Can you detox your lungs? (2024)

by Editorial Staff | July 29, 2024

Topics:

  • Indoor Air
  • Lung Health & Procedures
  • Patients
  • Caregivers
  • Professionals

In recent years, natural remedies and "detoxification" diets have gained popularity as a quick and trendy way to eliminate toxins from your body. While some products are marketed to aid in overnight weight loss, improved digestion or enhanced energy levels, others claim to reverse years of damage to organs such as your lungs.

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With a quick internet search, you can find countless products that allegedly cleanse your lungs in a matter of days. Pills, vitamins, teas, oils, salt inhalers and masks are just a few types of items marketed as cure-alls for lung damage caused by tobacco use, vaping or air pollution. But do these products really work?

When it comes to lung health the general rule to follow is: don't trust quick fixes.

Detox remedies may seem like a great concept, but unfortunately many claims made by companies selling unproven treatments are exaggerated. More concerning, they can even be harmful, particularly if the products are inhaled.

"There are some aerosolized products (or vapes) that contain ‘essential oils' which are promoted as being healthy but inhaling any kind of oil or other lipid [oils] can be dangerous," said Dr. Norman Edelman, Senior Scientific Advisor to the American Lung Association.

Some common ingredients in supplement-based cleanses have been shown to have positive results, such as Vitamin D, which plays an important role in boosting immune system responses and helps to reduce airway inflammation. But most of these detox products are not FDA approved and do not have adequate scientific data to recommend their use.

Can you safely "cleanse" your lungs?

Here's the good news: there is a way to improve your lung health without pills and concoctions. Lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once they are no longer exposed to pollutants. The best way to ensure your lungs are healthy is by avoiding harmful toxins like cigarette smoke, vaping and air pollution, as well as getting regular exercise and eating well.

Follow these simple tips for optimal lung health:

  • Quitting smoking is the most effective thing you can do to minimize and heal lung damage. This includes quitting other tobacco products like e-cigarettes. Whether you've been smoking or vaping for three days or 30 years, quitting is the first step to healthier lungs.
  • Indoor air is also important to keep clean. Avoid bringing and using chemicals into your home through cleaning supplies, hobby supplies, and personal care products. Do not burn in your home through candles, fireplaces, or natural gas. Reduce the dust and allergens in your home by vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum cleaner. Consider a portable mechanical air cleaner in the primary rooms that you live and sleep in. Visit our Clean Air Pages to learn more.
  • The quality of the air that we breathe is a huge factor in our lung health. To keep your lungs healthy, it is important to be aware of harmful pollutants and avoid them, if possible. You can check your local air quality index (AQI) using an online tool from airnow.gov. If the AQI value is higher, there is more pollution in the air and more concern for people's health and wellbeing.
  • Adjusting your diet can also help benefit your lung health, especially if you're living with a chronic condition. Adding antioxidant-rich foods (for example veggies, berries and beans) and diet with a variety of vitamins and nutrients will keep your mind and body healthy.
  • Regular exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, even if you have chronic lung disease. The right amount and type of activity has many benefits, including natural and healthy restoration of your lungs. Be sure to ask your doctor before you make changes to your exercise routine.

Blog last updated: September 6, 2024

Can you detox your lungs? (2024)

FAQs

Can you detox your lungs? ›

Lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once they are no longer exposed to pollutants. The best way to ensure your lungs are healthy is by avoiding harmful toxins like cigarette smoke, vaping and air pollution, as well as getting regular exercise and eating well.

Can you really detox your lungs? ›

There are currently no medications or treatments to specifically clear the lungs. Instead, it is advisable for a person to try to avoid potential pollutants. This can include making behavioral changes, such as quitting smoking, adjusting the diet, or getting regular exercise to help improve lung health.

How long does it take to flush out your lungs? ›

How long does it take? Within 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, you may start to notice improved lung function as your lungs start the self-cleaning process. In the first year after quitting, symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

What can I drink to detox my lungs? ›

HERE ARE SOME DRINKS THAT MAY BE BENEFICIAL:
  • Green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants called catechins, which may have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on lung tissue.
  • Turmeric Milk. ...
  • Warm water with lemon. ...
  • Honey and warm water. ...
  • Pineapple juice. ...
  • Beetroot juice. ...
  • Garlic-infused water.
Oct 5, 2023

How long does it take for your lungs to fully clean themselves? ›

Within the first month after you quit smoking, your lung function will improve, and this will increase circulation, too. Within nine months, the cilia begin to function normally and symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath become less frequent.

Is there a natural way to clean out your lungs? ›

Physical activities like brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming can help train the lungs, improve blood circulation, and enhance respiratory function. Deep Breathing: Deep breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or slow and deep breaths can help naturally clean the lungs.

Can a smoker's lungs go back to normal? ›

The lungs begin healing right away after quitting smoking, which is why quitting sooner than later can lead to better overall health. Quitting smoking is one of the smartest things you can do to improve your overall health. Your lungs start healing immediately the moment you stop smoking.

What is the best position to clear your lungs? ›

Postural drainage is a way to change your body position to help your lungs drain. If you have a long-term (chronic) lung problem associated with excessive mucus, or you have increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your belly (abdomen) can help loosen and drain extra mucus from your lungs.

How can I drain my lung fluid at home? ›

Fold your arms under a pillow and rest your head on it. This posture raises the lower back portion of the lungs and helps to drain out the effusion from that part. For maximum efficiency, the position must be held for 5 minutes. Take deep breaths and exhale fully keeping your cheeks puffy.

What's the best herb to clean your lungs? ›

Ginger. Its potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it a valuable herb for lung health. Research published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that ginger extract exhibits protective effects against respiratory infections and can help reduce inflammation in the airways.

How can I clean my lungs myself? ›

Lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once they are no longer exposed to pollutants. The best way to ensure your lungs are healthy is by avoiding harmful toxins like cigarette smoke, vaping and air pollution, as well as getting regular exercise and eating well.

Does honey cleanse your lungs? ›

It's believed that the sweetness of honey triggers your salivary glands to produce more saliva. This may lubricate your airways, easing your cough. Honey may also reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes (airways within the lungs) and help break up mucus that is making it hard for you to breathe.

Does lemon water help your lungs? ›

Lemons have certain properties that can make them effective at fighting asthma. Since lemons can help reduce the effect of asthma triggers on the lungs and also help reduce inflammation and mucus, they could be considered an effective natural remedy for the disease.

Can doctors clean out your lungs? ›

Whole lung lavage helps people who have a condition known as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). With PAP, deposits of a sand-like material build up in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. PAP deposits can make it hard for people to breathe. We perform WLL to wash this material out of the lungs.

Does lung detox work? ›

“There are countless products for sale on the internet that claim to remove toxins from the lungs, but there is no scientific research to support the use of any of them,” he says.

How do you know if your lungs are clean? ›

How do you know your lungs are healthy? If your breathing is natural, comes easily and not forced, is steady and makes you feel good, or is so regular you do not notice it at all, your lungs are most likely healthy.

How to naturally get fluid out of your lungs? ›

Fold your arms under a pillow and rest your head on it. This posture raises the lower back portion of the lungs and helps to drain out the effusion from that part. For maximum efficiency, the position must be held for 5 minutes. Take deep breaths and exhale fully keeping your cheeks puffy.

Does deep breathing detox the body? ›

Breathing deeply helps to clean our blood by removing the carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen. Most diseases in the body begin with having unclean blood. Blood that is clean will wash the cells and tissues and remove toxins and waste so that illness and disease will not develop.

How long after stopping smoking do lungs heal? ›

1 to 12 months after quitting

Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Tiny hair-like structures (called cilia) that move mucus out of the lungs start to regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

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