by The Seed SistAs
We are breath, in and out all day and all night in our sleep! Oxygen is the body’s currency, and without it, everything grinds to a halt. We take about 20,000 breaths a day, delivering vital oxygen to our cells while keeping toxins out, thanks to an elaborate filtration system that includes the nose and airways. Breathing happens spontaneously, but also can be directed to soothe and calm the nervous system.
In this article, we will look at what can arise in the lungs, lung ‘dis’ease. We will identify how to choose herbs for lungs, depending on what is needed. For example, a classic lung herb, thyme is heating and drying so would not be appropriate where there is a need to soften and moisten lung tissue. It can become overwhelming to choose herbs when so many are classed as lung herbs so we’ll look at some of the most well-known lung herbs.
The respiratory system quietly keeps us alive, active, and sharp. Think of it as the body’s oxygen delivery service, working 24/7 to bring in the oxygen we need while getting rid of the carbon dioxide we don’t. Every breath we take, from a deep inhale to a yawn, fuels every cell in our body. The lungs, the centrepiece of this system, can expand to the size of a tennis court if laid flat – a powerful image that highlights just how vast and critical this network is. But it’s not just about breathing; it’s about making sure the brain, heart, and muscles have the energy to function.
The word ‘spirit’ is from Latin spiritus ‘breath, spirit’, from spirare ‘breathe’. The breath connects us with spirit, and can install a sense of peace, of altered states. Shallow or laboured breathing can arise as an emotional response. The breath connects our internal landscape with the external environment through the inhalation and exhalation of around 15 breaths a minute. The breath is so important for encouraging relaxation and to connect us to our own sense of spirit.
Emotional effects on the Lungs
Interestingly, many wisdom traditions, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), believe that emotions and physical health are intricately linked, with grief and sadness said to reside in the lung area. In TCM, the lungs are viewed as the seat of grief, with the belief that unresolved sadness can weaken lung function and disrupt breathing. This idea isn’t just poetic – there’s science behind it too. Studies show that people dealing with prolonged grief or depression are more likely to develop respiratory issues, from breathlessness to asthma. The connection between the lungs and emotion is also highlighted in practices, such as yoga and meditation, where deep, controlled breathing is used to release pent-up feelings and promote mental clarity.
In Ayurvedic traditions, breath is considered the vital life force, or “prana,” making it central not only to physical health but also to emotional well-being. So when we say something like “a sigh of relief,” we’re tapping into an ancient understanding: our breath reflects our emotional state. When grief is processed and released, the lungs can metaphorically (and literally) expand, allowing for deeper, healthier breaths. These traditions remind us that respiratory health isn’t just about clean air and exercise – it’s also about addressing the emotional burdens that weigh on us, often in ways we can feel but can’t see. In this light, caring for our lungs means not just managing pollutants or getting regular exercise, but also creating space to process our emotional experiences.
Respiratory Conditions
With the two lungs, the pleura, the lobes and segments the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and tissue, and the interaction with the heart, there is a delicate balance that can be knocked out along the way. Tissue can scar or harden reducing gaseous exchange, inflammation can occur preventing air flow, fluid in the lungs reduces the area of the tissue available for gas exchange, the heart can put pressure on lung function.
As herbalists, we consider what the root causes of an illness might be, what emotional or physical causes could have influenced the onset of a condition. In the lungs we would consider if there were some sort of loss of separation that may have influenced at the onset of disease. Then we look at how the condition is presenting, is there heat, is there damp, what other body systems could be influencing the presentation.
There is some crossover with lung conditions infections can lead to pleurisy, or damage causing COPD. Working out if there is an infection, a reactivity (like with asthma), or damage caused by exposure to chemicals etc, will be paramount in lung treatment with herbs.
Herbs can be reached on to provide a release in the lungs, to support the lung tissue, inflammation, infection, spasm. And also to support the process of grief that can prevent further issues down the line.
Infection – cold or virus
A lung infection happens when a virus, bacteria, or fungus gets into your lungs and causes inflammation. Lung infections can range from mild to severe and often occur when you are particularly worn out, stressed and therefore more vulnerable.
Herbal Actions: anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, mucous membrane restorative, mucilaginous, immune modulation
Herbs: Elderberry, thyme, hyssop, liquorice, marshmallow root, lavender
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is more likely to be caused by a virus than by bacteria. Bronchitis is a condition that develops when the airways in the lungs, the bronchial tubes, become inflamed and cause coughing, often with mucus production. Bronchitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute bronchitis, which is very common, usually results from an infection.
Herbal Actions: anti-virals, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, mucous membrane restorative, mucilaginous
Herbs: lemon balm, elderberry, plantain, marshmallow root, elderflower
Asthma
Asthma is often triggered after a loss in some way where the system becomes hyper reactive. Asthma is part of what is known as the hypersensitivity triad. The body reacts to particles that are otherwise unharmful, and produces immune complexes that trigger an inflammatory response in the lungs. Asthma can be very scary, especially for young children. The airways narrow and swell and in response there is often an excess of mucous production. The chances of developing asthma are increased if a parent has asthma, or if there is exposure to certain chemical irritants or industrial dusts in the workplace.
Allopathic treatment often resorts to long term use of steroids. Herbal treatment looks to reduce any reactivity and work out the source of the reaction. Often food sensitivities can be responsible and managing diet will help to reduce symptoms. Anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory herbs can help to reduce this reactivity, as well as lymphatic herbs to support reducing and clearing inflammation from the area. Mucous membrane restorative herbs will help to heal damaged tissue from the inflammation. Mucilagenous herbs will soothe the inflamed surfaces of the mucous membranes.
Excess mucous production is a natural response to the inflammation in the tissues and can cause long term wheezing. Mucolytic herbs help to break down and redistribute mucous, improving surface area for breathing.
Nervine relaxants can support calming and soothing the nervous system. Asthma can be heightened during times of stress but asthma in itself will also increase stress as it can be so impactful on day to day life.
Herbal Actions: anti-histamine, nervine relaxants, mucous membrane restorative, mycolytic, spasmolytics
Herbs: Chamomile, valerian, elecampane, plantain, liquorice
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. It is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. In people with COPD, the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm. COPD often affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it, the breathing can slowly decline, wheezing on exertion, hard to catch the breath.
Treatment can help keep the condition under control especially with herbs that can support regenerating mucous membrane tissue and the breakdown of phlegm.
Herbal Actions: mucous membrane restorative, vulnerary, mucolytic, nervine relaxant
Herbs: plantain, mullein, elderflower, ground ivy, peppermint
Other respiratory conditions include pleurisy, pneumonia, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis or fibrosis of the lungs from previous damage.
5 Herbs for Lung Conditions
From soothing and healing tissue, to aiding in coughing out sputum, improving immunity reducing reactivity herbs can support a plethora of different needs for the lungs. Some of our favourite herbs for lungs are:
1. 
Liquorice – high in saponins and mucilage, liquorice is expectorant and soothing. Liquorice helps to maintain internal levels of corticosteroids, meaning that the adrenals have to work less to maintain anti-inflammatory levels in the body. Not to be reached for where high blood pressure is present.
2. Thyme – a heating and drying herb, thyme is a powerful antimicrobial and expectorant herb. Not one for a hot dry cough unless combined with a soothing herb, like liquorice or marshmallow root.
3. Elecampane – one of the big hitters of the lung herb world, elecampane is a multi-faceted anti-microbial and has even shown promise against MRSA antibiotic resistant strains of infection.
4. Elderberry – particularly helpful where the immune system has been challenged with a more hefty cough, cold or flu. One we tend to create into syrup and drink with hot water and lashings of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
5. Plantain – protective for the barrier of the mucous membranes generally as well as restorative and healing for inflamed tissue.
Managing Respiratory Conditions
When treating the respiratory system, we need to look at if there is a reactivity involved. In the case of asthma, this reactivity can often stem from the gut and particles getting through that are seen as damaging to the system. Removing substances that are being reacted too, can give the system a break and allow healing to start to occur.
Generally, where someone is prone to lung issues, coughs and colds that reside in the chest, some work around loss and grief could be helpful through talking therapy.
Supporting lung health can happen with breathing exercises to ensure the diaphragm is fully engaged in breathing, the immune system is supported through a varied healthy diet, and regular cardio exercise through the week will help with breathing capacity.
These blog articles are herbal education resources, produced by the Seed Sistas. Gain insights and join us in the evolution of healthcare, please do leave a comment or question. Wellbeing empowerment for all…
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Our article on will cover the topics above more in-depth, and you’ll find out more about:
- Immunity
- Basic Anatomy and Function of the Respiratory System
- Classification of Respiratory Herbs (Expectorants, Demulcents)
- Lung Tonics
- Lung Herbs
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