As a new mom of twins, waking to the sound of croup was so terrifying. The classic ringing, barking cough created fear throughout the home. We’ve stopped croup many times with this easy, fast, safe remedies.
Croup Symptoms
What is croup?
Croup is an inflammation of the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and sometimes the bronchi (the air passages between the throat and the lung).
It usually accompanies a mild upper respiratory infection and the child’s wakes with a dry, barking, ringing cough. When this ringing, barking cough subsides, I would then give natural remedies for the common cold.
Croup usually strikes children between the ages of two and four and startles your deep sleep between 12-2 am.
Croup Sound
I’ve found, homeopathy is the fastest way to stop a croup cough in the middle of the night.
You should only need Aconite to stop the croup, but you may want to have the other remedies on hand in case the cough continues into the morning.
If toward morning, the coughing continues and breathing is still not smooth and easy, give Hepar Sulphuris 30C.
Here the cough is loose and rattling and deeper toned, and they have a dry, hoarse cough. The child is irritable and chilly.
They feel like the wind is blowing on some part of their body and may want to wrap their head up or put on a hat.
Rarely do we need more than Aconite in treating croup. When a cough has ceased, continue with tinctures for the common cold as an Echinacea tincture. I’ve added Echinacea tincture to water and given it to small children with a needless syringe or a hallow-handled teaspoon for measuring medication. For the toddler years, I’ve added the tinctures to water and apple juice in their cup for them to sip on.
Homeopathy is safe and gentle when following these guidelines.
Here are some tips:
Take one dose of 30C when you first hear a croup cough. 30C is a safe potency for children. Please do not purchase anything higher unless suggested by a professional.
Wait 20 minutes and notice any changes.
If the child is not asleep, give a second dose.
At this point, the child should be sleeping.
If they are not sleeping, see the remedy for Spongia Tosta.
Whenever using homeopathic medicine follow the rules of “like cures like.” You are watching the child for any unusual symptoms, writing down anything you see or hear. You only give the treatment when you symptoms match the remedy. STOP giving doses when the child’s energy shifts, they look better, sound better or maybe they begin to drink water or eat something.
Please note I am not a doctor and none of the information replaces the suggestions from your doctor.
**Cow’s milk, wheat, egg white, peanut and soy being the top allergens. Sugar, chocolate, corn, and yeast follow.
Environmental sensitivities include Cigarette smoke, house dust, pollen, mold, volatile organic compounds, fungi, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, animal dander, and bacterial infection.
# 2 Mechanical obstruction
#3 Nutrient Insufficiency
Symptoms of an ear infection
One of the first changes you may notice with a middle ear problem is a change in behavior or sleep habits.
A child may pull or tug at the ear or poke their finger inside.
They may want to be held or just lay still.
Older children may tell you it feels blocked, plugged, buzzing, or ringing sounds in their ear.
5 Ear Infection Symptoms For Children
tugging on the ear
crying/screaming
wanting to be held
one cheek red
warm to touch
The truth is, you may have to change your child’s diet if they are always getting ear infections. The first thing I would do is try goat’s milk formula or take dairy out of your diet if you’re breastfeeding or out of your child’s diet.
It’s hard, I know. But, it is worth it.
Personally, I find homeopathy is the best remedy for ear infections. Download your freebie training to learn how to use those little sugar tablets.⬇️
#1 Encourage your child to drink caffeine-free tea
Botanicals can reduce inflammation and “pull out” excessive mucous.
Make a cup of tea with Lemon Balm, Catnip, Elderflower, and maybe ginger. Add honey or apple juice to sweeten.
#2 Apply Lavender Essential Oil topically for pain
Apply DILUTED Lavender essential oil under the ear and at the cheeks. Dilute one drop of Essential oil in 1tsp. Of carrier oil like olive oil or almond oil. {Just 1 drop, no more!}
Caution: Only use this with children over 1 year of age.
Mullein is an analgesic, receiving the pain associated with earaches. Only use this if there is no perforation or leaking from the ear to reduce inflammation.
Heat the oil up a bit with a spoon and match to soothe their inflamed ear. Caution: Make sure it’s not too hot!
#4 Add herbs to their bath
Add chamomile, lavender or thyme infusion to their bath.
To make an infusion; Place 2tbs. of herb, or 4tbs. of fresh herb in a pint jar. Fill with boiling water and put on the lid. Let it sit for 1/2 hour to 8 hours. Strain and add to a warm tub.
Alternatively, you can use Essential oils BUT be very careful.
Use only 1 drop of E.O. DILUTED in milk before adding to the tub. Use only with children 3+ months. (Caution you always have to dilute essential oils. I like to dilute them in milk, so the E.O. does not aggravate the child)
**Children with low numbers of intestinal Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are more likely to succumb to ear infections than children who harbor optimum levels of these microbes in their intestinal tracts.
Encourage soups and greens. Remove all dairy, sugar, juice, and all kinds of milk from the diet
#7 Homeopathy for ear pain
Homeopathy is based on the unusual and peculiar symptoms of the child.
Take notes, write down what you see, and then contact your local homeopath for the perfect remedy.
If you choose to try it on your own; know that your child’s symptoms may get worse at first, BUT THEN they should improve by the second or third dose.
The first thing to change with homeopathy is their mental state. Instead of being carried, your child may want to go play. Instead of screaming, they may calm down and drink and eat. Each person is unique.
St. John’s Wort flower & bud (Hypericum perforatum)
Meadowsweet leaf & flower (Filipendula ulmaria)
Willow bark (Salix lucida)
Conclusion:
It is possible to reduce the amount of antibiotic use for ear infections with diet, homeopathy, and botanicals. Often, taking out dairy may be able the only change your child needs.
What’s stopping you from trying this out? Comment below.
References:
¹ Schmidt, Dr. Michael A., Healing Childhood Ear Infections. Prevention, Home Care, and Alternative Treatment
Obsessed with natural remedies, Tara Gregorio is a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator located in Cold Spring, NY. She loves helping women reduce their medications with botanicals. Her favorite herbal recipes can be found on Pinterest and Instagram. https://taragregorio.com/
Do you have little kids at home that love popsicles?
This recipe is great for kids who are:
teething
fever
hot summer day
and it soothes anxiety
The main ingredient Lemon Balm {melissa officianalis} is safe for kids and is known as the “gladdening herb”. You may notice after these pops that your kiddos are very happy:)
Lemon Balm Benefits
antiviral – known to reduce viral illnesses
calms the mind and promotes sleep
improves digestion
fights the herpes virus
soothes kids with ADD and ADHD
reduces PMS
Echinacea Benefits
It’s optional to add a tincture of Echinacea. I would do this in the winter months or for kids age 2-6, as they are most prone to catching viral infections.
Echinacea Benefits:
reduce cold & flu symptoms
controls blood sugar
increases number of white blood cells that fight infection
Certified women’s herbal educator, Tara Gregorio is helping moms all around the world build an apothecary of remedies to reduce medications all year. See her online courses: https://taragregorio.com/online-courses/
1 cup raw honey or maple syrup for children under 1 year
Instructions
Pour water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, and cinnamon. Do not add honey.
Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
At that point, remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
Discard the elderberries (or compost them!) and let the liquid cool to lukewarm. When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint-sized mason jar or 16-ounce glass bottle of some kind.
Store in the refrigerator.
The standard dose is ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.
Have you ever wondered if homeopathy actually works?
Maybe you’ve tried those little sugar tablets with no relief.
My first experience using homeopathy is when I had the flu for the second time in my life. I had a liquid form of boneset from a herbal course I enrolled in with Peeka Trenkle.
I took one dose of the boneset and immediately felt relief and then.. I ran out!
The bottle was empty. I couldn’t believe it, I rushed to Nature’s Pantry to discover they didn’t have any boneset in stock.
The shift in symptoms was so dramatic, I knew it was from the homeopathic remedy.
What is homeopathy and how does it work?
“Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine created in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, based on his doctrine of like cures like (similia similibus curentur), a claim that a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people would cure similar symptoms in sick people.”
The remedies are so diluted that, based on chemistry, it is difficult to find any molecules of the original substance in the remedy YET, they are very mighty!
Safe enough for children and the elderly, yet potent enough you could create adverse effects if you do not know the principles.
Homeopathy Meaning
How is homeopathy made?
Homeopathic medicine is made from minerals, plants, animals, poisons of animals, and bees and then diluted or successed {shaken.}
How is homeopathy made?
The first stage in preparing a homeopathic remedy is to create a tincture or “mother tincture” by diluting the material in vegetable alcohol.
Then, the triturated mixture is repeatedly diluted and shaken or succussed for hours or days, depending on the potency or strength.
This process of diluting and succussing is called potentization. The potentized homeopathic medicine is then added to lactose tablets or pills.
How does homeopathy work?
The Infinitesimal Dose
The more a remedy is diluted and succussed (vigorously shaken), the stronger it becomes a cure.
For example, 1M is stronger than 6c.
Always begin with 6 or 30c, unless working with a professional homeopath.
One theory is the succession creates an electrochemical pattern which is stored in the dilutant and spreads like a liquid crystal through the body’s own water.
A second thought is the dilution process triggers electromagnetic imprinting which directly affects the electromagnetic field of the body.
You can purchase homeopathic tablets as 6, 9, 12, 24 or 30 c or x.
I feel comfortable with purchasing 6c or 30c tablets for acute remedies.
How do you take homeopathy?
Tip a tablet into the lid of the bottle and tip into your mouth without touching it
Or tip-in on the palm of the person taking the remedy; try not to touch the remedy if you are giving it to someone.
Never put back any tablets that have fallen out
Try not to eat, drink or brush teeth for 10-20 minutes before or after taking a remedy
You should feel a shift occur if it is negative in any way STOP and wait.
You may have an increase in symptoms and then it will resolve. If you are not seeing results don’t repeat. There should be a beginning, middle, and end to your symptoms.
Homeopathy medicine acts as a catalyst, the remedy stimulating the body’s own vital force to heal itself.
Do you use homeopathy with your family? Download my free cheat sheet to learn the mistakes we make when using homeopathy.
Homeopathy for babies & toddlers
For Babies; Crush the tablet between two spoons and tipped dry on to the tongue. Or alternatively, dilute the small sugar pill in water and/or bottle. {clean any item with hot water so the next person doesn’t get the remedy}
Dilute in water and use a syringe to insert into their mouth
Dilute in milk, water or juice in a sippy cup
Place on a spoon to eat
Toddlers can put in their mouth with a spoon
Things that interfere with homeopathy
Camphor (used as an ingredient in many cosmetics and salves, such as Tiger Balm, Blistex, Vick’s Vapor rub, Noxzema, Chapstick, Carmex, Sea Breeze, some shaving creams, liniments, and many other products which have a similar odor is a universal antidote and should be avoided.
Electric Blankets.
Certain Holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, craniosacral manipulation, polarity therapy, e.t.c. should not be used simultaneously with homeopathy.
Strong odors in the mouth or the environment at the time of taking the remedy can inactivate the homeopathic medicine. That’s why we recommend taking the remedy at least 30 minutes before or 1 hour after eating, drinking (water is allowed), chewing gum, brushing your teeth, and smoking.
Major dental work
Excessive, and in some cases even moderate consumption of coffee and stimulants
Street drugs, including marijuana
Tips for Homeopathic Dosing
Prescribe according to the urgency and unique symptoms- download your free cheat sheet
Use one remedy at a time
Avoid combined remedies
Stop if you see improvement
Start again if the same symptom returns; repeat as needed
If you have given 3-6 doses and have had no response, stop and reassess
Change the remedy if the symptoms change and/or get worse
Always seek professional help if your symptoms recur or do not improve
Use the Homeopathic Principles to guide you to ensure great results
Law Of Similars-
“Let like be cured with like”
Any substance that makes you ill can also cure you.
By symptoms, the homeopathy means those changes that are felt by the patient or observer which may be associated with the disease.
The Single Remedy
The classical homeopathy gives one remedy at a time to gauge its effect more precisely than would be possible if two or more remedies were given together.
The Law of Cure
As someone becomes well, symptoms move from the innermost organs of the body to the outer organs
Cure moves from within to without
Cure takes place from above to below
Minimal Dose
Less is more, wait and see.
How little can I use and still produce a result?
Have you used homeopathy? Did it work for you? Tell us your story in the comments below!
Warmly~
Tara
P.S. Pin the image to save for later when you need it.
This soothing tea blend, can aid babies digestion and soothe the bloating and discomfort they are feeling due to colic.
It is also lovely for a new mom, to release nervous tension and ease any tummy troubles she is experiencing.
If you are worried about your breastmilk production, skip the lemon balm and sip on chamomile and fennel tea.
Chamomile
Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) or Asteraceae Anthemis nobiles (Roman Chamomile)
Chamomile calms the spirit and is the number one botanical for both mom and baby. As a nervine, it will soothe anxiety and restlessness. It calms the digestion and soothes nervous stomachs. It also can treat fevers, colds, flu, and headaches and relieve cramps from birth or menses. This botanical is safe and calming and one of the best herbs for crying, restless babies. Use it in baby’s bathwater to clear up diaper rash, heal wounds or cuts.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel seeds are warming and a little spicy; aiding gas and bloating for both mom and baby. Mom can eat them directly, if feeling bloated and make a cup of colic tea to feed to the baby by dropperful throughout the day. This after-meal tea can ease gas, indigestion, abdominal pain and spasms.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Known as the gladdening herb, Lemon balm lifts the spirits and as a carminative; it aids digestion and relieves gas. The yummy lemony taste is well-loved by both women and children and when your little one is old; make a cup of Lemon balm tea with milk and honey. It is also antiviral, so it is very effective for breaking fevers and treating colds and flu.
The slight minty taste may lower moms breastmilk, but will certainly do no harm to the baby. And, as a combined tea blend, it may relieve moms’ anxiety and restlessness and lift her spirits.
Read herbs to avoid while breastfeeding: https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/herbs_to_avoid/
Strain and add honey ONLY if mom is drinking the tea
Drink the tea before breastfeeding
If you are offering the tea to your baby, strain and cool the tea. Add the cool tea by dropperful to the baby while feeding or add to bottle if bottle fed.
Welcome! I'm Tara Gregorio, certified women's herbal educator, Postpartum Pilates educator & momma of twins. My mission is to help you feel empowered with your healthcare by helping you integrate herbal remedies into your diet postpartum & beyond.
