Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can make it difficult to breathe and cause chest pain, fever, and fatigue. While pneumonia often requires antibiotic treatment prescribed by a doctor, there are also some drinks that may help relieve symptoms and support recovery when used along with medical treatment.
Stay Hydrated
One of the most important things you can drink if you have pneumonia is water. Staying hydrated thins out the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up. It also prevents dehydration, which can worsen pneumonia symptoms. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily when sick with pneumonia. Some other hydrating drink options include:
- Coconut water
- Decaffeinated tea
- Soup broths
- Fruit smoothies
Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks which can dehydrate you further. You may also want to consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which can soothe your respiratory tract.
Warm Fluids
Sipping on warm liquids can provide relief from congestion and coughing caused by pneumonia. The heat helps loosen mucus in the airways so it’s easier to cough up. Some warm, soothing drinks to try include:
- Herbal tea – opt for soothing varieties like chamomile, peppermint, or eucalyptus.
- Green tea – has antioxidants that support immunity.
- Fresh ginger tea – reduces inflammation and loosens phlegm.
- Chicken soup – provides hydration from the broth plus anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Turmeric milk – anti-inflammatory properties help combat infection.
Be sure not to make these drinks too hot as you don’t want to burn your mouth. Allow them to cool slightly before slowly sipping.
Vegetable Juice
Drinking vegetable juice provides your body with a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help combat infection. Some great options include:
- Tomato juice – high in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene.
- Carrot juice – excellent source of vitamin A to boost immunity.
- Beet juice – contains antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Cabbage juice – has vitamin C and sulfur compounds that fight bacteria.
- Celery juice – contains antioxidants and polysaccharides.
Aim for low sodium vegetable juices without added sugars. You can also make your own fresh juices at home. Drink up to 1 cup per day when recovering from pneumonia.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is very nourishing for the body and contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It may help reduce pneumonia symptoms by:
- Providing easily digestible protein for energy.
- Delivering anti-inflammatory amino acids like glycine.
- Thinning out mucus secretions.
- Supplying electrolytes to prevent dehydration.
You can find pre-made bone broth at many grocery stores or make your own at home by simmering bones from chickens, beef, or fish for several hours with vegetables.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects that may aid pneumonia recovery. It may help by:
- Killing harmful bacteria in the throat and lungs.
- Thinning mucus so it’s easier to expel.
- Providing probiotics to support gut health.
- Boosting immunity with antioxidants like acetic acid.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water or juice and drink up to twice daily. You can also gargle with a diluted ACV solution to ease a sore throat.
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice contains the enzyme bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may aid pneumonia recovery. Specific benefits include:
- Reducing lung inflammation to improve breathing.
- Preventing bacterial growth with antimicrobial effects.
- Boosting immunity by increasing white blood cell production.
- Thinning mucus obstruction in the airways.
Drink up to 1 cup of unsweetened pineapple juice daily when recovering from pneumonia. The bromelain enzyme is destroyed by heat, so opt for chilled juice.
Garlic
Garlic has natural antibiotic and antioxidant compounds like allicin that can help treat pneumonia by:
- Fighting infection-causing bacteria and viruses.
- Strengthening the immune system against pathogens.
- Promoting expectoration of mucus and phlegm.
- Preventing formation of lung abscesses.
Add 1-2 cloves of raw, crushed garlic to warm soup, broth, tea, or other drinks. You can also take garlic supplements if you don’t like the strong taste.
Ginger
Ginger root has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties beneficial for pneumonia recovery. It may help by:
- Reducing inflammation in the airways and lungs.
- Suppressing coughs and thinning out mucus.
- Strengthening the immune response to infection.
- Preventing bacterial growth with gingerol compounds.
Add sliced or grated ginger to herbal tea, broths, smoothies, or juices. You can also take ginger root supplements if preferred.
Honey
Honey has antibacterial activity and can help soothe coughs associated with pneumonia. Benefits include:
- Suppressing cough reflexes with its thick, sweet texture.
- Coating and soothing an inflamed throat.
- Providing antioxidants like polyphenols.
- Fighting certain bacteria with hydrogen peroxide activity.
Stir 1-2 teaspoons of raw, unpasteurized honey into tea, warm water, or lemon water. Give children under 1 year old pasteurized honey to avoid infant botulism.
Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root contains soothing compounds like glycyrrhizin that may help relieve pneumonia symptoms. Possible benefits include:
- Reducing irritation and inflammation in the throat and lungs.
- Loosening mucus secretions in the airways.
- Suppressing cough reflexes.
- Providing antimicrobial activity against some bacteria.
Drink up to 3 cups of licorice root tea daily during pneumonia recovery. Avoid consuming high amounts if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint contains menthol that helps thin mucus, relax airway muscles, and suppress coughing. Other potential benefits include:
- Soothing inflammation and irritation in the throat and lungs.
- Relieving congestion and improving airflow.
- Inhibiting growth of certain bacteria with antibacterial effects.
- Providing antioxidants like rosmarinic acid.
Sip on peppermint tea several times a day to ease pneumonia symptoms. Add raw honey for extra soothing effects.
Turmeric Milk
Turmeric milk is an anti-inflammatory drink that may aid pneumonia recovery. Possible benefits include:
- Reducing lung inflammation to improve breathing.
- Boosting immune function against infection.
- Thinning mucus secretions in the airways.
- Preventing bacterial growth with antimicrobial effects.
Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to warm milk. You can also add ginger, honey, or black pepper to enhance the effects.
Lemon Water
Lemon water provides vitamin C and antioxidants that can support immune function during pneumonia. Other potential benefits include:
- Boosting white blood cell production to fight infection.
- Preventing growth and spread of bacteria and viruses.
- Hydrating the body and thinning out mucus.
- Reducing inflammation in the airways.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice into warm water and drink daily when recovering from pneumonia. Add honey to soothe your throat.
Elderberry Juice
Elderberry juice has antimicrobial and immune-boosting effects that may help combat pneumonia. Some ways it can help include:
- Blocking viruses from entering cells to prevent further infection.
- Increasing cytokine production for greater immune response.
- Reducing congestion and coughing.
- Providing antioxidants like flavonoids.
Drink up to 1 cup of elderberry juice daily during active pneumonia infection. Choose pure, additive-free varieties.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages like coffee, soda, and energy drinks when recovering from pneumonia. Reasons to avoid them include:
- Alcohol suppresses immune function and dehydrates the body.
- Caffeine acts as a diuretic, causing fluid loss.
- These drinks can interfere with medication effectiveness.
- They may worsen symptoms like cough, mucus production, and fatigue.
Stick with water, herbal teas, fruit juices, broths, and other hydrating drinks when you have pneumonia for optimal recovery.
Avoid Very Cold or Hot Beverages
It’s best to avoid drinking very cold or very hot beverages when you have pneumonia. Reasons to avoid temperature extremes include:
- Very hot drinks can irritate an already inflamed throat.
- Very cold drinks can restrict blood vessels, exacerbating chest congestion.
- Temperature extremes may trigger coughing and mucus production.
- Lukewarm or room temperature drinks are safest and most soothing.
Allow hot drinks to cool down slightly before consuming. Give refrigerated drinks a few minutes to take off the chill before drinking when recovering from pneumonia.
Stay Upright When Drinking
Try not to drink beverages while lying down if you have pneumonia. Reasons to stay upright include:
- Lying flat can cause fluids to back up in your throat and lungs.
- Drinking lying down increases your risk of choking on liquids.
- Remaining upright allows for better swallowing and drainage.
- Sitting up prevents aspiration of drinks into your lower airways.
Always drink your beverages while seated upright or standing. Elevate your head with extra pillows if you need to lay down after drinking.
Drink Slowly and Frequently
When you have pneumonia, it’s best to sip drinks slowly rather than gulping them down. Benefits of slow drinking include:
- Prevents choking from drinking too hastily.
- Allows your body to absorb fluids more steadily.
- Causes less pain and irritation to your throat.
- Creates less pressure on your lungs compared to fast drinking.
Aim for frequent, small sips of water and other beverages throughout the day rather than chugging large amounts at once.
Watch for Dehydration Signs
Since dehydration can occur easily when you have pneumonia, watch for signs like:
- Dark yellow urine
- Fatigue and headaches
- Dry mouth and lips
- Dizziness
- Rapid heart rate
- Low blood pressure
Increase your fluid intake if you notice these dehydration symptoms. Stick to water and electrolyte-rich drinks to rehydrate.
Consider Supplements
Certain supplements may further aid pneumonia recovery when taken alongside antibiotics and the appropriate fluids. Some to consider include:
- Vitamin C – boosts immune function.
- Vitamin D – supports respiratory immunity.
- Zinc – helps fight infections.
- Probiotics – support beneficial gut bacteria.
- NAC – breaks up mucus.
Check with your doctor before taking any new supplements, especially if you take other medications. Use only as directed.
See Your Doctor
While certain fluids may help relieve pneumonia symptoms, they should not be used in place of medical treatment. See a doctor right away if you have pneumonia signs like:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain when coughing or breathing
- Cough with phlegm or blood
- High fever and chills
- Confusion or bluish lips or nails
Pneumonia often requires prescription antibiotics and medical care. Drinking the right fluids can support your recovery, but seeks prompt medical treatment as well.
Conclusion
Drinking the appropriate fluids can help relieve congestion, thin mucus, prevent dehydration, and support healing when you have pneumonia. Focus on hydrating options like water, broths, herbal teas, and vegetable juices. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen dehydration. Drink slowly while sitting upright and watch for signs of insufficient fluid intake. However, remember that fluids should complement antibiotics and medical treatment prescribed by your doctor.