The seasonal fires that rage in Southern California are a threat to an already burdened respiratory system, taxed from pervasive smog.  Fire season brings with it spike visits to emergency rooms and doctors’ offices filled with youngsters breathing from nebulizers.

Chinese herbal medicine has some very helpful herbs to help assist and protect the lung during fire season.  The strategy for dry windy autumn fires is to primarily protect lung function through a delicate two-step of nourishing, while gently clearing the build-up of particulate matter and smog.  The solution is a beverage of lung cleansing and protection, featuring natural herbs from the ancient Chinese pharmacopaeia.  We’re calling this beverage blend Desert Wind.

An examination of the blend’s content reveals much about the approach of Chinese herbal medicine.  Mai men dong, Prince Seng, and licorice all have the action of increasing moisture, especially for the lungs.  Dry throat, thirst, dry cough will all be address by these herbs’ moistening qualities.  Each herb executes a distinctive action in addition to moistening.  For instance, Prince Seng is an excellent herb for shortness of breath, whereas licorice is great for cough.  No herb performs a superfluous function.   

Balloon flower, peppermint, and chrysanthemum constitute balancing influences to the tonifying effects of the above herbs.  Balloon flower has expectorant and chest-opening properties.  Plain old peppermint can ease breathing and quell allergic reactions, a function also performed by the flower chrysanthemum, the beverage gem of the phamacopaeia for warm climes.  The careful balancing that occurs through this exquisite flower, particularly between the liver and lung cannot be over appreciated.

Finally, Goji root makes a tributary appearance, from its role in a classical formula entitled Draining the White Powder.  White is the color of the lung as is autumn.  Goji root is used in this formula to stop cough and protect on deep level.

Yang-chu Higgins is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist living in Los Angeles.

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