f. Lungs ----- Persons who have eaten a Standard American Diet for many years, especially with alot of dairy foods, tend to have lungs tissue that has excess fat and lungs that have excess mucus in them. The fat and mucus coupled with physical and/or emotional stress in the chest or upper back can lead to asthmatic attacks. In addition, the lungs can often bare the brunt of the toxic chemical attack on the system as the chemicals are, for some people, constantly being breathed in. It is important to cleanse and heal the lungs as well as to remove toxic chemicals from the air. I will include two lung clenasing techniques in this section. These cleanses are very advanced and 1) should only be done under the guidance of an experienced holistic health practitioner, and 2) need not be done before the other cleanses, even for asthmatics. i. Herbs for the Lungs ------------------- 1. Lotus Root Tea -------------- This tea helps dissolve and eliminate mucus and lung congestion over time. Fresh Lotus Root (preferable) ---------------- a. Grate a 2-inch piece of fresh lotus root and squeeze out juice through a cheesecloth. Add 2-3 drops of ginger juice squeezed from freshly grated ginger root and a tiny pinch of sea salt. Add an equal amount of spring water and boil for a few minutes. Lotus Root Powder ----------------- b. Add one teaspoon of powder to a small cup of water. Add a tiny pinch of sea salt and 2-3 drops of ginger juice. Heat on low flame and turn off flame when boiling begins. 2. Breeze Free ----------- This is a formula for curing congestion and upper respiratory problems. It contains Platycodon Root, Ephedra, Elecampane, Wild Cherry Bark, Mullein, Licorice Root, Ginger Root, Cinnamon Twigs, and Wild Ginger. You can purchase this formula (made by Planetary Herbal Formulas) from your local natural food store or call Planetary Herbal Formulas 800-606-6226 for the nearest distributor. ii. Lotus Root Plaster ------------------ Lotus root plasters are excellant for dissolving mucus deposits in the bronchi and sinuses. Supplies needed: 1. Everything that is needed for Ginger Compress (see above). 2. White flour. 3. Fresh lotus root (check chinese grocery store or natural food store). 4. Cotton cloth. 5. A sheet or other cloth to keep plaster in place. Steps: 1. Perform a ginger compress for 10-15 minutes on lungs region. 2. Grate fresh lotus root. 3. Mix lotus root with 5% grated ginger and 10-15% white flour. 4. Spread paste on cloth about 1/2 inch thick. 5. Apply cloth so that plaster directly touches the skin. 6. Tie in place with sheet or large cloth. 7. Keep plaster on for several hours. You can sleep with it on if you tie it in place. 8. Procedure should be repeated for 7-21 days. Thick mucus will start to be discharged. Many years ago, when I did this on my sinuses, I had to stay home from work because so much thick mucus was pouring from my eyes and nose. A more complete description of the Lotus Root Plaster can be found in the following book: Macrobiotic Home Remedies by Michio Kushi Japan Publications, c1985 ISBN 0-87040-554-3 iii. John Christopher Emesis Cleanse ------------------------------- This cleanse is performed during the height of a mild asthmatic attack or mucus condition in the lungs. This cleanse is contraindicated for children, elderly, debilitated, very weak patients, pregnant women, obesity, and patients with stomach ulcers, lung trauma, and heart disease. It involves drinking a couple of quarts of peppermint tea followed by 1 teaspoon of lobelia tincture and another teaspoon of the tincture ten minutes later. If emesis has not occured, the back of the tongue should be rubbed until it does occur. The full description of this type of cleanse can be found in the "Asthma" section (pg. 3) and the "Lobelia" section (pg. 358-, 365) of the following book: School of Natural Healing by John R. Christopher Biworld, Provo, Utah, c1976 Obviously, persons who tend towards bulemia and other food addictions should avoid this cleanse. iv. Ayurvedic Lung Cleanse ---------------------- Another way to eliminate mucus and congestion is through Ayurvedic Emesis Therapy (called "Vaman"). This cleanse is contraindicated for children, elderly, debilitated, very weak patients, pregnant women, obesity, and patients with stomach ulcers, lung trauma, and heart disease. The cleanse involves drinking oil (e.g., olive oil) and eating oily foods for three days before the enesis. Daily application of heat to the chest and upper back are performed (e.g., castor oil compress -- see above for instructions). On the day of the emesis procedure, a mixture of calamus root tea is carefully measured and prepared (by the practitioner). After drinking the tea, emesis is then encouraged by rubbing the back of the tongue. A short two-day juice, broth, herbal tea fast is then performed. Lots of rest is indicated. A more detailed description can be found in either of the following two books: Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad Lotus Press, c1984 ISBN 0-914955-00-4 Natural Healing Through Ayurveda by Professor Dr. Subhash Ranade Passage Press, Salt Lake City, Utah, c1993 ISBN 1-878423-13-4 Obviously, persons who tend towards bulemia and other food addictions should avoid this cleanse. Rebuilding & Strengthening -------------------------- 1. Well-ventilated bedroom 2. Taking walks along the ocean or in the mountains can be extremely beneficial over time. If that is not possible, any walking outside (away from pollution) or even deep breathing by an open window can be helpful. 3. Lung-strengthening herbal formula such as Breeze Free. 4. Healthy, natural foods diet that strengthens the digestion and avoids overly cold foods and too much flour and fruit. 5. Yoga, pranayama, and emotional healing techniques (especially Holotropic Breathwork) can be very helpful over time.