Years ago, we left our house because of a serious mold issue. You can read my blog, The Day We Lost Everything, for the full story. Since then, our health has improved quite a bit. We’ve done a lot to help it along.

The kids are actually basically normal again — kids are so lucky to be able to bounce back so easily. The adults, though, still aren’t 100%. I don’t know if we ever will be again, but I hope so.

My major issue is my lungs. Any time there’s a cold going around, it will go to my chest if I get it (and I don’t always). I cough, sometimes for weeks. The kids will sometimes get it and be over it in just a few days, but not me. And my chest feels a bit painful. I know it’s because my lungs are weak from the mold exposure.

I’ve been seeking something to help this for a while — to support healthy lung function and help me get over these colds/bronchitis (maybe? I never have a fever) more easily, hopefully stopping it from happening in the future.

This particular combination of herbs seems to really help.

Mullein — Good for respiratory illnesses, helps clear mucus from the body, eases sore throats, and helps bronchitis.

Fenugreek — Anti-inflammatory, promotes mucus production and clearing, eliminates built-up mucus, and soothes sore throat.

Dandelion root — Anti-inflammatory, fights fungus, cleans the respiratory system and clears mucus, stimulates kidneys and liver.

While researching these herbs, I learned they are all used to balance blood sugar, lose weight, and heal damaged guts. Dandelion root is even used against cancer — it doesn’t damage healthy cells, either. (1,2,3)

Honestly, this could function as a general health-promoting tea, along with fresh juice (try pineapple-kale-ginger and make sure to juice the pineapple’s core). Pineapple juice is also beneficial for coughs/mucus in the body, and the bromelain in the core is anti-cancer.

I prepared this tea one evening and drank it warm and strong. It’s rather bitter, but it helped. It eased the tightness in my chest, I coughed less, and I slept better. The next morning, I coughed some to clear what had settled while I slept, but I didn’t continue to cough after that the way I had in the days before this.

This is very easy to make. I recommend drinking it in the mornings to promote health or a few times throughout the day if you have a cold.

Healthy Lungs Tea

Ingredients:

6 parts mullein leaf
1 part fenugreek seed
1 part dandelion root

Directions:

Step 1: Combine all herbs in a glass jar and shake to combine.

Step 2: For tea, use 1 tablespoon or a handful (1/2 cup or so) for infusions and add to 1 – 2 cups boiling water. Let it steep for 10 – 20 minutes.

Step 3: Strain it, sweeten it lightly with raw honey, or drink it straight.

Print Recipe

Healthy Lungs Tea

Ingredients

6 parts mullein leaf
1 part fenugreek seed
1 part dandelion root

Instructions

Combine all herbs in a glass jar and shake to combine.
For tea, use 1 tablespoon or a handful (1/2 cup or so) for infusions and add to 1 - 2 cups boiling water. Let it steep for 10 - 20 minutes.
Strain it, sweeten it lightly with raw honey, or drink it straight.

I recommend drinking this at the first sign of a cold or as needed during a cold. It can also be drunk daily for lung health — I plan to try this for a while. Healthy lung tea + exercise should help!