Pneumonia can be an extremely serious condition. In the very old, the very young, or people with compromised immune systems, it can be deadly. In an otherwise healthy person pneumonia is less serious, but it still requires that you take special care of yourself to avoid the possible complications that can arise from lack of treatment.

If you suspect that you have pneumonia, see a doctor immediately. Due to its seriousness, this is not a condition that should be treated entirely at home. If your doctor finds that the infection is bacterial, you’ll be given antibiotics and sent home to rest. If your infection is viral, a lot of doctors will still give you antibiotics although they won’t affect the virus. For those with mild viral (not bacterial) infections who don’t want to take unnecessary antibiotics, there are several home remedies for pneumonia that can help.

Rest, rest, and rest some more. One of the most important home remedies for pneumonia is to simply let your immune system go to work. It’s better able to do its job when you aren’t running around and using up all of your energy on other things. Be sure to keep yourself well hydrated with plenty of fresh water, too.

One of the home remedies for pneumonia that a lot of people overlook is fasting or semi-fasting. It is believed by many people around the world that reducing the workload on the digestive system gives the body more energy to concentrate on healing. Taking in only fresh fruit and vegetable juices for a few days to a week is one of the home remedies for pneumonia that has been used for centuries.

People with pneumonia often crave onions and garlic - that’s no coincidence. Both of these plants are ancient natural home remedies for pneumonia. If you can stomach it, try eating raw onions and garlic. If not, make a fresh onion soup with lots of garlic. Your breath may reek, but your chest pain and difficulty breathing will likely decrease faster than it would otherwise.