Joint and headaches, high fever and flu-like symptoms are common symptoms of pneumonia. We have the best tips and applications to help you get well again quickly. These home remedies help with pneumonia!
Table of Contents
Home remedies for pneumonia
1. Cure a cold
Everyone knows it: a slight scratchy throat, cough, runny nose or hoarseness, often accompanied by headaches and a slight fever. When the temperatures drop in autumn, the cold season begins! The immune system is weakened, the body should be spared – cure the cold and treat yourself to a break in the form of bed rest. It is not uncommon for pneumonia to occur as a late consequence of a cold.
2. Pleasant room temperature, calf wraps and sufficient fluid intake
A comfortable room temperature of 21 degrees is ideal, although you should pay attention to the humidity, as the climate must not be too dry. Damp towels on the heater increase the humidity and help you breathe more freely. Chest and feet should always be kept warm.
If the fever shoots up and the joints hurt, cool calf wraps can help. Dip two small towels in a bowl of water, squeeze them lightly and wrap a wet towel around each lower leg. The cold calf wrap can be used to reduce fever, draws heat from the body and relieves inflammation.
Make sure you drink enough – the fever and high body temperature increase the need for fluids. A tea not only regulates the fluid balance , but also has a beneficial effect on the throat and throat.
3. Inhalation for pneumonia
You can inhale in two ways: with a bowl and towel or with a steam inhaler.
Add a few drops of essential oil to the warm (not too hot) water. Lavender or eucalyptus oil are particularly suitable. Now inhale the rising water vapor – the healing process is supported, the inhalation also has an anti-inflammatory and relaxing effect on the bronchi.
4. A warm bath for pneumonia
A relaxing soak for about 20 minutes can help reduce pneumonia, clear mucus, and open the airways. Fill the bathtub with hot water and add 150 grams of coarse salt and peppermint or thyme oil. The essential oils clear the airways and help to breathe easier.
5. Sesame for pneumonia
Sesame is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, which stabilizes the structures of cell membranes and the skin. In addition, sesame contains lecithin, which is involved in fat metabolism, strengthens brain and nerve cells and protects liver cells.
To counteract pneumonia , dissolve 20 grams of sesame seeds in 250 ml of water. A teaspoon of flaxseed and a tablespoon of honey can be added to this, which gives the whole thing a slightly sweet taste.
6. Ginger for pneumonia
Ginger is known as a health-promoting root that can be used as a natural antibiotic. With a spicy-hot taste, it is often used for respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. Ginger is rich in antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory effects against the symptoms of pneumonia.
Peel the ginger, cut into small pieces and boil in a pot with water. As little as two cups of ginger tea a day can help relieve symptoms.
7. Garlic for pneumonia
Chest pain is common when you get pneumonia . Garlic can be used to alleviate this . Garlic contains important minerals such as calcium, copper, potassium and iron as well as vitamins B and C. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, garlic helps to cleanse the lungs and strengthen the body’s defenses against infections. You can eat the garlic cloves raw or drink a teaspoon of the bulb’s juice.
Even if this home remedy does not necessarily taste good and leaves bad breath behind, it is effective for treating pneumonia, leading to improvement of symptoms and thus faster recovery.
8. Turmeric for pneumonia
Turmeric , the yellow ginger herb, has an anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the immune system. Add a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of warm milk – stir well and drink slowly. Even after the illness is over, turmeric can be used to prevent respiratory diseases and infections.
9. Honey for pneumonia
Honey can also counteract pneumonia as a natural remedy. Dissolve two teaspoons of honey in warm water. Two to three glasses a day calm the organism, allowing the body to concentrate better on the healing process. In addition, honey has an antiseptic effect and the warm drink soothes a sore throat.
10. Carrot juice for pneumonia
Before dinner, we recommend a glass of carrot juice , as it contains valuable antioxidants and is also rich in vitamin A, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and B vitamins. Prepare the juice with the juicer or blender – simply combine 2 to 3 carrots and a glass of water and enjoy.
11. Fruits and vegetables
A sufficient intake of fruit and vegetables is important during illnesses and also for prevention. The contained vitamins, minerals and trace elements support the immune system in the defense against pathogens. Therefore, pay attention to your vitamin C requirements, as well as vitamin D, zinc and selenium.
12. Do breathing exercises
Breathing exercises that improve and strengthen lung function help with pneumonia or for prevention.
- On an inhale, stretch your arms up and hold the position for 3 seconds.
- Slowly lower your arms back down as you exhale.
- Relax 10 seconds.
- Repeat the exercise a total of five times.
Causes: What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia, also known as pneumonia, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the lung tissue , which is usually triggered by bacteria, more rarely viruses or fungi . Bacterial pneumonia is caused by pathogens such as pneumococci, while viral pneumonia is caused by e.g. B. caused by chlamydia , legionella and mycoplasma. The most common bacterial cause of pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the case of cold pneumonia, on the other hand, the usual symptoms and fever do not occur. Signs of cold pneumonia can include general fatigue, breathing problems, body aches, dry cough, and chest, lung, and back pain.
The pathogens are transmitted through the air and as droplet infection through speaking, coughing and sneezing. They get into the airways and cause inflammation in the tissues there. For people with a strong immune system, pneumonia is not life-threatening. The situation is different for immunocompromised and sick people: Complications can occur more frequently with them, so that the pneumonia can also be fatal.
About 400,000 people contract pneumonia every year . The number of new cases increases, especially in winter and in times of strong flu waves.
Identify symptoms of pneumonia
Before the disease breaks out, flu-like symptoms usually appear in the case of viral or atypical pneumonia . Symptoms are:
- dry cough without sputum
- limb aches and headaches
- sudden high fever
- exhaustion
- chills and loss of appetite
- chest pain
- a shallow breathing
- occasional shortness of breath
The symptoms of classic pneumonia are:
- chills
- high fever
- Patients often feel seriously ill
- to cough
- sputum
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- a lack of oxygen can cause the lips, nose, toenails and fingernails to turn blue.
Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia?
At first glance, there is little difference between bronchitis and pneumonia. In bronchitis , the mucous membranes of the bronchi and trachea are inflamed. In the case of pneumonia, on the other hand, the air sacs or the lung tissue are inflamed. If bronchitis caused by viruses is delayed, it can become viral pneumonia. This also applies to a cough that is delayed. Pneumonia can also be caused by viruses or fungi, but bacteria are often the causative agent. In any case, you should have a doctor clarify whether it is bronchitis or pneumonia – especially if the symptoms of the disease last longer.
Therapy: Treatment and home remedies for pneumonia
If the typical symptoms occur, you should always consult a doctor. Antibiotic treatment is necessary in almost all cases of pneumonia , since the disease is usually caused by bacteria that can only be treated by drugs such as antibiotics can be combated efficiently. Patients are treated at home or in the hospital. Admission to the hospital is necessary if the course of the pneumonia is particularly severe and you suffer from shortness of breath, for example. This usually affects older and immunocompromised people as well as smaller children. After just three to four days of taking antibiotics and sufficient bed rest, it is unlikely that other people will be infected. If no further complications occur, pneumonia usually heals within two to three weeks and is thus over.
We have the best tips that you can use to support the medical treatment of your pneumonia – home remedies, natural antibiotics and other applications will help you get well again quickly.
prevent pneumonia
To protect yourself from pneumonia, the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine recommends the following measures:
- The flu shot can reduce the risk of pneumonia caused by viruses.
- People over the age of 60 and the chronically ill should be vaccinated against pneumococci. The chronically ill include immunocompromised people, diabetics, heart, kidney and liver patients, as well as people with an increased risk of meningitis . A pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for children up to the age of two.
In order to strengthen the immune system , you should also get enough exercise in the fresh air, eat a balanced diet and ensure a healthy intestinal flora . It is also advisable to avoid stress. Pathogens and bacteria don’t stand a chance!
Risk factors that favor pneumonia:
- Direct physical contact with people who have a cold or pneumonia. The disease is transmitted by droplet infection.
- High alcohol consumption
- smoking and passive smoking
- underweight or malnutrition
- Inadequate oral hygiene
