Emphysema
Natural Remedies

Emphysema - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Sep 12, 2025
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Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that damages the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, leading to shortness of breath and reduced lung function. While there is no cure for emphysema, various natural remedies can help manage its symptoms and improve quality of life. In this article, we will explore the top natural remedies for emphysema, backed by research.

Understanding Emphysema and Its Impact on Lung Health

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that primarily affects the alveoli, and small air sacs in the lungs responsible for oxygen exchange. Damage to these air sacs leads to difficulty breathing, coughing, and a reduced capacity for physical activity. Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema, but other factors, such as air pollution, occupational exposure to dust and chemicals, and genetic factors, can also contribute to its development.

Evidence-Based Natural Remedies for Emphysema

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

NAC is an antioxidant and a precursor to glutathione, an essential molecule for maintaining lung health. Research suggests that NAC can help break down mucus and reduce inflammation in the lungs, making it easier for individuals with emphysema to breathe.1 NAC supplements can be taken orally or inhaled through a nebulizer.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of developing COPD and poorer lung function. 2 Individuals with emphysema may experience improved lung function and reduced inflammation by ensuring adequate vitamin D intake. Sources of vitamin D include sunlight, fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and supplements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate symptoms of emphysema. 3 Incorporating omega-3-rich foods, such as fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, into the diet or taking fish oil supplements may help reduce lung inflammation and improve overall lung health.

Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises, such as pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing, can help individuals with emphysema more efficiently and improve lung function. 4 Regular practice of these exercises can provide relief from shortness of breath and increase exercise tolerance.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that combines exercise training, education, and support to help individuals with emphysema and other lung conditions improve their quality of life. 5 This program includes physical exercises, breathing techniques, nutritional guidance, and psychological support.

Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is the most important step in managing emphysema and slowing its progression. Various natural and pharmaceutical aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy, support groups, and herbal remedies like lobelia, can assist in smoking cessation. 6

Below, you'll find discussions and natural remedies from Earth Clinic readers for emphysema. The most popular treatment among Earth Clinic users is Jack's famous lung healing tea, a mixture of mullein, hyssop, vinegar, and cayenne pepper.

Additionally, hydrogen peroxide inhalation techniques have proven to be quite useful. If you have a remedy for emphysema, please share it with us!

Citations:

  1. Sanguinetti CM. N-acetylcysteine in COPD: why, how, and when? Multidiscip Respir Med. 2016 Feb 3;11:8. doi: 10.1186/s40248-016-0039-2. PMID: 26855777; PMCID: PMC4744393. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26855777/
  2. Janssens W, Decramer M, Mathieu C, Korf H. Vitamin D and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: hype or reality? Lancet Respir Med. 2013 Dec;1(10):804-12. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(13)70102-4. Epub 2013 Jun 24. PMID: 24461760. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24461760/
  3. Calder PC. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: nutrition or pharmacology? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;75(3):645-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04374.x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22765297/
  4. Holland, A. E., Hill, C. J., Jones, A. Y., & McDonald, C. F. (2012). Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10, CD008250. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008250.pub2
  5. Spruit, M. A., Singh, S. J., Garvey, C., ZuWallack, R., Nici, L., Rochester, C., Hill, K., Holland, A. E., Lareau, S. C., Man, W. D., Pitta, F., Sewell, L., Raskin, J., Bourbeau, J., Crouch, R., Franssen, F. M., Casaburi, R., Vercoulen, J. H., Vogiatzis, I., … Wouters, E. F. (2013). An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: key concepts and advances in pulmonary rehabilitation. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 188(8), e13–e64. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201309-1634ST
  6. Stead, L. F., & Lancaster, T. (2012). Combined pharmacotherapy and behavioural interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10, CD008286. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008286.pub2

Related Links:

COPD Natural Remedies: Improve Lung Function & Ease Symptoms
Melatonin Treatment for COPD


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Mullein, Hyssop, Vinegar, Cayenne

Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 11/01/2021

Editor's Choice

Dear Annemarie,

I believe you should be able to get all the ingredients from amazon. Frontier Herbs are high quality and they do have mullein leaf and hyssop. (Mullein pods is what Jack recommends in his recipe, but those are hard to find and the leaf has similar properties. I use the leaf for cough.) Frontier also makes cayenne. Raw apple cider vinegar is widely available. Braggs is a good brand. Eden is my favorite brand of apple cider vinegar though.

~Mama to Many~


Mullein, Hyssop, Vinegar, Cayenne
Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 12/09/2018 233 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Hi Robert, after seeing confusion from his recipe, Jack clarified he used the whole top of the plant, the flowering stalks where the seeds are. He described them also as the dark stalk, so yes you can use whatever state the plant is around your area. Many have used the leaf when they couldn't get the pods. The hyssop and lobelia he used were powdered, if you have fresh or crushed then I would just increase the amount like in cooking you use much less herb if it is dried compared to fresh. And if you don't have all the ingredients I wouldn't worry, start with what you do have, obviously the main ingredient is mullein, you will get benefit, then add in the others as you acquire them.

Hope this helps.


Mullein, Hyssop, Vinegar, Cayenne
Posted by Jack (Toledo, Ohio) on 01/18/2010
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

HELLO JAMI FROM ADRAIN MICH;

The "seeds" are not the part of the plant used "IT'S THE ENTIRE "SEED POD" OR "TOPS OF THE GREAT MULLEIN PLANT, which in the latter fall and winter months looks like a long black stick along highways or RR tracks,usually the leave's at the bottom will be dried and brown and at times you'll see some mint green leaves at the bottom of the plant which feels fuzzy like velvet,the seeds them selves can be transplanted most anywhere but they like well drained areas, and they only blossom in the 2nd season.They then grow anywhere from 3-6 feet or even more in some states,. and the seeds are about this size Jami ( . )

Just look up "pictures of Great Mullein plants" I break off the "SEED PODS" or just under the area where the flowers started growing and use the "ENTIRE POD OR TOP OF THE PLANT WHERE THE FLOWERS "HAD BEEN"

When the terrible outbreak of Tuberculosis in Ireland around 1900, Great Mullein was the primary way they used to clear the lungs of "TB" made into a tea,"But I've added more to it, and it "WORKS EXCEEDINGLY WELL, JUST ASK SHARON S FROM CONN.

She started taking my formula in June of 2008, I believe. She told me her Dr.told her, "Your lungs are clear, and your breathing is fine "!!


Mullein, Hyssop, Vinegar, Cayenne
Posted by Jack (USA) on 11/27/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Look over these pics of great mullein. I've gone back to driving truck over the road again so its difficult to contact people during the week, i do get home on weekends so i don't have as much time to do much.

God bless .......JACK


Mullein, Hyssop, Vinegar, Cayenne
Posted by Jack (Toledo, OH) on 01/10/2007
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

When I was driving over the road I would stop at an assortment of truck stops and I remember one in particular, "Wheeling, WV." an elderly lady was being helped to a table and looked like she couldn't breathe, I asked her about it and she told me she was on "27different meds", I told her about my tea and asked if she would like to try it?? she replied she would like to do so, so I went to my truck and returned with a 8oz bottle of it, i first asked her to take a deep breath and tell me how deep she could feel the air go into her lungs she did and indicated not quite half way down, she then took some of the tea and repeated the deep breathing, this time she indicated nearly all the way but not quite all the way, this was all within a matter of 5 to 10 minutes, she volunteered "I haven't been able to breathe like this in years" ( I had those i gave it to take the cap off a plastic pop bottle and use it as a measure, then take one capfull straight down the second, hold in the mouth for a minute or so and swallow slowly, then the same with a third, but after swallowing breathe in with the mouth then out through the " nose" ) let me reinterate " I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be"! I simply instructed people and made the tea according to what my inner voice told me to"!.



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