Home remedies are excellent natural options to strengthen the immune system and help treat pneumonia, mainly because they can alleviate some of the typical symptoms such as cough, fever or muscle aches, improve comfort and facilitate the recovery process.
However, these remedies are not a substitute for medical treatment, especially in cases of pneumonia, because a doctor’s evaluation is necessary to understand whether more specific remedies, such as antivirals or antibiotics, are needed. Where possible, home remedies should be used under the direction of the treating physician. See more details on treating pneumonia.
Some of the home remedies that can be used to relieve symptoms are
Home and natural options that have scientific evidence to reduce fever include:
It is a very simple but very effective option to treat fever and provide quick relief, as it allows you to lower your body temperature in minutes. To do this, dip 2 compresses, or a clean cloth, into a container containing hot mint tea, then release the excess water. Finally, the compresses, or cloth, should be applied to the forehead and this process can be repeated several times a day, both in children and adults.
In addition to the water temperature that helps cool body temperature, mint also contains substances, such as menthol, that help cool the skin. Ideally, the tea is not hot, but it is also not cold, as it can cause a thermal shock and make the person tremble, increasing discomfort.
White willow is a medicinal plant with strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic power that helps fight headaches and relieve fever, since it has in its composition a substance very similar to the active substance of aspirin, salicycin.
Therefore, this tea is perfect for use in the treatment of pneumonia, as it relieves many of the symptoms, such as headaches, fever and muscle aches.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Place the willow bark in the cup and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then filter and let it heat up. Drink 2 to 3 times a day.
Ideally, this tea should only be consumed by adults and is contrasted in the same situations as aspirin, i.e. pregnant women and people at higher risk of bleeding. See aspirin contraindications.
To relieve coughing, some of the most effective home options include
Thyme is a medicinal plant traditionally widely used for the treatment of cough, being authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a natural ingredient for the preparation of cough medicines [1].
According to a 2006 study [2], this effect appears to be related to the composition of flavonoids in the plant, which helps to relax the throat muscles responsible for coughing, in addition to alleviating inflammation of the airways.
Ingredients
How it’s prepared
Place the thyme leaves in a cup of boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes. Then filter and let it heat up. Drink 2 to 3 times a day.
Thyme tea is safe for adults and children over 2 years, but in the case of pregnant women, it should only be used with the advice of the obstetrician. In addition, some people may be allergic to this plant and its use should be discontinued if symptoms related to an allergic reaction occur.
Due to its composition of bromelain, pineapple juice seems to be an excellent natural option to relieve coughing, as it seems to inhibit coughing.
In addition, because it contains vitamin C, pineapple juice also strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation of the respiratory system, making it a good option to use in the treatment of pneumonia.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Whisk the ingredients in a blender and drink 2 to 3 times a day or whenever there are more severe coughing.
Because it is a completely natural juice, this home remedy can be used in adults and children, as well as in pregnant women. Discover more recipe options with pineapple coughing.
The best home remedies to reduce muscle pain and general discomfort are those that have analgesic action such as:
In addition, the phenolic compounds of ginger also have a strong antioxidant action, helping to strengthen the immune system.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Add the ingredients and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Then filter, let warm and drink 2-3 times a day.
Ginger is a safe root for use in adults and children over 2 years of age. In addition, it is also safe during pregnancy, but for this the ginger dose should be only 1 gram per day and the tea should only be drunk up to 4 days.
Echinacea is a well-known plant to help strengthen the immune system, however, it is also very effective at relieving inflammation in the body, having an analgesic effect on muscle pain and general discomfort.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Place the echinacea leaves in the cup with boiling water and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, filter, let warm and drink 2-3 times a day.
Echinacea is a very safe plant that can be used by adults, children over 2 years of age and even pregnant women, subject to the supervision of the obstetrician.