Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung caused by bacteria, fungus, or viruses that enter the lungs, leading to inflammation of the lung tissue. It is a general term used to describe any infection that is deep in the lungs. Those at higher risk of developing pneumonia are the elderly, those with weakened or compromised immune systems, those that are hospitalized, alcoholics, those that smoke and those suffering with other health conditions. 

Symptoms:  Rapid, shallow breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, sore throat and headache, cough with mucus and possibly blood, fever, sweat, shivering attacks, fatigue and exhaustion.  

First thing to do when treating any illness is to make sure only nutrient rich food goes into the body. Avoid meat, dairy, sweets and any processed or fast food.  Feed your body nourishing foods such as homemade soups with bone broth, easily digestible foods, vegetables, fruits and lots of herbal tea and juices. Many times the body will send craving signals for exactly what it may need. 

Incorporate fluids and get plenty of rest. Frequent warm baths may also be very healing. Keep in mind that coughing is a good thing when dealing with a respiratory infection, so do not take cough suppressants. It may be a nuisance but this is the body's way of expelling the built up mucus (and bacteria) out of the body.

• Respiratory system

• Respiratory Conditions

• Pneumonia formulas

• Ginger tea with raw honey and a squirt of lime - ginger is warming and drying which can help the wet condition of the lungs. 

• Herbal baths: Soak in an herbal bath as often as your body feels. It is also good for this condition to dip in cold water, right after a hot bath or do Dr. Christopher’s cold sheet treatment. Yarrow baths are a go to healing remedy for whatever may ail you, it just knows what to do in a body to bring about balance and healing. Thyme is specific for the lungs an antiviral/antibacterial. Soak for at least a half hour and drink plenty of fluids.

• Incorporate garlic and onions in the diet. Not only do these foods have antibiotic properties that will aid the body in killing the bacteria or virus, they also help to expel phlegm.

• Hot Chest packs - this could include a poultice, compress or hot pad. Use, food such as onions, garlic, ginger and or mustard, herbs or essential oils.

• Alternating hot and cold packs. If you are dealing with a stagnate condition alternating hot and cold over the area - in this case the lungs - will get the lymph and blood moving. Chest claps are another way to help break up mucus so it can be expelled.   

• Castor oil massage: massage into the chest and on the back every morning and evening before bed.  Castor oil applied to the skin will increase the blood supply to that area for focused attention.  It also can stimulate the immune system.

• Catnip enema with cold water

• Exercise like jogging or jumping can dislodge and help expel mucus

• Using aromatic spices as a tea or in your foods - those such as cloves, cinnamon, and allspice have microbial action that can help the body kill off harmful viruses and bacteria. They are also more drying so will help with the wet condition in the lungs.  Autumn Spice Tea would be a good one to add a little raw honey to and sip on throughout the day.  

• ​Dr. Christopher's Immucalm - sometimes the immune system can get in overload mode and sends so many blood cells to take care of the lung problem that too much mucus builds up too quickly. This formula helps to calm the immune response while also strengthening and stimulating the body's ability to fight off infection. Combine equal parts: marshmallow root and astragalus. 

• Try to take deep breaths throughout this process. The body needs oxygen, and it needs to fight to breath. Many times, when people are placed on machines that breathe for them, the body stops fighting to breathe and they go downhill. Intentionally work to breathe deep to keep the lungs working.  Inhaling peppermint essential oil while deep breathing helps bring more oxygen to the lungs and blood.

• Dr. Christopher's Cold Sheet Treatment - I also reference this in my post on Hot and Cold Therapy.

These are our most important allies in the modern day battle with antibiotic resistant bacteria. Because of how complex herbs are the bacteria cannot figure out the formula for breaking their resistance to these powerful bacteria fighters.  Herbs are not really antibiotic because that word means "anti-life" and herbs are not anti-life, they are anti harmful bacteria. They know the difference between the beneficial bacteria in your body and the ones causing harm and those are the guys they target with the help of the immune system and beneficial bacteria. Take these frequently, as often as the body desires, alone or part of a formula. 

• Antibiotic herbs

• Antimicrobial herbs

• Expectorant herbs help the body to expel mucus from the lungs, most likely in the form of coughing it up.

• Echinacea - stimulates the immune system 

• Goldenseal 

• Oregon graperoot 

• Garlic - 4 cloves is equal to one dose of antibiotics

• Usnea - best used in tincture form 

• Wormwood - strong antibiotic 

• Astragalus - immune builder and strengthener, take as a tonic daily

• Sage

• Oak bark​

These can be massaged into the chest, back and the bottoms of the feet. I also like to apply an immune boosting blend to the spine - my favorite is Four Thieves. You could also put these in hot water and use as a compress on the chest and diffuse them as an inhalation. 

• Thyme

• Cinnamon

• Oregano

• Ravensara

• Eucalyptus

• Tea tree

• ​Frankincense 

• Lemon 

• I like REVIVE Breathe Easy for respiratory issues

Resources

Herbal Antibiotics

Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies

Reference Guide for Using Essential Oils

The Herbal Drugstore

The Green Pharmacy