Whooping cough in a small baby = no fun!
Whooping cough is a contagious infection of the respiratory system caused by the Bordetella Pertussis bacteria.
The Three Phases
Phase 1
Symptoms similar to a common cold: runny nose, sneezing, possible low grade fever and mild cough.
Phase 2
Paroxysms - coughing fits that often end in a characteristic whooping sound, difficulty catching breath, often causing choking/retching or vomiting. The coughing is often worse at night and can cause exhaustion and susceptibility to secondary infections. This phase often lasts 1-6 weeks. Note: babies often do NOT make the whooping sound.
Phase 3
Rest and recovery, the cough lasting a further 2-3 weeks on average. Whooping cough was known as the "100 day cough" in China.
My Regimen of Remedies
Beginning Stages (RSV and Bronchiolitis)
- Garlic mullein oil in each ear
- Hot compresses and massage along the Eustachian tubes
- Steam room inhalations several times a day/night as needed - loosens phlegm and makes breathing easier
- Nasal saline and suction - the Nose Frida worked better than any other suction bulb
- Homeopathic Kali Bich for thick stringy yellow mucus
- Chicken soup bone broth with turmeric, cumin, and coriander
- Albuterol when wheezing got bad and lungs crackled at night
- Sleeping upright on a raised cushion (boppy pillow)
- Drop doses of Wild Cherry Bark, Marshmallow root, and Elecampane in hot water
When the Pattern Changed
As wheezing stopped and cough became more dry, painful, and spasmodic:
Homeopathic Drosera 1M - Great and effective in lessening amount of spasms and helping bring up mucus. Drosera is effective when coughing fits are mainly at night and end in gagging and vomiting.
Homeopathic Oreodaphne 200c - Given by her homeopath.
Lobelia drop doses and Grindelia
Tea with:
- Red Clover (good specific for whooping cough)
- Plantain (soothing mucous membranes)
- Oatstraw and Nettle and Alfalfa (minerals and energy)
- Thyme (antimicrobial aromatic support)
What Worked Best
It was the Drosera which had the most noticeable and dramatic healing effect. After 2 doses she coughed up a big pool of mucous - a particularly horrible moment of coughing. After that, she slept better and coughed less.
The next night we did it again, and she coughed much less - the difference between every hour on the hour having paroxysms to once or twice a night, much milder and not ending in choking or vomiting.
A couple of weeks later my baby girl continued to improve and sustain good health.
Important Notes
Each person is different and I make no claims that this regimen will work for everyone. But these are helpful suggestions for alleviating pertussis symptoms with homeopathy and herbs.
Please always check in with a doctor AND herbalist/homeopath who you trust, especially when dealing with young babies.
Be supported and be smart. Hours of waking at night consistently can be really hard on the parents.
Helpful Resources
Gratitude
I am thankful for plants and their wise healing gifts. I seek their refuge and help where the medical world has told me nothing can help!
Special thanks to Darcey Blue at Shamana Flora, Benjamin Zappin from Five Flavor Herbs, and Christine Ciavarella for her unparalleled excellence and continual homeopathic and medical support in my children's lives.