The introduction is also posted on Spotify as a podcast by “Gerry at The Health Equation”

You can search Spotify for “Gerry at The Health Equation”

Or use the link below

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerrygaj

Below is the specific link

Gerry Gajadharsingh writes:

“I was sent a copy of this very old book on the importance of nasal breathing by one of my colleagues and friends in Germany  Mr Markus Beer, thank you Marcus.

Over 150 years ago, American artist and explorer George Catlin spent decades living among Native American tribes. He expected to document their traditions, rituals, and beauty — but what he discovered changed his understanding of health forever.

Catlin noticed that Indigenous people, untouched by Western habits, were remarkably strong, symmetrical, and healthy. Infant deaths were rare, deformities almost unheard of, and chronic diseases that plagued “civilized” society — lung ailments, spinal problems, even tooth decay — seemed virtually absent.

His conclusion?

“The Indian’s secret of health lies in the simple habit of keeping the mouth shut.”

Mouth Closed, Nose Open

Catlin’s observation sounds quaint, even simplistic — yet modern science increasingly backs him up. He noticed that Native mothers would gently close their babies’ lips after feeding, ensuring they breathed only through their noses, even in sleep.

In contrast, Western infants — bundled indoors in warm, stuffy rooms — often slept with their mouths open. Catlin believed this single habit led to a cascade of problems: poor sleep, weak lungs, malformed teeth, and even shorter lives.

He wrote passionately that no animal sleeps with its mouth open, and that humans were designed the same way. Our nostrils filter, warm, and humidify air, while the mouth lets in cold, dry, unfiltered air that can irritate the lungs and upset the balance of the body.

Why Nasal Breathing Matters

Catlin didn’t have access to modern physiology, but his instincts were spot on. Today, research confirms that nasal breathing:

  • Filters dust, allergens, and pathogens.
  • Balances CO₂ and oxygen, optimizing blood oxygenation.
  • Activates the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system, promoting calm and recovery.
  • Enhances nitric oxide production — crucial for blood vessel dilation and immune defence.
  • Supports facial development and dental alignment in children.

In contrast, chronic mouth breathing has been linked to sleep apnoea, anxiety, fatigue, poor concentration, and altered facial growth.

A Lesson From the Past

Catlin’s 1860s message — “Shut your mouth and save your life” — might sound dramatic, but it’s strikingly relevant today. In a world of stress, screen time, and shallow breaths, we’ve forgotten how to breathe properly.

Restoring nasal breathing isn’t complicated. Try these:

  • Close your mouth while you sleep. (If you snore or wake with a dry mouth, it’s a sign you’re mouth-breathing.)
  • Practice gentle nasal breathing during the day — especially when exercising or feeling anxious.
  • Keep your airways clear with hydration, nasal rinses, and good posture.
  • Slow down your breath. Longer exhalations help calm the nervous system.

Breathing, the Original Medicine

Catlin’s insight — born not from theory but from observation — is now echoed by breath experts worldwide. From yoga to modern “conscious breathing” practices, the principle remains: how we breathe shapes how we live.

So next time you catch yourself sighing, yawning, or snoring with your mouth open, remember George Catlin’s timeless advice —

Shut your mouth… and save your life.”