Croup is a common occurrence in children but can end up being very serious if ignored. There are ways to help prevent croup as well as help your child fight it. As always, it is important to first see your licensed physician for diagnosis and to be sure there aren't further complications. ![]()
Croup, laryngotracheobronchitis, comes from a viral infection within the body, commonly a parainfluenza virus. The child may develop a "barking" cough, trouble breathing, and have a grayish pallor in the face around the mouth and nose. The cough is a dry, forced cough as the body. If you think your child may have croup, have the child diagnosed because in some cases, though not commonly, the upper respiratory problems of the illness may grow severe.
In the case of prevention, you won't be able to know if the virus is near your child. If you know a child has it do not let your child near them until that child is fully recovered. To help your child's immune system, the protocols for prevention that I listed in last week's blog post will help. As always, a nutritious diet lacking high amounts of added sugar and processed foods will help keep your child's immune system strong and allow the body to be able to bounce back quicker. Many sources will tell you many things on how to ease the croup symptoms. The following are protocols I would suggest. As I said before, be sure to have the child properly diagnosed and run all of these by your doctor lest any of these interfere with medications.
As you read in the above infographic, I chose essential oils that would give a cooling, opening, and calming effect. I chose the oils that were also anti-inflammatory. Some of these herbs are antiviral, so they may help fight off the virus. Could you use the herb itself instead of the oil? ....yes but it wouldn't be as potent. If you have a child that will comply, make a tea out of any of the herbs above and dilute it about halfway with water in a bottle or sippy. You could also scatter the herbs in the steam option I have listed above.
However, my advice would be to put the oils in either a nebulizer or rub. If you have unscented lotion or any coconut oil (or even a roller ball bottle and a base oil such as jojoba), apply one or two drops of each oil, less of the rosemary than the others, to 10 ml oil or lotion and apply to the chest area. If using all four oils, only one drop of each. If using a nebulizer, add one drop of each oil and do not use the mouth or face attachments. You may also add these oils to a warmer in the room at night. I wish you all the best. Have a request? Comment down below and don't forget to subscribe by clicking the button below that says "Join The Healer's Nook Community". Once you confirm, you'll be added to my email list where you'll receive occasional updates and newsletters. Thanks for reading!
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Author: Tina PotterMaster Herbalist, I've graduated as an American Healthcare College Alumnus, I've become a member of American Herbalist Guild and soon to be author of survivalist series Survival Ember co-authored by professional survivalist Kenny Dietrich of Ashland, KY. I've been beyond blessed with the constant desire to learn and teach. COMMON SENSE NOTICE: I do not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure disease. What you do with the information I post is up to you, but it is advised to consult with a doctor before acting on alternative methods of medicine. I wish you all the best!
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