The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Pneumonia

(Congestion of the Lungs)

Contents:

Definition | Symptoms | Nutrients
Herbs | Recommendations | Bibliography

Definition

Inflammation of the lungs caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants. There are more than 50 causes. The tiny air sacs in the lung area become inflamed and fill with mucus and pus. It is unlikely to be contagious.
Back to Top

Symptoms

Pneumonia caused by pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, or bacilli often begins suddenly. Chills, high fever, pain in the chest, cough, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat, enlarged lymph glands in the neck, bluish nails (cyanosis), rapid, difficult breathing, purulent and often bloody sputum. Mortality is high unless treated with an appropriate antibiotic. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Some contributing factors are the common cold, influenza, seizure or stroke, aspiration under anesthesia, alcoholism, smoking, kidney failure, sickle cell disease, malnutrition, foreign bodies in the respiratory passages, even allergies.

Vitamin A is necessary for maintaining the health of the lining of the respiratory passages. A deficiency increases susceptibility to respiratory infections, which may lead to pneumonia.

Weakness will remain for 4-8 weeks after recovery. Diagnosis is by x-ray.
Back to Top

Nutrients

Beta-carotene, 15,000 IU daily, protects the lungs from free radical damage.

Vitamin A, 50,000 IU daily.

Vitamin C, 3,000 to 10,000 mg. per day, in divided doses, is very important for immune response and for reducing inflammation.

Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. 3 times per day, is needed for normal digestion, production of antibodies, and formation of red blood cells; for healthy mucous membranes.

Raw thymus extract and raw lung tissue, 500 mg. each twice per day, stimulates immune response and promotes healing of lung tissue.

Vitamin E emulsion, 1,500 IU daily, is a potent antioxidant that protects the lung tissues and enhances oxygen utilization.

Zinc, 80 mg. daily, is needed for tissue repair and immune function. (Zinc gluconate dissolved in the mouth is very effective).

Germanium, 200 mg. daily, aids in relieving discomfort and promotes immune response.

Proteolytic enzymes, 3 times daily on an empty stomach, aids in absorption of nutrients and reduces inflammation.
Back to Top

Herbs

Back to Top

Recommendations

If you suspect pneumonia, see your doctor. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take acidophilus capsules or 2 tbsp. of liquid 3 times per day.

Eat raw fruits and vegetables. Take a protein supplement from a vegetable source. Include chlorophyll in a “green drink” or take in tablet form. Avoid dairy products, sugar, white flour products, coffee, all tea except herb tea, and cigarettes.

Drink plenty of juices. Liquids help thin the lung secretions. Fast on pure juices, fresh lemon juice, and distilled water.

A cool mist from a humidifier or vaporizer is helpful. A heating pad on the chest will relieve pain.
Back to Top

Bibliography

Buy It! Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

Buy It! The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1984, sixth printing 1994.

Buy It! Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Buy It! Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Buy It! Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Buy It! Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Buy It! The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

PubMed.gov: Inhibition Activity of Wild Berry Juice Fractions against Streptococcus pneumoniae Binding to Human Bronchial Cells.

Back to Top

Share