| Until recently whooping cough was one of the most | | | | Olbas oil or garlic oil, together with many of the |
| prevalent and alarming of childhood illnesses, not only | | | | suggestions also be found under Chest Infections, will |
| because of its immediate and unpleasant effects but | | | | ease the respiratory passages and make the child feel |
| because of the far-reaching consequences it could | | | | more comfortable. |
| have upon children's health i9f they were not nursed | | | | Soothing Solutions |
| and convalesced with care. It was not uncommon for | | | | Thyme Infuse 25g (1oz) of thyme in 600 ml (1pint) of |
| youngsters to be left with damaged lungs and | | | | boiling water, strain and take with honey: 1 tablespoon |
| permanent vulnerability to infection. | | | | four times daily for older children and 1 tablespoon for |
| Small babies were and still are terribly at risk and if you | | | | babies. The same tea can be made with marjoram, |
| have a child of school age in the same house as a | | | | mouse ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella which will |
| baby and you know that whooping cough has been | | | | reduce a fever), dried red clover flowers, lavender, |
| diagnosed in the area do your best to keep them | | | | honeysuckle flowers or elecampane which are all very, |
| separated. The first signs are a feverish cold and an | | | | mild and can be given as above to children of three |
| unpleasant cough although the horrible whoop as they | | | | years and upwards. |
| fight for air after a bout of violent coughing does not | | | | Lettuce Simmer 1 cleaned head of lettuce in 600 ml (1 |
| become apparent for about a week. Always seek | | | | pint) of water for 20 minutes. Drink the liquid three |
| professional advice | | | | times a day. |
| It is apparent, by all the wise saws and saying which | | | | Fizzy lemonade This is helpful if drunk warm. |
| abound, the before the advent of antibiotics and | | | | Onion and Honey Syrup |
| immunization a great many children contracted | | | | 450g (1lb) onions |
| whooping cough. One which appears the most truthful | | | | 225g (8oz) garlic |
| even in our enlightened age is that if whooping cough | | | | 600 ml (1/4 pint) honey. |
| starts in the bud of the year it will last " till the leaves | | | | Peel and finely slice the onions and garlic and put them |
| fall', or in other words if it has not gone before May it | | | | in a covered dish with the oil. Cook slowly in a low |
| will stay throughout the summer and leave a child very | | | | over until very soft. Strain well and add the remaining |
| vulnerable to infection for many years to come. | | | | ingredients. Bottle and cork, shake before using. For |
| One of the worst aspects of whooping cough is the | | | | children over two years old and up to four give 1 |
| terrible panic that a small child can get into and which | | | | teaspoon three times daily. Increase the does |
| exacerbates the cough and makes it even more | | | | accordingly to age. At one time 15g (1/2 oz) of |
| difficult for them to get their breath. All that you can do | | | | paregoric (a medicine consisting of opium, benzoic acid, |
| at this particular juncture is to sit them on your lap, | | | | camphor and anise oil) would have been added. |
| leaving them plenty of space to breathe, holding a | | | | Prickly pear syrup Cut the leaves of 3 prickly pears |
| bowl in case they are sick and wiping the face with a | | | | into pieces (a feat in itself) and boil gently for half an |
| cool, fragrant cloths whilst giving them calm, constant | | | | hour. Strain and sweeten with unrefined sugar. Boil |
| reassurance. | | | | again until syrupy. |
| A mildly sedative herbal tea taken with plenty of honey | | | | Grape juice This is an excellent drink for sick children |
| three or four times a day will help to keep them calm. | | | | and it can also be used to great effect to cleanse the |
| Camomile is most helpful as it is anti-spasmodic and | | | | nose throat and mouth. |
| can be given to very small children. So can lemon balm | | | | Slippery elm The powdered bark mixed with water |
| and catnip-1 teaspoon for very small children | | | | and honey is both a food and tonic. |
| graduating to 1 tablespoon or 1 small cup for older | | | | Garlic - Try and get the child to inhale the volatile |
| children. Make sure that they take plenty of liquids to | | | | vapours of slices of garlic trapped in boiling water. Do |
| drink but not milk which can make them sick, although | | | | not cover the heads of very small children as it may |
| goat's milk is recommended during convalescence. | | | | frighten them. |
| Mare's milk was also thought to be very nourishing but | | | | Camphor and naptha crystals To hang these around |
| is a little difficult to acquire nowadays! Do not give | | | | the neck in a small, thick cotton bag is an age old |
| them dry food to eat as this will irritate the throat but | | | | remedy. |
| make sure that they have a regular daily intake of | | | | Rum Tub the back of the patient with old dark rum. |
| vitamin C to combat infection. | | | | Presumably the fumes alone are enough to induce |
| Any of the cough syrups given under Chest Infections, | | | | sleep. |
| Cataral Infections and Bronchitis, particularly garlic and | | | | Also visit Natural Home Remedies for Cough. If you |
| honey, cabbage syrup or radish and honey, will help to | | | | are looking for Natural Breast Enhancement then visit |
| ease the cough, whilst 'rubs' for the chest such as | | | | Natural Breast Enlargement. |
| eucalyptus, essential oil of pine or cypress in almond oil, | | | | |