The Respiratory System

Lots of things need oxygen to work.  We all know that without oxygen, a fire will go out.  If the air intake to a car is stopped up, the car cannot burn fuel, and thus will not run.  Similarly, our bodies need oxygen to create energy--and with energy is life.  Without oxygen, cells begin to die within minutes.  The entire process of bringing in air (containing life-giving oxygen) and expelling the waste gases--such as carbon dioxide--through the nose or mouth is the job of the respiratory system.

Common Concerns of the Respiratory System
Runny nose, sneezing, allergies, post-nasal drip, coughs, colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, asthma.  Other conditions such as earaches, sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, and tonsillitis are sometimes associated with the respiratory system.  Signs of chronic respiratory weakness include wheezing, shortness of breath, and emphysema.

Functions of the Respiratory System
The respiratory system's primary function is to provide oxygen to the bloodstream.  Once in the blood, the oxygen travels through the circulatory system to all the cells of the body.  The respiratory system also attempts to prevent certain particulates, toxins, and irritants from entering the body by the action of sneezing or coughing.

How Does it Work?
Air (containing about 78% Nitrogen--which is simply expelled back out of the body without use--and 22% Oxygen) enters the body through the mouth or nose.  It then travels down the trachea ("windpipe"), which splits off into two primary bronchi--which are simply tubes leading to each lung.  The bronchi branch into bronchial tubes, which again branch into many bronchioles, each of which lead to its own tiny air sac called an aveoli.  The lungs basically consist of over 300 million aveoli sacs.  Each aveoli is surrounded by blood capillaries which exchange carbon dioxide with oxygen.  Helpful mucous lubricates these tissues and keeps them from cracking or drying.

It is in the bronchioles that many--if not most--respiratory problems occur.  As the bronchioles approach the lungs, they get smaller.  The lining of these respiratory passages can get inflamed, and the muscles surrounding the passages can go into spasms.  This condition is known as asthma.  This very common condition is often misdiagnosed; often a person is thought to have an infection, when the problem is actually a chronic inflammation due to pollution and/or an immune system overcome by toxins in the intestine. Fact:  In Mexico City--the city with the world's worst pollution--around 50% of the children develop asthma. The constriction of the airways, which we commonly know as asthma, may be caused by pollution/respiratory allergies, but it also can be caused by anxiety or stress.  Since the mechanisms causing the constriction is different, they must be addressed two different ways. In the case of respiratory allergies/hay fever, Nature's Sunshine HistaBlock is an excellent combination of herbs for addressing this condition.  It contains synephrine (which is a dilates, or expands, the bronchials), quercedin (a good antioxidant for allergies), and stinging nettle, bromelain (anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling), and stinging nettle (contains a histamine to stabilize the mast cells).  Another good product to take is ALJ, which is the key product for the respiratory system, and can be used for a variety of respiratory problems.  In the case of allergy-induced constriction, it is a good anti-inflammatory and anti-allergen.   If the constriction is caused by nervous anxiety or stress, then it must be addressed differently.  When the body is under stress, the muscles surrounding the bronchioles are supposed to open to allow more air in--which thus allows the cells in the body to convert/use energy at a faster rate.  The neurotransmitter epinephrine, which is produced by the adrenal glands, is responsible for controlling the muscle tissue surrounding the bronchioles.  Sometimes, if a person has stressed/weakened adrenal glands, they cannot produce enough epinephrine to open the bronchioles.  Also, physical stress in the lungs results in the lung muscles getting exhausted--and thus too weak to open/close the lungs properly.  This stress is sometimes brought on by a chronic cough--a spasm condition going on in the lung muscles.   Lobelia is also a good herb for constricted air passages.  Not only does it dilate the bronchioles or air passages, but it also inhibits the neurotransmitter that causes lungs to constrict, reduces spasms, and relaxes lung tissue.  A suggested use is to take a teaspoon every 5 minutes until the attack subsides.

The bronchioles, bronchi, and trachea are lined with millions of tiny hair-like structures called cilia--about 200 per cell!  Unless poisoned by toxins such as smoke, the cilia move in a wave-like motion in a single direction to help carry pollutants, foreign particles, and toxic mucous out of the lungs, throat, and nasal cavities.

The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest cavity (containing the lungs) from the abdominal cavity.  Acting as a pump, it pushes/pulls your lungs to exhale/inhale air.  It is interesting to note that using this muscle to breathe is the intended (and most efficient) way to inhale/exhale air.  Most people use their chest muscles to contract/expand the lungs.  This is an inefficient method of breathing which should be corrected.

A couple of other important parts of the respiratory system are the sinuses and larynx.  The larynx is sometimes called the "voicebox".  It is located at the top of the trachea close to the mouth.  It is an important part of speech.  Sometimes, it gets irritated or inflamed due to to pus dripping from congested sinuses.  The sinuses are located near the nose, under the eyes.  Their function is to warm and moisten the air--which allows for more efficient transfer of the gases (oxygen/carbon dioxide) in the lungs.  The sinus cavities are filled with moisture and very specialized tissue--which filter the air, humidify it, and warm it before it goes into the air piping system to the lungs.

During the winter and other cool seasons, the respiratory system sometimes experiences a "wet" condition in which there is excess mucus present.  Usually, the mucus membranes are trying to flush out irritants and clear the lungs.  We have all experienced this in the early stages of colds with thin, watery sinus drainage or coughing up excess phlegm from the lungs. Fenugreek & Thyme is an herbal formula containing two time-honored herbs that are good for sinus drainage and breaking up congestion (decongestant), or mucus which is trapped.  Fenugreek is a soothing herb that stimulates production.  Thyme has antiseptic properties that break up mucus in the sinuses and lungs.  This combination makes an excellent expectorant. There are a couple of different conditions that involve excess mucus--one is the cold/congestion (cold) condition, and the other is the infection (hot) condition.  If the mucus is still watery, white, or clear, this is indicative of the cold condition.  For the lungs, ALJ and High-Potency Garlic are helpful.  In fact, this is a nice combination for conditions such as pneumonia as well.  Many people take deodorized garlic because they do not want their breath to be offensive.  However, the deodorization of the garlic usually removes the substance that is active in anti-microbial activity.  The reason that garlic is smelled on the breath is because that is how it is eliminated--through the lungs.  The ALJ works in both the lungs and the sinuses, and is good for both acute and chronic conditions.  It has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the respiratory tract, and has excellent expectorant action. The sinuses are also a source of chronic congestion and inflammation.  The product Sinus Support EF contains ephedrine, which stops excess mucus excretion.  Other herbs in it nourish the liver, dry up excessive drainage, and eliminate excess phlegm--especially if caused by allergens. When the mucus turns from white or clear to a yellow, brown, or green tint, it is indicative of an infection.  It is interesting to note, that in ancient Chinese medicine, they referred to the mucus as being "cooked" (hot).  In the early stages of infection, ALJ is a product to consider.  However, Echinacea/Golden Seal is a product that is good for fighting the infection.  Echinacea is known to cut recovery time of a cold or infection remarkably, and Golden Seal is an anti-inflammatory and infection fighter. Sometimes, the body is not able to produce the mucus that it needs, or coughs are unproductive and do not eliminate the mucus that is trapped.  This is a condition of deficient mucus, or a "dry" condition.  There is usually particulates trapped in the mucus, but it is so thick or congealed that the cilia cannot move it--creating an urge to cough.  Again, the product ALJ has some nice properties that would be of help. If the coughing is dry, irritated, and unproductive, the herb Mullein is a good product for hydrating lung tissue.  For extended use, one can take about 6 capsules per day over 6 months to hydrate and restore healthy lung tissue.  It has excellent expectorant capability, and is thus good for chronic congestion.  It has good astringent and mucilant properties as well--in fact, scientific studies suggest that the mucilage in mullein protects tissue form allergen-induced infection.  Marshmallow is also a good option--it soothes inflammation and promotes healthy mucus excretion.

Tobacco use is a common enemy of the respiratory system.  Although discipline and a passionate desire to stop smoking are the keys to cessation, the product Tobacco Detox can be used to relieve symptoms associated with withdrawal.  The product Lobelia can be used as well to reduce the desire for tobacco.  In any case, the danger and health problems caused by toxins from tobacco are well-documented.

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