After The Smoke Clears

The smoke has cleared from wild fires, what now? Does this mean that our health concerns have gone away? Some might feel the immediate relief of brain fog, headaches, and blocked sinuses, but our bodies are still on the road to detoxing from this environmental disaster. Sometimes, symptoms won’t show up for months. We still need to be proactive in our health, and here are a few tips on how.

Recover:

LIVER SUPPORT

The liver is in charge of processing everything we put into our bodies. From foods, medications, and substances, to hormones, environmental toxins, and old dead blood cells. The list goes on. Our liver is one of the most active organs in our bodies. Our livers were hit hard by the smoke toxins in the air. It is time to love up on our livers with herbs.

Dandelion root

Milk thistle

Turmeric

Burdock Root (Gobo)

** These herbs can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule

RESPIRATORY SUPPPORT

When the smoke is active in the air, we want to protect the mucosa membranes and lungs. When the smoke has settled, we can start looking at expectorants and antimicrobials. Both of these actions of herb tend to be drying so we want to be careful when there is dry smoke circulating in the air. This is one reason we wait. We breathe in smoke and particulate during wild fires, so when that smoke has dissipated, we want to support the body’s coughing mechanism to rid that build up and keep potential infection away.

Elecampane

Thyme

Horseradish

Yerba Santa

** These herbs can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule

LYMPHATIC SUPPORT

With most of us trying to stay inside as much as possible with the air quality, our lymphatic system also took a hit. Our lymph system is the body's immune system and helps defend against bacteria, toxins and other intruders. Because the lymph does not have its own pump, we have to intentionally help move our lymph with exercise, bike riding, massage, dry brushing, hot/cold plunges, or herbs. This is a productive way for our lymph to detox and move out unwanted build up. Along with exercise, here a few herbs that can be allies in this time.

Cleavers

Burdock Root (Gobo)

Calendula

** These herbs can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule

RECIPES

A CUP O’ LIVER COFFEE

Ingredients:

1½ teaspoons cardamom seeds

½ teaspoons of cinnamon chips

⅔ cup roasted chicory chips

¼ cup dandelion root

2 tablespoons milk thistle, crusted into bits

Directions:

1. Store in a air sealed container

2. Use 1 tablespoon for every 8 ounces of hot water

3. Steep for 10 minutes

4. Add nut milk and sweetener to taste

LYMPHATIC SYRUP

Ingredients:

½ cup of cleavers

½ cup of violet

½ cup of calendula

½ cup of burdock

4 cups of water

1 cup honey

1 cup brandy (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine water and herbs into a pot and bring to a boil

2. Reduce heat and simmer herbs for 30-45 minutes or until the water has evaporated half way

3. Strain out herbs

4. Add honey to the warm mixture, and mix until diluted

5. Add alcohol (optional)

6. Pour into a sterile jar, and keep in the fridge
   
   

*This article is for informational purposes only. This is not written to treat or diagnose illness.