Articles
Lung Support Living Tonic: Mullein, Pleurisy Root, and Licorice in One Bottle
Oct
Come on in, family. Take a deep breath with me.
Here in the Valley, we breathe a lot of dry air. Dust storms in monsoon season. Cool, dry winters. And every time the weather turns, folks come into our shop on Peoria Ave asking, “Kareem, what do you have for my breathing?”
The Lung Support Living Tonic is one of the answers on our shelf. It’s built on mullein, the classic breathing herb, with four more traditional plants backing it up.* Here’s everything that’s in it and what to know before you start.
What Is Lung Support Living Tonic?
Lung Support Living Tonic is a plant-based herbal formula from 4 Cycles of Life, crafted with traditional botanicals commonly used to complement respiratory wellness, breathing comfort, and overall daily wellness.* It combines mullein leaf, marshmallow root, pleurisy root, ginger root, and licorice root, with organic pineapple and lemon concentrates.
| Detail | What the product page says |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 fl oz (237 mL) |
| Price | $29.99 |
| Form | Liquid dietary supplement |
| Herbal blend | Proprietary Herbal Blend, 2,000 mg |
| Flavor | Organic pineapple + organic lemon concentrates |
| Labeled | Plant-based, alcohol free |
| Suggested use | Adults take 2 teaspoons (10 mL) once daily |
| Storage | Shake well. Refrigerate after opening. Best served chilled. |
What does “Living Tonic” mean here?
In herbal tradition, a tonic is something you take a little of, regularly, as part of your routine. It’s not a quick fix and it’s not a magic trick. Think of it like watering a plant. You don’t dump a gallon on it once a month. You give it a little, consistently, and you let nature do its thing. That’s the “living” in Living Tonic, family: it’s made to live in your daily routine.
What’s Inside: Base, Support, and Flavor
When I build a blend, I think in three parts. The base is the foundation, the herb the whole formula leans on. The support herbs are the team that backs it up. And the flavor is what makes you actually want to take it every day, because if it don’t taste right, you won’t stick with it. Here’s how Lung Support Living Tonic breaks down.
Base: Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus)
The big, fuzzy-leafed plant that grows wild across North America and Europe. Traditional use: One of the best-known traditional herbs for respiratory wellness and breathing comfort.* It’s the base.
Support: Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)
This root gets slippery in water, and herbalists call that mucilage. Traditional use: Traditionally used to soothe and coat the throat.*
Support: Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa)
Pleurisy root comes from butterfly weed, the bright orange milkweed that monarch butterflies love. Traditional use: Native American and early American herbalists used it for respiratory comfort.* It’s a little sleeper in this formula, and it’s a strong one, so read the safety section.
Support: Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
Warming and comforting. Traditional use: Used since ancient times for warmth and digestive comfort.*
Support: Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice is naturally sweet. Traditional use: It’s been used across Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian traditions and is commonly promoted for respiratory and digestive support.* It’s strong too. See the safety notes.
Flavor: Pineapple and lemon
Organic pineapple and lemon concentrates keep it bright and fresh-tasting.
The liquid base
The other ingredients are distilled water, vegetable glycerin, and raw apple cider vinegar, plus the fruit concentrates. There’s no alcohol in it. Vegetable glycerin is a plant-based liquid that’s naturally a little sweet, and raw apple cider vinegar brings that tangy bite folks either love or learn to love. Together they carry the herbs so you can take them in a spoon instead of brewing a pot.
What Does It Taste Like?
Sweet pineapple and tart lemon up front, licorice sweetness in the middle, and a warm ginger and earthy root finish. It’s nice in a little warm (not hot) water with a spoon of honey.
How to Take It, Step by Step
Okay, family, here’s the easy part. It’s not rocket science.
- Shake the bottle well. Plant material settles at the bottom, so give it a good shake every single time.
- Measure 2 teaspoons (10 mL). Use a real measuring spoon, not the spoon from your kitchen drawer. Dinner spoons come in all kinds of sizes.
- Take it your way. Take it straight off the spoon, or stir it into a small amount of water or juice.
- Cap it tight and put it back in the fridge. The label says refrigerate after opening, and it’s best served chilled.
That is one serving, once a day, for adults. Please don’t go past what the label says. More is not better. Consistency is better.
How long does one bottle last?
An 8 fl oz bottle holds about 237 mL. At 10 mL a serving, that’s roughly 23 servings, or a little over three weeks of daily use. Your count may be a little different depending on how carefully you measure.
Make it a habit, not a hassle
Here’s what I tell folks at the tea bar: tie it to something you already do. Put the bottle on the same fridge shelf as your morning water. Take it right after you brush your teeth, or with breakfast. When it rides along with a habit you already have, you won’t forget it. And pair it with the basics, family: drink your water, eat your greens, move your body, and get your rest. A tonic is a helper. It’s not the whole house.
Who May Enjoy Lung Support Living Tonic?
In general, this tonic may suit adults who:
- Want mullein, marshmallow root, pleurisy root, ginger, and licorice in one liquid.
- Live in dry, dusty climates like ours and want daily respiratory wellness support.*
- Like bright citrus flavors.
If you’re having trouble breathing, chest pain, a high fever, or a cough that won’t quit, don’t wait on herbs. Call your provider or get care right away.
Please Read This Before You Start
I love herbs. I’ve been teaching about them for a long time. But herbs are real plants with real strength, and natural does not mean right for every single person. So let’s be grown about it.
Talk to your healthcare provider first if you:
- Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing.
- Take any prescription medicine or over-the-counter medicine. Herbs and medicines can affect each other, and only your provider or pharmacist can look at your full list.
- Are managing any ongoing health condition.
- Have a surgery or procedure coming up.
- Are thinking about giving it to anyone under 18.
Notes about specific herbs in this blend
These notes are about the single herbs, not test results for this tonic.
- Licorice root: Licorice contains glycyrrhizin. Large amounts or long-term use can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and cause an irregular heartbeat. If you have high blood pressure, heart, or kidney concerns, or take steroid, heart, blood pressure, or fluid medicine, talk with your provider first. Large amounts in pregnancy are unsafe.
- Pleurisy root: Pleurisy root is a milkweed. It’s not considered safe in pregnancy or nursing, and it may affect the heart and interact with heart medicines. Talk with your provider first if you have any heart concern.
- Marshmallow root: May slow how the body takes in medicines taken at the same time. Ask about spacing them apart.
- Pregnancy and nursing: Not recommended without your provider’s OK.
Good habits with any herbal product
- Follow the label. Take only the suggested amount.
- Tell your healthcare provider about every herb and supplement you use, including this one.
- If you notice anything unusual, stop and call your provider.
- Keep it in the fridge after opening and out of reach of children.
I can’t give personal medical advice in a blog post, and I won’t pretend to. If you have a question about your own body, your provider is the right person to ask. Bring the bottle with you so they can read the label.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I take?
Adults take 2 teaspoons (10 mL) once daily.
How is it different from the Mucus Cleanse Living Tonic?
Both use mullein and marshmallow root. Lung Support adds pleurisy root and licorice, while Mucus Cleanse adds elecampane and thyme.
Is it alcohol free?
Yes.
Can I take it with my medicine?
Please ask your provider or pharmacist first, especially because of licorice.
More From 4 Cycles of Life
If Lung Support Living Tonic sounds like your speed, here are a few more you might like:
- Deep Breath Herbal Tea Blend is a premium loose-leaf tea for a warm cup.
- Mucus Cleanse Living Tonic pairs mullein and marshmallow root with elecampane and thyme.
- Daily Defense Herbal Tea Blend is another premium loose-leaf blend for your daily cup.
- Browse all of our 8 oz tonics and herbal bitters in the Bitter Tonics collection.
Come See Us in Peoria
4 Cycles of Life is a Black-owned herbal shop and tea bar. We started online in Arizona back in July 2014, shipping herbs and teas to families all over the country. On October 3, 2026, we opened our storefront doors at 8110 W Peoria Ave, Ste 103, in Peoria, Arizona. You can read more about our story on our About page.
If you’re in the West Valley, come on in, family. We’re open Tuesday through Friday, 10:30am to 5:30pm, and Saturday, 9am to 2pm. You can look at the Lung Support Living Tonic bottle in person, ask questions at the counter, and sip something at the tea bar while you’re there. If you’re not local, no problem. We still ship nationwide from 4cyclesoflife.com, the same way we’ve done since 2014.
Ready to Try It?
Read the full label and order on the Lung Support Living Tonic product page.*
Share this with your family members and loved ones, and remember: Mother Nature is your gift to healthy living.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
