Pneumonia
What is a Pneumonia?
Often a complication of a cold, the flu, or another type of respiratory condition, pneumonia is a serious disease involving infection and inflammation of the lungs. When a person’s immune system is significantly diminished in its ability to fight off pathogens (like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi), there can be an infection of one or both lungs that then leads to inflammation.
Rather than simply resolve itself on its own like a cold, pneumonia can escalate to the point of becoming fatal if not properly treated. A common obstacle in effectively diagnosing pneumonia, however, is that its symptoms of coughing up phlegm, having a fever, full body aches, shortness of breath, insomnia, and various other types of pain can resemble those of a cold or the flu.
Given how severe a case of pneumonia can be, the sufferer may also experience intense pain in the chest when coughing or breathing. Smokers, the elderly, young children, those afflicted with another serious disease (like AIDS), those who have undergone major surgery, and those under intensive care in the hospital are at greater risk of experiencing life-threatening health complications from pneumonia than those who are generally healthy adults.
The Western medical approach to resolving pneumonia is defined by the nature of the person’s infection. If it is determined that the patient has a bacterial infection, they will be given a regimen of antibiotics to resolve the disease. If the case is particularly severe, this remedy may be administered intravenously while the patient is hospitalized. Sufferers of viral pneumonia may be given antiviral medication, but otherwise they are instructed to get rest and drink plenty of fluids. Those with fungal pneumonia are given anti-fungal medication. And in general, those afflicted are also given pain-killers and other medications that treat specific symptoms. Pneumonia sufferers are also told to rest, drink fluids, and avoid strenuous or stressful activity.
How Does Ayurveda View Pneumonia?
Each of the three doshas of Ayurveda sits in a certain part of the body. That is, the general balance of the dosha’s energy is defined by the healthy function of the related anatomy: Vata energy is defined by the healthy function of the large intestine, Pitta energy is defined by the healthy function of the stomach and small intestine, and Kapha energy is defined by the healthy function of the lungs and the upper body.
This is why an infection of the lungs, like that of pneumonia, is heavily related to an imbalance of the Kapha element in the body. However, as is the case with many serious illnesses, pneumonia can occur because of an imbalanced collision between the Kapha element and another element like Vata. It is this potentially complicated situation that makes diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia best managed by a trained Ayurvedic professional and not exclusively resolved through self-healing practices. For the purposes of this application, though, the respiratory symptoms associated with pneumonia can be lessened to a point through Kapha balancing practices as outlined below.
The onset of pneumonia can also come about by placing the body under stress through the mind and thought process. One must be aware of the source of the stress to be able to root it out. Having many thoughts of the same nature can lead to anger or frustration. When these emotions aren’t released, this energy finds a way out by creating an ailment in the physical body. Lifestyle adjustments, herbal medicines, yoga postures, and other yoga-based mental practices will help to resolve the issue from occurring again.
How Does Ayurveda Treat Pneumonia?
The nature of how a pneumonia sufferer can restore balance to the body will depend on their specific circumstances and the nature of the doshic imbalances that accompany the generally Kapha-like symptoms in the respiratory system. Along with avoiding toxic substances (like tobacco and alcohol) taking herbs that help the body heal itself, and having treatments that dry up the accumulation of the mucus associated with a pneumonia infection; sufferers of this illness are advised to rest and eat a simple diet that gives the digestive system an opportunity to restore itself to full health.
Ultimately, it is important to consult a trained Ayurvedic professional when responding to the incidence of pneumonia, especially when it is in the advanced stages. Pneumonia will be difficult to heal if the digestion of the person is not working very well, and guidance may be needed on how to improve the digestive fire to its maximum capacity.
Lifestyle Changes for Pneumonia
When we neglect to establish the root cause of one illness, it can turn into another, stronger illness in the future. The first step in resolving a specific ailment or disease in the body is to assess the nature of our lifestyle and make general modifications. Living our day-to-day life with a deliberate intention to improve our health will help us to both resolve the disease we are suffering from and prevent further incidence of it and other diseases in the future. The following changes will help to relieve the mucus-related symptoms of pneumonia and foster greater general health:
- Steaming the chest and nasal passages is beneficial for the early stages of pneumonia. Boil hot water in a pan and dip a flannel cloth into the warm to hot water. Wring out the excess and place the towel on the chest or over the face to steam. This can be repeated a few times. Also see the essential oil section, which will advise on different oils that can be used in this therapy.
- Avoid dense and difficult-to-digest foods, such as fried foods, packaged foods, cheeses, meats and other animal proteins, leftovers, microwaved foods, and rich desserts. Consuming these will challenge the digestive fire and cause unhealthy digestion, which will in turn lead to health issues.
- Wake at the time of Vata, which is before 6am. This early activity will help dry up the mucus.
- Eat light foods and soups to help purge the congestion associated with the cough.
- Avoid breads baked with yeast and white bleached wheat flour.
- Follow eating with a half cup of hot water or a spice like ginger to help digestion.
- Keep meals to once or twice a day, without snacking. This will quickly relieve the body of excess food to digest and bring it back into balance.
- Take an herbal concoction of senna or castor oil at night one hour before bed for one to two days to aid the colon in cleansing itself. The amount used should be mild, and the castor oil can be one tablespoon to half a cup of warm water.
- Avoid eating dinner as it will create more mucus in the system as food remains undigested until the early morning.
- Avoid heavy foods and drinks at night, which will create more stress on the digestive fire.
- Avoid food until later in the morning, after 10am. This will help digestion become stronger.
- Avoid being out in heavy, rainy weather or in damp conditions.
- Avoid stressful thoughts and strenuous exercise. This causes fatigue in the body.
- Fasting with warm water for a day or two will help clear excess Kapha.
Better Foods For Pneumonia
Ayurveda teaches us that disease and sickness are derived from poor digestion and inappropriate food choices. We then have the opportunity to make deliberate and more conscious decisions as to what foods we do and do not put in our body which increases the chance of resolving the body’s imbalance.
Food needs to be in season, in moderate combinations of one or two food groups, not too hot or cold, in a modest enough quantity to allow for room in the stomach later, consumed without too much liquid which hinders digestive power, and should be fresh and not left over for more than a few hours. The following foods will help foster a light, easy-to-digest diet and give the digestive fire an opportunity to restore itself back to health:
Cherries
Pomegranates
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Spinach
Radishes
Peaches
Onions
Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Pears
Vegetable soup
Carrots
Barley
Asparagus
Millet
Ghee (in moderation)
Mustard oil
Foods To AVOID In Response To Pneumonia
While some foods can help to balance an aggravated dosha, other foods can cause further imbalance. Dry and cold foods as well as pungent, bitter and astringent tastes will dry out the body and aggravate the Vata dosha.Sour, salty and pungent tastes as well as spicy foods will add more heat to the body and aggravate the Pitta dosha.Sweet, sour and salty tasting foods will add heaviness to the body and aggravate the Kapha dosha. The following foods should be avoided in response to pneumonia, as it will increase the build-up of mucus and tax the digestive system:
Bananas
Melons
Papayas
Avocado
Plums
Sweet potatoes
Zucchini
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Wheat
Rice
Nuts
Seeds
Sweets and candy
Allergy-causing foods
Dairy products
Unnatural sugar
Cold foods
Leftovers
Junk food
Packaged food
Meat
Beverages For Pneumonia
Generally, Ayurveda discourages the consumption of too many cold beverages, as doing so hinders the strength of the body’s digestive fire. Instead, favors room temperature or hot beverages to encourage the strength of the digestive fire.
- Hot water during meals during meals and first thing in the morning.
- Herbal tea of cinnamon, fresh ginger, cardamom, ashwaghanda and pippali
- Avoid cold and frozen drinks
- Avoid sugary or fizzy drinks that blend with the digestive juice and make it weak.
- Avoid alcohol, coffee, and black tea.
- Avoid fruit juice from concentrate.
Herbs For Pneumonia
Herbs are used in the Ayurvedic system much like Western medicine utilizes drugs and vitamins and can be taken like tea 2 to 3 times a day. Herbs aid in the digestion of food, the breakdown and elimination of toxins, and help to strengthen the cellular structure of our system for greater vitality. Herbs become more potent once mixed with other herbs of similar properties. Mix together 2 to 4 different herbs from the below list by adding a quarter to a half teaspoon full of each, for a total of 1 teaspoon. Drink these in half cup of hot water.
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Flaxseed
Fenugreek
Fresh ginger
Turmeric
Ashwaghanda
Guduchi
Shatavari
Sitopaladi
Punarnala
Abhrak Bhasama
Chyvananprash
Yoga Postures For Pneumonia
When applied therapeutically to specific ailments, yoga postures provide an opportunity to strengthen the body, rid it of toxic matter, and restore balance. The postures included in this section can be practiced as part of a more general sequence or can be focused on in short sessions. When first exploring yoga postures, it is best to only practice them for twenty minutes or so per day and buildup from there once the body becomes more flexible.
Bridge
Fish
Shoulder Stand
Easy seat
Forward bend
Corpse
Aromatherapy For Pneumonia
Aromatherapy utilizes the fragrances of essential oils when applied to the skin. Essential oils can burn the skin and therefore must be diluted with a base oil such as sesame, coconut, sunflower, canola, or mustard oil. Mix 1 fluid ounce of base oil with about 12 drops of essential oil before applying to skin. You can also just mix 5 drops of base oil to one drop of essential oil if using on one spot.
Pneumonia can be treated with cinnamon, eucalyptus, sage, basil, musk, cedar, frankincense, or myrrh oil.
- Use a canola or mustard oil base.
- Apply oil on the skin between the navel and pubic bone.
Mantra Therapy For Pneumonia
Ayurvedic tradition suggests that repeating certain words or sounds can help a person suffering from an ailment to restore subtle balance to nerve tissue and enhance one’s mental clarity. Different sounds are prescribed to either repeat mentally or chant outwardly. These sounds are also used and repeated in the mind for the purpose of spiritual growth.
For pneumonia, repeat the syllable “Ham” (pronounced hahm) for several minutes a few times a day and build more practice over time.
As a Kapha-related disorder, it is helpful to outwardly chant this syllable for the duration of time it is practiced.
Breathing Practices For Pneumonia
Controlling the breath is a central practice toward developing peace and stillness in the mind and body. When the breath is under our control, we are no longer at the mercy of the senses that are stimulated by everything and lead to greater fluctuations of the mind. When applied to the context of resolving specific ailments, the breath is used as a tool for developing lung capacity, heating and cooling the body and resolving mental afflictions like anxiety and stress. When addressing pneumonia, it is most important to gradually rebuild digestive strength through a simple breathing practice of the full breath.