This is an inflammation of the pericardium which is the thin and 2 – layered, fluid – filled sac which covers the outer surface of the heart. It helps the heart to function efficiently. This condition is caused by the membrane around the heart which becomes red, swollen with fluid, irritated and potentially damaged.
The most common signs and symptoms of pericarditis are a dry cough; trouble breathing, including when sleeping and laying down; swelling in your feet, legs and ankles; pain when coughing, swallowing, laying down or breathing heavily; chest pain, which is sometimes painful, sharp and stabbing. Some people can hear a rubbing or creaking sound which comes from their chest/ lungs and it is caused by rubbing of the inflamed lining of the pericardium. There are different types of pericarditis, such as uremic pericarditis, traumatic pericarditis, idiopathic pericarditis, infectious pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, chronic pericarditis and acute pericarditis.
There are some factors which increase your risk of pericarditis, such as genetic diseases, like FMF; health problems like tumors or kidney failure; fungal infection or those caused by a parasite; bacterial infections like TB; viral infections and most of the affect the gastrointestinal system; having had a heart attack, bypass surgery, radiation surgery, RFA, etc. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from pericarditis before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition. [1]
Home remedies for pericarditis
Bone broth: You can drink bone broth because it has minerals in forms which your body can easily absorb. This home remedy is a good source of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, sulphur, silicon, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. These minerals can help to reduce the inflammation, joint pain and arthritis symptoms.
Omega – 3 fatty acids: You can use Omega – 3 fatty acids in your diet as your home remedy for pericarditis. They have anti – inflammatory properties which are beneficial for your cardiovascular health. [2]
Hawthorne berry: This herb is known as “the heart” herb. It has cardio – protective abilities which can help to prevent conditions which are increasing the rate for pericarditis, such as congestive heart failure; irregular heart beat; hardening of the arteries; high blood pressure and angina. It is recommended taking between 160 – 1800 mg of Hawthorne berry on daily basis in a period of 3 – 24 weeks. [3]
Andrographis: You can use this natural cure for the fight against pericarditis because it can strengthen your immune system. This home remedy can increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking blood thinners. Also, this home remedy can interact with medications used for high blood pressure. Those people who have autoimmune diseases should not take it. Also, people who have fertility problems should not use andrographis as their home remedy for pericarditis. [4]
Vitamin C: This vitamin is anti – oxidant and this is a reason why it can boost your immune system. It can fight against the free radical damage. [5]
High – quality protein: You should eat high – quality protein, such as wild – caught salmon, liver, pastured eggs and grass – fed beef.
Acupuncture: You should visit acupuncturist because acupuncture can give you a relief from the anxiety, tension and other symptoms which are caused by the dysfunction of the neuromuscular system. [6]
Warm and cold technique: You can apply warm compresses and heating pads or ice packs to your chest and painful areas. This can give you a temporary relief from inflammation and aches.
Epsom salt: You can try taking magnesium – rich Epsom salt bath because it can help to soothe the muscle soreness and joint pain.
Peppermint essential oil: You can use this home remedy topically to improve your circulation and reduce the muscle tension. [7]
Lavender essential oil: This home remedy can help you to fall asleep, ease tension and promote relaxation. [8]
Rhodiola: This is an adaptogenic herb which you can use in your fight against pericarditis. It will help you to get a relief from the mental stress and fatigue and also it will support the immune health.
Vitamin D3: This vitamin has the ability to support the immune system and this is a reason why you can use it as your home remedy for pericarditis. [9]
N – acetylcysteine: This home remedy can help to decrease the severity and frequency of the coughing attacks and this can improve the overall lung function if you have shortness of breath.
Probiotics: It is known fact that probiotics are very beneficial for your gut health and immune system. You can add them in your diet and use it as your home remedy for pericarditis. [10]
B vitamins: You can use B vitamins as your home remedy for pericarditis. These vitamins will give you more energy if you are feeling fatigued.
Magnesium: You can use magnesium as your home remedy for pericarditis. It can help to relax constricted or spasming muscles in your chest. This mineral can support your cardiovascular health and it will give you a relief from anxiety and restlessness and all of this can help you to have better sleep. There are many adults who suffer from magnesium deficiency without knowing it. You should not take magnesium supplement without talking with your doctor or if you suffer from kidney disease, kidney failure or you have low blood pressure. [11]
Quit smoking: You should quit smoking if you currently smoking. It is known that smoking is highly inflammatory and it is increasing the reason for many diseases, including heart disease. You should talk with your doctor about programs and products which can help you to quit smoking. You should avoid the secondhand smoke and other pollutants, such as air pollution, fumes, vapors and dust. [12]
Vitamin E: This vitamin is antioxidant and it is said that it can improve the heart health but more studies need to be done in future to approve or disapprove it. You should not take Vitamin E if you are already taking blood thinners because it will increase your risk of bleeding. [13]
Drink a lot of water: You should drink plenty of water throughout the day because this can reduce coughs and it will make easier for you to breathe. You should drink a glass of water about every 2 – 3 hours. You should drink eight glasses of water on daily basis.
Healthy fats: You should consume healthy fats, such as seeds, nuts, avocado, ghee, grass – fed butter, olive oil and coconut oil. They are anti – inflammatory foods which can help you in the fight against pericarditis.
Eucalyptus oil: This home remedy has a component known as cineole which can reduce the shortness of breath while at the same time it will improve the respiratory function. You can make a facial steam bath with eucalyptus oil because this can help you to reduce the airway inflammation. You should pour a cup of boiling water into a bowl and mix ten drops of the eucalyptus oil in it. Then, you should put a towel over your head as you lean over the bowl and inhale it deeply for 5 – 10 minutes. [14]
Coenzyme Q10: This is an antioxidant which is good for the heart health. If you are taking blood thinners, then you should talk with your doctor before you start using Coenzyme Q10 as your home remedy for pericarditis because it can make the blood thinners less effective.
Oregano oil: This home remedy can be used topically or internally. It is acting as a natural antibacterial agent without causing side effects in your body. This home remedy has the ability to help in the natural treatment of viral conditions, reduce inflammation and giving you a relief from the respiratory symptoms which are caused by allergies.
Garlic: You can use garlic as your home remedy for pericarditis because it is antiviral in nature. It can help to treat infections and attack viral pathogens. It will offer you anti – inflammatory, digestive and cardiovascular support during illness. [15]
Grapefruit seed extract: If you suffer from pericarditis, then you can use the grapefruit seed extract as your home remedy due to its antiviral properties. It will help you in the treatment of infection and it will attack viral pathogens.
Astragalus: This home remedy is effective home remedy for pericarditis. It is adaptogen herb which can help to boost your immune system and also it will support your immune system. Also, it will help you to deal with the fatigue or mental stress.
References:
[1] Cremer PC, Kumar A, Kontzias A, et al. Complicated pericarditis: Understanding risk factors and pathophysiology to inform imaging and treatment. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2016;68(21):2311-28.
[2] Xiao YF, Sigg DC, Ujhelyi MR, et al. Pericardial delivery of omega-3 fatty acid: a novel approach to reducing myocardial infarct sizes and arrhythmias. American Journal of Physiology. 2008;294(5):H2212-8.
[3] Tassell MC, Kingston R, Gilroy D, et al. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Pharmacognosy Review. 2010;4(7):32–41.
[4] Okhuarobo A, Falodun JE, Erharuyi O, et al. Harnessing the medicinal properties of Andrographis paniculata for diseases and beyond: a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2014;4(3):213–22.
[5] Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211.
[6] Choi SY, Kim GW. Acupuncture for anxiety: A protocol for a systematic review of controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(14):e0266.
[7] Meamarbashi A. Instant effects of peppermint essential oil on the physiological parameters and exercise performance. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2014;4(1):72–8.
[8] Koulivand PH, Ghadiri MK, Gorji A. Lavender and the nervous system. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:681304.
[9] Prietl B, Treiber G, Pieber TR, Amrein K. Vitamin D andimmune function. Nutrients. 2013;5(7):2502–21.
[10] Hemarajata P, Versalovic J. Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. 2013;6(1):39–51.
[11] Rosique-Esteban N, Guasch-Ferre M, Hernandez-Alonso P, Salas-Salvado J. Dietary magnesium and cardiovascular disease: A review with emphasis in epidemiological studies. Nutrients. 2018;10(2):168.
[12] Sogaard KK, Sorensen HT, Smeeth L, Bhaskaran K. Acute pericarditis and cancer risk: A matched cohort study using linked UK primary and secondary care data. Journal of the American Heart Association.
[13] Vardi M, Levy NS, Levy AP. Vitamin E in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: the importance of proper patient selection. Journal of Lipid Research. 2013;54(9):2307–14.
[14] Soyingbe OS, Makhafola T, Mahlobo BP, et al. Antiasthma activity of Eucalyptus grandis essential oil and its main constituent: Vasorelaxant effect on aortic smooth muscle isolated from nomotensive rats. Journal of Experimental and Applied Animal Sciences. 2017;2(2):211.
[15] Banerjee SK, Maulik SK. Effect of garlic on cardiovascular disorders: a review. Nutrition Journal. 2002;1:4.
