Croup is most likely viral in origin, and can be identified by a gasping sound with each breath, a hoarse cough and a labored tightness and pulling in the chest. Now, we all know antibiotics don’t work for viral infections, so what does?
Natural remedies for croup cough have been documented since ancient times. In a book on “Gypsy Healing Remedies”written in the early 1800’s, a mixture of chamomile leaves, flowers and sheep fat rubbed on the neck and chest was thought to cure this condition. I can’t say if this works or not, I have never tried it. It almost sounds plausible though, as chamomile leaves and flowers are a relaxant and herbs can be absorbed through the skin, so who knows, maybe it relaxed the lungs and diaphragm enough to stop some of the coughing. If the coughing lessened, maybe the child could get some sleep and that would increase their immune function.
In Native American cultures many herbs were used for treating conditions and it was thought by some that the application of mud mixed with ashes from a fire ( cool, of course) would stop the hacking cough associated with croup. I’m not sure how that one would work, but I do think you would be adding minerals to the body, absorbed through the skin. Remember, the skin is your largest organ system and it absorbers everything. Maybe the increase in minerals increased immune function enough to fight the viral infection. In the 1988 edition of Merck’s Manual, the reference text for M.D.s of that day, it lists 35 different natural remedies for croup including things like lime water spray, sodium bicarbonate, petroleum, and lactic acid applied as a spray to dissolve the developing membrane. This was before doctors used pharmaceuticals, and homeopathy was popular. Homeopathy for croup would include Belladonna, Aconite, Spongia, and Hepar Sulph.
Today we have other natural tools to use, including supplements. Garlic supplements have been proven to fight viral infections and can be taken by anyone, including a child with no adverse side effects. Echanicea, another herb has been shown to increase immune system function and, along with doses of vitamin C, would be a reasonable choice for first line defense against the croup.
March 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Croup is “most likely” viral, but is sometimes bacterial tracheitis, cancer, a foreign body in the child’s airway, or epiglottitis. All of these can be fatal if left undiagnosed and untreated; none will respond to garlic therapy.
Many allopathic practitioners (including myself) like and respect alternative medicine, and honor our patients’ choices. If your child has croup-like symptoms, please seek out Western medical care to rule out a life-threatening cause before treating your child for a presumed viral infection. Sometimes that’s not what it is.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Great comment Robert, I’m a researcher and writer in
natural health therapies and I will be one the first to suggest where there are symptoms which suggest a serious and possibly life threatening illness may be the root cause, your first port of call should be your GP or Family Doctor.
Natural health remedies are a great method of treatment for many less serious ailments and illnesses although mainstream medicine is a much safer option for any serious illness.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Croup can also be a term used for the swelling of the larynx caused by a constant nasal drip and allergies. My daughter is 5 and gets this type of cough every time she gets a cold. She has been pushed out of preschool several times because they thought she had Viral Croup and was contagious. It is so hard to get under control. BUT if you can catch the runny nose in time, usually by the time it runs it is too late, flush the nasal cavities out with saline water.
Basically 1/4 tsp salt to 1 cup of water, suck it up in a nasal bulb or a syringe. Squirt into one side until it comes out the other, then the opposite side.
May 26th, 2010 at 5:07 am
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Hey Moms out there. Whooping cough and croup are much less common then in years past, but I was curious as to which affliction makes a baby’s hack the worst? I recall overhearing that babies with these illnesses gasped and wheezed constantly.As well, were they equally common and serious?
May 31st, 2010 at 7:02 am
Natural remedies for croup cough have been documented since ancient times. … Categorized | Natural Remedies for Croup Cough…
June 1st, 2010 at 8:10 am
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June 2nd, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Natural health remedies are a great method of treatment for many less serious ailments and illnesses although mainstream medicine is a much safer option for any serious illness.
June 2nd, 2010 at 3:26 pm
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Many allopathic practitioners (including myself) like and respect alternative medicine, and honor our patients’ choices.
June 8th, 2010 at 3:56 am
Squirt into one side until it comes out the other, then the opposite side.