of toxins through perspiration.
The lungs work with the kidneys to regulate water metabolism. This is vital for the immune system helping to manage virus, infections and bacteria’s. In view of this it is important to drink lots of water to flush out your system and keep your kidneys in top shape to also maintain healthy lungs.
The lungs hold unresolved grief and sadness.
Grief that remains unresolved and becomes chronic can create disharmony in the lungs, weakening the lung qi. This is why it is so important to take a break from the news so that you are not living in a chronic state of grief because of the present pandemic situation. This weakens the lungs. Disconnect from all that is going on and do something you love to do while you are at home.
At the core, many lung ailments come from unresolved grief often from childhood that needs to be cleared. So if you are carrying around grief it is time to release it and free your lungs so you can breathe easier.
The positive emotions of a strong metal element are courage and righteousness. This is a time when we need to feel strong and resilient so we are going to work on cultivating strong healthy lungs through healthy eating and Qigong.
When there in an imbalance in the lung meridian you will encounter:
- Shortness of breath and shallow breathing
- Fatigue
- Cough, frequent colds and flus
- Allergies
- asthma
- viral and bacterial infections
- excessive perspiration
- inflammation issues in the upper parts of the body
- problems with the olfactory organs (nose/sense of smell)
- dry eyes, nose and skin
- depression and crying
Regular daily exercise is very important to keep the lungs healthy. If you are already feeling chronic lung problems pay special attention to creating movement in your life.
Health and Nutrition – Metal is associated with the Pungent taste and the color white
Pungent is used to describe a taste or smell that gives a sharp sensation. The taste can be found in spicy foods, herbs and spices. Pungent foods include:
- ginger
- garlic
- onion
- cloves
- cayenne
- cinnamon
- cardamom
- cumin
- thyme
- sage
- turmeric
- wasabi
- horseradish
- mustard seeds
- leafy greens
- radishes
- black and green peppercorn.
Spring is the season when it starts to warm up and we take off layers. Always have an extra layer ready if you start to feel cold. Don’t let the cold get into your body.
Drink boiled ginger 3 or more times a day. Personally I have started to boil bones into a bone broth with ginger, turmeric root and pepper which I am drinking at night before bed.
If you start to get cold get up and start some exercises to get the heart rate up and warm the body. You don’t have to do a long session but you have to make sure your body stays warm so best to do a little at a time but enough to feel warm.
To protect the lungs you must emphasize warmer foods that moisten the lungs:
- grains
- legumes
- lentils
- beans
- root vegetables
- dark leafy greens
- barley
- millet
- spinach
- pears
- apples
- seaweed
- eggs.
This builds your body’s energy which you need right now. Reduce your intake of cooling foods of summer such as sweet fruits, juice and salads.
Concentrate on drinking more warm water (drink 6-8 glasses of water a day) preferably with Ginger to maintain your internal temperature warm.
The lungs and are particularly sensitive to poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.
Prepared in soups with these meats and the root vegetables below:
- Fish contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which are linked with lung health.
- Turkey
- Chicken (preferably organic or at least free range)
- Other small poultry birds
Add root vegetables :
- turnips,
- radish,
- cabbage,
- garlic and
- onions
- curcumin
- Turmeric which is used as a dietary ingredient and for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties (preferably in the organic root form)
- Dark leafy greens like spinach or broccoli
These ingredients maintain healthy lungs during any season and help support any colds or virus that come around. Inflammation of the airways can make breathing difficult and cause the chest to feel heavy and congested. Eating anti-inflammatory foods can reduce inflammation to relieve these symptoms. Check out the recipe for this lentil soup
Vitamin C promotes healthy lungs and immune system
Green Tea contains many antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the lungs. These compounds may even protect lung tissue from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation. But don’t replace water with Green tea.
What is bad for your Lungs:
- Don’t Smoke, avoid Exposure to Indoor Pollutants that can damage tour lungs. Minimize exposure to outdoor air pollution to prevent Infections. If you indoor air isn’t clean then open the windows as much as you can.
- Carbonated Beverages make your body acidic and have too much sugar.
- Dairy Products cause mucous to build up but fermented dairy is ok
- Excessive Salt causes water retention and as such can back up the lungs
- Cold foods and beverages
I have also read the elderberry and nettle tea are good for protecting the immune system. Also Zinc and vitamin A but in small quantities too much can be hard on the liver. Personally I don’t have these supplements but I would get the teas if I could.
Ask your doctor if there is any reason to avoid any of what I have suggested in this article. This is what I am doing and I want to share it with you.