Natural Remedies for Emphysema

Natural remedies for emphysema can prove helpful in controlling the disease and its symptoms.

Emphysema is a degenerative lung disease which generally develops after many years of exposure to cigarette smoke or other air pollutants.

The predominant symptom is shortness of breath and a feeling of not being able to get enough air during any kind of physical exertion or exercise.

Emphysema causes damage to the small air sacs in the lungs, causing the lung tissue to become hard and rigid. This results in difficulty exhaling, thus causing stale air to become trapped in the lungs. This prevents the necessary exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, thus resulting in the shortness of breath.

Natural Remedies for Emphysema come in various forms, so we have divided them by categories for you.

Natural Remedies for Emphysema

Essential Nutrients

• Chlorophyll. Take 3 times daily as directed on label. Aids in clear breathing.
• Dimethylglycine (DMG). Take 250mg 3 times daily. Increases endurance and provides oxygen to cells. Use a sublingual form.
• Essential fatty acids. Take as directed on label. Take with meals. Essential for rebuilding and producing new cells.
• Zinc. Take 80mg daily. Do not exceed 100mg daily from all supplements you might be taking. Works as an antioxidant with specific protective effects on lung proteins.
  

Very Important Nutrients

• Coenzyme Q10. Take 60mg daily. A powerful antioxidant which enhances oxygen in the lungs.
• Free-form amino acid complex. Take as directed on label. Important in repair of lung tissue.
• Garlic. Take 2 capsules 3 times daily with meals. Enhances immunity against pneumonia.
• L-Cysteine and L-glutathione and L-methionine. Take 500mg each twice a day. Take on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, not with milk. Better absorption will occur when taken with 50mg Vit B6 and 100mg Vit c. Aids in repairing damaged lung tissue.
• Pycnogenol. Take 30mg 3 times daily. A powerful antioxidant that helps protect the lungs.
• Grape seed extract. Take as directed on label. Also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the lungs.
• Vitamin A. Take 25,000 IU daily. Do not exceed 10,000 IU daily if you are pregnant. Beneficial in repair of lung tissue and for the immune system.
• Vitamin E. Take 200 IU daily. An oxygen carrier and a powerful antioxidant. A deficiency can lead to destruction of the cell membranes.
  

Herbs

• Astragalus. A Chinese herb which speeds healing in the bronchial tubes and aids in better breathing.
• ClearLungs from Ridgecrest Herbals is an herbal combination which helps bring relief from shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and wheezing. (We have found this one to be especially effective).
• Cordyceps. May slow the progress of lung degeneration.
• Thyme. Very helpful for respiratory disorders of all kinds.
• Other beneficial herbs for fighting emphysema include alfalfa, fenugreek, fresh horseradish, mullein tea and rosemary.
  

Additional Recommendations and Information

Avoid any and all contact with tobacco! Tobacco smoke is the single most dangerous thing for anyone suffering from emphysema to deal with.

Eat a diet consisting of 50% raw foods. The other 50% should consist of soups, skinless poultry, fish, brown rice, millet, and whole grain cereals.

Eat onions and garlic daily.

Do not eat a typical heavy breakfast. Instead sip hot, clear liquids such as herbal teas. This will help clear mucus from the airways in the morning. Also, drink at least 8 glasses of good quality water daily.

Avoid fried and greasy foods, salt, and any foods which cause excess mucus to be formed. These include meat, eggs, all dairy products, processed foods and white flour products.

Get regular exercise! Daily exercise, especially walking, can be extremely helpful. It increases endurance, improves circulation, and tends to reduce the level of breathlessness.

Humidify your home, especially if you are experiencing a lot of congestion.

Rest and avoid stress.

Get plenty of fresh air.

Do deep breathing exercises daily, which can greatly improve lung function.

Avoid contact with animals either in your home or car, as their fur and dander can greatly irritate the lungs.

Older adults run the risk of a deficiency of magnesium, which adds to the difficulty in breathing. Taking 500 to 1,000mg daily of a magnesium supplement can greatly simplify breathing.

While there is no known cure for this disease, following the natural remedies for emphysema which we have listed here should slow the progression of the disease, ease the discomfort and make breathing a little easier.

This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition, nor is it intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.

Sources

Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Garden City, NY.: Avery Publishing Group, 2006

Ritchason, Jack, ND. "The Little Herb Encyclopedia". Pleasant Grove, UT.: Woodland Health Books, 1995

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