Updated: Nov 30, 2024
10 Herbal Tinctures For Shortness Of Breath
Herbal tinctures can be a great help if you're experiencing shortness of breath.
These natural remedies work by opening up airways and reducing inflammation in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. For example, Echinacea purpurea is an herb that has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help calm down the airways and reduce congestion. Eucalyptus globulus, on the other hand, is known for its decongestant properties, which can help clear out mucus and open up airways, making it easier to breathe. Ginkgo biloba is another herb that can be beneficial, as it can help improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the lungs.
When you drink herbal teas made from these herbs, the active ingredients are absorbed into your bloodstream and start working to relieve your shortness of breath. This can be especially helpful if you have a condition like chronic bronchitis or asthma, where your airways are constantly inflamed and congested. By drinking these teas regularly, you can help reduce your symptoms and make it easier to breathe, which can greatly improve your quality of life. Imagine being able to walk up stairs without getting winded, or being able to engage in physical activities without feeling like you're going to run out of breath.
With the help of herbal tinctures, this can become a reality.
This article explains in detail what are the best herbal teas for shortness of breath and wh.
Also, you may be interested in...
Today Free Bonus!
The Ultimate Herb Drying Checklist
(For Long-Lasting Powerful Medicinal Effect)
How to easily dry herbs that don't mold and that keep their strong medicinal power for more than 1 year.
Table of Contents
1. Echinacea purpurea
Echinacea purpurea tinctures contains several bioactive constituents, including alkylamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysaccharides.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling in the airways, which is a common cause of shortness of breath. The flavonoids present in Echinacea purpurea, such as kaempferol and quercetin, have antioxidant effects that can help protect the lungs from oxidative stress and damage. The polysaccharides in Echinacea purpurea have immunomodulatory properties, which can help regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract.
By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways, Echinacea purpurea tinctures may help alleviate symptoms of shortness of breath.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh or dried Echinacea purpurea flowers and roots.
- Combine 1 cup of Echinacea with 2 cups of 80% vodka or 95% ethanol in a clean glass jar.
- Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking it every day.
- Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar, discarding the solids.
- Store the tincture in a cool, dark place and use 20-30 drops, 2-3 times a day, as needed for shortness of breath.
2. Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus globulus tinctures contains eucalyptol, a bioactive constituent that helps open airways and relieve congestion.
Eucalyptol works by thinning mucus and making it easier to expel, which can help alleviate shortness of breath. Another key constituent, cineole, has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and irritation in the airways, further improving breathing. The expectorant properties of eucalyptus globulus tinctures help bring up mucus and other debris, clearing the airways and making it easier to breathe.
By reducing congestion and inflammation in the airways, eucalyptus globulus tinctures can help alleviate shortness of breath.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh Eucalyptus globulus leaves and 2 cups of 80% vodka.
- Chop the leaves into small pieces and add them to a clean glass jar.
- Pour the vodka over the leaves, making sure they are completely covered.
- Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar daily.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar. Discard the solids and store the tincture in a cool, dark place.
3. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba tinctures contains flavonoids and terpenoids, which are compounds that help improve blood flow and reduce inflammation.
These properties are beneficial for people experiencing shortness of breath due to circulatory issues or lung problems. The flavonoids, specifically quercetin and kaempferol, act as antioxidants that protect blood vessels from damage and improve their function. Terpenoids like ginkgolides also help reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel flexibility, allowing for better oxygen delivery to the body's tissues.
By improving blood flow and reducing inflammation, Ginkgo biloba tinctures may help alleviate shortness of breath symptoms.
- Gather 2 cups of fresh Ginkgo biloba leaves. Clean and dry them.
- Combine 2 cups of leaves with 1 cup of 80-proof vodka in a clean glass jar.
- Steep the mixture in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar daily.
- Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar.
- Store the Ginkgo biloba tincture in a cool, dark place. Use 20-30 drops, 2-3 times a day, as needed.
4. Glycyrrhiza glabra
Glycyrrhiza glabra tinctures contains active constituents like glycyrrhizin and flavonoids.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling in the airways, making it easier to breathe. The flavonoids in Glycyrrhiza glabra tinctures also have antioxidant properties, which can help protect the lungs from damage caused by free radicals. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Glycyrrhiza glabra tinctures may help alleviate conditions like bronchitis and asthma, which can cause shortness of breath.
By reducing inflammation and protecting the lungs, Glycyrrhiza glabra tinctures can help alleviate shortness of breath.
- Gather 2 cups of fresh or dried Glycyrrhiza glabra roots. Clean and dry them.
- Use a coffee grinder or mortar to crush the roots into fine powder.
- Mix 1 cup of the root powder with 2 cups of vodka in a clean glass jar.
- Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks, shaking the jar daily.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar. Discard the solids. Use the liquid tincture as needed to relieve shortness of breath.
5. Zingiber officinale
Zingiber officinale tinctures contains compounds like gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling in the airways.
This reduction in swelling can improve airflow and make breathing easier. The volatile oils in Zingiber officinale tinctures, such as gingerol and shogaol, have expectorant properties that help loosen and clear mucus from the lungs. This clearing of mucus can help alleviate shortness of breath by allowing more air to pass through the airways.
By reducing inflammation and loosening mucus, Zingiber officinale tinctures can help alleviate symptoms of shortness of breath.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh Zingiber officinale (Ginger) root and 2 cups of 80% vodka in a clean glass jar.
- Chop the ginger root into small pieces and fill the jar about 1/4 full.
- Pour the vodka over the ginger, making sure it covers the root completely.
- Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar daily.
- Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve into another clean glass jar, discarding the solids. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place.
6. Astragalus membranaceus
Astragalus membranaceus tinctures contains bioactive constituents like isoflavones, saponins, and polysaccharides.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation in the airways and protect lung tissue from damage. The saponins in Astragalus membranaceus also have a bronchodilating effect, which means they help to widen the airways and improve airflow to the lungs. By reducing inflammation and opening up airways, Astragalus membranaceus tinctures can help alleviate shortness of breath.
The antioxidants in Astragalus membranaceus also help to protect the body from oxidative stress, which can further contribute to shortness of breath.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh or dried Astragalus membranaceus root and 2 cups of 80% vodka or glycerin in a clean glass jar.
- Combine the Astragalus root and vodka or glycerin in the jar, making sure the root is completely covered.
- Steep the mixture in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar every day. This will help the tincture extract the root's properties.
- After 2-3 weeks, strain the tincture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar, discarding the solids.
- Label the jar with the date, ingredients, and a note on the ratio (1:2) and store the tincture in a cool, dark place. Take 20-30 drops, 2-3 times a day, as needed for shortness of breath.
7. Lavandula angustifolia
Lavandula angustifolia tinctures contains the bioactive constituents linalool and linalyl acetate.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce swelling in the airways and ease breathing. The tincture's relaxant properties, attributed to linalool, can calm the nervous system and slow down rapid breathing. The antispasmodic properties of linalyl acetate can also help to relax the muscles in the airways and improve airflow.
By reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation, Lavandula angustifolia tinctures may help alleviate shortness of breath and improve respiratory function.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh Lavandula angustifolia flowers and 2 cups of 80% vodka.
- Combine the flowers and vodka in a clean glass jar. Stir well.
- Seal the jar and store it in a dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar every day.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean jar. Discard the solids.
- Label the jar with the date and contents. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place. Take 20-30 drops, 2-3 times a day, as needed for shortness of breath.
8. Thymus vulgaris
Thymus vulgaris tinctures contains thymol and carvacrol as its main bioactive constituents.
These compounds have expectorant properties, meaning they help loosen and clear mucus from the airways, making it easier to breathe. Thymol also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce swelling in the lungs and airways, allowing for more air to reach the body's tissues. Carvacrol has antioxidant properties, which can help protect the lungs from damage caused by free radicals.
By reducing inflammation and loosening mucus, thymus vulgaris tinctures can help alleviate shortness of breath by opening up airways and allowing for more efficient oxygen intake.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh Thymus vulgaris leaves and flowers. Clean and dry them completely.
- Combine the dried herbs with 2 cups of 80% vodka in a clean glass jar. Make sure the herbs are covered.
- Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking it daily.
- After the steeping period, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar.
- Discard the solids and store the tincture in a cool, dark place. Use 20-30 drops, 3-4 times a day, as needed for shortness of breath.
9. Sambucus nigra
Sambucus nigra tinctures contains flavonoids, particularly quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce congestion in the airways.
The tincture also contains anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that soothe and calm the respiratory system, easing shortness of breath caused by inflammation. The bioactive constituents in Sambucus nigra tinctures, including rutin and kaempferol, help to strengthen the immune system and reduce the production of histamine, a chemical that can exacerbate breathing difficulties. Sambucus nigra's natural expectorant properties aid in loosening and clearing mucus from the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
By reducing inflammation, soothing the respiratory system, and loosening mucus, Sambucus nigra tinctures provide relief from shortness of breath.
- Gather 1 cup of dried Sambucus nigra flowers, a clean glass jar with a lid, and a carrier oil like glycerin or vodka.
- Combine 1 cup of dried Sambucus nigra flowers with 2 cups of carrier oil in the glass jar.
- Steep the mixture in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar every day.
- After 2-3 weeks, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar. Discard the solids.
- Take 20-30 drops of the tincture, 2-3 times a day, mixed with water or another liquid, to help with shortness of breath.
10. Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosmarinus officinalis tinctures contains rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe.
The anti-inflammatory properties of rosmarinic acid also help relax the muscles in the airways, which can become constricted and cause shortness of breath. Additionally, the tincture contains carnosic acid, which has been shown to have bronchodilatory effects, meaning it helps open up the airways and improve airflow. Rosmarinus officinalis tinctures also contains ursolic acid, a compound that has been found to improve lung function by reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the lungs.
By reducing inflammation and improving lung function, Rosmarinus officinalis tinctures can help alleviate symptoms of shortness of breath.
- Gather 1 cup of fresh Rosemary leaves and 2 cups of 80% vodka in a clean glass jar.
- Add the Rosemary leaves to the jar and pour the vodka over them. Make sure the leaves are completely covered.
- Close the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks. Shake the jar every day.
- After the infusion, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another clean glass jar. Discard the solids.
- Store the Rosemary tincture in a dark glass bottle with a dropper lid. Take 20-30 drops, 2-3 times a day, as needed to help with shortness of breath.
FAQ
Can drinking herbal tea prevent shortness of breath from forming?
Drinking herbal tea may help ease shortness of breath.
Certain teas, like peppermint and ginger, can relax the airways and make breathing easier. These teas have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling in the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.
Some people find that drinking these teas helps them breathe better and feel more comfortable.
Is it safe to consume herbal teas for shortness of breath every day?
Some herbal teas can help with shortness of breath, but it's essential to be cautious.
Consuming them daily can interact with medications or worsen underlying conditions. For example, thyme tea might ease breathing, but too much can cause stomach issues.
It's best to use them in moderation and listen to how your body reacts.
How long does it take for herbal teas to show results in shortness of breath?
Herbal teas can help with shortness of breath, but it takes some time to notice results.
It's usually a gradual process. You might start feeling a bit better within a few days to a week.
As you continue drinking the tea, you may notice a noticeable improvement in your breathing over the next couple of weeks.