| Pneumonia is an infectious disease which lies deep in | | | | possess anti-pneumonia fighting qualities. However, you |
| the lungs, as in contrast with bronchitis, which is an | | | | need to first consult with your doctor before using any |
| infection in the gateway to the lungs, or the bronchial | | | | of these herbs. |
| tubes. Among the noted infectious diseases in the US, | | | | - Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) |
| pneumonia is currently the nation's leading killer and the | | | | A large number of clinical trials have analyzed and |
| nation's fifth leading cause of death overall, claiming | | | | demonstrated dandelion's potency against pneumonia, |
| more lives annually than AIDS. | | | | bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. In preparing |
| According to health experts, most of those deaths | | | | a solution, it is suggested to cook the greens and roots. |
| come from two sources; first is influenza, which may | | | | Afterwards, drink the juice that remains after the |
| progress to pneumonia, particularly in the elderly, and | | | | greens are cooked. You can also drink tea made from |
| hospital-acquired infections in those who are ill from | | | | the dried herb, or you can also take this in capsule |
| other causes but develop pneumonia because they | | | | form. |
| have weakened immune systems. | | | | - Echinacea |
| The bacteria that causes this infectious disease are so | | | | Antibiotics may be indicated in treating bacterial |
| abundant in hospitals that according to a US health | | | | pneumonia, however in any type of infectious |
| care report, an estimated 4 percent of all patients | | | | pneumonia, which could either be bacterial, viral or |
| develop the infection, most likely as a direct result of | | | | fungal, herbalists recommend herbs that enhance the |
| their hospital stay. | | | | immune system, and among the herbs they |
| The Social Costs of Pneumonia | | | | recommend is Echinacea. Many scientific studies |
| It is estimated that around 40,000 elderly Americans | | | | indicate that this herb aids the body in warding off all |
| die of pneumonia each year, so it's not an ordinary | | | | sorts of bacteria, viruses and fungi. |
| disease to simply shrug off. Other individuals at risk | | | | - Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis). |
| include those with alcoholism, cancer, cirrhosis, heart or | | | | Scientific data from China indicates that the root of this |
| kidney failure, sickle-cell disease, spleen, disorders or | | | | plant, which is closely related to skullcap, has potent, |
| recent organ transplant patients. | | | | broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects. This herb helps |
| This infectious disease may be caused by bacteria, | | | | inhibit flu viruses and several pneumonia-causing fungi, |
| fungi, protozoa or viruses, therefore it would be wrong | | | | and in some cases, Chinese physicians sometimes |
| to self-diagnose, much less self-medicate. The | | | | inject a solution of Baikal skullcap, goldthread and amur |
| diseases' symptoms include shortness of breath, chest | | | | cork tree extracts to alleviate or treat pneumonia, flu |
| pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, as well as fevers | | | | and other respiratory infections. |
| and chills with shaking. For individuals who develop | | | | In lieu, of injections, it is also suggested that a patient |
| pneumonia-like symptoms, it would be best to promptly | | | | take a mixture of Baikal skullcap and either of these |
| consult with your doctor. | | | | herbs: barberry, goldthread, goldenseal, Oregon grape |
| Helpful Herbal Treatments For This Disease | | | | and/or yellowroot. Baikal skullcap may be quite hard to |
| Aside from regularly taking the medications your | | | | find in most herbal health shops and tores, however it's |
| doctor prescribes, you may also try some herbal and | | | | readily available in most Chinese herb stores. |
| nutritional alternatives that have been noted to | | | | |