Last Updated on June 29, 2026
Septembers in Ecuador are often very dry and windy. Unfortunately, this is also the time of the year when locals customarily burn their land to prepare it for grazing cattle or growing crops. These man made fires can quickly get out of hand on windy days, particularly when they aren’t well tended.
Such a fire has been ravaging the mountain across the valley from our home for 3 days now, destroying countless hectares of forest, and threatening a nearby eco-reserve and many homes. As I write this, the sharp smell of smoke irritates my nose and lungs, reminding me that, yes, the fire is still burning.
There’s something viscerally anxiety inducing about the smell of wildfire smoke. And it makes sense, from an evolutionary stand point. This impulse is incredibly helpful if you need to escape from an imminent threat. But, when there’s an ongoing wildfire and you aren’t in any immediate danger, the continuous stress triggered by smelling smoke is not necessarily helpful.
Worrying about the impact a wildfire could have on our homes, our loved ones, and our communities is certainly stressful too and can be a large source of anxiety during fire season.
And of course, wildfire smoke also negatively impacts air quality and can be really irritating to the lungs.
Many people here and in other parts of the world, have been affected by wild fires this year, so I wanted to share a tea blend that I put together to support our family while this fire burns. I combined herbs that promote lung health with herbs that help ease the frazzled nerves, anxiety, and irritation that can arise when skies are smoky.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has a long history of use for supporting the lungs. It is an expectorant that helps to bring up stuck mucus.
Plantain (Plantago major) has a cooling and moistening effect, soothing mucus membranes that are dry and irritated by smoke. Michigan herbalist, jim mcdonald recommends plantain for coughs caused by inhaling fine particulate matter from wildfires.
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is an adaptogenic herb that promotes the body’s ability to cope with both physical and emotional stress. It is calming and helpful for uplifting mood.
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) has proven benefits for respiratory health. It is naturally decongestant, helping ease inflammation of swollen nasal passages and release stuck mucus. It is also antispasmodic, helping to calm dry coughs.
Rose (Rosa spp.) is one of my dearest herbal allies. While appreciated for its ornamental value, it’s highly underrated as a medicinal plant. It is a soothing herb that is gently uplifting in times of stress, anxiety, depression, and grief.
If you live where wildfires are a seasonal occurrence, you may want to make a batch of this tea ahead of time to support your lungs & emotional health during this time.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts mullein
- 2 parts plantain leaf
- 1 part tulsi
- 1/2 part peppermint
- 1/2 part rose petals
Directions:
Combine herbs in a mug or heat proof container. Pour boiling water over top and cover with a lid. Let steep 15–30 minutes. Strain through a cheesecloth to remove mullein’s fine hairs (which can be irritating).
References
Cohen, M.M. (2014) Tulsi — Ocimum Sanctum: A Herb for All Reasons.” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine5(4), 251., https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.146554.
de la Foret, R. (2022). Plantain Herb. Herbs with Rosalee. https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/plantain-herb.html
Ommi, D. Saeedi, N., Hajizadeh, N., Mohseni, G., and Teymourian, H. (2020). Complementary Effects of Mentha piperita (Peppermint) and Rosa damascene Extract (Rose oil) on SpO2 in Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Herbal Medicines Journal, 5(3): 119-126. https://hmj.lums.ac.ir/index.php/hmj/article/download/822/618
