Air Pollution

This is what we look like every fire season in my area. And when it gets like this, if there’s no mullein for the goats to self medicate from in the pasture, I’ll add dried mullein leaf alongside their minerals. I like to mix it in kelp, roughly 1/2C to 1# of kelp. Nettle is a good addition as well. My rabbits and sheep will benefit from these herbs during smoke season too.

LUNG TEA

2 parts mullein leaf
2 parts nettle leaf
1 part peppermint, field mint or spearmint (unless lactating)

Use 2 tablespoons per pint of water. Pour boiling water over herbs, steep for 10 minutes, strain and, if feeding to humans, sweeten with honey before serving.

You can concentrate this and pour it into a water bucket for your livestock or make a larger batch and offer in its own bucket. Note: when giving tea to my animals, I always offer a plain water choice alongside.

Because your animals live outside, there’s not much you can do to filter their air, but offering these herbs will allow their bodies to work to clear the pollution themselves.  Try not to add any other stresses during times of heavy pollution.  Very young kids may need to be brought inside because their delicate respiratory tissues are not as able to withstand smoky environments.  Keep in mind though that in the wild they would naturally just say outside, so try not to stress too much about doing for them, outside of the herbs.

Continue the discussion in the Pneumonia and Other Respiratory Illnesses Forum.