Combining lemon and garlic is a time-honored traditional remedy for respiratory discomfort. While the body naturally clears the lungs on its own, this specific infusion can provide significant support by thinning mucus and calming the irritation that leads to persistent coughing.

By using these ingredients, you are creating a natural “expectorant”—something that helps loosen phlegm so your body can expel it more easily.

How Lemon and Garlic Help Your Lungs

• Garlic (The Natural Defense): Garlic contains allicin, a powerful compound with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. When crushed, garlic releases these oils, which are partially excreted through the lungs, helping to target congestion directly at the source.
• Lemon (The Mucus Thinner): Lemons are high in Vitamin C and citric acid. The acidity helps break the chemical bonds in mucus, making it thinner and less sticky, while the Vitamin C provides the immune system with the resources needed to fight off the underlying cause of the cough.
• Hydration and Soothing: The warmth of the water increases blood flow to the throat and chest, while the steam helps moisturize dry, irritated airways.

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The Recipe: Lemon & Garlic Lung Support Tea

To get the most out of the garlic, it is important to “activate” it before adding it to the water.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 1 to 2 cloves of fresh garlic
• 1/2 a fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey (optional, but highly recommended for throat coating)

Instructions

1. Activate the Garlic: Peel and crush the garlic cloves. Let them sit on your cutting board for 10 minutes. This pause allows the enzyme alliinase to create the beneficial allicin.
2. Boil and Simmer: Bring the water to a boil. Add the crushed garlic, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes. (Don’t boil it too long, or you may weaken the delicate compounds).
3. Add Lemon: Turn off the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the pot.
4. Steep: Cover and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
5. Strain and Sweeten: Strain the tea into a mug and stir in the honey once the water has cooled slightly (extreme heat can destroy the beneficial enzymes in raw honey).

A Thoughtful Tip: Drink this twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. You should begin to feel the “loosening” effect in your chest within the first 24 to 48 hours.