My Natural Health Blog

Croup is a common viral infection in infants and young children which affects the airways and upper respiratory system. The virus that causes croup is the same virus that causes the common cold.

Croup may develop after a few days of cold symptoms, and is recognizable by a dry, hoarse, barking cough, the noise is often compared to a seal-bark. The child may have a slight temperature & feel quite miserable, but croup usually does not last longer than 3-6 days.

Parents are often first alerted to the fact their child has croup when they hear a barking noise coming from their child’s room at night! Breathing is usually a bit noisy as the windpipe and vocal chords are also affected. The raspy sounding noise on the childs IN breath is called Stridor and this can be quite unsettling for both parent and child. Coughing spasms are common, and all of these symptoms are mostly worse at night, however there are some natural remedies you can use to help reassure your child and ease their symptoms.

How to Respond to Croup?

PREVENTION: Because croup is a viral illness caused by the same virus as the common cold – in the first stages you can treat the cold symptoms that often precede the onset of croup. This will support the body’s immune system to fight the virus and often helps reduce the severity of the symptoms.

There are some great immune boosting children’s herbal formulas available containing the following ingredients: (sometimes additional vitamin C etc. is actually necessary as we all know children are often picky eaters and don’t always get as much good nutrition as they need)

Vitamin C, Echinacea, Elderberry, Olive Leaf, Zinc, Vitamin D,

ACUTE: Keep a close eye on your children’s symptoms, help to reassure them and keep them calm.  

1.     Help them Breathe Easier: Sit them upright (on your knee preferably, so you can reassure them), use steam treatment to moisten the airways, - you can sit yourselves in the vicinity of steam – eg in a bathroom with the shower running. Please note DO NOT place them IN the shower, they only need to inhale the moist steamy air created in the bathroom, or perhaps let them breathe in some cool air – this may also assist.

2.     Rescue Remedy is very useful to help keep your child calm. Give 2-3 drops every 10-15 minutes, or pop into a glass of water and give them regular sips.

3.     There are also some Homoeopathic remedies which have been used with great success for croup. Ask your Natural Health Practitioner or Homoeopath about these: Aconite 30C, Spongia 30C, Hepar Sulph 30C.

Homoeopathic Aconite is a great remedy to have on hand for when children become suddenly unwell and anxious and is indicated for the sudden onset of croup.

HERBS to consider for Croup in Children

Herbal medicines also work well for croup in children. Herbs help to boost the immune system and assist the body to fight off viral infections. Herbs are a gentle, natural and effective way to support your toddler through any illness.

They are often used preventatively at the onset of autumn and winter, in an age appropriate dose.

•           Echinacea is a well known herb which helps to boost immunity and is very effective in reducing the symptoms associated with influenza and cold and mild respiratory infections. It is also helpful in shortening the duration of illness.

•           Elderberry/Elderflower (Sambucus Nigra) is another ancient herb that is reknown for its antiviral properties. Effective when used to support the body’s first line of defense, Elderberry also provides broad spectrum immune support and can be used preventatively.

•           Olive leaf is another powerful immune boosting herb which is also a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants. It also has an affinity for treating viral infections and is useful where fever is present.

There are many other gentle but effective herbs you can use to help alleviate the symptoms associated with croup. Consider Marshmallow, Hyssop, Thyme & Mullein to help soothe the mucous membranes of a sore throat, provide antibacterial action, help ease a cough and to support the respiratory system.

While croup is usually mild, it can occasionally be serious so please do seek medical attention if you are at all worried about your child; but especially if your child is struggling to breathe, if stridor is occurring on both the in and the out breath, is quiet & listless, is dribbling and finding it hard to swallow.

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