Fw: [Mr_Tracys_Corner] The Lungs and The Adrenals

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- walt

Tracys

Monday, April 26, 2004 1:35 PM

[Mr_Tracys_Corner] The Lungs and The Adrenals

Take a Deep BreathCertain herbs strengthen both the lungs and the adrenals for deeperbreathing.By James Bailey. L.Ac., M.P.H.Pick up a flower, hold it to your nose, and take a deep breath. What justhappened? Through a simple inhalation we receive and perceive the essence ofthe flower. What does this have to do with yogic breathing, or pranayama?Everything. In that moment our breath comes alive. Likewise, in our yogapractice each asana is like a flower in which the breath nourishes andinforms us of its nature.Much attention is given to the quality of our breath during practice becauseof the enormous role it plays. The breath is not only essential in thecultivation of prana (the ability of our body to extract and acquire energyfrom the air), but it also grounds our nervous system and supports ourbalance and focus. Any imbalance in the breathing mechanism reduces ourability to gain prana from the breath and thus weakens our yoga practice.The most common conditions that effect yogic breathing are weakness of thelungs due to overwork, lack of rest, and poor cardiovascular tone;constrictive disorders that tighten the smooth muscles of the airways, likestress or asthma; and some obstructive disorders due to excessive mucuscaused by mucus-producing foods, bronchial asthma, or acute bronchitis. Yetall of these can be remedied with the use of herbal therapies.Weakness of the lungs and the breathing mechanisms can occur when the bodybecomes tired, overworked, and underrested. The strength of the lungs isdirectly linked to the strength of the adrenal glands. (The adrenals producethe hormone epinephrine, which has the effect of dilating the airways andincreasing cardiac output.) A dry cough triggered by light exercise is onetelltale sign of weakness in the lungs and adrenals.American ginseng, a North American relative of Asian ginseng, is well knownas a restorative tonic to the lungs and adrenals, strengthening weakness ofthe lungs due to chronic colds, cough, and general exhaustion. Its coolingand moistening properties are ideal for dry coughs, hot and dry climates,and those with overheating dispositions. Schizandra is another adaptogenictonic herb, which when used over long periods of time, strengthens both thelungs and the adrenals for deeper breathing.Some antispasmodic herbs are used to release tension from the smooth musclesof the airways. Bala is a popular Ayurvedic herb in this class and generallyrecognized as a tonic and rasayana (restorative) to the respiratory,cardiovascular, and nervous systems. It's also a gentle bronchodilator usedfor bronchospasm and cough. Crampbark is another mild sedative andantispasmodic herb for breathing difficulty due to stress or asthma, whichworks by gently relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways.Excessive mucus production generally indicates a problem with either chronicinfection, habitual consumption of mucus-producing foods, or chronicallergies. Tulsi, or holy basil, one of the most sacred plants in India, isrich in essential oils and used to cleanse the lungs and treat bronchitis.As an adaptogenic herb with antioxidant, antibiotic, and antifungalproperties, it also strengthens the body's ability to cope with stress. TwoChinese herbs used to cleanse the lungs of excessive mucus are Platycodonand aged citrus peel. Citrus peel is also used to harmonize and warm thedigestion, from which phlegm is said to originate.Though we can use herbs to improve yogic breathing in both yoga asana andpranayama practices, for moderate to severe breathing problems like asthma,seek professional help from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or othermedical professional. Also, if you're currently using steroidal or otherinhalants, do not suddenly stop. They should be gradually phased out withprofessional guidance.James Bailey, L.Ac., M.P.H., Herbalist AHG, practices Ayurveda, OrientalMedicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and vinyasa yoga in Santa Monica,California.The homepage and the place to sign up for Tracy's Corner is: Mr_Tracys_CornerFor complaints or assistance contact xootsuit26

[Guest guest]

walt

Monday, April 26, 2004 1:35 PM

[Mr_Tracys_Corner] The Lungs and The Adrenals

 

 

Take a Deep Breath

 

Certain herbs strengthen both the lungs and the adrenals for deeper

breathing.

 

By James Bailey. L.Ac., M.P.H.

 

Pick up a flower, hold it to your nose, and take a deep breath. What just

happened? Through a simple inhalation we receive and perceive the essence of

the flower. What does this have to do with yogic breathing, or pranayama?

Everything. In that moment our breath comes alive. Likewise, in our yoga

practice each asana is like a flower in which the breath nourishes and

informs us of its nature.

 

Much attention is given to the quality of our breath during practice because

of the enormous role it plays. The breath is not only essential in the

cultivation of prana (the ability of our body to extract and acquire energy

from the air), but it also grounds our nervous system and supports our

balance and focus. Any imbalance in the breathing mechanism reduces our

ability to gain prana from the breath and thus weakens our yoga practice.

 

The most common conditions that effect yogic breathing are weakness of the

lungs due to overwork, lack of rest, and poor cardiovascular tone;

constrictive disorders that tighten the smooth muscles of the airways, like

stress or asthma; and some obstructive disorders due to excessive mucus

caused by mucus-producing foods, bronchial asthma, or acute bronchitis. Yet

all of these can be remedied with the use of herbal therapies.

 

Weakness of the lungs and the breathing mechanisms can occur when the body

becomes tired, overworked, and underrested. The strength of the lungs is

directly linked to the strength of the adrenal glands. (The adrenals produce

the hormone epinephrine, which has the effect of dilating the airways and

increasing cardiac output.) A dry cough triggered by light exercise is one

telltale sign of weakness in the lungs and adrenals.

 

American ginseng, a North American relative of Asian ginseng, is well known

as a restorative tonic to the lungs and adrenals, strengthening weakness of

the lungs due to chronic colds, cough, and general exhaustion. Its cooling

and moistening properties are ideal for dry coughs, hot and dry climates,

and those with overheating dispositions. Schizandra is another adaptogenic

tonic herb, which when used over long periods of time, strengthens both the

lungs and the adrenals for deeper breathing.

 

Some antispasmodic herbs are used to release tension from the smooth muscles

of the airways. Bala is a popular Ayurvedic herb in this class and generally

recognized as a tonic and rasayana (restorative) to the respiratory,

cardiovascular, and nervous systems. It's also a gentle bronchodilator used

for bronchospasm and cough. Crampbark is another mild sedative and

antispasmodic herb for breathing difficulty due to stress or asthma, which

works by gently relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways.

 

Excessive mucus production generally indicates a problem with either chronic

infection, habitual consumption of mucus-producing foods, or chronic

allergies. Tulsi, or holy basil, one of the most sacred plants in India, is

rich in essential oils and used to cleanse the lungs and treat bronchitis.

As an adaptogenic herb with antioxidant, antibiotic, and antifungal

properties, it also strengthens the body's ability to cope with stress. Two

Chinese herbs used to cleanse the lungs of excessive mucus are Platycodon

and aged citrus peel. Citrus peel is also used to harmonize and warm the

digestion, from which phlegm is said to originate.

 

Though we can use herbs to improve yogic breathing in both yoga asana and

pranayama practices, for moderate to severe breathing problems like asthma,

seek professional help from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or other

medical professional. Also, if you're currently using steroidal or other

inhalants, do not suddenly stop. They should be gradually phased out with

professional guidance.

 

James Bailey, L.Ac., M.P.H., Herbalist AHG, practices Ayurveda, Oriental

Medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and vinyasa yoga in Santa Monica,

California.

 

 

 

 

The homepage and the place to sign up for Tracy's Corner is:

Mr_Tracys_Corner