Pneumonia and Herbs

After a bout of pneumonia, good nutrition, herbal supplements, and hydration are very important. The right herbs can speed your recovery and help to repair the inflamed lungs. 

Get plenty of rest and have a family member or friend stay with you for a few days. Emotional support is very important to healing. It will become ever so important to have support as these bouts of pneumonia become more resistant to antibiotics and make you sicker than you thought.

Diet: Try sticking to fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, soups, broths, stews, whole grains. Stay away from sugars and white flour products, as these items will suppress the immune system. Drink plenty of water, as this will flush toxins and re-hydrates the body. Drink herbal teas like Lemon Myrtle.  Lemon Myrtle has antiseptic, anti-viral, calmative, sedative, properties.  It is caffeine free and has a very lemony flavor which is appealing to people with a cold and the flu.

Herbs to use:

Schisandra Berries: These berries can be added to any herbal teas. These berries have a long Chinese tradition as being a lung tonic, strengthening the lung. Pneumonia weakens the lung walls.

Coltsfoot: Pneumonia can trouble you with lung spasm and throw you into coughing fits. Coltsfoot helps to calm lung spasms and reduce lung wall inflammation. Don't use coltsfoot over 3-4 weeks.

Mullein: This helps to tone the respiratory tract which you will need, it also fights inflammation in the lungs.

Elecampane: This helps to ease the cough and has an antibacterial effect. This herb is also a "bitter" which aids in digestion. (If you are allergic to ragweed avoid this herb) This herb was at one time the treatment for tuberculosis

Hyssop: This herb is anti-viral and is an expectorant (which means it help to liquefy the junk in your lungs so you can cough it up and spit it out)

Herbal steam inhalation:  Bring a pot of water to boil, pour the water into a heat resistant bowl, and place on a table. Add to the steaming water herbs like eucalyptus, thyme, peppermint, and rosemary. These herbs help to relax the airways and fight bacteria.

Astragalus and Eleutherococcus senticosus (formally known as Siberian Ginseng) Ashwaganda : These three herbs are  adaptogens which will help the body to cope with the stress it has gone through. They will help to restore the strength and balance to all the body systems

 Make Your Own Cough Syrup

·         1/2 cup water

·         1/2 cup of Honey

·         2 teaspoons of Mullein leaves

·         2 teaspoons of Horehound herb

·         2 teaspoons of rosemary

·         2 teaspoons of cinnamon

·         2 teaspoons of ginger

·         2 teaspoons of anise seed

Combine all of the ingredients in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Simmer uncovered until the mixture is reduced by half. Remove from the heat and strain. Cool to room temperature. Take 1/2-1 teaspoon as often as every 2 hours. Store in the frig.