Plant Allies for Respiratory Resilience
The Angeles Forest a few days before the fires, January 2025
Living in unceded Tongva/Kizh lands known as LA, respiratory system needs constant tending to. Beyond wildfire smoke, the wind blows with traces of where humans went wrong - toxic particles that pose the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory issues. Even before the wildfires of the anthropocene, LA has ranked nationally as the most ozone-polluted city, and California nationally for the largest air quality-affecting wildfires. Take care, it is so important to take care of our health by working with plants that support a resilient respiratory system - and on a consistent, long-term basis. And as we take care of our health, we must take care of the land that brings us health.
Earth Medicine Apothecary is working with LA Fire Herbal Mutual Aid to make and distribute respiratory herbal care kits for frontline fire brigades, at-risk populations and community members whose homes were taken by the wildfires.
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Nettle is considered a weed even though it is a native plant to many Western states and one of the most commonly used medicinal plants for thousands of years. Nettle contains trace minerals and micro-nutrients that nourish the body, the seeds replenishing the adrenal glands from adrenal fatigue. Full of anti-inflammatory properties, Nettle has been used traditionally forclearing stagnation, respiratory health and allergy relief.
Horehound (Sambucus nigra)
Native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, but naturalized around Southern California, Horehound is a long-standing folk remedy for upper respiratory and throat conditions, like asthma and bronchitis. The bitter compounds regulate the secretion of the glands that secrete mucus in the air passages. Its leaves contain marrubine, an effective expectorant that thin and draw out mucus and phlegm.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Native to many parts of the United States, including Southern California, the Elder Tree is a revered protective medicine. Elderberries are anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and full of antioxidants that help the body’s defense system. Elder reduces respiratory conditions, prevents viruses from entering the cells, fights off pathogens, diaphoretic properties support fever, detoxes the skin and cleanses the blood, modulates inflammation, and upregulates cytokines to overall boost the immune system.
Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum)
Yerba Santa, meaning “the holy herb” in reference its healing properties, is another native to Southern California. warms and stimulates the respiratory system, clears mucus, reduces inflammation in the lungs and sinuses. Yerba Santa has traditionally been worked with to remedy many respiratory issues such as asthma, and Its high flavonoid content supports maintaining integrity of the tissues.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
Several species of hawthorn are native to California. As a demulcent, Hawthorn soothes inflammation, irrataion and dryness. In TCM, Hawthorn is known to “open the chest”, which on a practical level alludes to clear flow of air through the lungs, as circulation is supported. Open the chest is also correlated with the the heart, being an ally to support grief.
Sage (Salvia spp)
Sage is a plant revered for its clearing capabilities in many levels. This is a very sacred plant native to of Southern California and Baja California. High in antioxidants that provide strong antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory benefits, Sage tones the mucus membranes, moves respiratory stagnation and clears out bacterial infections.
*note on White Sage: If you are not indigenous to the land White Sage grows on, you should NOT harvest this plant in the wild. Only buy White Sage from someone who grows it ethically, and only harvest if you grow it yourself. White Sage has been declining rapidly from being poached for the wellness market, where people have been harvesting hundreds of pounds of sage from native people’s preserves. Many indigenous peoples are losing access to their own traditional medicine and advocate against it being harvested from the wild. Common cooking sages have similar medicinal properties as White Sage. Earth Medicine Apothecary ethically grows and harvests all of our Sage.
