Deep Breathing for Lung Cleansing
Oxygen is, by far, the most vital component humans need to live. We can go weeks without food, days without water, but only a few minutes without air. To get the most out of oxygen, it's imperative our lungs are functioning properly. Every cell in the human body requires oxygen and, although it seems like an autonomous function, deep breathing exercises can be done to help clear out toxins that may have built up in the lungs which can help improve lung performance and clear airways. Deep breathing gets more nourishing oxygen into your body. Blood that is rich in oxygen will help you feel better, and give you more energy. Deep breathing also reaches the deepest depths of your lungs, and helps to expel and break up residue.
Shallow Breathing vs. Deep Breathing
Although the average human lung capacity is about 6 liters of air, we typically inhale much, much less. In fact, it's amazing how little of our lung capacity is routinely used. This can be described as shallow breathing, or chest breathing. Shallow breathing is a self descriptive term, and may be caused by poor posture, stiff muscles, or simply inactivity. The majority of the breathing we do is shallow breathing. After all, it's just not feasible to be heavily huffing and puffing all day. However, when shallow breathing is the only type of breathing you do, you're utilizing a small fraction of your lung capacity and doing your lungs a disservice. Shallow breathing lets stagnant air and pollutants accumulate in the depths of the lungs and may lead to fatigue, respiratory sluggishness, and diminished tissue function.
Deep Breathing Exercises for Lung Cleansing
Find a relaxing and quiet place to sit down. Close your eyes, and begin by breathing in deeply through your nose from your belly up. Count to five, inhaling the entire time. Even when you think you can't inhale any more, try to squeeze a little more air in. Allow your lungs and stomach to fully inflate. This enables oxygen to reach the deepest depths of your lungs to inflate all the alveoli and break up any toxins and pollutants that may have accumulated. Hold your breath for several seconds and then exhale over the course of another five count. When you think you can't exhale any more, keep blowing from the deepest depths of your lungs and stomach! You should feel your chest and abdomen flatten inward. Repeat this breathing exercise 9 times. Performing this exercise on a daily basis will not only help cleanse your lungs, but it also helps relieve stress. It won't take long before you notice positive improvements!
Health Benefits of Deep Breathing Exercises
Although the lungs are not muscles, they can be exercised. Failing to exercise the lungs can impact the respiratory system. Related muscles, and even the rib cage, can become stiff and lead to reduced elasticity in the lungs, which furthers shallow breathing. Air can remain in the tissues of the lungs and become stale, hindering fresh oxygen from finding its way into the bloodstream.
Those who exercise, especially athletes, often have larger than average lung capacities as a result of taking deeper breaths more often. Why? Because deep, rhythmic breathing expands the diaphragm muscle and the air pockets within the lungs. This allows for more oxygenation of the cells within the body which improves health, helps all the body's systems perform better, and even can provide you with more energy. Deep breathing actually helps to stretch out the torso, you needn't look any further than at the Olympic swimmers who typically have very large torsos to see this in action. Humans need oxygen for complete cell development. It's impossible to be healthy if you're not getting enough oxygen.
Lung Cleansing Improves Lung Performance
Taking deeper breaths that utilize the full capacity of your lungs helps cleanse the lungs and provides your body's cells with more nourishing oxygen. Poor breathing allows toxins to accumulate, robs energy and negatively affects mental alertness. Daily breathing exercises are a vital way to keep the body clean, and provide your inner systems with the necessary oxygen to operate at optimum capacity. Proper lung function is especially important when working out because your body uses the oxygen as a source of energy. Less than adequate lung function when working out can cause a significant reduction in the amount of intensity and time your body can exercise. Adding deep breathing exercises to your daily routine to cleanse your lungs will balance and help your body. Remember, small changes add up to big improvements!
Lung Cleansing Herbs
Plants like oregano, orange peel, elecampane, eucalyptus, peppermint, lungwort, osha root, chaparral, and lobelia have been used for hundreds of years, if not longer, as natural remedies for respiratory conditions. Individual herbal tinctures and extracts are available, or, rather than purchasing and taking each separately, Global Healing's Lung Health is a natural lung cleansing supplement that contains organic and wildcrafted herbs known to support respiratory ailments, help with normal lung functions, and cleanse your lungs of harmful agents.
How to Cleanse Your Lungs Naturally
Length: 2 minutes
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
