7 Plants & Herbs That Heal Respiratory Infections & Soothe The Lungs

Collective Evolution – Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, was right when he pronounced, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This has been confirmed by decades of research showing the healing power of food, as well as, inversely, its potential to cause some serious health problems. So many diseases, as well as the exponential rise in chronic disease in recent decades, can be linked to our eating habits today.

We live in a world full of pesticides, antibiotic-laced meats, and processed foods that are manufactured to be addicting. On top of this, the birth and rise of chemical-based medicine has completely wiped out natural remedies that seem to be more effective. Chemical-based medicine, according to many, is also responsible for the massive rise in various diseases.

As Glenn A. Warner, MD, former head of the immunotherapy department of the Tumor Institute under Orliss Wildermuth, MD, writes: “We have a multi-billion dollar industry that is killing people, right and left, just for financial gain. Their idea of doing research is to see whether two doses of this poison is better than three doses of that poison.”

This is precisely why Dr. Richard Horton, the current editor-in-chief of The Lancet – considered to be one of the most well respected peer-reviewed medical journals in the world — recently  published a statement declaring that a lot of published research is in fact unreliable at best, if not completely false:

The case against science is straightforward: much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue. Afflicted by studies with small sample sizes, tiny effects, invalid exploratory analyses, and flagrant conflicts of interest, together with an obsession for pursuing fashionable trends of dubious importance, science has taken a turn towards darkness. (source)

Dr. Marcia Angell, a physician and longtime Editor in Chief of The New England Medical Journal (NEMJ), which is considered to another one of the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals in the world, makes her view of the subject quite plain:

It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of the New England Journal of Medicine. (source)

It is highly unlikely that a doctor would prescribe you a daily dose of celery rather than pills to lower your blood pressure, despite the fact that some foods, like celery, have been shown scientifically and experimentally to have amazing results…

That being said, below is a list of 10 plants and herbs that can heal respiratory infections, boost lung health, and repair pulmonary damage. They can be done by vaporizing different herbs, making it into tea, or through other forms of ingesting it.
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Elizabeth Renter ~ 3 Natural Antibiotics Already In Your Kitchen

NaturalSociety  May 23 2014

OreganoOilWhen you get sick, what do you do? If you’re like millions of Americans, you call the doctor at the first sign of a sniffle. You may run out to the aptly named drug store to get a quick-fix. But as a student of natural health, you are likely more interested in the potential healers you can find in your own kitchen, health food store, or garden. Fortunately, there are many, and several of them can actually work as natural antibiotics.

The benefits these items have over those approved by the conventional medical industry is that they can deliver the goods without a laundry list of side effects. Here are 3 natural antibiotics that may already be in your kitchen.

1. Oregano Oil

Also called oil of oregano, this oil can do everything from aid in weight loss to help digestion. But one of its most notable benefits is found in the ability to fight infection. Carvacrol, a phenol present in the oil, works to kill bacteria and illness causing infections. Continue reading

7 Foods And Herbs To Fight The Common Cold

NaturalSociety  November 26 2013

While some people only experience the sniffles during the cold season of sickness, most individuals will undoubtedly battle a nasty cold or even the flu. And while we’re conditioned to praise vaccines and pharmacy solutions to survive, you really don’t have to load up on over-the-counter medications to feel better. There are plenty of foods and herbs that can reduce the severity of your symptoms and even help you get over the cold more quickly.

Here are 7 immune-boosting foods to help you overcome and prevent sickness: Continue reading

Essential Oils Oregano, Rosemary, Effective In Ringworm Treatment

NaturalSociety  July 25 2013

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, most commonly treated with over-the-counter creams. But this infection is notoriously resistant to treatment and often comes back again and again. Of course there are numerous home remedies for ringworm, with a recent study indicating that essential oils may be as effective (if not more effective) than conventional treatments for ringworm, giving us another natural remedy to add to our “medicine” cabinet.

According to scientists with the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Pisa in Italy, a combination of 5% oregano essential oil, 5% rosemary essential oil, and 2% wild thyme essential oil mixed into a base of sweet almond oil was effective at treating severe ringworm infections in cats and sheep.

As GreenMedInfo reports, this fungal infection is common in animals as it is in humans. Because it is contagious and difficult to get rid of, some veterinarians don’t even want infected pets in their clinic. In humans, the telltale signs of ringworm are red, itchy patches of skin that are often shaped in a circle, hence the name. Despite the name, however, ringworm is not a worm or parasite at all. In fact, it’s a similar fungus that causes jock itch and athlete’s foot; all three are known as “tinea”.

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4 Foods To Naturally Prevent Colds, Cough, And Respiratory Infections

Natural Society March 15 2013

Common cold
Kiwi Fruit

Coughs, colds, and illnesses in general are more common in cold winter months, as we stay out of the sun, producing little to no vitamin D, and stay indoors exchanging germs with everyone. Though spring is around the corner, boosting your immune system to fight potential respiratory infections is never a bad idea. You don’t have to wait to treat a cold or cough when you are in the thick of it – you can use natural means to prevent sickness before it shows up.

The foundation of preventing respiratory infections is found in a healthy, strong immune system. If your immune system is functioning properly, you will be able to fight off illnesses with little to no conscious effort on your part. Although there are many factors to consider for strengthening your immune system, such as minimizing stress and avoiding toxins, a healthy immune system starts with the diet.

Eating whole, natural foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other important plant compounds will nurture a healthy body. Steering clear of highly processed foods including over processed carbs and sugar will create a healing environment within your body, one where illness cannot thrive.

You can also add these 4 natural healers and immune boosters to your repertoire:

Kiwi

Kiwi is a natural immune booster containing numerous immune-boosting vitamins and minerals – namely vitamin C. Research has repeatedly shown vitamin C to encourage healthy immune function. One study involving military personnel who lived in close quarters found those who take vitamin C had a significantly lessened risk of contracting the common cold (45-91%) and of contracting pneumonia (80-100%).

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