Pleurisy
Symptoms
To breathe effortlessly, the lungs are encased in narrow seams of fluid between two sheets of mucous membranes. Pleurisy is an inflammation of this lining. It usually affects only one lung. Symptoms are quite sudden and are accompanied by fever and a dry cough. There are two different types of pleurisy: dry and wet. The dry form occurs when too little fluid exists around the lungs, and the wet type occurs when there is too much fluid. They produce different symptoms, but often follow one another.
The dry form usually develops first. When an inflammation causes the mucous lining to dry out, the two membranes rub against one another, causing extreme chest pain with each breath. To compensate, the natural reaction is to breathe more shallowly and rapidly. In less severe cases, stabbing pains are felt when inhaling deeply or coughing. Lying on the painful side helps relieve the pain by restricting the movement and friction while breathing. If the wet form follows, the pain is typically replaced by breathing difficulties. This is the result of the membranes releasing excess fluid, which can dramatically compromise breathing capacity. If the immune system does not control the infection, pus forms and a more severe infection results.
Pleurisy Causes
Although pleurisy is caused by an infection, it usually appears on top of another existing problem. Pneumonia is the most common cause of pleurisy, but other infectious illnesses including tuberculosis, can be the cause. Injury and irritation of the lungs from inhaling toxic substances can also harm the pleural lining, leaving it susceptible to infectious disease. A tumor, pulmonary embolism or autoimmune attack are other underlying causes of pleurisy. Sometimes, pleurisy is caused by heart failure when sluggish circulation allows blood to back up into the lungs.
Pleurisy Nutrition
Nutritional support for this condition should enhance the immune system, particularly through enzyme-rich, raw fruit and vegetables. Raw is better, as cooking at high temperatures destroys enzymes. Drink plenty of liquids, especially vegetable juices rich in chlorophyll. Limit sweet fruit juices since simple sugars hinder the immune system. Eat lemons, oranges, grapefruit, kiwis, tomatoes, green peppers and green, leafy vegetables for vitamin C, and chew on unroasted pumpkin seeds or add these to salads for zinc. Both of these nutrients are essential for a strong immune system.
Pleurisy Nutritional Supplements
Like pneumonia, pleurisy is a serious infection which should be treated with high dosages of vitamins C and A. Vitamin C is most helpful in fighting infection and should be taken to bowel tolerance (For more information, see Section 6, Nutritional Supplements). Vitamin A is useful for optimal healing and reduces the length of illness. Vitamin E should be taken with vitamin A as this antioxidant prevents vitamin A from being damaged by oxygen. Vitamin E is also deficient in some lung diseases. As in pneumonia, a B complex should be added. If antibiotics are being taken, Lactobacillus acidophilus and other healthy bacteria, are killed. Supplementing them will reintroduce them to the colon and prevent further problems. Zinc is an essential mineral for protein absorption and stimulates the immune system. It also helps maintain proper amounts of vitamin E in the body.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few hours
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)
Zinc, 50 mg, with 3 mg copper
Helpful
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU twice daily
Vitamin B complex, 100 mg
Lactobacillus acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tsp.
Pleurisy Herbal Remedies
The following herbal treatments resolve mucus congestion in the lungs and stimulate respiratory health. Herbal products are available in many forms: teas, tinctures, capsules, salves etc. Unless otherwise stated, choose the method most convenient for you. Read the label and follow the directions.
Comfrey has great healing properties for the respiratory system. It can dislodge mucus from the lungs and expel dead tissue, while encouraging new cell growth.
Immortal root is a bronchodilator and stimulates lymph drainage from the lungs.
Fresh-pressed thyme juice not only helps to clean mucus congestion from the lungs and respiratory passages, but disinfects them as well. Combine with coltsfoot juice for a better therapeutic effect.
Prepare a tea with 1 tbsp. of mullein blossoms and 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for eight minutes; strain and drink 1 cup three times daily for a few weeks.
The silica found in horsetail helps to strengthen and rebuild lung tissue. Drink 3 cups of tea or 15 drops of tincture in 1 cup of hot water, three times daily.
Soak 2 heaping tsp. of finely chopped comfrey root in 1 cup of cold water, then warm and strain the liquid. Drink 2-4 cups in small sips throughout the day.
Pack variations: mix buckthorn seed powder with water and quark and place the mixture on the chest to draw out the inflammation. Hayseed packs relieve pain and speed healing.
With pus-related pleurisy, apply chest wraps with buckthorn seeds.
Pleurisy Homeopathy
As homeopathy is specific to every person, a sample of the many prescribed remedies are given below. If no improvement occurs within twelve hours, see a physician. For an acute attack, take the 30c strength every hour for up to ten doses.
Take Belladonna for sudden pain with a flushed and hot face, great thirst and delirium.
Bryonia is recommended for pain made worse by movement but alleviated by lying on the affected side. The person is thirsty and irritable.
Take Cantharis for fluid on the lung which causes breathlessness and burning pains. Mild fever, a rapid and irregular heartbeat, and a frequent, dry cough are present.
Pleurisy Tissue Salts
Pleurisy should always be treated under a physician's care. However, additional help from tissue salts can speed healing and recovery. Take 4 tablets under the tongue every hour or two, as needed, then four times daily in later stages.
Ferr phos is helpful in the first stages of inflammation, when there is fever, chills and a dry cough.
Use Kali mur for the second stages, when the accumulation of fluid has caused difficulty in breathing.
Calc sulph is helpful in later stages if the fluid turns to pus and the tongue is coated yellow.
Calc phos is recommended during convalescence.
Pleurisy External/Physical Therapies
Bedrest is essential. Do not strain the body in any way. Convalescence can take up to two months.
With dry pleurisy, apply hot chest wraps, mustard chest packs, vinegar body washes and calf wraps.
Regular deep-breathing exercises, fifteen minutes morning, noon and evenings during convalescence for at least two months will prevent scar tissue building up internally.
Apply a raw cabbage leaf pack on the chest and leave on overnight. Remove after twelve hours, wash the area with warm water and renew the cabbage leaf pack. A red patch or rash typically appears on the chest or back. Renew the cabbage leaf every twelve hours until the skin clears up. The rash is simply an indication that toxins are being expelled through the skin.
Pleurisy Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Beta Carotene (Natural Factors)
Beta Green (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Bee Propolis (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Cayenne (Albi)
FloraSil (Flora)
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Salus Echinacea Tincture (Flora)
Schoenenberger Coltsfoot Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Schoenenberger Echinacea Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Aller-Ease (Natural Factors)
Cold and Cough (Natural Factors)
Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract
(Natural Factors)
Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)
Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)
Bronch-Ease (Nature's Herbs)
Cayenne-Power (Nature's Herbs)
CL-7 Formula (Nature's Herbs)
Echinacea-Golden Seal Combination
(Nature's Herbs)
Echinacea-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Silica-Power (Nature's Herbs)
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