Lungwort: Benefits for Your Respiratory Health

What is Lungwort?

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis), is a natural plant that has been used around the world for a variety of respiratory ailments, including coughs, colds, bronchial detoxification and catarrhal concerns. Because of the many benefits that lungwort offers for respiratory health, we have included it as a key ingredient in our Lung Detox Tonic.

 

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is not to be confused with Lungmoss (Lobaria pulmonaria), a type of moss or lichen that also goes by the same common name as Lungwort. Lungwort is native to damp habitats and coastal areas in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. It is also known as Common Lungwort, Jerusalem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip, Sage of Jerusalem, Pulmonaire, and many other common names. Because it’s very sensitive to environmental toxins, the areas in which it is found are typically unpolluted old forests, and thus, the presence of lungwort is often a good indicator of an ecosystem’s health.

 

What is Lungwort Used for?

Lungwort plant is a traditional herbal remedy with a wide range of uses. Lungwort’s high mucilage content is known to be useful in respiratory conditions, namely asthma and, in particular, chronic bronchitis. In traditional medicine, Lungwort was used to treat lung diseases such as cough, grippe, catarrh, hoarseness, cold, asthma and even tuberculosis.

 

Drinking a soothing cup of lungwort tea can also help relieve a number of digestive and gastrointestinal problems including indigestion and diarrhea. Lungwort has mild diuretic properties which may help relieve the discomfort of bloating from excess water build-up while its astringent properties may also be responsible for treating attacks of diarrhea.

 

What are the Health Benefits of Lungwort?

There are many great health benefits of lungwort. Some of the top benefits of lungwort include:

 

Lungwort is Used for Respiratory Ailments

Lungwort’s high mucilage content is known to be useful in respiratory conditions, namely asthma and, in particular, chronic bronchitis. While there isn’t a ton of research currently available, it is widely accepted that lungwort can be used by people with these conditions–in conjunction with doctor recommendations–as a complementary approach.

 

In traditional medicine, Lungwort was used to treat lung diseases such as cough, grippe, catarrh, hoarseness, cold, asthma and even tuberculosis. It is said that the herb has anti-biotic effect against chest infections. Some also believe that Lungwort can be used internally for treating bleeding of the lungs as well.

 

Lungwort is Used for Reducing Irritation

The University of North Carolina classifies lungwort as a plant helpful for reducing irritation and providing soothing qualities. It is supposed that these beneficial properties, based mainly on significant anecdotal support, are thought as a respiratory aid.

 

Lungwort May be Used for Improving Digestion

When it comes to our overall health and well-being, digestive health is of supreme importance. Many people suffer from digestive troubles such as bloating, constipation, stomach pain and dyspepsia but there are many good, effective remedies to be found in nature. Drinking a soothing cup of lungwort tea is one of these natural remedies, and can help relieve a number of digestive and gastrointestinal problems including indigestion and diarrhea. Lungwort has mild diuretic properties which may help relieve the discomfort of bloating from excess water build-up while its astringent properties may also be responsible for treating attacks of diarrhea.

 

Lungwort May Help Treat Urinary Tract Infections

Lungwort has also been used traditionally to treat infections of the urinary tract like cystitis. Because of its natural diuretic ability, it has also been used to treat kidney complaints. Diuretics are often recommended for urinary tract conditions because they help promote the production of fluids in the body and increase the frequency of urination. This can help expel toxins and relieve infection.

 

Lungwort May Offer Benefits for Skin Health

Lungwort is a rich source of natural antioxidants, and can play a very important role in helping your skin remain stronger and younger. Lungwort can also be applied topically to the skin to help treat minor wounds and cuts. It consists of a chemical compound called allantoin that is known for its ability to heal tissue damage and expedite wound healing.

 

Lungwort can also be applied to the skin topically. Lungwort is effective when applied to the skin because of its astringent and anti-inflammatory nature. It can be applied to the skin to treat a whole range of skin conditions including burns, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and eczema.

 

Lungwort Contains Powerful Antioxidants

 

Recent research on Lungwort shows that it also boosts antioxidants and scavenges free radicals in the whole body. Free radicals are oxygen-containing molecules with an uneven number of electrons. The uneven number allows them to easily react with other molecules. Free radicals can cause large chain chemical reactions in your body because they react so easily with other molecules. These reactions are called oxidation and can either be beneficial or harmful.

 

Essentially, oxidation is any chemical reaction that involves the moving of electrons. Specifically, it means the substance that gives away electrons is oxidized. Oxidation is a normal and necessary process that takes place in your body. However, oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity. This can result in damaged cells and ultimately ill health.

 

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Antioxidants can donate an electron to a free radical without making themselves unstable. This causes the free radical to stabilize and become less reactive. As oxidation is a process that is constantly occurring due to numerous chemical reactions in the body, antioxidants must also regularly work to keep free radicals in balance. Therefore, regularly consuming antioxidant-rich foods is a great way to reduce oxidative stress and to maintain balance and health. 

 

What are the Active Compounds in Lungwort?  

The typical phytochemicals found in lungwort, which are thought to be responsible for its medicinal uses, include catecholtannins, silicic acid, allantoin, saponins, flavonoids, quercetin, kaempferol, and tannic acid. This powerful plant also contains antibiotics which act against bacteria responsible for chest infections.

 

Is Lungwort Safe?

Lungwort is an interesting medicinal plant, as its use for respiratory ailments dates back centuries, and is a common folk remedy used by many, it is still lacking in sufficient scientific research. Based on many years of traditional use, as well as some modern research, lungwort appears to be a safe and effective remedy for lung infections, respiratory ailments, and several other conditions. However, due to lack of research it is difficult to say for certain if lungwort is safe for long-term use. To be safe, it is best to use only for conditions short-term. It is also recommended to avoid using lungwort while pregnant or breastfeeding due to lack of research on the safety of lungwort use while pregnant. It is also recommended to consult your healthcare practitioner before using lungwort, especially if you are using any medications that may cause an interaction with the herb

 

Summary

Found in old growth forests across the world, lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a potent medicinal plant that has been used for centuries for a variety of ailments, particularly those affecting the lungs and respiratory system. Because of the many benefits that lungwort offers for respiratory health, we have included it as a key ingredient in our Lung Detox Tonic.

 

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is not to be confused with Lungmoss (Lobaria pulmonaria), a type of moss or lichen that also goes by the same common name as Lungwort. Lungwort is native to damp habitats and coastal areas in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. It is also known as Common Lungwort, Jerusalem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip, Sage of Jerusalem, Pulmonaire, and many other common names. Because it’s very sensitive to environmental toxins, the areas in which it is found are typically unpolluted old forests, and thus, the presence of lungwort is often a good indicator of an ecosystem’s health.

 

Lungwort has been used for many centuries as a medicinal herb, and appears to be a safe remedy for many different conditions. However, due to lack of research, it is recommended not to consume while pregnant or breastfeeding. A rich source of antioxidants, flavonoids and other active compounds, lungwort is truly a powerhouse of medicinal benefits.

 

 

 

 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3779791/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4506744/