Last year, my mom ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. It was completely unexpected and had me asking (and researching!) a bunch of questions. What is pneumonia? Can you treat it naturally? How serious is it?
When it comes to breathing, it’s easy to get scared. And when you’re coughing so hard you’re hurting yourself (cracked ribs, pulled muscles), you need relief. Pneumonia is one of several illnesses that can make someone reconsider how healthy they actually are. I hate getting stuck having to research in a crunch, especially when someone’s health is on the line, so I’m sharing what I learned.
What is Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory system, including the lungs and their parts. It is not caused by one single factor; several different factors, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause it.
Causes
Viral
Some viruses, such as RSV, COVID, human rhinovirus, and influenza, target the respiratory tract. If the immune or respiratory systems are weak or damaged, pneumonia could be a possible result.
Bacterial
When certain bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacteriaceae, are overpopulated in the lungs, pneumonia can also be a result. Overpopulation occurs due to damaged lungs or a weakened immune system.
Fungus
Less common than bacterial or viral infections, fungal spores can also enter the body, and the body’s effort to rid itself of these spores can result in pneumonia.
When to support at home
Pneumonia is one of those things you’ll want to keep an eye on as you support your body at home. These are good signs that the body is working through the infection:
- No fever
- No breathing issues (shortness of breath, tightness in chest)
- Able to go about daily activities
These all really need to happen together to ensure recovery. If at any time you doubt someone is recovering, don’t hesitate to consult a medical professional.
Ways to support naturally
Support overall immunity
Pneumonia can indicate that the body is run down or not operating optimally. The obvious things to do are rest and listen to your body. The consequences of not resting and taking care of yourself can result in pneumonia progressing, and the likelihood of medical intervention increases. So seriously, rest! This doesn’t necessarily mean lying around all day (your lymphatic system needs you to move so it can help pump out junk). It means being mindful of your sleep and stress and having your movements be intentional to support the lymphatic system (learn more about that here).
There are many ways to start supporting overall immunity, and you can do many of them at home. If you haven’t done it already, the first thing to do is limit/eliminate all processed sugars. Sugar is taxing on the body, and when it’s already struggling to get better, it doesn’t need the extra stress. It can also cause inflammation (S).
Some people find that dairy can cause excess mucus production. So, cutting dairy might also be helpful if you are struggling with a respiratory illness. (S)
Your body also needs an arsenal of supplies to draw on when fighting off a sickness. If its arsenal is depleted, it can take you longer to get better; in some cases, delayed sickness can result in pneumonia.
Nutritional components that support the immune system include:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Electrolytes like:
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Antioxidants like:
- Anthocyanins (found in blueberries, elderberries, and other purple-colored fruits and vegetables)
- Flavonoids (found in fruit and vegetables)
- Polyphenols (a compound found in herbs/vegetables, clove, peppermint, cocoa powder and berries are all great sources)
Vitamin C
When it comes to vitamin C, you want to take as much as your body can handle. Food forms of vitamin C will offer additional antioxidants and fiber. This will also aid in recovery, so keeping a supply of the following foods will be very helpful:
- Guavas: One cup of guava contains approximately 377 mg of vitamin C
- Bell Peppers: Red bell peppers have about 152 mg of vitamin C per cup
- Kiwi: One cup of kiwi provides around 167 mg of vitamin C
- Strawberries: A cup of strawberries contains about 98 mg of vitamin C
- Oranges: One cup of orange segments offers around 96 mg of vitamin C
- Papayas: One cup of papaya has about 88 mg of vitamin C
- Broccoli: One cup of broccoli provides around 81 mg of vitamin C
Another easy way to get the necessary vitamin C is to use a whole food powder. Options like powdered acerola cherry powder, which is high in vitamin C, or try Earthley’s Immune Aid powder. You can add the powder to drinks or smoothies.
Vitamin D
Many of us aren’t getting enough sun to generate natural vitamin D, and will either need to supplement or eat foods that are naturally high in vitamin D, like:
- Fatty Fish: The amount of vitamin D depends on the type of fish. One cup of cooked salmon can provide around 1,139 IU of vitamin D
- Egg Yolks: One large egg yolk contains approximately 41 IU of vitamin D
- Beef Liver: One cup of cooked beef liver contains about 49 IU of vitamin D
- Mushrooms: The vitamin D content in mushrooms will vary significantly based on their exposure to UV light. One cup of UV-exposed mushrooms can provide around 23 micrograms (920 IU) of vitamin D.
If you’re not a fan of these food options, you can supplement with vitamin D. However, you’ll want to be careful not to oversupply and to make sure that it has cofactors like K2 and magnesium. Earthley’s Vitamin D Cream is an all-natural topical solution that is easy to absorb without oversupplying.
Electrolytes
When we’re sick, our bodies need extra fluid and electrolytes. Nature is really good at providing well-balanced natural electrolytes. Having these drinks on hand can help keep someone with pneumonia hydrated:
- Coconut water
- Herbal tea infusions with herbs like:
- Nettle
- Oat straw
- Hibiscus
Foot soaks or baths in sea salt are another way to get the minerals you need. Earthley’s Good Night Lotion is another option. It delivers magnesium topically, making it easier on the digestive system.
Remedies
Halotherapy
Halotherapy, also known as salt therapy, is a newer emerging therapy but a great tool for supporting respiratory illness. Basically, you go into a room covered with salt rock(we’re talking about the floor, walls, ceiling, and all of it. It’s pretty cool), and salt is aerated into the room. The salt thins mucus, making it easier for the body to break down and expel. Salt is also a naturally anti-inflammatory. The respiratory tract can become inflamed from coughing, and salt can be soothing. It is also antibacterial. While there are no studies of halotherapy and pneumonia, since it is an infection, the antibacterial properties of salt may help support the body as it fights the infection.
Herbal remedies
Humans have been successfully using herbal remedies for centuries, and it wasn’t until the last 150 years that we forgot about them. You can use several herbs to support the immune system during sickness. Here are a few great ones to have on hand:
- Echinacea Angustifolia: A powerful antiviral herb that is a massive asset to the immune system
- Astragalus Root: An adaptogenic herb that is gentle to use all the time but strong enough to support the body with serious illnesses like pneumonia
- Cordyceps: This fungus packs a punch for supporting the immune system.
- Elderberry: This berry contains antioxidants like vitamin C and quercetin, two important tools needed when sick.
You can use these herbs in various ways, from teas to tinctures. Earthley’s Immune-Biotic tincture has echinacea angustifolia and astragalus root. Earthley also has a 5-Mushroom Super Blend with cordyceps.
If you have the time, energy, and resources, you can make your own elderberry syrup. It’s easy to make and tastes pretty good. Here is a DIY, and you can always add those herbs to the recipe for added support. If you’re sick or just can’t DIY, Earthley offers an Elderberry Tincture as well as an Elderberry Syrup Kit.
Other easy herbs and food you can use to support the body:
- Lemons: Warm lemon juice with honey and a pinch of salt several times a day is great for vitamin C and also keeps electrolytes up.
- Garlic: Viruses and bacteria are not fans of garlic, so add it to eggs, soups, meats, and wherever you like to support the body.
- Ginger: A warming herb, ginger can help keep circulation flowing and the body warm and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Targeted lung support
Home remedies
There are a few things you can do at home to support the lungs. First is humidity. Run a humidifier to ensure that the room humidity is around 40%. Too high humidity can have negative consequences, and dry air can be irritating to the airway, causing unnecessary coughing and sore throat.
Something else you can implement at home is a position called proning. Proning is where the person with pneumonia lies face down. This position allows the organs that usually weigh on the lungs (heart and digestive) to shift forward so the lungs have less burden. It can also reposition the fluid that has accumulated in the lungs, opening up the potential for it to be expelled.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal steaming can be a way to introduce herbs and warm moist air into an irritated airway. Herbs like basil, pine, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme can all support breathing. All you have to do is boil a pot of water, add herbs of choice, and use a towel to trap the steam around the face. You don’t want to be so close that the steam burns you, but you want to be close enough to smell the vapors.
Teas and Tinctures
Just like some herbs support the body and the immune system, some herbs support lung health, and you’ll want to use these with pneumonia.
- Mullein: This fuzzy herb is a mucilage (gel-like substance) to help soothe and protect. It is also an anti-spasmodic (to help reduce coughing) and is an expectorant (will help the body cough up the mucus). You can make a tea out of mullein or find it in a tincture. Earthey’s Cough-B-Gone has mullein in it.
- Thyme: Known for its culinary purposes, thyme also has many lung-supporting properties, including anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator properties. You can make a simple thyme tea.
The Lung Microbiome & Pneumonia
We all know that our gut has a microbiome. This microbiome affects not only how we digest our food but also how we feel. When our gut microbiome is off, we can feel bloated, constipated, have diarrhea, or experience anxiety or depression.
Recent studies are now showing us that microbiomes are everywhere. In us, on us, around us, including in our lungs. Just like with our gut, if we have too much of one bacteria or not enough of another, our lungs can become compromised, making us more likely to get something like pneumonia. (S) (S)
There is still a lot of work to be done to understand what influences the lung microbiome and how to promote a healthy microbiome, but we can assume that clean air (no artificial fragrances, little pollution) and air produced by nature (think trees, grass, plant life, and the ocean) have to be beneficial.
When to see a medical specialist
The truth is, pneumonia is really serious, and you should not, at any time, hesitate to reach out to a medical professional if you or someone you love is having problems breathing. That can be a really obvious sign that someone is struggling, but here are a few others:
- Long-term fever (lasting more than a few days)
- Difficulty breathing (retraction, shortness of breath without activity)
- Lethargy lasting more than a day or two
- Heavy feeling in the chest/chest pain
Conclusion
We can make confident decisions when we know what we’re dealing with. Only you should decide what is right for you and your family. This blog is designed to give you a few things to think about. I’m not a doctor, and this isn’t medical advice. The statements and products in this publication have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure anything.
Have you found effective ways to deal with pneumonia at home?
