Does home treatment and herbs help for pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a disease of the lower respiratory tract, specifically the lung chambers (alveoli), the lung tissue itself (lung antrum), the space between it (interstitium) and the bronchi (bronchioles).

It includes several nosological units (types of pneumonia), as there are also many triggering causes.

Infectious pneumonias are known, which are caused by microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi). Less common are non-infectious pneumonias caused by inhalation (aspiration) of various substances. These are mainly in inhaled form (chemicals, allergens), but also in other forms (radiation, solid food).

The essence of the disease regardless of the provoking cause is the same:

1. the undesirable substance/pathogen enters the airways, causing inflammation and swelling.
2. the lung chambers are saturated with inflammatory fluid, which damages the lung tissue and impairs oxygenation

The disease presents with breathing difficulties, chest pain increasing on inspiration or coughing, dry irritating cough in the beginning, later cough may be productive with expectoration of mucus.

There are also general symptoms such as fever, chills, increased sweating, dry mouth, headache and joint pain, weakness, malaise, fatigue, nausea, vomiting. Usually due to dehydration, blood pressure drops, heart rate increases.

Pneumonia used to kill people in the past!

Pneumonia has killed many people in the past.

This was due to a lack of information by doctors at the time about the disease itself and the factors that caused it. Also, there was no adequate treatment for the condition, which they knew only on the basis of certain symptoms.

Although the symptomatology was well known, these wise minds could only stand by and hope that the patient, his immunity and natural treatments could fight it.
Knowledge of cures for pneumonia was not great at that time.

However!

In some cases, with the help of herbs, the inflammation was alleviated or even completely eliminated, although the course was more protracted than today.

Natural treatment of pneumonia: Is it suitable?

Pneumonia is a very serious disease that in the past often ended in death.

In more complicated or poorly treated cases, there is a risk of respiratory failure!

Thetherapy of pneumonia must be specific, according to the provoking cause.
This means that if the inflammation is caused by bacteria, antibiotics should be used. If the inflammation is caused by an allergen, corticosteroids etc. should be used.

However...

There are many herbs and herbal products that also help in controlling inflammation. They kill some bacteria, viruses and fungi, make breathing easier, promote coughing up mucus or relieve coughing pain.

They are suitable, even desirable, as part of a comprehensive therapy (pharmaceuticals, herbs, regimen). They ease the overall course of the disease and speed recovery.

Some herbs are recommended as prevention, others during treatment, others to reduce symptoms, and others during recovery, when they support immunity and prevent early relapse.

Important:
Some of the active substances in herbs disappear after heat treatment. Therefore, it is preferable to consume them raw.
Herbs must be properly processed and dosed as medicines. Poor preparation and high doses can be harmful to humans.

Table comparing medicines with herbs:

Interesting:
Pneumonia is still one of the most dangerous diseases today.
Despite the identification of the disease and medical advances, many people continue to die from it.
One of the reasons for the high mortality rate is the variability of its causes.
The most recently feared infectious agent causing pneumonia is the COVID-19 virus.
Sars-Cov-2 is not the last bogeyman. A new type of viral pneumonia is spreading in Kazakhstan!
What's next?

Which herbs are useful as preventive measures?

Herbs that are suitable as part of prevention are also suitable during illness and convalescence.

However, some have more active substances and mucilages that literally "coat" the lining of the lungs. This is why they are more often used in the prevention of the disease, especially during periods of increased incidence.

The large-flowered mullein (Verbascum densiflorum) - This is a two-metre tall plant with yellow flowers. It is difficult to collect because of its occurrence in hard-to-reach locations. It contains several active substances that protect the lining of the lungs. It helps with the inflammatory process, facilitates expectoration, and even reduces inflammation and pain in the throat. It can be used in various respiratory diseases (sore throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma...).

Tussilago farfara - Everyone is familiar with this small yellow plant, which resembles the dandelion in appearance. Most of the active substances are found in its leaves, but to a lesser extent in the flowers. Tussilago farfara protects the lung lining, but also has antibacterial effects, facilitates expectoration and relieves hoarseness of breathing in acute phases of illness. It is well known to asthmatics, as it is considered a 'natural anti-asthmatic'.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) - This is a lesser known herb, but a more well-known perennial. Many of you may have it in a pot in your garden or at home, but have no idea of the wonders it is capable of. Hyssop is basically a small shrub with small blue flowers. The substances it contains have strong antibiotic effects. It acts as a preventative against inflammation, and in the acute stage it reduces inflammation.

Moorish mallow (Malva Mauritiana) - This beautiful pale blue to purple plant is not just an ornament in gardens. Mallow contains mucilage essential oils which, when used for a long time, have a beneficial effect on all mucous membranes in the body. It also protects the lining of the lungs and thus acts as a preventive measure against inflammation. Larger quantities of mucilage can also be used in the case of ongoing bronchitis or pneumonia, as it facilitates the expectoration of mucus from the respiratory tract.

Herbs that reduce inflammation

The positive effects of most herbs have not been proven in the laboratory, as the EU now requires. However, there are millions of empirical studies and millions of people who have positive experiences with herbs even today.

Even today, substances from nature are still contained in medicines, and not only in medicines, but also in teas, tinctures and ointments.

It is common to find products in shops or pharmacies that contain a specific mixture of herbs for a specific ailment.

Which ones are for pneumonia?

Aphramomum melegueta - This is an African plant that can reach up to 1.5 metres in height. It is mainly the grains of the spicy-tasting and -smelling aphramomum that are used, also called 'grains of paradise'. They contain compounds of aphramomum that have antimicrobial properties, including in fighting bacterial strains such as MRSA, where most antibiotics commonly fail. They are said to exceed the antibacterial activity of some drugs by several times.

Star anise (Illicium verum) - It is known as star anise. It is a star-shaped spice. It is mainly used in compotes. It contains aromatic oils, oils with sterols, flavonoids, tannins, anethole and others. The mixture of these substances pleasantly warms the respiratory tract, loosens mucus. It also has antibacterial effects, which have even been demonstrated in laboratory conditions. It also significantly inhibits the activity of viruses in viral pneumonias.

Onion garlic (Allium cepa L) - It is basically an ordinary kitchen onion. It is characterized by its bactericidal effects mainly on the respiratory tract, but also on the intestinal microflora. These properties are mainly due to allicin, which destroys and kills some bacteria and viruses. It accelerates the inflammatory process in infectious causes. Onion, as it is called in layman's terms, also thins mucus in the respiratory tract, and thus helps in its expectoration.

Garlic (Allium sativum) - It is a plant often used not only in the kitchen as an excellent flavouring agent, but also in folk medicine. Garlic has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, i.e. it acts against a number of viruses (rhinoviruses, influenza viruses), bacteria and partly against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Before penicillin, it was the only known antibiotic. It also strengthens the immune system thanks to its high vitamin content.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - Everyone knows this delicious spice from Southeast Asia. It is most often consumed for colds and flu in the form of a tea decoction or as fresh grated root. It is also good for pneumonia because of its antimicrobial effects, as it improves lung function.

Capuchin (Tropaeolum majus) - It is a beautiful yellow-orange plant that is not only used as a decoration in gardens and dwellings. Capuchin contains mustard essential oils (glucosinolates), flavonoids, vitamin C, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, mineral and trace substances, carotenoids, anthocyanidins and other active substances. It has bacteriostatic, antiviral and fungicidal effects. It helps to kill mainly staphylococci, E. Coli, streptococci, and also some multidrug-resistant forms of bacteria. Among viruses, it is H. influenza and glucosinolates fight the most widespread fungus C. albicans.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) - This is a well-known herb that people have been fond of using in the past for its antibacterial, antiviral and also disinfectant effects. Not only does sage dampen the inflammatory process, but it even positively affects the lining of the stomach and intestines, thereby relieving accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. It also prevents sweating to some extent.

Herbs that alleviate the symptoms of pneumonia

Many herbs have a number of positive effects at the same time. On the one hand, they counteract the actual disease. At the same time, some of the substances contained in them alleviate one or more of the symptoms of the disease.

Alpinia officinarum - Also known as rhizome or galgan, it belongs, like ginger, to the ginger family. Alpinia contains various substances, such as essential oils, resins, starches, tannins, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids... It not only has anti-inflammatory effects, but also relieves pain, slows down the growth of fungi, inhibits the growth and multiplication of bacteria and viruses.

It accelerates the course of flu and other infections.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) - It is a deciduous shrub found almost everywhere. It has white to yellow flowers and dark purple fruits. The flowers and fruits are still used today to make syrup with a specific scent. Elderberry syrup not only tastes good, but is also healthy. In addition, elderberry juice and bark are used. Elderberry vinegar or liqueur is also well known. Elderberry contains vitamins B and C, fruit acids, essential oils, flavonoids and other substances with beneficial effects. Elderberry is a powerful antioxidant, protects the lining of the lungs, prevents inflammation and greatly facilitates expectoration.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - In addition to its antimicrobial effects, ginger also helps symptomatically. It thins thick mucus, thus aiding in its expectoration. It also reduces nausea and vomiting that often occurs in pneumonia. It stimulates circulation and warms the blood, thus relieving chest pain and headache. Because of its high vitamin content, it strengthens the immune system, which also helps in the prevention and recovery of disease.

Garden marjoram (Origanum majorana) - Every good housewife is familiar with it, as it is one of the most common flavourings in food. Dried marjoram can be found in every supermarket, but it does not occur in nature.

It is grown in gardens.

Fresh is useful for pneumonia. It is used for its high essential oil content, which protects the lungs, dilutes phlegm and facilitates expectoration. Marjoram ointment is rubbed directly on the nose and sinuses for this purpose. A marjoram bath relieves fatigue and dullness and has a stimulating effect.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum) - It is the end product of the bark of the cinnamon tree. It is sold whole or ground. It is a strongly aromatic spice with various uses.

Cinnamon has antibacterial properties. Therefore, it is useful in various inflammations. In pneumonia, not only its anti-inflammatory properties are used. It also soothes chest pain, thins phlegm, facilitates expectoration, strengthens the immune system.

Elderberry (Filipendula ulmaria) - It is a green plant with whitish to yellow flowers. It is also called seraphine or "natural aspirin" because it contains salicylaldehyde. This is a substance very similar to acetylsalicylic acid, the main active ingredient in aspirin, acylpyrine, medipyrin, and other antipyretic drugs. It logically follows that elderberry reduces fever and also relieves pain.

Which herbs to take during convalescence?

After overcoming pneumonia, the patient is not yet completely won. Inflamed lungs are more prone to recurrence of the disease, so we should take care of their regeneration.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) - It is a smaller plant with pinkish-purple flowers in the shape of a cup. Its name already makes it clear which organ it is beneficial for. It is used preventively, during lung diseases (especially long term ones with a prolonged course) and most often during convalescence.

This is due to the ability of the lung to regenerate lungs damaged by inflammation. It improves the condition of the lungs and lung function.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpuera) - Known as Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea does not grow wild in nature and must be cultivated. The name purpurea is based on the distinctive purple colour of the flowers. This is why it can be seen as an ornament in many gardens. Echinacea teas are increasingly appearing in supermarkets and are recommended not only for pneumonia but also after it has been treated with antibiotics.

Echinacea has proven itself in many cases in patients where antibiotics have not worked.

Supportive measures are also an important part of home treatment for pneumonia

Supportive measures in pneumonia are those that speed up the patient's recovery. Failure to do so risks worsening the condition, prolonging and worsening the course of the disease, or causing relapses.

Bed rest means bodily austerity, i.e. bed rest. Even young children know that a sick person belongs in bed. Austerity is useful to reduce the spread of inflammation and gradually eliminate it.

Increased physical activity is conducive to a prolonged course of the disease and to frequent relapse.

The correct position for a patient with pneumonia is sitting or half-sitting. In more severe pneumonia, this is a position of relief, which the patient with respiratory difficulties assumes automatically. One should also sleep in a half-sitting position. If one sleeps lying down, shortness of breath and phlegm wake us from sleep and force us to sit up anyway.

Breathing gymnastics is especially useful for patients with chronic pneumonia and frequent recurrences. Proper breathing techniques improve breathing, relieve coughing and reduce the number of acute coughing attacks.

Adherence to a drinking regime is particularly important in the disease. Drinking promotes mucus secretion and is important when taking medicines and syrups that promote mucus release. Replenishment of fluids is also important for their loss during vomiting or increased sweating due to fever.

A varied and balanced diet is important throughout life, especially during illness. A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary antioxidants and bioactive substances supports the immune system and thus aids in early recovery.

Legal Supplement

If the diagnostic or therapeutic effects of herbs are not approved, it is not a medicine.
Only pharmaceuticals and herbal products approved and registered in a given country are considered to be medicines.
The above information is obtained from publicly available sources and herbaria.