Struggling with Delhi’s Toxic AQI? 5 Home Hacks to Breathe Easier

The air in Delhi currently is super toxic, deadly, and can even be fatal if you don’t act now. According to experts, high air pollution levels in the national capital region are so high that exposure to gases,

smoke, particulate matter, and even dust pollution can have significant negative impacts on your overall health and spike the risk of premature death. Living in a polluted city like Delhi leads to short-term symptoms like eye irritation and coughing, as well as long-term, severe health problems, including respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, cardiovascular issues like heart attacks and strokes, and an increased risk of cancer. Pollution weakens your immune system and damages organs like the lungs, heart, and brain through chronic inflammation. And so, there are a few home hacks that you can follow regularly to help keep your body, mind, and overall health safe.

Hacks to breathe better at home

Do regular steam inhalation

Doctors recommend regular steam inhalation to help you breathe better, especially during mornings and evenings when the pollution levels are extremely high. Steam inhalation provides some amount of relief from symptoms like congestion and throat irritation. According to experts, it is a helpful complementary measure, though it does not eliminate pollutants or cure underlying chronic conditions. The warm and moist steam can loosen mucus and phlegm in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs – thereby making it easy for your body's natural cleaning mechanisms to expel them. To take steam, boil some water in a vessel and add a few drops of fragrant oil to it. Inhale the steam for five to seven minutes twice a day.

Saltwater gargles

Saltwater gargle is among the cheapest and surest ways to alleviate symptoms of throat irritation caused by air pollution. While the activity may not be able to eliminate the pollutants or prevent the long-term effects of pollution exposure, it does provide a lot of relief from throat irritation. Air pollution contains fine particulate matter and chemical irritants that settle on the mucous membranes of the throat, causing dryness, inflammation, and a scratchy sensation. Regularly doing gargles – at least twice a day – reduces inflammation through the osmotic effect of salt, which draws excess fluid out of the inflamed throat tissues and maintains moisture balance.

Tulsi and honey mix

Tulsi or basil and honey are among the two best natural ingredients that take care of your immunity levels. Widely used in Ayurvedic practices as a home remedy, the mix can help manage the respiratory symptoms and boost your body's defences against the effects of air pollution. Also known as the “Queen of Herbs”, tulsi is an adaptogenic herb that helps your body adapt to stress and has high antioxidant properties. It naturally flushes out toxins, reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract, and strengthens immunity, making it easier to fight off pollutants and infections. It has also been shown to help protect organs and tissues from chemical stress caused by industrial pollutants and heavy metals. Honey, on the other hand, is a natural decongestant with antimicrobial properties. It provides relief from dryness and coughing caused by pollution.

Jaggery and ghee mix

One of the most successful tried-and-tested formulas to strengthen your immunity, jaggery supports your lung health and helps your body eliminate toxins. It acts as a mild detoxifying agent for the respiratory system and provides nutrients that strengthen the immune response. Ghee, on the other hand, reduces irritation in the throat and eases coughing by loosening mucus. Ghee has anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect lung tissues and reduce inflammation caused by pollutants.

Indoor plants

So, apart from many combinations that you may try, even a few plants can come in handy when it comes to naturally providing you with fresh air. Purifying plants can mitigate some effects of indoor pollution by absorbing certain toxins, trapping particulate matter, and releasing oxygen. Plants like the Spider plant, Peace Lily, Areca Palm, English Ivy, and Snake Plant remove pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. They are also instrumental in releasing oxygen through photosynthesis as they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, which helps improve air quality.