By The Flight Attendant Nextdoor
The close of last season, I stopped by to check on my sister after a phone chat. She hadn’t been feeling her best but was still pushing herself to meet deadlines and stay productive—something I know all too well as a flight attendant and mom (my kids are older now). That kind of nonstop hustle wears on the body, and I could hear the exhaustion in her voice. Her breath was shallow, and her chest sounded tight. Im very familiar with that scene and its no bueno.
In moments like this, I lean into what I know: hydration, herbal nutrition, rest, and intention. So, I made her an herbal infusion. A tonic not just for the lungs but for the nervous system, the immune response, and the spirit.
My Sisterly Supportive Respiratory Tonic
This soothing blend combined powerful herbs I’ve personally come to trust over the years—ingredients that support deep breathing, calm the nervous system, and gently detoxify. I selected this blend for her:
Fresh lemon slices – to alkalize and cut through mucus
Ginger – for its warming, anti-inflammatory kick
Mullein – a traditional lung herb known to ease congestion
Holy basil (Tulsi) – for immune and adrenal support
Soursop pulp – for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties
Schisandra berry – an adaptogen that sharpens and strengthens
Ashwagandha – to support her nervous system and help her feel restef
Hawthorn berry – to support her heart and circulation
Sarsaparilla – to cleanse and carry away toxins
Tamarind – to clear heat and phlegm
A final dash of fennel – to ease digestion and calm spasms
Every ingredient was selected with her current obstacle in mind. I steeped the infusion and served it warm in a recycled 33oz beverage jar, hoping it would feel like a comforting exhale.
A Gentle Sweep for the Gut
Since mucus doesn’t just live in the chest—it can live in the gut too—I gave her a natural internal sweeper: tamarind and food-grade diatomaceous earth. This combination has become one of my personal staples from season to season when I feel sluggish or toxic. I wrote about this combo in detail here: Just remember to do in small burst as its a binder. binders grab waste as well as nutrients. always check with your med team before trying new routines.
👉🏽 Tamarind & Diatomaceous Earth: My Natural Gut Sweep
My Personal Go-To Mucus-Busting Blend
When my own chest feels congested or taxed from travel or seasonal shifts, I turn to another herbal quartet that always delivers:
Fennel
Fenugreek
Flaxseed powder
Licorice root
This blend not only thins mucus but supports hydration and soothes irritated tissues. To customize, I’ll often pair it with elderberry or juniper berry to give it that immune-boosting edge. Just depends on my mood.
A Art of Healing and Home
These herbal moments aren't just remedies; they’re customized self care rituals. I've grown numerous herbs when I’m in a horticultural mood and as the seasons permit, using my home garden as a small act of resistance against the burnout culture. It gives me something grounding to return to when I’m off the plane and have my feet planted back on Earth—literally. I hit the pause button as a grower once the ground hogs ate everything I grew, but that’s another story (that really pissed me off! Just know sipping an infusion made from what I’ve grown creates a sense of peace I crave between trips.
In tending to my sister, I was reminded that healing doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes it’s a quiet cup of tea, made with love, with the soft whisper of “You don’t have to do it all right now. Go ahead and rest.”
To my fellow overdoers: may we all take an ultra deep breath, pour something warm, and let ourselves rest. 🌿
From the jumpseat to your wellness kitchen,
The Flight Attendant Nextdoor
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