Basil Tea and Breathing

No matter who you are, if you want to continue living you have to breathe. For this reason respiratory infections are wholly unwelcome, making breathing and general living unpleasant. While you can’t totally eliminate the threat of respiratory infection, you can help to alleviate the symptoms next time you get sick. A seemingly unassuming plant belonging to the mint family, the herb known as basil actually makes for a great tea. Basil tea can help to reduce the symptoms of respiratory infection, allowing for a swift to return to optimal breathing.

The Respiratory System

When foreign bacteria or a virus enters the respiratory system, the body’s main way of trying to get the harmful foreign contaminants out of the body is to produce mucus. When we cough and force mucus out, in time we also get rid of the harmful bacteria that started the infection. Unfortunately, this process is often painful and can take time to get better.

While many doctors recommend drinking an abundance of water in order to move mucus out of the body, expectorants can also help. An expectorant is a substance that thins mucus within the body, helping to expedite the process of clearing the airways. Expectorants can help to reduce coughing and ease breathing, though side effects such as nausea and vomiting may sometimes occur.

Basil Tea for the Respiratory System

Once a person has a cold that involves the inflammation of the respiratory system basil tea can help to reduce the amount of time a person stays sick, as well as other beneficial functions. Basil tea works as an expectorant, making it easier for the body to dispel mucus from the lungs and bronchial tubes. The tea also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation in the airways of the body and possibly lessening the amount of pain while breathing. The next time you fall prey to a respiratory infection, try a cup of basil tea to get back on track.