the lungs

This spongy organ is the center of the respiratory system. The main function of the lungs is that it works to deliver oxygen to every cell in the body, and to get rid of carbon dioxide, which results from the cells carrying out their daily functions, in order to survive.

Facts about the respiratory system

The respiratory system consists of two parts: the upper respiratory system and the lower respiratory system.

upper respiratory tract

The respiratory system contains:

• nose and mouth
• nasal cavity
• Throat and larynx

lower respiratory tract

The lower respiratory tract contains:

• the lungs
• trachea
• The two popular ones
• tracheids
• Alveoli

7 tips to keep your lungs healthy

In order to maintain the health of the lungs, you should follow the following tips:

1- Practice deep breathing

Deep breathing can help to approach the full capacity of the lungs. To practice deep breathing, you can follow these steps:

• Work on relaxing the neck and shoulders.
• Keeping your mouth closed, breathe in slowly through your mouth for two counts.
• Pucker your lips as if you were going to whistle.
• Exhale slowly by blowing air through your lips for a count of four.

2- Drink water

Drinking enough water helps maintain the lining of the rubber membrane of the lungs, which helps the lungs to perform their functions efficiently.

3- Prevention of infection

A cold or any other type of respiratory infection can sometimes turn into a serious health condition. So you have to do prevention because it is better than cure, by following the following:

• Always hand wash with soap and water.
• Maintaining the health of the mouth and gums by brushing the teeth daily and visiting the dentist periodically.
• Always leave enough distance between you and anyone who has an infection.
• If you also get sick, stay home to get enough rest and get healthy again.

4- Periodic examination

In order to maintain your health, you must do a periodic examination, as this procedure will help you prevent many diseases, especially lung diseases.

5- Doing sports

Whether you are young or old, you should exercise regularly. This is because being physically active will help you keep your lungs healthy. You can at least practice brisk walking daily, as this will help you improve physical and mental health, such as strengthening the muscles of the body, stimulating blood circulation, and promoting lung health.

6- Reducing exposure to polluted air

Air quality can affect lung health, such as continuous exposure to vehicle exhaust, secondhand smoke, or chemicals and other pollution factors that directly affect the level of air quality you breathe. So, as much as possible, try to avoid places with high levels of air pollution. Climate changes and natural disasters can also directly affect lung health.

7- Refrain from smoking

Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cigarette smoke narrows the air passages, making it difficult to breathe properly. So if you are a smoker, you should seize the opportunity and stop smoking in order to preserve your health. Health is priceless.

Ways to clean the lungs naturally

Anti-inflammatory foods

Bronchitis can make breathing difficult, so eating anti-inflammatory foods will reduce symptoms. Examples of these foods are:

Cough control

Coughing is the body’s way of naturally getting rid of toxins that are stuck in mucus. So a controlled cough can loosen excess mucus in the lungs and send it through the airways. And you can Take the following steps to clear the lungs of excess mucus:

• Sit on a chair with your shoulders relaxed and your arms folded over your stomach.
• Leave the feet flat on the floor.
• Inhale slowly through the nose.
• Exhale slowly, while leaning forward, while pushing the arms against the direction of the stomach.
• Cough 2 to 3 times while exhaling, leaving the mouth slightly open while doing so.
• Inhale slowly through the nose.
• Now you can rest, and repeat the exercise when needed.

The best drink to clean the lungs

Green tea

Green tea contains many antioxidants, which help boost immunity and reduce inflammation in the lungs. A Korean study has proven that people who drink green tea daily at a rate of at least two cups had better pulmonary functions than those who did not drink it.

honey and hot water

This powerful drink can help detoxify the body, because honey contains anti-inflammatory properties, which help the body eliminate the infection factors that cause sore throat in the first place.

Cinnamon drink

Cinnamon is an effective way to treat inflammation in the lungs, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger and turmeric drink

One of the best drinks to clean the lungs is also a ginger and turmeric drink. Turmeric helps treat cough and cold symptoms, because it contains antioxidant and inflammatory factors. As for ginger, it can treat symptoms of congestion and nausea.

Thyme tea

Thyme is considered one of the herbs effective in treating respiratory infections, and relieving symptoms such as coughing and nasal congestion.

How to make thyme tea:

• Put a teaspoon of thyme in boiling water.
• Leave for about 10 minutes before being filtered.
• Then a drop of lemon juice is added.

Lung steam cleaning

Steam therapy relies on inhaling water vapor, in order to open and expand the airways so that the lungs can get rid of excess mucus.

As people who suffer from lung diseases, their symptoms may increase when exposed to cold or dry air. This is because this air can dry out the mucous membranes of the airways and restrict blood flow.

Therefore, steam therapy is an effective solution to improve breathing ability and reduce mucus inside the airways and lungs.

Despite the success of the method of cleaning the lungs with steam, it is considered a way to improve symptoms immediately, but without a change in lung health in general after stopping the use of steam cleaning.

Also read: Cleaning the lungs of smokers using natural methods and herbs

When should you visit the doctor?

• Feeling short of breath while doing simple activities.
• Persistent coughing or associated with exercise.
• Feeling pain in the airway when air enters and exits the lungs.
• Dizziness occurs with any activity.

So if you suffer from exposure to multiple pollution factors, or have recently quit smoking, you can follow the tips mentioned as a first step in order to maintain the health of your lungs.