There Were Ashes Falling on Me This Morning
Jul 15, 2026
How I support my body (and my family) through wildfire smoke and poor air quality
I'm writing to you from the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, where we've just had two incredible, full-on tropical beach days. This morning I stepped outside to get my morning light, and there were ashes falling on me.
The wildfires up in Canada are massively impacting our air quality today, and there was no ignoring it once it was landing on my skin.
I had planned to go for a morning run. Instead, I chose a walk. When the air is thick with smoke, hard exercise just pulls more of those fine particulates deeper into your lungs. On days like this, gentler is wiser.
This is what "control what you can control" looks like in real time. I can't clear the sky, but I can support my body through it. Here's what I've got with me.
NAC — My Number One
NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is at the very top of my list. It's a direct precursor to glutathione, your body's master antioxidant and the compound your lungs and liver lean on hardest to neutralize the oxidative damage that smoke inhalation causes. NAC also thins and mobilizes mucus, so your airways can actually clear what they're catching. When the air is full of particulates, this is the one I reach for first.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that helps protect lung and tissue from the oxidative hit of smoke, and it works hand-in-hand with glutathione to keep it recycling. Bonus: vitamin C also helps the body break down histamine, which matters more than you'd think on a day like today (more on that in a second).
Binders
When you're breathing smoke, you're taking in fine particulates, and the toxins that ride along with them. Binders (activated charcoal, bentonite clay, humic and fulvic acids) grab onto those compounds in the gut so they're escorted out instead of recirculated. And if you have DIRTbath on hand, this is a beautiful offering for your kiddos, the humic and fulvic binders work on the very same principle, from the outside in.
DAO + Quercetin (Let's Talk Histamines)
Smoke is a respiratory irritant, and it can ramp up histamine and mast cell activity, which can leave you stuffy, itchy-eyed, reactive and inflamed. So if needed, I have some basic tools on hand to support histamine clearance.
DAO is so incredible. It's like a Pac-Man for histamines. I keep it on hand always. It works fast and really helps the body clean up. DAO (diamine oxidase) is the very enzyme your body uses to break histamine down, so it's a real gift if histamine symptoms are expressed or simply to get ahead of it on high-exposure days. You can find my favorite here.
If more histamine support is needed, I also have quercetin packed. It's a natural mast cell stabilizer and antihistamine that also protects the lungs and pairs beautifully with vitamin C.
And of course, FEMfusion is ready to go every minute of the day, and that includes nettle, a lovely, gentle antihistamine in its own right.
Hydration + Minerals
Speaking of FEMfusion, don't forget hydration. Your mucous membranes and every one of your detox pathways run on water and minerals. This is a FEMfusion day for sure.
Saline Nasal Rinse
I have saline rinses packed for me and my guys. It's so simple, yet so effective. A saline rinse physically flushes the particulates out of your sinuses before they can settle in and irritate.
RC, Eucalyptus + Rosemary
I also packed my RC essential oil from Young Living. It's my go-to respiratory blend for open, easy breathing, a beautiful support when the air feels heavy. I've got eucalyptus and rosemary with me too, both wonderful for the airways. A drop in the diffuser or in my palms to cup and breathe in.
Air Filtration
I don't have an air purifier with me here (that's changing soon, I'll be adding a Jaspr). But if you have one at home, today is the day to run it.
What I Don't Have Packed, but Would Be Supportive
- Lung-loving herbs like mullein, marshmallow root and ginger.
Don't Forget Lymph, Movement + Rest
Keep that lymph moving so your body can clear what it's processing. The Big 6 is a wonderful offering here.
And of course, if it gets truly toxic out there, close the windows and stay in during the worst of it.
Days like this are a reminder. We can't control the sky, but we are never powerless. We support the body, we reduce the load and we trust it to do the rest.
Breathe easy,
💜 Dr. Tonya Holcomb Naturopathic Doctor | Founder of Fiercely Empowered Mama
Please keep a closer eye on the most vulnerable, little ones, elderly loved ones and anyone with asthma or a respiratory condition. You can always turn to a nebulizing treatment if more support is needed. It's gentle and DIRECT support for the lungs.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
