Inhaling herbs for respiratory problems

[Michelle KochStudent]

Okay, I have asthma, but my inhalers are empty, as I almost never have asthma symptoms in July and August. I have new ones coming from the mail order pharmacy, and they will arrive by the middle of next week. Anyway, I have some herbs to help me in the meanwhile: Grindelia, Mullein, Yarrow, and pine needles. They do a pretty good job, but I was wondering if there is a better way to inhale these herbs besides standing at the stove over a steaming pot of tea? I thought of making a bong….

[IdahoHerbalist]

I would not suggest a bong. Those are considered drug paraphernalia in many locations.

Better to burn it like incense. Tinctures work REALLY fast too. My wife has developed a really sensitive set of lungs. Cheap scents shut her lungs down. One time it got really bad and I gave her some primrose flower tincture. Cleared her up very quickly.

You might look into hyssop for your condition too. A friend uses it for her child that has asthma and hyssop steam clears it up in less than 30 seconds.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the legal implications of having a bong. Don’t need to go to jail for preventing an asthma attack, lol! :face palm 2:

Hyssop, you say? Would this be Hyssop officinalis, or agastache? I have the officinalis. I like it for foot baths.

[IdahoHerbalist]

officinalis is ALWAYS the way to go.

What does it do for a foot bath?

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

It has antifungal properties, so if you wear black socks a lot, or even think you might be getting athletes foot, soak in Hyssop.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I know lots of people smoke mullein for the lung affects. No bong necessary you can just roll yer own. It has no entertaining or addictive properties at all so there’s no need to worry about legal, ethical or religious questions.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Yes, I’ve heard about smoking Mullen, especially to aid in healing while trying to kick a cigarette habit. I was actually thinking about carving myself a nice little wood pipe. Incidentally, my inhaled corticosteroid medication arrived. The pharmacy sent me a three month supply and charged over $200 to our bank account! Hubby just about had a heart attack when he saw it. :scared: I told him ill just stick to herbs from now on. Although it’s good to have the prescription stuff as backup, especially when traveling.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Doc Jones wrote: I know lots of people smoke mullein for the lung affects. No bong necessary you can just roll yer own. It has no entertaining or addictive properties at all so there’s no need to worry about legal, ethical or religious questions.

Doc

Doc! That was the ticket, right there! I went to the convenience store and bought a package of rolling papers. I put my herbal respiratory helper blend into a bowl and asked the hubby to roll me a… erm… “little puffer.” Less than a teaspoon fits in one wrapper, and I only take a few little puffs at a time, every few hours. (as soon as I start coughing, I’ve had all I need) It works every bit as effectively as my rescue inhaler, just as quickly, and just as long, and with a very small dose of herbal medicine, compared to drinking it in an infusion or even a tincture. I am SUPER stoked right now! I will just reserve my prescription rescue inhaler for when I’m away from home. :yahoo:

[IdahoHerbalist]

If I was going to go the smoking route I would use a tobacco pipe. You could wind up wasting a lot of herb taking a couple of puffs and then putting it out. With the pipe you could put in a known, measured dose and then just ignite that.

I still don’t think putting anything other than AIR into our lungs is the best thing for them.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

One of these days I will carve myself a nice little wooden medicine pipe. Meanwhile, I have plenty enough herb to get me through until next summer. 🙂

As for air being the only sensible thing to inhale, I quite agree. Unfortunately, my choices at the moment are herbs (created by the Ultimate Physician) or steroids, manufactured in a laboratory by humans.

[IdahoHerbalist]

What about tinctures? They enter the bloodstream REALLY fast, especially if you do not dilute them with anything before taking them? My wife had a chemical (cheap perfume) reaction a couple of years ago. Evening Primrose tincture directly under the tongue and withing a VERY short time the episode was gone.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Yeah. Tinctures are bueno.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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