Last week I returned from a lovely two-week vacation in Italy. Unfortunately, the day after I got home I became gravely ill with the flu.  It was the worse bout of flu I have ever had in my life.  Five days of fever, aches, not eating, and general suffering.  This flu led to pneumonia. I began to seek out natural treatments for pneumonia to complement my medical care.

Pneumonia sounds scary.  It can be.  This lung infection causes inflammation in the lungs from bacteria or a virus.  This inflammation causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid.  Pneumonia needs medical attention.  It is not something to ignore.

Even though the doctors were not sure if my illness was bacterial or viral, they prescribed antibiotics.   Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.  In addition to the medication, I found several natural treatments for pneumonia that helped my recovery.

5 Natural treatments for pneumonia to complement medical treatment

1. Drink lots of water!

Rest and consumption of fluids are age old advice for illness.  Staying hydrated ensures our body can work on healing and fighting infection optimally.  It is an effective natural treatment for pneumonia.

2.  Supplement with Cordyceps

Cordyceps has long been used in Chinese and Tibetan medicine.  This mushroom improves respiratory function, as well as strengthen your immune system. WebMd explains:

Cordyceps is used to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disorders, kidneydisorders, nighttime urination, male sexual problems, anemia, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, liver disorders, dizziness, weakness, ringing in the ears, unwanted weight loss, and opiumaddiction.

It is also used for strengthening the immune system, improving athletic performance, reducing the effects of aging, promoting longer life, and improving liver function in people with hepatitis B.

I’ve also been taking MyCommunity Fungi Perfecti/Host Defense 60 Caps.  Both of these fungi supplements are good natural treatments for pneumonia .

3.  Megadose Vitamin C

The doctor told me to take massive amounts of Vitamin C.  She said to take it until I got diarrhea. I have not taken that much, as on top of my other symptoms, I just couldn’t bear diarrhea too.  I have been taking a lot though. The doctor said it was the only treatment for pneumonia that would help if it was caused by a virus.  Powdered Vitamin C allows for you to get the large doses needed to use as a natural treatment for pneumonia.

4.  Essential Oils:

I’ve been using tea tree and eucalyptus oil in a room diffuser. I’ve also been rubbing them on my feet and chest, as well as in a steam bath.  They help open my lungs to make breathing easier. Rapid Home Remedies explains:

Most of the essential oils have antibiotic properties and they can best be used through inhaling their steam. Steam inhalation using essential oils take the beneficial components’ effects deep into the lungs and help get relief from congestion. There are two essential oils that are particularly good for pneumonia. These are eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil. While eucalyptus oil helps relieve congestion and also aid you in coughing up the mucus, tea tree oil fights off microbes. Another way of using these essential oils is to directly rub them onto your chest.

5. Rest and be patient

I have been sick now for 12 days. I am tired of being sick, but I find the days when I try to do more, I relapse harder the next day.  Pneumonia takes time. Be patient and honor your body’s need to rest.

Pneumonia is potentially dangerous, and these natural remedies are not meant to replace a doctor’s advise. They are meant to complement any medical treatment you are getting.  I hope they help you as much as I believe they have helped me.