Breathing Gets Harder as Pollution Soars; Ayurvedic Expert Shares Remedies to Protect Your Lungs

Air pollution is harmful to both your short-term and long-term health, and repeated exposure to chemicals, dust, and smoke is weakening your body’s defences against diseases and deadly conditions. As the

smog accumulates in your respiratory system, causing symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, suffocation, and a sense of weight in the chest, there is nothing you can do, as there seems to be no end to pollution levels in the near future. However, according to an Ayurvedic expert, there are a few steps to help you calm and soothe the dangerous effects of aggravated imbalance, which clogs your nasal passage, sinus channels, and lungs. Since Ayurveda is an ancient healing method, it uses natural herbs and ingredients to address imbalances and strengthen your immune system. Ayurvedic expert Lakshman Srivastava has listed a few easy-to-do home remedies you can try to have easy breathing even during high pollution days.

How to breathe easily in pollution?

“It is believed in Ayurveda that an early morning walk, barefoot on the grass, can be very therapeutic and balance the three doshas. But unfortunately, even that is something we won’t be able to do,” he told Times Now. However, a few things you can do, according to Srivastava, include:

Drink warm water

“Warm water has a therapeutic benefit according to Ayurveda. It helps remove unnecessary toxin buildup in our digestive and respiratory tracts. So, always start your day with warm water and drink it throughout the day,” Srivastava suggested. “Even before sleeping, have lukewarm water, and it will really help flush out toxins,” he added. Warm water aids your body's natural detoxification process as it helps improve blood circulation, promotes sweating, and supports organ function. It also helps move waste through the digestive system more smoothly and supports the kidneys' role in filtering waste through urine. Warm water also has a calming effect on your nervous system, helping to relax muscles and reduce tension, which supports your body's overall function.

Essential oils on your mask

Srivastava suggested that whenever you wear an N95 mask while going out in pollution, make sure to add a few drops of essential oils like Kapur or eucalyptus – both of which are instrumental in helping you breathe seamlessly. “It helps clear our nasal passage and esophagus and flushes out the toxins,” he added.

Use Anu tel

In Ayurveda, Anu Taila, also known as Anu tel, is a traditional medicated herbal oil primarily used as nasal drops, which helps moisturise your nasal passage and let you breathe without a hitch. It is extensively used in a therapeutic procedure called Nasya. “It especially improves our respiratory immunity,” added Srivastava.

Other Ayurvedic ways to improve immunity

• Start using Tulsi, turmeric, garlic, honey, ghee, lemon, and pomegranate in your diet – as they help strengthen your body and fight the toxic effects of air pollution.
• Include neem in your diet as it detoxifies the body.
• Practice Anuoma-Viloma, Kapalbhaati, Bhastrika pranayama, and other yoga asanas like Pavanmukta Asana, Naukasana, and Trikonasana indoors for healthier lungs.