Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that causes the inflammation of the air sacs in either one or both lungs. Following the infection, the air sacs are filled with pus or fluid, which in turn leads to labored coughing. This coughing is often accompanied by pus,phlegm or blood-stained mucus, chills and one may experience a fever. Other symptoms that accompany pneumonia include sharp chest pains when coughing, excessive sweating as well as confusion in adults and senior citizens.

sesame seeds

Pneumonia also causes inexplicable fatigue and general body weakness. Ideally, pneumonia varies from very mild which can be treated at home with ease to life-threatening which requires immediate medical attention. Mild pneumonia can be attended to at home, and will often clear after about 10 days. Life threatening cases, however, require hospitalization until the patient makes a full recovery.

To understand why specific home remedies are recommended for the natural treatment of pneumonia, it helps to understand how the infection progresses. This lung disease typically starts when one breathes in germs which are then deposited in the lungs. This is especially common after one gets common cold or a flu.

The germs impede the normal functioning of the lungs due to the infection. It is also important to note that long-term diseases such as diabetes or asthma increase the risk of pneumonia. Other risk factors include chronic lung conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a weakened immune system and even working in a nursing facility. For many cases, pneumonia can easily be treated with the home remedies listed below. If the symptoms become more severe over a period of time, seek medical attention immediately.

1. Cayenne Pepper:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Cup of fresh lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1/2 cup of hot water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the symptoms that accompanies pneumonia is thick mucous production that makes breathing very difficult. Cayenne pepper is recommended to help deal with this symptom. The pepper contains a high amount of capsaicin that triggers the release of mucous from the airways. By clearing the mucus, the cayenne pepper helps treat pneumonia. In addition to this, cayenne pepper is an excellent source of beta-carotene. This is a key ingredient in the proper development of the membranes lining the respiratory passages. Prepare this simple drink by following the directions below.

Directions:

  1. Mix the lemon juice with the water.
  2. Stir in the cayenne pepper to mix well.
  3. Drink this mixture at least twice daily until you get relief from the symptoms of pneumonia.

 

2. Sesame Seeds:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Teaspoons each of sesame seeds, flaxseeds and honey, 1 cup of warm water, a strainer and a pinch of salt.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Sesame seeds are an excellent expectorant which, when taken by a person suffering from pneumonia, help to decrease the amount of phlegm. This is beneficial because it decongests the lungs and helps improve breathing. You will add flax seeds and honey during the preparation of this remedy. The latter is added because it soothes the respiratory passages as well as has excellent healing properties. You also need to note that this remedy may be prepared in bulk, preferably one day in advance, to save time as well as ease the process of the same.

Directions:

  1. Put the sesame and flaxseeds in the pan and pour in 1 cup of warm water.
  2. Boil the mixture for a couple of minutes and then reduce the heat to allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat and let the seeds steep for 5-10 minutes before passing the mixture through a strainer.
  4. Stir in the honey and add a dash of salt.
  5. Drink this mixture daily to manage the symptoms of pneumonia as well as encourage speedy healing.

 

3. Steam Therapy Using Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oils:

Time Required: 20-30 Min
What You Need: Hot water, a basin, 5 drops of both eucalyptus and tea tree oils, a clean towel and handkerchief. Other optional oils you may use for this remedy include camphor essential oil, lemon and lavender oil. Alternatively, you will need a cotton cloth, a carrier oil, microwave and 5 mls of tea tree/eucalyptus oil.
Difficulty: Moderate

 

This remedy combines the best of steam therapy with the healing properties of tea tree and eucalyptus oil. Steam therapy helps decongest the lungs, while tea tree oil has excellent antibacterial properties that are effective in getting rid of the infection. Eucalyptus oil on the other hand, provides much needed relief from congestion. The oil helps break down the mucus and makes it easy to expel. There are two ways in which you may prepare this remedy. Follow the directions below to choose the remedy that suits you best.

NOTE: The oils must not be used internally as they cause toxicity to the internal body organs. Secondly, this remedy is classified as moderate because ti is not appropriate for kids and older citizens who experience confusion as one of the symptoms of pneumonia.

Directions:

Method 1

  1. Boil the water and add 5 drops of both oils.
  2. Transfer the oil mixture to the basin.
  3. Place a towel over your head and lean in carefully over the basin.
  4. The purpose of doing this is to allow you to inhale the steam.
  5. The towel is draped over to contain the steam and prevent it from escaping.
  6. Take deep breaths to allow the oil’s healing benefits permeate the respiratory passages.
  7. Continue inhaling deeply until the water cools down and/or you stop getting the oil fragrance.
  8. Once this is done, gently blow your nose to get rid of the mucus and reduce congestion.
  9. Use this remedy twice daily in order to get relief from pneumonia.                                                                 NB: In place of eucalyptus oil, you may use camphor essential oil and lemon oil to get the same benefits.

Method 2

This second method involves the topical application of the oil.

  1. Soak the clean towel in the carrier oil for 5 minutes. Vegetable oil also acts as an excellent alternative.
  2. Warm the soaked towel in the microwave.
  3. Add the eucalyptus and tea tree oil to the warm towel and rub to spread it evenly.
  4. Lie down face upwards to facilitate the application of this remedy.
  5. Put the wet towel on the chest and rub it gently.
  6. Leave the towel on for half an hour.
  7. Use this remedy at least thrice daily for quick healing from pneumonia.

 

4. Garlic:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 3 Garlic cloves, muslin, 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Garlic is one of the most remarkable home remedies for the natural treatment of pneumonia. This is because the cloves are rich in allicin, a potent antibacterial and antiviral compound that effectively combats pneumonia caused by either bacteria or viruses. In addition to this, garlic also has immune-boosting properties that help strengthen the immune system so that the body is better placed to ward off the infections. Add garlic to your list of remedies to help clear phlegm in the airways and ease breathing.

Directions:

Method 1

  1. Peel the garlic and crush well.
  2. To ease the process, place the crushed garlic in the muslin and squeeze in order to get 1 teaspoon of garlic juice.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the garlic juice and stir in the honey.
  4. Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture at least twice daily to get relief from pneumonia.

Method 2

  1. Mince the 3 garlic cloves so that you have a paste-like substance.
  2. Chop half an onion and crush it before adding to the minced garlic.
  3. Add 2 teaspoons of honey to the garlic and onion mixture and stir.
  4. Pour in the water and stir once more before drinking.
  5. Take this mixture daily, preferably before taking breakfast and on an empty stomach.

 

5. Mullein:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: 1 Cup of mullein leaves and/or flowers, a glass jar, boiling hot water and a strainer.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Mullein, sometimes known as the velvet plant, is a potent remedy for the natural treatment of pneumonia. Its potent expectorant properties help eliminate phlegm which in turn provides relief from chest pains and congestion. In addition, the herb’s antiviral properties help deal with the infection in cases where the pneumonia is a result of a viral infection. For this remedy, prepare mullein tea using strictly leaves and flowers only. Do not use the mullein seeds as they are toxic for human consumption. Additionally, this home remedy is not recommended for expectant women and those with liver or kidney diseases.

Directions:

  1. Chop and crush the dried mullein flowers and leaves before transferring to a jar.
  2. Pour boiling hot water over the leaves and flowers until the plant parts are completely immersed in hot water.
  3. Stir the leaves and flowers in for a minute and close the jar.
  4. Leave the jar overnight to allow the active ingredients present to diffuse into the water.
  5. The next morning, strain the mixture and drink a cup of the mullein infusion to get relief from pneumonia.
  6. Take this remedy thrice daily. If you would like, you may add half a cup of milk to the infusion.
  7. Prepare the mullein infusion in bulk, and refrigerate the remainder to be used in 5 days.

 

6. Homemade Cough Syrup:

Time Required: 1 Hr
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon each of the following: dried mullein leaves, crushed ginger, ground cinnamon, dried rosemary leaves and horehound herb, a dash of cayenne pepper, a soup pot and 150 mls each of drinking water and raw organic honey.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Prepare a homemade cough syrup to relieve the chest congestion as well as eliminate the mucus that accumulates in the respiratory airways. The mullein leaves, as mentioned above, have excellent expectorant properties that help in the elimination of phlegm. Raw ginger on the other, helps get rid of chest congestion. The presence of capsaicin in the cayenne pepper helps break down the mucus so that it is easy to expel and get rid of from the respiratory airways. Add raw honey to soothe the airways as well as to gain from its numerous health and healing benefits. You may prepare the remedy in bulk and refrigerate the remainder for later use.

Directions:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in the pot and stir well for even distribution.
  2. Heat the mixture and bring it to boil.
  3. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer until it is half of the original volume.
  4. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.
  5. Take 1 teaspoon of the homemade cough syrup every couple of hours until you start to feel better.
  6. Once the syrup has completely cooled down, transfer to an air-tight jar and shut tightly.
  7. Refrigerate the syrup and use within 5 days.
  8. Repeat this remedy until you get relief from the symptoms of pneumonia.

 

7. Turmeric Milk:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 glass of warm milk and 1 teaspoon of natural honey.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Turmeric is a versatile home remedy that is rich in both antibacterial healing properties and chest decongestion. By killing the bacteria responsible for the pneumonia, turmeric works as an ideal solution. the herb also clears and eliminates the mucus with the aim of freeing the airways and making it easy to breathe. This remedy is very simple to prepare, and all you need is the ground turmeric and the glass of milk.

Directions:

  1. Stir the turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk.
  2. Drink this milk thrice daily to treat pneumonia.

 

8. Black Pepper and Basil:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Cups of water, a handful of fresh basil leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper powder and 2 teaspoons of raw organic honey.
Difficulty: Easy

 

A mixture of basil and black pepper is a reliable home remedy for the natural treatment of pneumonia. This is because the combination expels the thick mucus from the lungs. This remedy stands out because it also helps dry up the fluids that accumulate in the lung’s air sacs following the infection. Add honey for its excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties as well as the fact that it acts a s a natural sweetener.

Directions:

  1. Boil the water and add the handful of fresh basil leaves.
  2. Lower the heat and allow the leaves to simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat and stir in the black pepper.
  4. Let the remedy simmer for an additional 10 minutes before straining.
  5. Stir in the raw honey and drink this remedy twice daily.

 

In addition to these remedies, it is also important to ensure that you get adequate rest to enhance your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. Stay hydrated too to help the body eliminate toxins and help with faster recovery. Avoid smoking during this time as this easily adds to the irreparable damage cause by infections that affect the lungs. Opt for hot showers as opposed to cold showers to help get rid of chest congestion and ease breathing. Lastly, take a balanced diet to boost your immune response, particularly foods that are rich in Vitamin C.