Formally called pertussis, whooping cough is an infection of the upper respiratory system by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. The pathogen attacks the nose and nasal passages, sinuses, the pharynx, and part of the larynx.
The infection gets its common name from the sound made by a patient whenever he or she tries to breathe in. This harsh sound is caused by vibrations in the voice box, which is affected by inflammation and swelling. Other symptoms include bouts of painful coughing, the face taking on a bluish or purplish tinge, the accumulation of mucus in the lungs, and vomiting.
Whooping cough places a severe strain on the body. People with weakened immune and respiratory systems, such as young children and senior citizens, are especially vulnerable to this infection. (Related: America’s dark vaccine history – A look at the pertussis vaccine.)
These herbal tea recipes can help treat whooping cough
One way of treating a whooping cough is to consume herbal teas. These healthy concoctions contain active compounds that fight the B. pertussis bacteria and diminish the harmful effects of the infection.
One such soothing recipe calls for a tablespoon of osha root and a similar amount of marshmallow root. Put the mixture within a tea bag and steep it within four cups of boiling water for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Consume a cup of this herbal tea three or four times a day. The osha and marshmallow roots will help eliminate the mucus trapped inside the lungs, thereby reducing the number of coughing attacks suffered by a patient.
Another recipe adds a tablespoon of raw honey to a cup of juice that has just been squeezed from fresh grapes. Take a cup of this tasty juice twice or thrice a day.
Honey is a natural antibacterial that can stop B. pertussis from proliferating inside the upper respiratory system. It works well with grape, a natural expectorant that helps the lungs expel accumulated mucus.
Fight pertussis with these natural medicines and healthy food
Are the coughing fits too much for you? There are several home remedies that can help manage this particularly painful symptom of whooping cough.
Natural throat lozenges can be purchased from the favorite health food stores. These herbal medicines are made from slippery elm, a medicinal plant that can soothe inflamed and swollen parts of the respiratory system.
In addition, a throat lozenge will also have licorice root. The similar anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of this plant work well alongside slippery elm in treating the bacterial infection.
If nursing a lozenge in your mouth is not to your liking, you can make your own cough syrup at home. Grind seven tablespoons of raisins and place the pulverized result in a saucepan. Add a similar amount of honey before pouring just enough water to cover both ingredients.
Simmer the mixture until it becomes a thick syrup. Pour the natural cough medicine into an airtight jar and keep it refrigerated. Taking one tablespoon of this syrup before you go to sleep will decrease the chances of a coughing fit that disturbs your rest.
Last but not least, a patient can switch to a fruit-based diet for the duration of whooping cough. Fruits are full of vitamins and minerals that the body uses to fight infection and repair damage. Not only are they easy on the stomach, but they also help purge bacteria and toxins linked with pertussis.
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