With Canada in the midst of an incredibly bad wildfire season, US regions in the Northeast, Midwest (including Wisconsin), and parts of the South have reached hazardous levels and have been issued air quality advisories. Have you started to feel the effects of the smoke?
Wildfire smoke irritates our eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and overall health which can cause us to cough and wheeze and making it difficult to breathe.
Here are tips to help support you during this wildfire season:
+ check air quality reports regularly and keep exposure to a minimum
+ add more vitamin C: foods like amaranth, avocados, tomato and green-leafy vegetables are the most efficient sources of vitamin C
+ take immune boosting supplements: Reishi, echinacea, and astragalus are our top picks. *Note: always stop taking astragalus at the onset of cold or flu symptoms
+ antioxidants: green tea, ginger, turmeric, strawberries, green tea, black tea, brussel sprouts, beans, onions, and apples
+ get acupuncture to help strengthen the Lungs
+ keep pathways of elimination open: go to the bathroom, sweat, circulate blood and lymph through movement/exercise, breathe, dry skin brushing
+ try a steam with any of these herbs: thyme, oregano, rosemary, mint, sage
+ stay indoors and minimize duration/intensity of outdoor activities. keep house windows and doors closed to keep indoor air clean and fresh
+ use an N95 particulate mask respirator when outside for an extended period of time, especially if you have cardio-pulmonary problems. We will have a few of these in the office starting on Friday, June 30th
+ avoid unnecessarily exerting yourself. Heavy breathing means you’re going to inhale more smoke
+ add purifiers to your home. HEPA filters or even ACs with filters and recirculating air can help cut down on particulate matter in the air indoors. Do NOT use an air conditioner if it does not have air filters (it will only suck in smoke and make breathing conditions worse)
+ stay hydrated