Natural pneumonia treatment should aim to boost the immune system in order to fight off the microbe causing the infection. Natural treatment can help relieve coughing, breathlessness, fever, fatigue and sore lungs. It can be safely combined with conventional medication if required. Here are 7 ways to fight pneumonia naturally:
1 – Rest Your Body
It is vital that you rest your body when you are struck down with an infection. It is advisable to avoid going to school, college or work in order for your body to get the rest it needs.
You should aim for 8-10 hours of deep, unbroken sleep a night. A daytime nap is also beneficial. Some people, particularly children, will want to sleep all the time. That’s fine. Just listen to your body and sleep as much as you need.
It is during deep sleep that your body produces growth hormone – your body’s repair hormone. Quality sleep is one of the best natural pneumonia treatments.
2 – Drink Plenty Of Fluids
When fighting an infection you need lots of fluids in order to keep your body hydrated. Aim to drink 2-3 litres a day preferably as hot lemon drinks, herbal teas, broths, freshly squeezed vegetable juices or pure water. Please avoid coffee, tea, alcohol and soft drinks which can act as diuretics and immune suppressants. Drinking enough water is an essential part of your pneumonia treatment plan.
3 – Eat Properly
The right diet to support healing should include lots of fresh vegetables, low carb fruit, quality proteins and healthy fats and oils. Protein is important for your immune system and can be sourced from lean red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes. Vegetarians may need to look into using a protein powder based on soy or rice protein.
During pneumonia treatment avoid the foods that can trigger mucous production, inflammation and poor immune function. These foods include sugar, white flour, excess dairy and processed foods.
4 – Take the Right Nutrients
Supplements play a central role in effective pneumonia treatment. They can help to boost your immunity, repair damaged tissues and get you feeling better faster. Some of the basic nutrients to use are vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, the B complex and the essential fatty acids.
5 – Add Some Healthy Herbs
There are some very powerful herbs that can help with natural pneumonia treatment. For children, the herb echinacea is a good starting point. For adults, herbs like olive leaf extract, garlic and astragalus are excellent.
6 – Steam Inhalations
To relieve congestion and coughing, steam inhalations are invaluable. Simply cover your head with a towel and breathe in the steam from a bowel of steaming water. Adding some essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree or lavender will make this pneumonia treatment even more potent.
7 – Local Heat Treatments
Application of heat to the chest and throat can bring relief to lung discomfort and promote healing.
Place a heat bag, hot water bottle or hot flannel over the chest and throat area. Alternatively a hot bath or shower directed on these areas will help.
If you or a loved one are suffering from this nasty infection, then there is a lot you can do with natural therapies. Natural pneumonia treatment can quickly relieve the pain, discomfort and congestion, and get you back on your feet faster.