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Lung & Respiratory Detox

Clear decades of pollution, smoke and mucus

Gentle14 DaysOrgan
14 Days program length
3 structured phases
6 key herbs

About this program

The lungs clear themselves constantly through a system called mucociliary clearance — tiny hair-like structures that sweep mucus and trapped particles upward and out — but smoking, pollution, and chronic congestion can overwhelm that system faster than it can keep up. This program leans on classic respiratory herbs: mullein and coltsfoot to soothe and support the bronchial lining, elecampane and thyme as traditional expectorants to help move mucus, and licorice root and holy basil for their traditional anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic support.

How it works

Open the Airways starts with soothing, anti-inflammatory herbs to ease irritated bronchial tissue before asking it to do more work; Deep Expulsion introduces the stronger expectorant herbs to actively help move and clear built-up mucus; and Restore focuses on tissue repair and rebuilding mucociliary function for the long term.

Goal

Break up and expel mucus from the bronchial tree, repair cigarette smoke damage, clear environmental pollution from lung tissue, and restore healthy mucociliary clearance.

Benefits

Reduced chronic coughLess mucus productionImproved oxygen capacityBetter exercise toleranceReduced asthma symptomsHealing from smoke damage

Is this right for you?

Beginner-friendly — minimal dietary restriction, suitable as a first detox program.

Best suited to current or former smokers, anyone with regular exposure to air pollution or workplace dust/fumes, or those dealing with a chronic, lingering cough or excess mucus production — rated Gentle despite the 14-day length since the herbs themselves are soothing rather than aggressive.

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Morning Flush

On waking

500ml warm water with fresh lemon juice

Mullein Leaf Tea — steep 8–10 min before breakfast

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) — The premier lung herb — loosens and expels mucus from bronchial walls

Elecampane (Inula helenium) — Expectorant with antibacterial inulin — deep lung cleanser for chronic mucus

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Midday Support

With lunch

Favor: Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric, Horseradish

Elecampane Decoction — steep 8–10 min

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) — Thymol is a powerful antimicrobial for lung infections and bronchitis

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) — Traditional lung tonic — soothes bronchial inflammation and chronic cough

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Wind Down

Evening

Thyme & Licorice Tea — steep 8–10 min

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) — Moistens dry lung tissue, expectorant, anti-inflammatory for airways

Holy Basil (Tulsi) (Ocimum tenuiflorum) — Anti-asthmatic, antioxidant — protects lung tissue from pollution damage

Avoid food 2–3 hours before bed to support overnight detoxification

A typical day built from this program’s herbs and teas — adjust timing to fit your own routine. Tap a chip above to jump to that herb’s full profile or a recipe’s exact directions. Check off your progress day by day in the Program Phases tab.

Track this program to check off each phase’s steps day by day and build a streak.

Open the Airways

Days 1–5

Steam inhalation twice daily: add Thyme + Eucalyptus to a bowl of hot water, inhale for 10 minutes under a towel.

Brew Mullein tea (2 tsp dried leaf per cup, steep 15 min) — drink 3–4 cups daily.

Remove all triggers: smoking, vaping, scented candles, synthetic air fresheners, dust.

Use a HEPA air purifier in bedroom — lungs need clean air to heal.

Drink hot Licorice Root tea before bed — soothes airways and reduces nighttime cough.

Percussion therapy: tap your back firmly with cupped hands for 5 minutes to dislodge mucus.

Deep Expulsion

Days 6–11

Add Elecampane root decoction (simmer 20 min) — 2 cups daily for deep mucus.

Continue steam inhalation — add Thyme essential oil directly to steam.

Take Coltsfoot tincture (20 drops in water, twice daily).

Practice Buteyko breathing exercises — restores CO2 tolerance and reduces airway inflammation.

Eat mucus-reducing diet: no dairy, no wheat — both are primary mucus-forming foods.

Add horseradish (fresh grated) to food — powerful lung decongestant.

Expectorate (spit out) all mucus that comes up — do not swallow.

Restore

Days 12–14

Introduce Tulsi capsule (400mg) — ongoing lung protection from pollution.

Begin diaphragmatic breathing exercises (belly breathing) — 10 minutes daily.

Continue Mullein tea as a long-term 3x/week maintenance habit.

Introduce NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine, 600mg) — the most evidence-based lung mucus-clearing nutrient.

Spend time in nature — forest bathing with phytoncides heals lung tissue.

Sample daily eating

Warming, mucus-clearing meals built around the same pungent herbs — ginger, garlic, turmeric, horseradish — the program uses therapeutically, plus bromelain-rich pineapple to help thin mucus.

Breakfast

Warm Ginger and Turmeric tea with fresh Pineapple

Warm soup with Garlic and Leafy greens

Lunch

Warm soup with Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric, and Leafy greens

Leafy greens sautéed with Garlic and a side of Horseradish

Dinner

Warm soup with Turmeric, Ginger, and Leafy greens

Pineapple and Leafy greens salad with a Ginger-Garlic dressing

Snacks

Fresh Pineapple

Herbal teas with Ginger

Keep meals warm rather than cold or raw, work Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric, and a touch of Horseradish into soups and vegetables throughout the day, and use Pineapple as a daily bromelain source — its enzymes are traditionally used to help thin and clear mucus.

Supporting teas

Mullein Leaf Tea

Steep 8–10 minutes in freshly boiled water; strain and drink warm.

Elecampane Decoction

Full brewing directions are in the linked recipe below.

Thyme & Licorice Tea

Steep 8–10 minutes in freshly boiled water; strain and drink warm.

Tulsi Respiratory Tea

Steep 8–10 minutes in freshly boiled water; strain and drink warm.

Allowed

Build meals around these while following the program.

GingerGarlicTurmericHorseradishLeafy greensPineapple (bromelain breaks up mucus)Warm soupsHerbal teas

Avoid

These work against what this program is trying to achieve.

Dairy (primary mucus-forming food)Wheat and glutenSmoking / vapingAir pollutionSynthetic fragrancesSugarAlcohol

Caution

Coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids — do not use for more than 4–6 weeks, or if you have liver disease. Seek medical attention if coughing blood.

This program is educational information, not medical advice. Talk to a healthcare provider before starting any detox program, especially if pregnant, nursing, or managing a chronic condition.

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