Pneumonia is a serious respiratory condition in which the lungs become inflamed, compromising your ability to breathe properly. The illness can be bacterial, viral or fungal in origin, although the first line of treatment is usually with prescription antibiotics because it's difficult for your health provider to quickly pinpoint the pathogen causing the infection. The increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and adverse reactions to antibiotics has fueled the search for natural alternatives. Herbal treatments should not be used without advice from a doctor or other medical professional.
Baikal Skullcap
Botanist James A. Duke, author of "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook," reports that Chinese studies have shown that the root of the Baikal skullcap, or Scutellaria baicalensis, is a potent antimicrobial, killing not only bacteria but viruses and fungi as well. This makes the herb particularly useful in treating pneumonia when the source of the infection has not yet been determined. Duke recommends taking the skullcap, which can be obtained in Chinese herb stores, in conjunction with other antibiotic herbs, such as Oregon grape, goldenseal, barberry and yellow root. However, he emphasizes that pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening infection and should not be taken lightly. He strongly urges that patients work with their doctors to determine whether herbal remedies make sense as either an alternative or complementary therapy in overall treatment.
Inhalation of Essential Oils
Although a number of essential oils have antibiotic properties, tea tree and eucalyptus oils are particularly helpful in the treatment of pneumonia, according to Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of "The Herbal Drugstore." Tea tree oil is a potent antimicrobial, fighting off not only bacteria but viruses and fungi as well, while eucalyptus has strong decongestant properties in addition to being an antibiotic. Inhaling vapors from these oils can be therapeutic for pneumonia patients, according to White and Foster. Pour 1 quart or more of hot water into a heat-resistant bowl, which has been placed on a sturdy table. The water should be hot enough to steam but not hot enough to burn your face. Add a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil. Cover your head with a towel and lower it to within 12 inches of the water so you can readily inhale the oil-enriched steam. Inhale deeply through your nose and mouth and continue until the oil's scent has dissipated. Repeat three times daily. Check with a medical professional before pursuing this line of treatment.
Garlic
In "Healing through Natural Foods," author H.K. Bakhru extols garlic's antimicrobial properties, citing studies that have shown the odoriferous culinary stalwart to be effective in killing more than 70 strains of infection-causing bacteria, as well as other infective agents. One of garlic's added benefits as an antibiotic is its selectivity, according to Bakhru, a naturopathic practitioner. While most prescription antibiotics indiscriminately kill bad and good bacteria, garlic seems to target bad germs without also killing the good bacteria that are needed for the body to function properly. Botanist Duke strongly seconds Bakhru's recommendation of garlic's antibiotic properties, citing the story of herbalist/naturopath Mary Bove who contracted pneumonia while eight months pregnant. She rejected the course of antibiotics recommended by her doctor, opting instead for six to 10 chopped cloves of garlic daily, taken along with echinacea. Her symptoms improved significantly within two days, and by the end of two weeks the infection was gone. Check with a medical professional before pursuing this line of treatment.
References
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"; James A. Duke; 2002
- "The Herbal Drugstore: The Best Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medicine"; Linda B. White and Steven Foster; 2000
- "Healing Through Natural Foods"; Dr. H.K. Bakhru; 2000
