TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on – Nov 6, 2019, 17: 04 IST
01/ 8Stay safe!
Delhi and its adjoining areas have been witnessing an alarming rate of air pollution over the past few days. A thick blanket of haze and smog has engulfed the capital city after the festival of light. The pollution level in the city has reached a three-year high and there seems no way to get relief from this problem. Most people are experiencing irritation in eyes, sore throat and a sensation of choking. Not only this but breathing this air is also harmful to your lungs. It has a similar effect as smoking a pack of cigarettes in a day. It can turn your healthy lungs black due to the deposition of tar in the lungs. Moreover, long term exposure to air pollution can even lead to other chronic lungs disease. It is almost impossible to avoid exposure to the harmful air, especially when you have to do go outdoor every day. But you can take some small steps to cleanse your lungs.
02/ 8Is it possible to cleanse the lungs?
It may sound a little weird to you, but yes you can cleanse your lungs. Our lungs are one of the most important organs of our body. But on a daily basis, we hardly do anything to protect it from harmful gases and smoke. Although, lungs are self-cleansing, if your lungs are continuously exposed to pollutants, they may get congested, inflamed and can make you feel heavy. Our lungs are not only contaminated by tiny dust particles, but pollen, chemicals, and secondhand smoke can also enter the lungs and get trapped inside it. But there are some natural ways to detox your lungs.
03/ 8Steam therapy
Steam therapy is one of the best ways to cleanse your lungs. Inhaling water vapor opens the air passage and helps the lungs to drain mucus. As the problem of air pollution increases during winter due to the slow movement of the wind. The smoke and fog become stagnate near the ground forming smog and increasing pollution levels. It is good to take steam therapy every day for cleaning your congested air passage. Inhaling water vapor can help breathe easily within a short period of time.
04/ 8Controlled coughing
Dry coughing is common during this environmental condition. By coughing, our body expels trapped dust and mucus from the body. So, do not suppress your cough and try to practice controlled coughing.
05/ 8Green tea
Green tea has numerous health benefits and it is even beneficial to cleanse your lungs. Green tea is packed with antioxidants that may help to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Other compounds present in green tea may even help to protect the delicate tissue of lungs from the harmful effect of smoke inhalation. As per a study carried out on more than 1, 000 adults in South Korea, people who drank at least 2 cups of green tea every day had better lung function as compared to those who drank none.
Some anti-inflammatory food items can also clear your air passage and help you overcome breathing difficulty. Include Turmeric, Cruciferous vegetables, cherries, olives, walnut and beans in your diet for some relief. Also, avoid processed food for a while.
07/ 8Honey
Honey has antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to clear lung congestion. This liquid-gold natural sweetener has been used since ancient times to soothe lung irritation and treat various respiratory conditions, including asthma, tuberculosis, and throat infections. Having a spoonful of raw honey every day can be quite beneficial for your lungs.
08/ 8The bottom line
You cannot control the pollution level outside, but you can try to keep indoor air clean. To do so, there are a few things you can do:
– Stay away from smoke and chimneys
– Invest in a good air purifier
– Make sure your home is clean. Remove dust from the carpet, shelves, books and other objects.
– Plant some good air-purifying indoor plants like peace lily, bamboo plants, spider plants, and aloe vera.
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