As we wait for effective norms to kick in and tackle the ever-growing air pollution levels, here is a simple and effective detox plan which will help your lungs battle the choking air pollution and help you breathe better.
This simple one-day detox recipe will help you get rid of the toxins that you inhale with every breath.
The magical lung detox
1. For starters, you need to soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in half a cup of water a night before.
2. When you wake up, drink around 250 ml of warm water with lemon and some cayenne pepper.
3. Now drink the fenugreek water and chew the seeds slowly.
4. After 10 minutes, eat 2 cloves of crushed garlic with a tablespoon of raw honey.
Steam time
Next comes the time to take steam. For this, you will need to boil enough water to fill a large bowl. Add 5 to 7 drops of eucalyptus oil and inhale the steam. Do not forget to cover your head and remember to take deep inhalations.
Breakfast
For breakfast, add 1 tablespoon of pure, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of black pepper to a fresh carrot juice and drink it.
Magic lung breathing exercise
After 2-3 hours of your breakfast, it is time for the breathing exercise.
Procedure:
1. Stand in a relaxed position with the arms on your side and your feet slightly apart.
2. Take a few deep breaths and exhale through the nose.
3. Now breathe in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth until you cannot exhale any more.
4. But do not stop here, because there is still air remaining in your lungs. Some of the air remains in the lungs and is not replaced as we breathe. (called as residual air)
5. Now, force your diaphragm to exhale all the air from your lungs with wheezing. Exhale through the mouth several times with a “ho, ho, ho, ho” until you feel there is no more air in the lungs. At this point, you will feel you have pulled in your belly towards the spine.
6. Through the nose, slowly inhale fresh, clean air in your empty lungs. Fill your lungs with air completely, and then hold your breath for 6 seconds, counting them slowly. At this point, the oxygen has filled your lungs.
7. Again, exhale through your mouth until there is no air left in your lungs and repeat the “ha…ha…” to expel the stale air out of the lungs.
8. Repeat the whole procedure as many times as you like.
Health benefits
Besides purifying the lungs, this exercise has another benefit: Your stomach will eventually become strong and toned and your skin will look radiant with a glow as you have helped remove excess carbon dioxide.
The magic lung tea
Post breathing exercise prepare a litre of the following concoction and have one cup (warm)
Recipe
1. 1-inch piece ginger
2. 1 small cinnamon stick (Ceylon
cinnamon only)
3.1⁄2 tsp basil leaves
4. 1 tsp oregano
5. 3 peppercorns
6. 2 crushed elaichi
7. 1/4th tsp fennel seeds
8. pinch of ajwain
9. 1/4th tsp jeera (cumin seeds).
Boil the concoction for 10 minutes, let it simmer. Then strain and drink (you can also add raw, organic honey or Jaggery for taste).
Mid-morning
1 fruit ( preferably Pineapple as the bromelain content in it, helps loosen up mucus) topped with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds (the seeds can be soaked overnight to get rid of the anti-nutritional factors.)
Lunch
It should be simple and balanced.
30 minutes post lunch
250 ml lemon water with a dash of cayenne pepper.
Evening (2 – 2.5 hours after lunch)
Have 300 ml of fresh carrot juice with 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of black pepper with a few drops of lemon, along with the evening snack.
After half an hour, do the magic lung breathing exercise followed by a cup of magic lung tea. Later, go for a light walk or yoga.
30 minutes before dinner
Drink 250 ml lemon water with cayenne pepper.
Dinner
It should be simple, balanced and light and should be taken with 300 ml of carrot juice as given above.
Steam time
Take steam an hour before bedtime with 5-10 drops of eucalyptus oil for 5 minutes.
Castor oil pack
After the steam, go for a Castor oil pack.
1. Warm a cup of castor oil. Soak a flannel in it and squeeze it.
2. Place it over the chest/lung area for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. You can use a heating pad over it if needed.
4. This helps to loosen the chest mucus.
Before bed
Repeat the magic lung breathing exercise, meditate and sleep well.
