This delicious tea features herbs for bushfire smoke exposure. It directly supports your lungs, sinuses and whole respiratory tract when exposed to fine particulate matter that’s a common feature of bushfire smoke.
🌿Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a standout lung herb, improving overall function of the lungs. Your body creates mucous to trap and expel bushfire smoke particles. Mullein helps by thinning this mucous which makes it easier for your body to get rid of, whilst also soothes irritation and moistens as it does so.
Mullein is a common weed in southern Australia, or you can grow it in well draining soil in the subtropics (sorry, don’t know about tropics). If wildcrafting, make sure you’re not collecting from contaminated land because mullein bioaccumulates heavy metals.
🌿Plantain (Plantago sp) is a wild weedy friend, with a special affinity for the respiratory tract. It will help moisten dry tissues, calm inflammation, and help you cough up or expel excess mucous from your lungs and sinuses.
🌿Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) is in this blend to support your body’s lymphatic system. This system helps to clear up and remove rubbish that accumulates in your body. It’s also got inflammation-modulating properties.
🌿The mucous membranes of your respiratory tract don’t work optimally when dried out, so linden (Tillia sp) comes in to soothe, soften and moisten, which helps them work their best to trap particles and pathogens before they can get inside the body.
Linden is also delicious and has the dual function of calming stress and anxiety around bushfires.
Like all herbs, these plants are high in antioxidants, which support your body respond to the oxidative stress created by exposure to bushfire smoke.
Breathe Easy bushfire smoke exposure tea recipe
Blend equal parts mullein, plantain, calendula and linden together.
Use 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon / mug boiling water. Steep covered for 10 – 15 minutes. Strain using a fine sieve.
Note – many people say to strain mullein teas with cheesecloth, because of the fine hairs on mullein leaves. I’ve personally never experienced a problem, so I’m not sure how necessary that is, but I wanted to mention it in case you find the tea irritating to drink – it might be that it’s not strained well enough for you.
If you don’t love the taste of the tea, sweeten with honey or maple syrup. You could also double the amount of linden used, or add another yummy herb like licorice, peppermint or lemon balm.
*Note, whilst I’ve specifically formulated this for bushfires, it’s actually just an all-round beautiful respiratory formula for:
- dry, lingering cough that doesn’t clear up
- people regularly exposed to fine particulate matter, like smokers, chippies etc.
Be prepared
When I was evacuated due to a bushfire, I had all my herbs on hand, but not blended, and I couldn’t take my home apothecary with me in the middle of the night! I definitely learnt it’s best to have this smoke exposure blend (and any other herbal remedies you want), ready and waiting in your stay/go kit.
Even if you’re not directly affected by bushfires, smoke can be blown over large distances. It’s good to have this blend on hand.
Learn more – here’s an article on the Best Herbs for Bushfires (click here)
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