NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR CROUP

What is croup?

Croup is an infection of the upper airway, generally in infants and children, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough. Croup causes swelling and narrowing in the voice box, windpipe, and breathing tubes that lead to the lungs. This can make it hard for your child to breathe.

Symptoms

Symptoms of croup often improve during the day and get worse at night. Symptoms of croup are caused by narrowed airways. They may include:

• Loud, harsh cough that sounds like a barking seal — it usually comes on at night
• A raspy, hoarse voice.
• Stuffy nose
• Difficulty swallowing
• A harsh, crowing noise when breathing in. Sometimes children breathe fast and need to sit up to breathe better.

Causes

Most cases of croup are caused by viruses, usually parainfluenza virus and sometimes adenovirus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Viral croup is most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, although a child can get croup at any age. The illness shows up most frequently between the months of October and March. Most cases of croup today are not serious, but a severe case can require hospitalization. Rarely, croup can be severe and even life threatening. Most cases of viral croup are mild and can be treated at home. Here are some effective Natural Home Remedies for Croup.

21 HOME REMEDIES FOR CROUP COUGH

1.Mullein, Milk

Mullein flower and leaves soothe the throat and act as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Mullein is also good as a tea or to breathe the steam. Drinking mullein milk is a traditional folk remedy for respiratory ailments. You can make a pleasant drink for your child by boiling 1 teaspoon of mullein leaves in 2 cups of milk and honey or sugar to taste.

2.Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry syrup is said to be really good for both general immunity boosting and upper respiratory support. Elderberry to help dry up the congestion.

3.Honey

When the coughing fits get really bad, often a small spoonful of honey usually works and eases up.  Some people also like to add honey to warm herbal tea for their kids. Glass of warm tea with honey soothes, honey naturally has an antibiotic property to it. Honey is not recommended for two and under but this is a good option for older kids.

4.Betel Leaves

Betel leaves have antiviral properties which are most effective in preventing and treating Croup. Prepare betel leaf tea and give to the child, who can sip it in small quantities throughout the day or whenever the child experiences croup.

5.Lobelia Extract

Drink lobelia extract in water for pain, inflammation, and coughing. Lobelia extract on the throat, chest, and back will help relax muscles. Lobelia extract is supposedly the number one herb for asthma and breathing issues.

6.Lemon, Honey Tea

Lemon juice and honey tea helps to relieve the throat. Squeeze the juice from one lemon in a cup add 2 or 3 teaspoons of honey microwave until warm stir the tea. Drink several spoonfuls. Save the rest for later.

7.Chamomile Tea

You can give your toddler chamomile tea with honey, which is especially soothing for a sore throat. (Some kids drink a lot more tea if there’s a bendy straw involved, apparently.

8.Marjoram

Marjoram has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Hence, it is very effective in providing relief from Croup. Marjoram is found in a number of forms. The oil can be sprayed in the air so that your child inhales it. It may be rubbed, in a small quantity, on your child’s throat chest and feet. You can also give your child marjoram tea for preventing and curing croup.

9.Bee balm / Horsemint

Bee balm, also known as Oswego tea or horsemint is a perennial herb that helps fight croup. Steep two to three leaves of bee balm into a cup of hot water. Keep the mixture covered for a few minutes. Just sip through the mixture a few times during the day. A very useful remedy for severe respiratory infection.

10.Offer Fluids

Be sure to keep your child well hydrated. Offer your sick sweetie plenty of fluids to soothe her throat. For babies, water, breast milk or formula is fine. For older children, soup or frozen fruit pops may be soothing Water, crushed-ice drinks and frozen juice popsicles also can be given several times each hour. Bone broth only for meals unless the child is very hungry as overeating can bring on an attack.

11.Wild Cherry Bark

Wild cherry bark has anti-inflammatory properties which work like astringents, and it is particularly beneficial in reducing throat swelling or inflammation. The wild cherry bark has a pleasant flavor and it can be included in beverages and foods. It can also be taken in a form of tea. It can also be added to water for steam inhalation to get fast relief.

12.Mustard Plaster

Mix ¼ cup corn flour & 1 tsp Mustard powder in a cop and warm coconut oil or Olive oil to make at thick paste.  Spread on a paste in the centre of a handkerchief fold it in ½ and roll folding ends in.  Tie the mustard plaster within the fabric so the paste doesn’t touch the skin. Tie loosely around the neck at night. Remove if the skin becomes bright red, some redness and warmth is normal.

13.Castor oil Compress

Warm compress on chest is very effective for opening airways. A castor oil chest compress decreases pain and inflammation. Castor oil has major anti inflammatory component that absorb right through the skin. To make the compress pour a generous puddle of castor oil on some folded paper towels and apply them to chest. Cover them with a piece of plastic cut from a zip lock bag and then wrap it all in place with an elastic bandage secured with a safety pin.

14.Vicks baby rub

Vicks baby rub is great for all ages because it has aloe Vera and eucalyptus in it.  Put it on their chest, back and the bottom of their feet. You absorb a lot through the bottom of your feet to keep them calm.

15.Essential oils

There are a several essential oils that are helpful for respiratory and inflammatory issues.   Diffuse a breathe blend (affiliate link) of oils in their bedroom every night and rub this foot rub on their feet.  The foot rubs uses fir, spruce, or pine would be better oils to reduce the coughing fits at night. For the breathe blend diffuse tea tree oil, fir, spruce or pine oils. Cinnamon, thyme, and clove essentials oils in a steam tent (a towel over a parent and the child while running hot water in the sink with the oils) safe to use on little kids.

16.Wintergreen Oil

Wintergreen oil has antiviral, anti-analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This oil can be added to hot water during steam inhalation. It can also be massaged on the chest and the upper throat of the child suffering from croup. External usage should also strictly follow the prescribed dosage otherwise excessive dosage can cause irritation and burning in the applied area.

17.Herbal salve

 You can rub herbal salve on their chest whenever they start coughing.  Usually only 5 or 10 minutes after applying it, they will breathe easier. The oregano in it is great for soothing coughing fits.

18.Steam/Cool air

One of the most common and effective treatments for croup is warm steam and then cool air.  Take your child into the bathroom, run hot water full out and steam up the entire bathroom and close the door. Put a blend of essential oils together and sprayed it into the steam. Then stay in the steamy bathroom (but not in the shower/tub) for 15 to 20 minutes. The warm moist air should lessen the inflammation in the airways and make breathing easier. Then bundle them up and take them outside to breathe cold air. If it’s not cold outside you can open the freezer and let them breathe in that air. Cold air sometimes improves croup. If the night is cool, dress your child in warm clothes; and go outside for 10 minutes or for a ride in the car with the windows down.

19.Humidifier

A cool-mist humidifier may help your child breathe if he has croup. Putting a cool mist humidifier in their room at night is also useful for keeping the air moist.

20.Stay Upright

Sitting upright can make breathing easier. Laying flat can sometimes cause the coughing to increase or the congestion to accumulate. Keep the child's head elevated. An infant can be placed in a car seat. A child may be propped up in bed with an extra pillow. Pillows should not be used with infants younger than 12 months of age. Or hold your child on your lap, or place your child in a favorite chair or infant seat.

21.Encourage Sleep

Help your baby or toddler get plenty of rest since sleep will help fight the infection. Parents may sleep in the same room with their child during an episode of croup so that they will be immediately available if the child begins to have difficulty breathing.

By: Natural Fitness Tips