Nebulizing- simple but powerful remedies

Do you have a nebulizer at home? Many people do not, unless they have asthma or other lung issues. I am here to tell you that every household needs one — and I will explain all the reasons why in this post.

Where to Purchase a Nebulizer

You can typically find them at your local pharmacy or on Amazon. We have had ours for four years and spent around $140 on a very high quality one. I suggest you purchase one that is NOT battery operated as they typically are not strong enough to get the nebulized solution deep into the lungs. We purchased this one five years ago and love it.

What We Personally Nebulize and Why

The below is in no particular order of importance as they all serve different purposes. We have nebulized these three options for suspected pneumonia, bronchitis, excess mucus, to stop viral replication, and as prevention when traveling or exposed to sick individuals. Please know, this is not considered medical advice and is for educational purposes only.

1. Colloidal Silver

Silver has been used to kill over 650 different illness-causing microorganisms — bacteria, viruses, and fungi — for centuries all over the world. Colloidal silver is a liquid derived from silver particles small enough to be measured in nanometers.

Some things to look for when choosing colloidal silver:

• Particle Size: The smaller the particle size, the safer, more effective, and greater the bio-activity. Particles 0.8 nanometers in size is best. The solution should be clear to ensure smallest particle size.
• Positive Charge: The bioactive form of silver is the positively charged form. A higher ratio of positively charged silver (as close to 100% as possible) creates an unwanted environment for unfriendly organisms.
• Purity: True colloidal silver contains more than 50% silver in nanoparticle form. Pharmaceutical-grade water only — void of any proteins or gelatin additions.
• PPM: When a silver product contains the most active species of silver with the smallest particle size and greatest amount of positively charged silver, a safe low concentration of 10 to 23 ppm is sufficient.

Due to colloidal silver's antiviral and antibacterial properties, one of the most common uses is to nebulize it as a form of treatment for bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. It is also shown to have profound oncolytic properties as an additional treatment against lung cancers (source).

My favorite brand is Sovereign Silver because it has been proven over and over again to be a very potent silver.

How we personally use it: For most respiratory infections, we typically nebulize one teaspoon, 2–3 times a day for 10–15 minutes. The first few days may cause coughing and phlegm before treatment helps lungs feel better. Most holistic doctors recommend limiting treatment to no more than 30 days or as needed temporarily.

2. NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)

We have only had to use NAC two times in the past five years, mainly to break up thick mucus and prevent bronchitis and pneumonia when mucus wouldn't budge. The only downside is that liquid NAC vials for the nebulizer are only obtained via prescription and not all pharmacies keep them in stock. Oh, and it smells like pure sulfur — slight downside! I make sure to always have some on hand.

Why I love it:

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione, has been used to loosen thick mucus in the lungs for five decades. It can also boost the immune system, suppress viral replication, and reduce inflammation. (source)
• NAC has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been used in patients with COPD and rhinosinusitis. Its mucolytic action reduces the viscoelasticity of mucus, making it easier to transport along the airways. (source)
• My daughter has a weak point in her lungs. One time she had a cough that wouldn't budge no matter what we tried. Nebulized NAC broke it up within 24 hours and we could all sleep again.

How we personally use it: Since liquid NAC is only available via prescription, there will be instructions included with the vials. Request 20% strength, preservative-free if possible.

3. Saline + Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide + Iodine

I know this one sounds a little out there, but we have nebulized hydrogen peroxide so many times I have lost count — over five years with zero side effects. It's very important that you do it correctly. As always, check with your personal physician if you have concerns.

Dr. David Brownstein has successfully treated over 200 patients with nebulized hydrogen peroxide. He has published a book describing his approach titled A Holistic Approach to Viruses, which I highly suggest keeping on your bookshelf.

Nebulized Peroxide Basics

You absolutely must use FOOD GRADE hydrogen peroxide. Do not use the brown bottle from the grocery store — it is not food grade and contains stabilizers you would never want to inhale. I order my food grade hydrogen peroxide from Modern Alchemy. Use code rootsandleaves at checkout for 10% off.

The peroxide needs to be diluted with saline. Brownstein recommends diluting to 0.04%. I personally use a 0.1% solution. Here is the full article on how to nebulize hydrogen peroxide by Dr. Mercola.

How we use it: We nebulize 2–3 times a day for 10 minutes when traveling or at the very first sign of illness. Dr. Brownstein treated multiple COVID-positive patients daily while nebulizing the solution twice a day — and he and his staff stayed healthy.

If you want to dive deeper into unique immune support strategies, step-by-step guides, and how to stay immune strong, consider joining The Crunchy Club.

And there you have it — the three items we always keep on hand for our nebulizer. We even travel with ours, just in case. As always, this is not a substitute for medical advice. I am an herbalist and dedicated researcher, not a medical doctor. Always check with your physician.

I wish you all health and peace.
XOXO, Haley