Air pollution: 5 easy ways to cleanse your lungs, as per an ayurvedic expert

With the onset of the winter season and festivities, the national capital and its adjoining cities are dealing with rising level of air pollution amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollution and novel coronavirus both can damage your lungs, which makes it necessary to include proper measures to keep our lungs healthy.

Regular detoxification and cleansing of lungs can help get rid of environmental toxins, irritants and other harmful organisms. It also helps improve the lung function, reduces swelling, inflammation and strengthens the lung capacity.

Regular cleansing also helps clear the mucus from the airways and improve the circulation of the lungs. It can also help treat chronic bronchitis, asthma, throat infection and prevent bad breath.

We spoke to Dr Vishakha Mahindroo, MD, Ph D(Sch), Senior Ayurveda Consultant and Panchakarma Expert to know some easy ways to cleanse and detox your lungs.

One of the most widely used home remedies to cure cough and cold, ginger tea is known for its anti-inflammatory property. Ginger helps remove toxins from the respiratory tract. It also has vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, zinc and beta-carotene. Some studies have even found that ginger extract can kill lung cancer cells. Thus, one of the best ways to strengthen your lungs and immunity is by having ginger tea every day. You can add ginger in your masala chai, simple water or simply have ginger juice with honey.

Having cinnamon tea also helps a great deal in cleansing your lungs. Cinnamon has been used since ages to treat respiratory issues. The use of cinnamon dates back to the time when Romans used it to treat digestive and respiratory tract issues. Add a small piece of cinnamon to one glass of water and boil it until the water becomes half its quantity. Have it lukewarm. You can also add cinnamon to your regular tea.

Steam therapy is one of the best and easiest ways to cleanse your lungs. Inhaling water vapour opens up the air passage and helps the lungs to drain mucus. As winter comes, it's good to take steam every day for cleaning your congested air passages. Inhaling water vapour can help improve breathing in a short period of time.

Gargling with turmeric water right before you sleep is another easy way to detox your lungs. Add a pinch of turmeric to hot water and gargle with it. Turmeric is loaded with an active compound called curcumin, which helps in dissolving the mucus. It also helps relieve chest congestion and has healing properties that kill the bacteria and treat cold and cough.

Practising pranayama helps clear the mucus in the air passages, relieves congestion, reduces bloating and improves lung function. Putting one drop of sesame oil in each nostril after practising pranayama can double the benefits of the exercise.