Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation (swelling) in the air carrying tissues (air sacs) in either one or both the lungs. Due to the inflammation, the air sacs may be filled with fluid or pus that leads to symptoms like cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and breathing difficult.

Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of species, including bacteria, viruses, and fungus. The severity of pneumonia can range from minor to potentially fatal. It is especially dangerous for newborns and young children, persons over the age of 65, and those who have health problems or weak immune systems.

Let’s look at the signs and symptoms of pneumonia and how Ayurveda help treat pneumonia.

Symptoms

• Cough
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit
• Lethargy
• Coughing up mucous
• Perspiration and feverishness
• Breathing quickly or loudly.
• Either the patient stops eating or loses their appetite.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Coughing up blood
• Heart palpitations
• Vomiting

Types of Pneumonia

• Bacterial pneumonia
• Viral pneumonia
• Mycoplasma pneumonia
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Fungal pneumonia

Factors that cause Pneumonia

• Excessive consumption of cold beverages, meals with low heat content, and living somewhere chilly.
• Excessive exercise, sexual activity, and long walks.
• Regular consumption of dry meals
• Consuming food insufficiently or excessively, as well as before or after a meal.
• Over-fasting.
• Use of substances that conflict with one another, such as milk and seafood
• Pigeon peas, black gramme, oil cake, and excessive sesame oil use are habits.
• Consuming more gas-producing substances in food
• An abdominal burning sensation results from eating.
• Consumption of bird, marsh, and aquatic meat.
• Consuming too much curd
• Exposure to smoke, wind, and dust
• Flu viruses
• Cold viruses
• RSV virus
• Bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumonia

Ayurvedic view of Pneumonia

In Ayurveda, pneumonia is referred to as shwasanaka jwara (fever). Chest pain, a cough that produces thick, persistent phlegm and a high temperature with rigours are the main indications and symptoms of shwasanaka jwara. Increased air inspiration and expiration, as well as flared nostrils, are symptoms of breathing trouble. It appears like the pulse is quick, heavy, and soft. Other signs and symptoms include weakness, delirium, sweating on the forehead, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. In the event that your respiration and pulse appear to be fast, hospitalisation is advised right away.

It is well known that pneumonia-related fevers are kapha pradhan (kapha dominant). Toxins and vitiated kapha obstruct several naadis (channels) in the body. Agni (fire) spreads throughout the body as a result, pushing heat towards the skin and boosting body temperature. The goal of ayurvedic treatment for pneumonia is to lessen kapha dosha in order to encourage healing and relieve symptoms.

Ayurvedic Management

Panchakarma treatments:

Panchakarma line of treatment highly focus on resolving the underlying cause of any persistent condition by detoxifying and revitalising your body’s deeper tissues and cells. Panchakarma helps in preparing the body for the treatment by eliminating toxins and restoring normal body function. This is later followed by various ayurvedic treatment methods that help in dealing with symptoms.

Langhans is the primary method of Ayurvedic treatment for pneumonia. Ama and jwara that have accumulated are treated with langhans.

The process causes apatarpana, or calorie restriction, and is known as upavasa, or fasting. You also feel lighter as a result of it. There are two types of langhana: phalahara (eating only fruit) and nirahara (total food deprivation). The type of technique to be utilised is determined by a person’s Prakriti, or constitution.

The phalahara approach is appropriate for Vata Prakriti people, whereas the nirahaar method is appropriate for Pitta and Kapha people. Langhana promotes ama digestion, heightens the digestive fire, and heightens the sharpness and clarity of the senses. Three days and three nights make up the standard length of langhana therapy. The ideal time to do this is during the hemanta and shishira winter seasons.

Vamana:

Vamana is a type of bio-purification technique that rids the body of poisonous compounds like excessive or vitiated pitta and kapha doshas.

Furthermore, it removes ama and mucous from the chest and naadis. Vamana can be used to treat jwara (fever), lung diseases, asthma, coughing, and other breathing problems.

After the Vamana process, it is advisable to wash one’s face, hands, and feet and inhale herbal smoke. You should get a decent night’s sleep after Vamana. An effective vamana promotes serenity and mental clarity while reducing illness symptoms. This should be done in a patient with good physical & mental strength only.

Yoga Therapies:

Regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised for patients suffering from Pneumonia. Regular exercise helps in improve solubility of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.

Also, specific yoga therapies or simple exercises for lungs and heart health which includes Naadisuddhi Pranayama, Bbhujangaasana, Pavanamuktasana are also recommended.

Diet

To be avoided:

• Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
• Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
• Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
• Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
• Milk and milk products – increase Kapha, cause obstruction in channels and respiratory disorders.
• Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases

To be added:

• Light meals and easily digestible foods
• Green gram, soups, honey
• Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc.

Lifestyle

 Protect yourself from cold climate.

• Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
• Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
• Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.
• Avoid sedentary lifestyle. Be active.

Conclusion

Pneumonia can be caused by infections and can range from mild to severe conditions. It is a lung infection that develops in an inflammatory manner. Ayurveda targets treating the Kapha-predominant Jwara (fever) related to pneumonia and collected ama with herbs, home remedies, and important restorative techniques.

So it is of great importance that you pay close attention to arrest the progression of the disease. At Ayurclinic, Melbourne, our experienced ayurvedic practitioners can help you identify the symptoms and address your health concerns.

So if you are worried about your health, you can consult our experts on the phone at +61 3 9078 2940 for maintaining your well-being in these difficult times. Book your consultation here