The covering of the lungs and inner chest wall surfaces are known as the pleura. An inflammation of the pleura due to bacterial or viral infections is known as pleurisy. This ailment usually occurs as a side effect of some other disease. Such diseases could be cold caught recently, pneumonia, autoimmune diseases, or rheumatic fever.
The inflamed pleura comes in contact with each other whenever the lungs expand and hence breathing causes sharp pain in the chest. The usual medication for this ailment involves antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, but if you want to avoid the side effects of these medicines you can try herbal remedies for pleurisy.
Various Herbal Remedies For Pleurisy
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf is a cure all herb with strong antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and anti inflammatory properties. Consumption of olive leaf extract can provide a lot of relief to people suffering from pleurisy.
Olive leaf extract also strengthens the immune system and helps the body to fight off infections. At the same time, it provides relief from any kind of infection. Pleurisy is caused due to either bacterial or viral infections and hence olive leaf extract is one of the best herbal remedies for pleurisy.
Ginger
Ginger is a well known anti inflammatory and hence provides a lot of relief in pleurisy. The inflammation of the pleura caused by infection is reduced by the consumption of ginger and hence the patient gets relief from the sharp chest pains.
The best way to consume ginger is to drink a tea made from boiling crushed raw ginger in water. You can also eat some ginger powder sprinkled on your food or take ginger capsules available in health food stores. Ginger is also a natural pain killer and has an action similar to ibuprofen and aspirin. Hence it is one of the great herbal remedies for pleurisy.
Turmeric
Turmeric is also well known for its anti inflammatory properties and is used as a treatment in various ailments. The best way to consume turmeric is to add it to your food. For instance, you can add turmeric powder to rice or soups while cooking.
If you don’t find this idea appealing, you can always get some turmeric capsules from a health food store. However, bear in mind that capsules have a higher concentration of turmeric hence you will have to be careful with the dosage as an overdose might cause adverse effects. In spite of this it is one of the best herbal remedies for pleurisy.
Anti Inflammatory Herbs
Herbs like Boswellia, eucommia, devil’s claw, chamomile, Japanese knotwood, white willow bark and Feverfew are well known for their anti inflammatory properties. They decrease the inflammation in the pleura and reduce the chest pains experienced by pleurisy patients.
Immune Herbs
Herbs like Echinacea, golden seal, Reishi mushrooms, chickweed, licorice, elder, and elecampagne have potent immune system enhancing properties. By consuming these herbs the immune system becomes capable of fighting infections and hence they are useful for pleurisy patients. However, herbs should only be consumed after consultation with an herbalist regarding the dosage and method of consumption.
