Lung Detox: 7 Effective Ways to Cleanse Your Lungs

The healthy lung month, October is almost coming to an end. This month has been a great reminder to take good care of our lungs. Lungs are one of the primary organs in our body. This is because they are an important part of our respiratory system. So, it is due to our lungs that we can breathe effortlessly. Most people do not even think about taking care of it. Unless they are facing some breathing problems. These problems can lead to pulmonary health issues. It means any challenges relating to our lungs. Hence, lung diseases can be deeply concerning. However, you can avoid such diseases by taking the utmost care and practice lung detox. In the lung detox process, there are natural ways to cleanse your lungs. It can help you stay healthy, safe, and fit in the long run. Read along to know more about lung detox and 7 effective ways to cleanse your lungs naturally. This blog also includes how to cleanse your lungs after quitting smoking.

About Lungs and Its Function

Lungs are the pinkish spongy organ in our bodies. It is a major part of the human respiratory (breathing) system. It is a pair located in the upper part of our body. A pair of lungs is further divided into the right lung and the left lung. They vary in size. There are three lobes in the right lung. On the other hand, the left lung is made up of only two lobes. This is because it needs to make enough space for your heart.

Breathing is the most obvious and essential function of the lungs. It is the reason we are alive. Each cell in your body needs oxygen. So, when you breathe in, you inhale oxygen. And when you breathe out, you exhale carbon dioxide. This process is called respiration. In medical terms, breathing is called pulmonary ventilation.

So, along with the other parts of the respiration system that you see in the above diagram, the lungs help in providing oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood is passed on to your heart. Later, the heart pumps it to your whole body. As a result, it ventilates our bodies.

What is Lung Detox?

In our daily life, we are often exposing ourselves to air pollution. Mostly, it happens unknowingly. It could be in the form of cigarette smoke, harmful chemicals, or even other toxins. While breathing, these get inside our lungs. Gradually, it leads to lung problems and even serious diseases like lung cancer.  Such issues can damage your lungs. Hence, it is important to take cautious care of our lungs. This can be done by lung detox. 

 

Lung detox is the process of purifying and cleansing your lungs. It helps in protecting your lungs from harmful air pollutants around you. Lung detox helps in keeping your lungs healthy and improves your immune system. Hence, it makes your lungs clean and healthier. You might get products to help you do so. However, the safest and best option is to choose natural ways to detox your lungs. 

7 Effective Ways to Cleanse Your Lungs

Sometimes, our lungs are good at easily cleaning themselves. Although, this is only possible if you are living a really healthy life. In any case, detoxing your lungs with natural remedies can be beneficial for you. Especially, if you want healthy lungs and strong immunity. Here are seven simple and effective ways to cleanse your lungs naturally for healthy lungs:- 

• Quit Smoking

There are so many times you read messages that inform you – Smoking is injurious to health. It is true and for a very valid reason. The first and most essential way to cleanse your lungs is by quitting smoking. Undoubtedly, it can reduce and heal any possible lung damage. Even if you are smoking for 5 days or 15 years, the first step is quitting for good. The sooner, the better. In such a case, your spongy pink lungs may have turned black. This is because of tar deposition due to smoking. The deposition is likely to be more if you have been smoking for a long time.

The good news is you can still keep your lungs healthier if you quit. It is one of the most effective practices to cleanse your lungs from tar. Not just tar but it also aids to cleanse your lungs from nicotine. Daily, 20-minute warm water bath can also be refreshing. Apart from that, you must follow the rest of the ways to cleanse your lungs after quitting smoking.  

• Get Rid of Artificial Scents

Monitoring the quality of the air you breathe is certainly important. If you have been inhaling unclean air, it means you need to really focus on detoxing your lungs. Working in industries or living near factories, exposes the chances of exposure to harmful air pollutants. This could be dust or even chemicals. Even daily activities like driving a car can impact the local quality of air.

Without your knowledge, you tend to inhale it in no time. It can potentially be detrimental to the health of your lungs. A lot of us also choose to buy air fresheners and nice smelling candles for our homes. These contain artificial scents. They are made of harmful chemicals that may cause lung problems in the future. Thus, it is always recommended to avoid sprays with artificial scents.

• Drain Mucus From The Lungs

Mucus is a substance that is in a fluid form. It is produced by the linings of our body tissues. This is done on a daily basis. However, we don’t notice it. The problem starts when it increases. Mucus production begins to rise when we have respiratory infections. It includes cold or any seasonal flu. So, it is needed to drain out mucus from the lungs from time to time.

This can be done by postural drainage. It essentially means that a person has to lie down in various positions. Here, mucus is removed with the help of gravity. This is an effective way to cleanse your lungs. Not only for non – smokers but this can even help to cleanse your lungs after stopping smoking. It also enhances your breathing process.  It depends on the comfortable positions that you choose. Below are the two techniques you can try to drain out mucus:-

 

• On your back – Here, you can lie on your bed.  Confirm that your chest is lower than your hips. An easy tip you can use to do this is by keeping your pillows under your hips. Steadily, breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. As a result, your exhale can be twice as long as your inhaling. This process is 1:2 breathing. It can benefit you to cleanse your lungs if you practice it regularly.

 

• On your side – Keep your pillow under the hip as you lie on one side. You can rest your head on another pillow. Try the 1:2 breathing process once you get comfortable. After doing it for a few minutes you can do it again on the other side. This can be a simple and effective way to cleanse your lungs.   

• Healthy Drinks

Choosing healthy drinks is one of the best ways to cleanse your lungs.  Even if you want to detox your lungs after quitting smoking, you are going in the right direction. Choosing to drink healthy will not only help you to detox your lungs from smoking but also give you other health benefits. Some of these healthy drinks include clean and safe drinking water, green tea, carrot juice, and drinks that are high in potassium. 

 

These can include berries, bananas, dates, apricots, oranges, or tomato drinks. They can immensely help in cleaning your lungs. Additionally, they can also help in preventing kidney stones and osteoporosis (a condition that causes weak bones). Cranberry and pineapple juices can also do good. They are great antioxidants that can help fight bacterias in your lungs.  On the other hand, green tea can remove toxins. This can help in purifying your lungs. 

• Do A Diet Change

The quality of your diet also is a significant factor to consider for your lung health. Along with nutrients and vitamins, ensure you choose foods that are rich in antioxidants. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts are also beneficial. Such vegetables have chlorophyll in them. These can help in getting rid of toxins naturally as they are good detoxifiers.

Apart from this, adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet can give you a healthy respiratory system.  These include walnuts, turmeric, cherries, lentils, and beans. Any inflammation formed in your airways can be subsided if you choose a healthy diet.

• Spend Time With Nature

(Alt Tag: Lung Detox: Spend time with nature)

Breathing in fresh natural surroundings can expand your body tissues in the lungs. Therefore, getting garden-fresh air is also fundamental for good lungs. However, it is advisable to always monitor the weather forecasts before you spend time out in nature. Moreover, keep yourself away from any type of smoke like the one that starts with burning trash. 

• Exercise

Exercises help in improving your overall lung functions. In addition to this, it also helps you stay fit and healthy. Some of the benefits of exercising include good weight management, less risk of heart diseases, manages your blood sugar, strengthens your muscles, and enhances your mood.

Particularly, aerobic exercises and yoga can help in lung detox.  Aerobic exercises enhance lung capacity as well.  If you practice regularly, it aids in using oxygen more efficiently. If you want to try out yoga, focus on breathing exercises.  Make dedicated time for a minimum of 30 minutes for breathing exercises. Diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most effective ones. Here’s how you can practice it:

• Keep your shoulders relaxed and sit comfortably.
• Hold your belly with one hand and chest with another.
• Breathe in through your nose and hold it for 3 seconds.
• Feel the air around you and the movement in your abdomen. 
• Here, your stomach will then move out more than your chest.
• Breathe out for 3 seconds.
• Relax, and repeat. This can help in cleansing your lungs naturally from the inside.
  

Conclusion

Lungs are the most essential organs in our bodies that help us in breathing. Taking the utmost care of it is our responsibility. So, ensure you avoid indulging in smoking. Rather choose to detox your lungs to get rid of harmful pollutants. Additionally, eating a healthy diet and exercising can help improve your lung health. Furthermore, these effective ways to cleanse your lungs will also take care of your overall health. In your daily life, avoid using chemicals and strong perfumes. These can affect the quality of the air you breathe in. If you get any symptoms like cough, breathlessness, or pain while breathing, you must seek medical attention. Immediate professional help can get you relieved from your symptoms. It can also help in finding a timely solution for any health problem that can occur in the future. A specialized diagnostics facility at Regency Medical Centre can provide you with the right diagnosis and the best possible patient care.

Doctors, nurses, and support staff at Regency Medical Center are working 24 hours to ensure our patients’ emergency needs are taken care of.  We are there to help the people of Dar es Salaam with medical emergencies.  Contact us here for any COVID-19 related issues or you can call the emergency staff on +255 765 835 950.