Tips to Strengthen Digestion and Lungs

People, wildlife and the environment are all affected, and the degree of damage depends on many factors. The surge in wildfires has been a growing hot topic. Whether we live close to the flames, or many miles away, there is a noticeable change in the air quality.

I live in Philadelphia, PA and we were issued daily warnings and updates regarding the air. While we have no control over natural disasters that occur, we can make additions to our diet and lifestyle to strengthen our bodies so that we are better equipped to adjust to the current environment.

I would like to share a few insights and tips on things you can do to help strengthen your health and get the most out of the air you breathe.

In oriental medicine, the respiratory and the digestive systems are complementary. What this means is that in order to strengthen the lungs you need to strengthen the intestines.

Good digestion is the ability to break down food, absorb nutrients and eliminate the excess.  The nutrients we absorb determine our blood quality. Simply put, balanced mineral-rich blood binds better with oxygen and increases our blood-oxygen level.

Strengthening our circulation is also a key factor to overall good health and the body’s ability to   provide a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood throughout our body.

Dietary and lifestyle suggestions for strengthening your blood quality:

Eat plenty of veggies

• Sautéed carrot roots and tops are delicious and particularly helpful

Legumes are a good source or iron and protein

• Tofu, tempeh and natto are packed with iron and minerals plus have many other health     benefits.
• Lentils, peas and beans

Nuts, seeds, and other Foods

• Pumpkin, sesame, flax and hemp seeds are the highest in iron (I particularly like lightly-toasted sesame seeds and sprouted pumpkin seeds)
• Nuts, such as almonds and pine nuts contain iron
• Sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms
• Shiso powder condiment used on grain dishes is good for the lungs 
• Miso and light shoyu soup 
• Sauerkraut and kimchi
• Olives

Lifestyle recommendations:

• Chew your food well, as the first step to good digestion begins in your mouth!
• Chewing is also the internal pump that enhances circulation
• Do some type of physical activity, such as walking outside, cleaning, or gardening
• It is also important to incorporate weight-bearing and stretching exercises that help to keep us strong and flexible
• The body rub, which activates circulation both externally and internally
• Cook in cast iron 

Susan Waxman & SHI Team

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