​Unfortunately, the fire season is upon many of us in the Western United States, and you may be experiencing poor air quality where you live, play, and work. Smoke and ash, along with warm, dry, and windy weather, can wreak havoc on our eyes, sinuses and lungs. Fortunately, we have readily available herbs and healthy practices that support the body and mind during this difficult time. 

Herbal Teas, Infusions, and Extracts
I think one of the best herbs for dry and smoky conditions is Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus). Mullein leaf loves the lungs and has demulcent/mucilaginous qualities that help moisten and soothe irritated tissue. It is also a gentle expectorant that can help move mucus up and out of the lungs. Drink it as a tea but make sure that you strain it well (coffee filter or cotton cloth works well), as the leaves contain little hairs that can be very irritating. You can mix it with other moistening herbs like Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) or Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus fulva) to make a cooling, soothing tea to help ease irritated tissues in the throat and bronchials. Make this tea as a cold infusion (see instructions below) to get all of that slippery, gooey goodness from these plants.  Also, make sure to use Slippery Elm bark that is grown and harvested in a sustainable manner, as it is one of our more endangered plants.
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Here are some other helpful and supportive herbs that can be taken as teas or extracts/tinctures. All of the herbs discussed in this article are safe for most individuals, but it is always good to check them for possible allergies and contraindications with medications you take. Notice that they are not just respiratory herbs – they also support other body systems that can be adversely affected when our bodies and minds are stressed from wildfire conditions.

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)– a relaxing expectorant that can help loosen mucus and move it up and out- but relaxes the bronchials too (helps reduce coughs and spasms).
• Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) – acts as a bronchodilator and opens airways, possibly helping with asthmatic reactions. This is a very drying plant though, so make sure that it is used in smaller amounts and mixed with the moistening herbs to provide some balance.
• Tulsi/Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum or tenuiflorum)–a relaxing expectorant, but also relaxes the nervous system and is an adaptogen (helps the body adapt to physical, environmental, and mental stress).
• Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) – one of our premier primary adaptogens that has an affinity for the lungs. It can be used to not only help the body adapt to stresses, but it can also improve oxygen uptake. Like Yerba Santa, it can be drying so use with more moistening herbs.
• Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) or Burdock root (Arctium lappa) – both of these herbs are alterative, meaning that support clearing of waste and toxins from our bodies. These herbs help clear the lymph and blood using the liver and urinary system to eliminate toxins, of which inhaled smoke is one.
• Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) – as a relaxing nervine, it supports healthy functioning of the nervous system without making you sleepy.

Herbal Steams
Herbal steams can also be helpful, as they are a great way to moisten and clean dry eyes, sinus passages and lungs.

For the eyes, warm steam by itself is perfect. For the lungs and sinuses, you can add soothing, antimicrobial essential oils or put fresh plant material into boiling water and inhale the infused steam. Essential oils or plants that can be used are Lavender, Eucalyptus (my favorite), Thyme, and Rosemary. Be cautious with hot steam though – keep your face far enough away from the hot water/steam so as not to burn it.
  
Other Protective Measures
Other protective measures, used in conjunction with herbs, can help keep you and your family comfortable.

• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when conditions are intense. Identify any places where you might have air leaks (under doors, windows, etc) and do your best to eliminate them (towel against the front door threshold, etc).
• Wear a mask. N95 masks are the standard for these smoky conditions, but they may not be available due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although not as good as a N95 mask, use your pandemic mask (cloth, medical, etc) whenever you are experiencing poor air quality. Something is better than nothing. Comsumerlab.com has some good information on the types of masks that are good for the pandemic and are helpful for wildfire conditions too:  https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/how-to-make-covid-19-mask-at-home-as-effective-as-n95/make-a-mask/  You can also add a filter to your mask – I have been using these fragrance free, dry baby wipes and they work fairly well: https://athome.medline.com/en/medline-ultrasoft-disposable-dry-cleansing-cloths-50ct-ultrasft1013z
• Set air conditioning systems to recirculate inside air when possible – not all systems do this - to avoid outside air from coming into your residence or place of work. If your car comes equipmed with an air recirculation feature, use it when driving. Change furnace/air conditioning filters.
• Use air purifiers/filtration systems in your home. Remember to change the filters when they are dirty.
• Minimize physical exertion, especially outdoors.
• Use saline solutions – nasal spray to moisten and clean nasal passages, and eye drops to soothe and clean irritated eyes.

My thoughts and prayers are with those that have been greatly affected by the wildfires, and we are thankful for all of the safety personnel who are battling and managing these situations to keep us safe.

Disclaimers
It is the policy of The Herb Society of America not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.

Any and all information available in this article is for educational purposes only.  I am not a doctor and this information should not be considered medical advice. It is not meant to diagnose or treat disease, and it does not replace the relationship that you have with your physicians or their treatment protocols and advice. Always research the use of herbs and supplements prior to taking them for possible allergies or contraindications with medications you take.

​This is a very challenging time and for many of us, a scary time too. While not a fatal illness for the vast majority who contract it, the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak has created worry, fear, panic, and confusion. These things in themselves can affect the very thing that needs to be extra healthy during this time – the immune system. They stress and tax our bodies and minds, which in turn affects our ability to launch the proper immune response to fight this pathogen should we contract it.  And if we do contract the virus, the body is further stressed as it tries to fight it.

Herbs that Support the Body and Mind
Herbal support can be most helpful in maintaining or improving immune function and reducing illness symptoms should you get sick.  BUT–they should not be used in lieu of proper medication prescribed by your physician. If your symptoms are serious, or you are considered part of our at-risk population (elderly or have significant health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, or immune disorders), you should seek medical attention when symptoms appear.

Here are some key herbs/plants to consider.

• Immunostimulants like Elderberry, Echinacea, and Astragalus –  these stimulate immune function and prepare it to fight. They are also antiviral, although may not be effective by themselves against this particular virus. Elderberry syrup is easy to make and very tasty. Echinacea tincture should tingle on your tongue when you ingest it – that tells you that it is fresh. Astragalus can be added to broths and soups or ingested as a decoction (simmered in water for 20-30 minutes) or tincture.
• Nervines such as Scullcap, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, and Passionflower– these nervines support the nervous system and help relax and reduce anxiety. All can be ingested as a tea, tincture, or capsule. Passionflower can be more sedative than the others and should be not be taken when you need to be alert.
• Adaptogens like Ashwagandha or Rhodiola – these herbs help the body adapt to stresses.  Some adaptogens are also immunomodulating, in that they can help the immune system find balance.  They have many other helpful actions in the body, such as being anti-inflammatory. Rhodiola is also a specific for protecting the lungs, and can also help with oxygen utilization - important with this particular virus.
• Nutritives like Oatstraw, Nettle, and Red Clover – the body especially needs nutrients now, as stress can deplete our reserves. These herbs are very nutritive, containing many vitamins and minerals essential to the body and mind. Make infusions (steeped for minimum 4 hours) of these and sip throughout the day. Many of our dark leafy greens should also be consumed. 
• Prebiotics such Burdock root and Dandelion root– much of our immune system lives in the gut, so it is important to keep our intestinal flora healthy too. Prebiotics are the food for probiotics – and these herbs contain Inulin, a prebiotic which feeds the good bacteria in your colon. Burdock can be added to soups and eaten as food, or drunk as a decoction (simmered in water for about 20-30 minutes). Dandelion root is bitter and can be ingested as a dried herb, tea, tincture, or capsule. Ingesting probiotic rich foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and kim chi are helpful all of time!
• Moisturizing herbs like Marshmallow root, Licorice root, and Mullein leaf – these plants are cooling and moistening, and work great for a dry mouth/throat or a dry cough. Marshmallow should be made as a cold infusion (herb steeped in cold water for minimum 4 hours) and Licorice root is tasty as tea (note: should not be taken by those with high blood pressure). Mullein works best as a tea or tincture and is a specific for the respiratory system. Make sure you strain the Mullein tea through a coffee filter or piece of cotton fabric, as the plant contains tiny hairs that can be irritating to the throat and esophagus.
• Eucalyptus essential oil in a steam – as an anti-microbial, Eucalyptus has been found to be helpful with other Coronaviruses. Using the essential oil with steam inhalation can be soothing and possibly helpful for those with a cough or bronchial or sinus congestion.

According to Stephen Buhner, renowned herbalist and author of Herbal Antivirals - Natural Remedies for Emerging and Resistant Viral Infections, there are herbs that can be used to support the bodily functions that are affected by the virus but needed for optimal health.  Herbs such as Chinese Scullcap, Japanese Knotweed, Red Sage, and Licorice can be used to offset the effects that the virus has on some key systems. Many of his recommended herbs are not tonic in nature - I consider them the "heavier hitters" - and I would recommend working with an experienced clinical herbalist if you would like to use these herbs for this purpose. His paper on the topic can be found here:  https://www.stephenharrodbuhner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/coronavirus.txt.pdf.

Practice Proper Hygiene and Distancing
As the CDC and other health experts tell us, proper hygiene and using social distancing and self-isolation practices will go a long way in helping contain or eliminate the spread of the virus.

• Wash your hands with soap and water often and use a scrubbing action while doing so. Soap and water appears to be the more effective sanitizing method, as the soap and scrubbing action help break the fatty envelope that surrounds the virus, rendering it incapable of attaching to cells and replicating. And don’t forget to moisturize your hands too – with all of the washing and use of hand sanitizers, our skin will get very dried out.
• If you suspect that you are ill (coughing, sneezing, fever), wear a mask when near others and cough or sneeze into a tissue, handkerchief, or the crook of the arm.
• Clean often-used surfaces regularly with soap and water.
• Self-isolate/quarantine as much as possible to protect yourself and others. I spent a lovely day and night with my husband just hanging out at home, and we are planning to continue this practice this over the next few weeks. With the run on food and supplies in the stores (shelves are SO EMPTY), everyone should have what they need to stay in.
• As the weather allows, open windows and doors to let fresh air into your home or workspace. Fresh air is helpful is so many ways!
• Order take-out or delivery instead of going to restaurants. It will be important to support our local businesses through this situation, and many restaurants are offering take-out, curbside delivery, and home delivery. Skip eating in your favorite restaurant and eat their food at home instead.
• If you must be out and about (going to work, going to the store, etc) please, please, please follow these tips to help keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community healthy.

Stay calm and be well!

Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
We are not doctors and this information should not be considered medical advice. It is not meant to diagnose or treat disease, and it does not replace the relationship that you have with your physicians or their treatment protocols and advice.