Whooping Cough Home Remedies

The topic of whooping cough home remedies is an important one to address. The idea that there’s nothing we can do for whooping cough in babies except antibiotics (which may reduce symptoms and are “cold” for baby gut health) can be alarming and can make parents feel helpless.

Overall, I tend to use TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) over antibiotics. I find that it’s more effective and that there are less side effects.

👉 TCM refers to herbal combinations that have been used for hundreds of years to address cough. So, while these formulas are something that you can use at home, it’s unlikely that you have them on hand – unless you’ve taken my class on Chinese Herbal Medicine for Kids.

But getting familiar with whooping cough remedies for babies and toddlers can be very empowering for a scary diagnosis.

With whooping cough, a baby can experience pauses in breathing. And the stress of hearing your toddler cough through the night, in addition to vomiting, can be overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to be. There’s a lot you can do 💪.

How to treat whooping cough naturally through the pertussis pathway

Whooping cough caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

• These bacteria attach to the little hairs of the upper respiratory tract
• B. pertussis release toxins that interfere with a robust immune response
• These bacteria also cause a lot of inflammation

And when there’s ongoing inflammation, there’s some damage.

Normally, these little hairs in the respiratory system move mucus. When they’re damaged, this function is blocked. And when there’s inflammation, we also have mucus production.

Double whammy.

This is where the thick buildup of mucus and trouble breathing comes from. The barking cough and “whooping” sound are from respiratory spasms and gasping for air.

Finally, whooping cough is known for its three stages. The condition is pretty unique in that it includes a recovery period that can last for weeks or months. In Chinese medicine, whooping cough is called the “100 day cough.”

Fortunately, certain herbs in traditional Chinese medicine have been found to interrupt the pertussis pathway. This is great news.

For example, a recent analysis found these individual Chinese herbs may be effective in dampening the pertussis pathway. Which means that they help to manage the excessive inflammation that causes symptoms of whooping cough…

• Platycodon or jie geng dissolves phlegm, relieves cough, and is known as a guiding herb to the lungs
• Scutellaria or huang qin clears heat from the chest and is currently having a moment in functional medicine for #allthethings
• Apricot seed or xing ren stops dry cough and wheezing and is also good for constipation.
• Licorice root or gan cao supports energy levels and is in many formulas as the “great harmonizer”

Chinese medicine whooping cough home remedies for babies and kids

That’s some of the science.

Now, Chinese medicine is almost 2000 years old. You could say that it was working before “science.” And recommendations are based on generations of clinical experience. Some of which eventually landed in textbooks.

In these textbooks and guides from teachers, there are certain herbs that show up frequently for whooping cough…

These are:

• Stemona root or bai bu dissolves phlegm and stops cough
• Fritillaria or chuan bei mu juggles clearing phlegm while moistening the lungs
• Mulberry root bark or sang bai pi dissolves phlegm and stops cough
• Ophiopogon root or mai men dong is fabulous herb that is calming and good for dry cough that is worse in the evening

When selecting formulas for cough, these herbs are in mind as I also think about the general direction that we would want to go.

But, so what?

👉 If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re looking for whooping cough relief.

Overall and in general, I would use Blue Poppy formulas – which are pretty easy to find. I also like the brand Little Treasures, Classical Pearls, and Health Concerns.

When using Blue Poppy:

1. During beginning phases of infection I would use CQ Jr and Lung Qi Jr
2. As cough begins to resolve and if its sounds dry and is slightly worse in the evening, I would use Lung Qi Jr and Moisten Dryness
3. If cough is mostly present in the evening, I would use only Moisten Dryness with a little cordyceps mushroom

If you have any questions on whooping cough home remedies for babies, toddlers, and kids drop them below!