5 Remedies For Croup

Croup is a respiratory disorder that occurs due to acute viral infection along the upper respiratory airway. This ailment can commonly be seen in children from 6 months to 6 years; there are some medications and vaccines that can cure the disease, however the natural way of treatment is always recommended.

Common symptoms of croupe include stuffy or runny nose with high fever, the upper respiratory airway gets swollen and inflamed. Barking cough, hoarseness in voice and harsh discomfort in the throat are some more symptoms. Apart from medications, herbs can treat this ailment effectively. Some of the herbal remedies for croup are:

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Various Remedies For Croup

Mullein

This is one of the most effective herbal remedies for croup. Add about ½ cup of mullein leaves to 5-6 cups of boiling water and let the mixture steep for 30-45 minutes. Strain the liquid and add ½ teaspoon of raw honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.

Warm the mixture again and serve hot. Drinking this infusion helps in curing the symptoms of croup. Add crushed garlic for better results. This would help in clearing the congestion and allow the patient to breathe better.

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Ginger And Elderberries

Take about 1-2 cups of fresh elderberries and two tbsp of rose hips in a bowl of water. Add 2 cinnamon sticks, 5-6 cloves, few vanilla beans, 1 teaspoon of dried ginger and simmer for 20-30 minutes over medium heat.

Wait till the mixture turns juicy and then strain it. Add honey and refrigerate the syrup to make it last longer. Taking 1-2 teaspoon of this syrup is useful in the treatment of croup. If the patient is below the age of 1, do not add honey.

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Onion

Take few onions and mince them. Heat the onions slightly. Take a clean cotton cloth and place the minced pieces on it. Bind this cloth to the chest. Place a hot water bag on it, so that the chest remains warm.

This is effectively cure croup reduce the inflammation and pain. Repeat this procedure once daily for about a week to see noticeable changes. Rub the chest of the diseased person with petroleum jelly. This will prevent the skin from burning.

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Lobelia

Take about ½ cup of dried leaves of the lobelia herb. Pour 1-1/2 cups of boiling water over it. Let it steep for 15-20 minutes and drink this infusion 2-3 times daily. Else, you can crush the seeds of lobelia and add to water.

Drink this mixture 1-2 times daily to get relief from the painful symptoms of croup. Tincture of lobelia is made with vinegar. This tincture can be rubbed on the chest and neck to have a soothing effect. Also you can warm this tincture a little and put a few drops in the ears.

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Licorice Or Stilingia

Take a few big onions and chop them. Add dried licorice root powder and honey to it. Ingest 1-2 teaspoon of this mixture everyday to get relief from the symptoms of croup. This is very effective herbal remedy and licorice extract is used in the treatment of other lungs and bronchial diseases as well.

It reduces the mucus formation and keep the air passage free. During severe attack, putting 1-2 drops of silingia oil four to five times daily is immensely helpful.

Avoid caffeine and keep yourself warm. Eat a healthy diet with lots of green vegetables and citrus fruits. Keep your bowel clean to remove toxins from the body. The above mentioned herbal remedies for croup are very useful if practised religiously.