Croup, Preventing Bronchitis, and a Little About Ear Infections

First, let's discuss the difference between the coughs.

Croup has that distinctive seal-like loud barking sound. It’s usually one or a few lazy coughs from time to time. Croup can be cured in 2-3 days if you follow these recommendations.

1) Have child eat simply if they want, not eating is an option. Drinking water, herbal tea or a little good quality juice is great!

2) I like to give elderberry syrup to shorten the sickness. As your know elderberry syrup is anti-viral, and the honey in the syrup helps soothe the throat.

3) Most important! Make sure if its winter to get that child outside! The cold air is the biggest part of the cure. My mom always preached this because its true! I have bundled my babies up in their buntings and stood out on the porch in the wee hours of the morning for 10-15 mins at a time to bring them relief. In the evening, bundle up and get in the car and drive around with the windows down around the block. In the summer, stand in front of the freezer and waft the air with your hand towards the child. I try to expose the child every few hours. This naturally reduces the symptoms for the child and helps them kick the sickness.

I have 7 children, 6 of which have all had croup from time to time. This regimen above has never failed.

Elderberry Syrup Kit Contents before water and honey.

Bronchitis has a deeper, quicker, somewhat quieter, and painful cough. Sometimes the croup virus can try to go into bronchitis, inflammation of the bronchial tubes.

(Note: Croup virus causes mucus production which can also cause a bacterial infection in the ears. Anytime you child is producing more mucus; virus, teething, allergies…ALWAYS give Mullein Ear Drops to prevent ear infection.)

When you notice the croup cough has changed, but the child isn’t getting better, it’s time to shift gears a bit.

1) The outside time isn’t necessary anymore. It’s helpful in the way that sunshine and fresh air is helpful for anyone, but now instead of calming the cough, the change in temperature between cold and warm greatly exasperates the cough!

2) When there is a fever I add FeelWell Tincture to the regimen for a child, and for an adult I add Immune Support Tincture. Honey, Elderberry Syrup, Herbal Tea are all still wonderful.

3) Most importantly I add Lung Tincture, 3-5 drops for children, 10-20 drops for adults, 3X per day. Mullein Tincture and Tea is helpful too, but this herb is helpful for dry prolonged cough that seem to hang on. Lung Tincture is really helpful in cases of bronchitis and asthma, chronic or acute.

I have had great luck doing the things mentioned above. It’s important to act quickly, have your herbal remedies already on hand and ready, and be more aggressive then the dis-ease you’re trying to beat.

Winter Tidings,

Herbalist, Meigen