RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis,emphysema, lung cancer,pulmonary disease, pneumonia,pleurisy, pulmonary oedema,tuberculosis and whooping cough.

They can be caused by genetics,bacteria, fungi or virus infections, allergies, smoking, air pollution, toxins, an unhealthy lifestyle and poor diet.

Having a combination of chronicbronchitis and emphysema is also referred to as having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).

Certain medications, such as diuretics and cholesterol lowering drugs, taken by

patients with respiratory disorders can cause dangerous deficiencies of nutrients. See the Drugs page to find out which ones.

ASTHMA

 When an asthma sufferer comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways (bronchial tubes) tighten so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell.

 Sometimes, sticky mucus or phlegm builds up, which can further narrow the airways, making it difficult to breathe and leading to symptoms of asthma. In addition to low vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and/or vitamin B1 (thiamine), low tin is a common nutritional cause of low adrenaline, which can lead to left-sided cardiac insufficiency. While fatigue or depression may be experienced with cardiac insufficiency of either side, breathing difficulties or asthma are more common with left-sided cardiac insufficiency and swelling of hands and feet is more common with right-sided cardiac insufficiency, regardless of the cause.

 Raw Juice Therapy can successfully treat asthma. The best organic natural foods to juice are: apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, carrot, radish and celery.

 To find our more about asthma including symptoms, natural foods and tips to prevent, treat and cure asthma visit the Asthma page.

BRONCHITIS Bronchitis is a chest infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), which causes them to become irritated and inflamed. The main symptom is a cough which may bring up yellow-grey mucus. Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat, wheezing and a blocked nose. In most cases bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment. This type of bronchitis is known as acute bronchitis. While you are waiting for it to pass, you should drink lots of fluid and get plenty of rest You only need to see your GP if your symptoms are severe or unusual – for example, if:

your cough is severe or lasts longer than three weeks you have a constant fever for more than three days you cough up mucus streaked with blood

you have an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma or heart failure

Raw Juice Therapy can successfully treat bronchitis. The best organic natural foods to juice are: a pricot , carrot, daikon, lemon, peach,pineapple, onion, strawberry, spinach and tomato .

 A tea made with daikon, shittake mushrooms and kombu seaweed can be used to lower fever and fight infection. Drinking some freshly made fig leaf tea and eating some fresh figs daily can alleviate symptoms of bronchitis. Marshmallow is a potent herbal remedy for cough, sore throat and other respiratory problems such as bronchitis and whooping cough (pertussis). This is due to the large amounts of mucilage found in the flower as well as the root. 

CATARRH

Natural foods to consume to treat catarrh and bronchitis problems are:

Vegetablescarrot, daikon, fenugreek, okra, onion, peas, radishes, tomato, watercress

Fruita pricot , cranberry juice, kiwifruit, lemon, papaya, pineapple, raisins, ash gourd

Nutscoconut

Herbsandrographis, anise, coriander, pine needle tea, common stinging nettles

Spices: black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, sea salt (pure unrefined), turmeric

Derivativeshoney, bicarbonate of soda, caraway seed tea

Drink at least 6 glasses of bottled natural mineral water

Raw Juice Therapy can successfully treat bronchitis. The best natural foods to juice are: apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, tomato, carrot, onion and spinach.

Avoid: milk and cheese

Teas can be made with herbs and spices by adding hot but not boiling water to them and leaving to steep for 30 minutes then strain and sip 3 - 6 cups a day slowly. Honey can be added to sweeten and they can be reheated gently but don't boil.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE The name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with chronic bronchitis often develop another smoking-related lung disease called emphysema – where the air sacs inside the lungs become damaged, causing shortness of breath. People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.

 Typical symptoms of COPD include:

increasing breathlessness when active a persistent cough with phlegm frequent chest infections

Stopping smoking, changing to a healthy nutritious diet and taking regular exercise can strengthen the lungs and reverse the damage that is done but it can take 2 years on a strict regime to repair.

In some cases, the smoker has left it too late and this can then lead to further disorders such as circulation and digestive problems, It can also lead to obesity and the related ailments due to being unable to take physical activities due to shortness of breath.

 CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Also known as CF or mucoviscidosis, cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease of the glands, including mucus and sweat glands. It mostly affects the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses and sex organs but it doesn't affect the brain. There are around 9,000 people with cystic fibrosis in the UK although around one in 25 people carries the faulty gene which causes the condition

In cystic fibrosis sufferers, the mucus becomes thick and sticky and builds up in the lungs blocking the airways. This leads to repeated, serious lung infections that can damage the lungs. Lung function often starts to decline in early childhood in people and, over time, cause permanent damage to the lungs and severe breathing problems. The thick, sticky mucus can also block tubes, or ducts, in the pancreas. As a result, the digestive enzymes that the pancreas makes can't reach the small intestine. Without these enzymes, the body can't absorb fats and proteins. This can cause vitamin deficiency and malnutrition.

Cystic fibrosis also causes the sweat to become very salty. As a result, the body loses large amounts of salt during perspiration. This can upset the balance of minerals and cause a number of health problems. Examples include dehydration, increased heart rate, tiredness, weakness, decreased blood pressure, heat stroke, and, rarely, death.

A defect in the CFTR gene causes cystic fibrosis. This gene makes a protein that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of the body's cells. Every person inherits two CFTR genes; one from each parent. Children who inherit a faulty gene from both parents will have cystic fibrosis. Children who inherit one faulty gene and one normal gene will be "cystic fibrosis carriers". Carriers usually have no symptoms but they can pass the faulty gene on to their children.

Around 3-10% of cystic fibrosis sufferers become infected by the mycobacterium abscessus bacteria, (which is distantly related to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis) It is not known why it is more likely to infect people with cystic fibrosis but it could be related to problems with the immune system.

It was thought that this bacteria could only be caught from water and soil but has now been discovered to be able to infect person to person. It is believed that it becomes aerosolised when people cough and because this bacteria is tough it hangs around in the air. It causes lung damage and can be incredibly hard to treat with infected patients needing months of treatment with toxic drugs.

NATURAL REMEDIES AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Betulinic acid is a tumour fighting, antifungal, anti inflammatory and antibacterial compound found in the bark of white birch trees andchaga mushrooms and winged beans which can treat mycobacterium abscessus bacteria infections.

Consume plenty of citrus fruits and pineapple juice.

Add unrefined sea salt, spices and herbs to meals and drink bottled mineral water.

Green vegetables and plenty of fibre daily will help to readdress any intestinal bacteria imbalance and boost the immune system.

 EMPHYSEMA Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, the body does not get the oxygen it needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch the breath. It may also be accompanied by a chronic cough and problems with breathing during exercise. The most common cause is cigarette smoking. Stopping can help prevent it from developing. If already suffering with emphysema, not smoking might keep it from getting worse. 

 

LUNG CANCER

Foods which have particularly shown to help protect against and treat lung cancer are: apples, beetroot, betulinic acid, grape seeds,kiwifruit, mango, octopus, papaya, persimmons fruit, peaches, orange rind, soursop, tangerines, watermelon, bell peppers, corn,okra, peas, egg yolk, turmeric, winged beans.

There are many more that can prevent and treat all cancers though and they can be found on the Cancer page.

PNEUMONIA AND PLEURISY

Pneumonia is a chest infection which refers to the acute inflammation of the lungs. It is one of the most serious infectious diseases. A common complication of all kinds of pneumonia is pleurisy. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, a serous membrane which envelopes the lungs and also lines the inside of the chest. To find out more and what particular foods and remedies are good to treat these conditions visit the Pleurisy and Pneumonia page. 

PULMONARY OEDEMA

When the heart is not working correctly, pulmonary oedema is likely to occur. The main job of the heart is to take pure oxygenated blood from the lungs that enters through the pulmonary veins. It is then delivered to various parts of the body through a large artery known as aorta. In some cases, the heart becomes ineffective in delivering sufficient blood to different organs. Poor functioning of the heart causes the blood in the pulmonary veins to back up. The blood moving in the opposite direction puts excessive strain on these veins. Due to this excessive pressure, the veins start leaking. As these veins pass through the lungs, the fluid that comes out, finds its way into the alveoli. This fluid disrupts the normal flow of oxygen through the lungs leading to shortness of breath. People suffering from congestive heart failure, defective heart valves, cardiomyopathy or those with a history of heart attacks may also eventually develop pulmonary oedema. DIET FOR PULMONARY OEDEMA AND FLUID ON THE LUNGS Because sodium aggravates fluid on the lungs the following should be avoided: apple, almonds, beef, beetroot tops, berries, cabbage, celery, cheese, corn, cucumbers, daikon, grapefruit, kidney, lemons,lettuce, okra, oranges, peaches, pears, pumpkin, lentils, shellfish, butternut squash, walnuts, watermelon Also cut out shellfish, meat, alcohol, bacon, potato chips, crisps, chocolate, salt, sugar, white flour, aspartame, salt, bananas, ginseng, yohimbine, homogenized or non organic products, canned meats, vegetables and soups

Red clover and golden seal herbs decrease congestion and thin the blood. Turmeric, ginger and cumin thin the blood naturally. Foods containing magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 will reduce fluid on the lungs and maybe lacking in the diet especially if diuretic medication is being taken. See the Drugs page to find out what medications block nutrient absorption and cause other adverse side effects. Natural foods rich in Magnesiumalfalfa, bananas, brown rice, coconut, dates, figs, halibut, nuts, parsnips, prunes, sesame seeds, soya beans, spinach, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, whole grains Natural foods rich in Coenzyme Q10

whole grains, amaranth, barley, oats, rye, nuts, spinach, oily fish, organ meats, calf's liver ,  halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon,tuna Natural foods rich in Vitamin B1barley, beans, beef, brewer's yeast, brazil nuts, brown rice, buckwheat, legumes, oranges, organ meats, peanuts, peas, rabbit,rye, tangerines, venison, wheat germ, whole grains Natural foods rich in Vitamin Ealmonds, asparagus, barley, bell peppers (red), broccoli, buckwheat, kiwi fruit, mango, papaya, collard greens, corn, hazelnuts, fish oils, flaxseed oil, kale, oats, oily fish, olive oil, rapeseed oil, shellfish, soybean, spinach, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, nut oils, tomatoes (cooked), turnip greens, wheat germ Avoidalmonds & kale if suffering with thyroid problems, kidney stones, gallstones, joint problems or osteoporosis wheat if suffering from gluten intolerance or intestinal upsets as it can irritate the stomach liningseeds & nuts if suffering from diverticulitis 

 SARCOIDOSIS This is caused by biofilm bacteria which causes small patches of red and swollen tissue, called granulomas, to develop in the organs of the body. It can develop in any organs but usually starts in the lungs and lymph nodes. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. The disease can appear suddenly and disappear or it can develop gradually and go on to produce symptoms that come and go, sometimes for a lifetime. Anyone can get sarcoidosis but it mainly affects people from 20 - 40 years of age. It occurs in all races and in both sexes. Nevertheless, the risk is greater for a young black adult, especially women or people of Scandinavian, German, Irish or Puerto Rican origin. The reason for this has not yet been discovered. In 10%-15% of the patients, sarcoidosis can become chronic. When either the granulomas or fibrosis seriously affect the function of a vital organ such as the lungs, heart, nervous system, liver or kidneys it can be fatal. This occurs only 5%-10% of the time. Some people are more at risk than others but as yet no one knows why. Sarcoidosis is usually not crippling. It often goes away by itself, with most cases healing in 24 to 36 months. It is not contagious either.It is currently thought to be associated with an abnormal immune response. It is not known whether the trigger that initiates the immune disturbance is a foreign substance, chemical, drug, virus or some other substance. Symptoms of sarcoidosis

 The first symptoms can be a cough that will not go away and shortness of breath. It can also show up suddenly with the appearance of skin rashes. Red bumps (erythema nodosum) on the face, arms or shins and inflammation of the eyes are also common symptoms.Symptoms may also be more general. such as weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever or just an overall feeling of ill health. The lungs are usually the first site involved in sarcoidosis. About 9out of 10 patients have some type of lung problem, with nearly one-third of these patients showing some respiratory symptoms usually coughing, either dry or with phlegm and dyspnoea. Occasionally, patients have chest pain and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

It is thought that sarcoidosis of the lungs begins with inflammation of the alveoli which are the tiny sac like air spaces in the lungs where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged. Alveolitis either clears up spontaneously or leads to granuloma formation. Eventually fibrosis can form, causing the lung to stiffen and making breathing even more difficult.

Eye disease occurs in about 20%-30% of patients with sarcoidosis, particularly in children who get the disease. Almost any part of the eye can be affected; the membranes of the eyelids, cornea, outer coat of the eyeball (sclera), retina and lens. The eye involvement can start with no symptoms at all or with reddening or watery eyes. In a few cases, cataracts, glaucoma and blindness can result.

The skin is affected in about 20% of sarcoidosis patients. Skin sarcoidosis is usually marked by small, raised patches on the face. Sometimes, the patches are purplish in colour. Patches can also appear on limbs and buttocks.

Other symptoms include erythema nodosum (small red round lumps) to appear just below the skin, mostly on the legs and often accompanied by arthritis in the ankles, elbows, wrists and hands. Erythema nodosum usually goes away, but other skin problems can persist. Because sarcoidosis may be triggered by an immune response the remedies to correct the immune system should be tried first. A healthy diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits will obviously help the body heal from a sarcoidosis attack.  

TUBERCULOSIS Tuberculosis (TB), a severe bacterial lung infection can also cause fluid to accumulate inside the lungs. But in most cases, TB causes excess build up of fluid around the lungs. Also referred to as pleural effusion or 'fluid on lungs', the condition is commonly diagnosed among TB patients. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid surrounding the lungs but in TB there is bacterial growth in the fluid filled space between the chest wall and the lungs. Hence, the quantity of fluid circulating in this space increases tremendously, thereby impairing the expansion of lungs needed while breathing. Pleural effusion may eventually cause fluid to leak into the lungs. Also, many times the onset of TB is followed by pneumonia, a

condition commonly referred to as tuberculosis pneumonia. This medical condition, too can cause water retention in lungs.

Tuberculosis usually infects just the the lungs, although other organs, the bones (affecting mainly the back, hips and knees) and nervous system are sometimes involved by spreading via the lymphatic system or the blood. TB is highly contagious because it is airborne and passed by droplets from infected persons coughing or sneezing. Once the bacteria has entered the lungs it can remain dormant as Latent TB for many years. There is a difference between being infected with the TB bacterium and having active tuberculosis disease. There are three important ways to describe the stages of TB. They are as follows: Exposure: This occurs when a person has been in contact, or exposed to, another person who is thought to have or does have TB. The exposed person will have a negative skin test, and normal chest x-ray, and no signs or symptoms of the disease. Latent TB infection: This occurs when a person has the TB bacteria in his/her body, but does not have symptoms of the disease. This person would have a positive skin test, but a normal chest x-ray. TB disease: This describes the person that has signs and symptoms of an active infection. The person would have a positive skin test and a positive chest x-ray. The predominant TB bacterium is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Several people infected with M. tuberculosis never develop active TB. However, in people with weakened immune systems, like the elderly or those with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), TB organisms can overcome the body's defences, multiply, and cause an active disease. NATURE CURES TUBERCULOSIS A diet rich in anti oxidant and bacteria fighting fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices can help ward off TB disease and help the body to recover once TB has become active. Betulinic acid is a tumour fighting, antifungal, anti inflammatory and antibacterial compound found in the bark of white birch trees andchaga mushrooms and winged beans which can treat tuberculosis. Bromine is used by eosinophils which are naturally occurring enzymes in the human body that have the ability to kill the tuberculosis bacteria.

Natural sources of bromine are: chlorella, kelp, seaweed, sea salt and spirulina Phyllanthus amarus herb is very effective in naturally treating tuberculosis. Cloves contain the most powerful germicidal agent in the herbal kingdom known as eugenol. It also contains caryophyllene which is a powerful antimicrobial agent. These components travel through the bloodstream, killing microscopic parasites and parasitic larvae and eggs. Cloves are tremendously effective in killing malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, scabies and other bacteria ,  parasites, viruses andfungi .  Hemp seeds are easily digested and very rich in essential amino acids and minerals and can help recovery from tuberculosis. 

WHOOPING COUGH

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or the 100 day cough, is highly contagious and caused by an infection with a bacterium known as Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria attach to the lining of the airways in the upper respiratory system and release toxins that lead to inflammation and swelling. It afflicts children and adults, whether vaccinated or not, and although it used to be assigned to early spring and summer, recently it is appearing at nearly anytime of the year.

Whooping cough is contracted through air-borne particles, commonly from sneezing and coughing but also from surface contact. Symptoms start like the common cold, with congestion, runny nose, sneezing, mild fever or light cough, but turn into severe coughing after a week or so and persist with rapid, uncontrolled, spasmodic coughing with “whooping” sounds indicating difficulty breathing. It can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia, and quickly exhausts and dehydrates the sufferer without proper care and treatment.

Preventative measures include vaccination, ensuring vitamin D and vitamin C levels are adequate and hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing and not touching the mouth and nose.

Effective home treatment for whooping cough includes bed rest (but avoid lying flat, which can aggravate whooping cough spasms), keeping warm and avoiding chills and drafts, drinking plenty of clear, sugar-free fluids

including water and fruit juice, avoiding milk and milk-based foods like yogurt, eliminating sugar and eating small meals every couple of hours to keep up energy and replenish nutrients. 

Apple cider vinegar, echinacea root and flower, cinnamon, garlic, ginger,  lemon and lime juice and turmeric are all useful remedies for whooping cough. The medicinal apple cider tonic is especially useful for both prevention and treatment of whooping cough. Click here for details and the recipe. Always make sure to dilute any remedies well for children and give one quarter of the dosage for adults..

Pine needle tea: collect some fresh pine needles and/or bark. Take two large handfuls and add to a stainless cooking pot . Add 4 oz (125 g) of dried monarda (bee balm) flowers and leaves if available. Cover with water and simmer until reduced to a thick liquid. Strain and mix with equal parts honey. Store in the refrigerator and use as needed, by the teaspoon. Take as a cough syrup or dilute and use drink as tea.

Use an aromatic oil vaporiser with eucalyptus oils to help with breathing difficulties.

 

NATURE CURES RESPIRATORY DISORDERS 

Take a hot shower with the shower head on the most forceful setting and as hot as you can stand it. Sit down so that your back is to the water and allow it to 'beat on your back'. The water will relax you, the steam is good to breathe in and the pounding helps loosen the phlegm. Stress. Avoid emotional stress. Eat well. Loosing any extra weight and do regular gentle exercises to strengthen your heart and lungs  Remove chemicals. Take all perfumes and artificial chemicals out of the home. Use only natural soaps, detergents, cosmetics and deodorants. See the Hygiene, Toxins and Health page. Drink plenty of tea, especially green tea. Caffeine helps to dilate the bronchial airways. Avoid coffee though as it causes many adverse side effects. See the Coffee Dangers page. Drink ginger ale. Caffeinated beverages may irritate the stomach, so ginger can help. The carbonation release any trapped gas in the chest

and the ginger helps with nausea that may sometimes accompany asthma. Make a tea To improve breathing make a tea with2 cups of bottled or filtered water. 2 tsp. powdered Indian root. 2 tsp. granulated echinacea root. 2 tsp. elecampane root. Mix all ingredients and let them set for 2 hours

1 quart bottled or filtered boiling water. 1 tsp. chamomile flowers. 1 tsp. echinacea root. 1 tsp. mullein leaves. 1 tsp. passionflower leaves.

 

NATURAL FOODS FOR PROTECTING AGAINST AND TREATING RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Apples; the flavonoids and variety of vitamins contained in apples maintain healthy respiratory function and prevent the development of lung diseases. Berries are one of the richest antioxidant fruits, containing the polyphenols, anthocyanins and the flavonoids beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin . These antioxidants protect the lungs from cancer, disease and infection. Dark coloured berries especially protect against lung cancer. Garlic contains a high level of allicin which reduces inflammation and fights infection. It destroys free radicals and can help to improve asthma. Grapefruit contains flavonoids that can for clean out lungs that have been effected by carcinogens

Herbs and spices; red clover and golden seal herbs decrease congestion and thin the blood. Turmeric, ginger and cumin thin the blood naturally. Marshmallow is a potent herbal remedy for cough, sore throat and other respiratory problems such as bronchitis and whooping cough (pertussis). This is due to the large amounts of mucilage found in the flower as well as the root.

A tea made with daikon, shittake mushrooms and kombu seaweed can

be used to lower fever and fight chest infections.

The juice of radishes blended with carrot juice is a wonderful aid in cleansing and in healing the mucous membrane of the digestive system as well as of the respiratory organs. Passion fruit contains components which have the ability to relax the nerves and relieve coughs, hoarseness and sore throats.. Pomegranate; the nutritionally dense properties of this antioxidant fruit can slow down the development of lung issues including tumour development as well as lower cholesterol, reduce plaque build up on artery walls and aid in weight loss.. Turmeric is similar to ginger in its lung health benefits with anti-inflammatory properties. As an added bonus the high amounts of curcumin can lead to the elimination of cancer cells. To Prevent Cancers in Smokersapples, beetroot, bell peppers, carrots, corn, egg yolk, grape seeds, hemp seeds, mango, octopus, onions, papaya, persimmons fruit, peaches, orange rind, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon 

 SPECIFIC NUTRIENTS CAPABLE OF PROTECTING THE LUNGS AND IMPROVING LUNG FUNCTION Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids are particularly protective of the lungs such as: anchovies, chia seeds, collard greens, flaxseed,halibut, hemp seeds, herring, kale, millet, mustard greens, oily fish, pumpkin seeds, rapeseed, soya, walnuts, cod liver oil,menhaden, octopus, shellfish, spinach, spirulina, squid. Cruciferous vegetables (brassicas) have a very high antioxidant content which cleanses the system and protects the lungs. These foods are: bok choy, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collard greens, cress, daikon, horseradish,kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radish, rapeseed, rocket, shepherd's purse, swede, turnip, wasabi, watercress Magnesium rich foods are commonly recommended to people who suffer from asthma issues. It can increase lung capacity and build on the

efficiency of the respiratory process. These foods are: alfalfa, aloe vera, almonds, apples, ashitaba, bananas, baobab fruit, basil,black pepper, black strap molasses, brown rice, chia seeds, cocoa beans (raw), coconut, cucumber, dates, figs, halibut, hemp seeds, legumes, lemons, millet, mineral water, nuts, oats, oily fish, okra, parsnips, passion fruit, peaches, prunes, quinoa, rabbit,restharrow, sesame seeds, soya beans, spinach, spirulina, suma, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, walnuts, whole grains. Foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C help the lungs effectively transport oxygen throughout the body and can fight off thetuberculosis bacteria. Foods rich in vitamin C are: alfalfa, ashitaba, asparagus, avocado, baobab fruit, bell peppers (all colours),berries, black currants, black pepper, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruit, collard greens, cress,dandelion leaves, goji berries, gooseberries, kale, kiwi fruit, mango, mashua, melon, mulberries, mustard greens, onions,papaya, parsley, passion fruit, pineapple, plums, prickly pear, prunes, radishes, rosehips, strawberries, tangerines, tatsoi,watercress Foods rich in vitamin C can kill the tuberculosis bacteria such as alfalfa, ashitaba, asparagus, avocado, bell peppers (red and green),black pepper, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruit, collard greens, cress, dandelion leaves, goji berries,gooseberries, kale, kiwi fruit, mango, melon, mustard greens, onions, prickly pear, radishes, strawberries, tangerines, tatsoi,watercress Vitamin B9 (foliate) can help fight off lung carcinogens preventing various forms of cancer. Foods rich in vitamin B9 are: ashitaba,asparagus, bamboo shoots, barley, beef, beef liver, bran, brewer's yeast, broccoli, brussels sprouts, buckwheat, cheese,chicken, chicory, collard greens, dates, eggs, figs, legumes, millet, mushrooms, okra, oranges, peas (fresh), rice (brown), rye,sage, s oybeans , spinach, spirulina, strawberries, lamb, milk, organ meats, rabbit,  tangerines, tuna, whole grains To benefit from foods containing carotenoids like tomatoes & carrots always eat together with

fat rich foods like olive oil, nuts oravocado because carotenoids are fat-soluble, meaning they are only absorbed into the body along with fats and are then converted into the essential vitamin A nutrient. 

NATURE CURES DIET FOR RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

The following natural food and remedies can help to protect against, prevent and treat respiratory disorders. Try to include as many of the foods below as possible in the daily diet to benefit from their powerful properties and carefully avoid the foods & products listed in red below. Eating a multitude of fruits and vegetables per day will set the body on the path to recovery very quickly.

Try blending at least 4 of the steamed vegetables listed with the herbs and spices listed and serving as a potage soup.

Similarly blend all the fruits together especially with nutmeg and honey to provide a tasty nutritious smoothie which will aid speedy recovery. Add live probiotic yoghurt to make soups and smoothies creamy.

MEAT (3 times a week)organ meats, poultry, rabbit, venison 

FISH (4 times a week)anchovies, bloater fish, carp, eel, halibut, herring, hilsa fish, kipper, mackerel, octopus, pilchards, salmon, sardines, shellfish,sprats, swordfish, trout, tuna (fresh only), turbot, whitebait

Some deep sea fish are contaminated with high levels of mercury. Consuming green tea when eating seafood can help to prevent mercury from entering the bloodstream.

DAIRY (1 x egg 3 times a week, yoghurt daily)eggs, yoghurt (live low fat probiotic)

WHOLE GRAINS (at least 1 whole grain everyday)amaranth, barley, brown

rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, quinoa, rye, teff

LEGUMES (3 times a week)black beans, black-eyed peas, broad beans, chickpeas, legumes, lentils, lima bean, navy beans, peas, pinto bean, red kidney beans, soya beans, winged beans

VEGETABLES  (a selection of at least 3 colours per day meaning all have been eaten at least once a week)beetroot juice (raw), bell pepper (red, green & yellow), daikon, fenugreek, garlic, ginger,radishes, parsnips, carrots (raw juice), courgettes, tomatoes ,  fenugreek, okra, onion,parsnips, potatoes, peas, radishes, seaweed, spinach, soybeans, swede, turnips,watercress

FRUIT (a selection of at least 3 colours per day meaning all have been eaten at least once a week)apricot, berries, cherries, grapes, kiwifruit, orange, pineapple, papaya, raisins, soursop,tangerines

JUICE (pure, additive free, unsweetened - daily as often as possible)beetroot (raw), carrot (raw), cranberry, daikon (raw), elderberry, grape, lemon, lime,mosambi, nasturtium (freshly pressed) orange, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, tangerine

NUTS (as snacks or added to meals daily)brazil nuts, coconut, hazelnuts

SEEDS (as snacks, teas or added to meals daily)flaxseeds, grape seeds, poppy, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower

OILS (to be consumed daily especially with carotene containing foods to enable absorption)cod liver, coconut, flaxseed, grape seed, olive, rapeseed, sunflower, a blend of sesame & rice bran oils

COMMON HERBS (nutritious herbs to be consumed as teas or in meals as often as possible)anise, basil, caraway seeds, cardamom, coriander, cloves, dill, elderberry, lemongrass, oregano, parsley, rosemary, saffron,safflower, sage, tarragon, thyme

MEDICINAL HERBS (consume as teas or add to meals as required)ash gourd, burdock root, comfrey, common stinging nettles, dandelion, echinacea, elecampane, golden seal, ginkgo biloba,huang lian, liquorice root, mullien, noni plant, paico leaf, pan pien lien, passion flower, pau d'arco, periwinkle, red clover,slippery elm, yerba santa

SPICES (nutritious spices to be consumed in teas or used as often as possible daily)all spice, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, turmeric

DERIVATIVES (to be consumed and used as desired on a daily basis)aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar, brine pickles, chamomile tea, common stinging nettle tea, ginger ale, honey, liquorice tea,peppermint tea, pine needle tea, tea, tofu

To prevent lung cancer in those that smoke tobacco: strawberries, carrots, onions, grape seeds

EXTERNAL REMEDIES

Bay leaf, garlic, comfrey (hot or cold fomentation compress) mint (vapours), eucalyptus (vapours)

Bay leaf can be applied as a poultice on the chest with a cloth covering to relieve bronchitis and coughs.

To find more natural remedies see the Medicinal Herbs and Spices page

AVOID THE FOLLOWING WHEN SUFFERING FROM RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Alcohol, aspartame, bacon, bananas, chemicals, chocolate, crisps, egg yolks, dust mites, ginseng, homogenized or canned meats, vegetables and soups, meat, non organic products, potato chips, shellfish, stress, sugar, table salt, tobacco smoke, white flour (use wholegrain only), white rice (use brown rice only) and yohimbine     

AVOID THESE IF SUFFERING FROM THE FOLLOWING Almonds if suffering with thyroid problems, bladder or kidney stones, gallstones, joint problems or osteoporosis.G inger  and turmeric if pregnant or taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medication) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as aspirin and ibuprofen due to the risk of bleeding.Rosemary if pregnant or breast feeding or suffering from high blood pressure.Seeds and nuts if suffering from diverticulitis. WARNING: some herbs can react with medications. Check before taking