If you are coughing uncontrollably and experience a whooping sound while trying to breathe, it may mean that you have contracted whooping cough. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease (1). It may result in unmanageable coughing spells and difficulty in breathing. Although this infection may affect anybody, it is more common and severe in infants and children. It may even cause breathing difficulty and become life-threatening.
In this article, we will discuss a few natural home remedies to treat the infection. Read on to find more about whooping cough and its causes and symptoms in adults and children.
In This Article
How To Treat Whooping Cough Naturally
Preventive Tips
Long-Term Effects Of Whooping Cough
Causes Of Whooping Cough
Signs And Symptoms Of Whooping Cough
How To Treat Whooping Cough Naturally
- Essential Oils
- Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antispasmodic effects (2), (3). This may prove beneficial in the treatment of whooping cough and its symptoms.
You Will Need
1-2 drops of peppermint oil
1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like coconut or olive oil
What You Have To Do
Mix peppermint oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
Apply this mixture on your chest and back.
Alternatively, you can also add a drop of peppermint oil to hot water and inhale the steam.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times a day.
- Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has traditionally been used to treat disorders of the respiratory tract, like bronchitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis (4). Hence, it may help in relieving the symptoms of whooping cough.
You Will Need
1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil
1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like coconut or olive oil
What You Have To Do
Mix eucalyptus oil with any carrier oil.
Apply this blend to your chest and back.
You can also add a drop of eucalyptus oil to some hot water and inhale the steam.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the best ways to treat whooping cough (5), (6). Babies up to 6 months of age receive the required amounts of vitamin C through breast milk. For children older than 6 months, vitamin C intake may be increased through their diet. Adults require around 70 to 90 mg of vitamin C on a daily basis, while infants require about 40 mg of the same. Although you can opt for vitamin C supplements, it is a better option to increase its intake naturally via your diet.
- Onion
Onions exhibit antibacterial activities (7). This may help in treating whooping cough and also improve overall immunity.
You Will Need
1 medium-sized onion
1/4 cup of honey
What You Have To Do
Peel and cut the onion into small pieces.
Mash these pieces and add honey to this.
Let this mixture sit overnight.
Consume a teaspoon of this every few hours.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this multiple times a day.
- Garlic
Garlic contains a compound called allicin that exhibits antibacterial activities (8). These properties of garlic may be used to combat the bacteria that cause whooping cough (9).
You Will Need
3-4 cloves of garlic
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Smash the garlic cloves.
Extract the juice from the smashed garlic and consume this daily.
You can also add honey for flavor.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Turmeric
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that has antimicrobial properties (10). Turmeric can help treat whooping cough and shortness of breath (11).
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 glass of hot milk
What You Have To Do
Add a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of hot milk. Mix well.
Consume this daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
- Ginger
Ginger is a natural expectorant and contains a compound called gingerol. The gingerol possesses strong antibacterial properties (12). These properties of ginger may help in combating whooping cough.
You Will Need
1-2 inches of ginger
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Mince the ginger to make a paste.
Extract the juice from the minced ginger and consume it daily.
You can also add honey for flavor.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
- Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup possesses antibacterial properties and chemical compounds that boost immunity (13), (14). This may help in treating whooping cough and cold.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup
1 cup of any fruit juice or warm water
What You Have To Do
Add elderberry syrup to a cup of fruit juice or warm water.
Consume this daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 3 times a day for a week.
- Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins and polyphenols that possess strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties (15), (16). These may help in killing the bacteria that cause whooping cough.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
1 cup of hot water
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Steep the green tea leaves in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Add honey for flavor and consume the tea before it turns cold.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Salt Water
Several studies have found that using salt water is beneficial for cold and cough (17). Hence it may help in treating whooping cough.
You Will Need
1-2 teaspoons of salt
1 cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water.
Gargle with this water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once a day.
- Humidifier
Keeping the environment relatively moist reduces the intensity and severity of cough (18). Installing a humidifier in the room of the infected individual may help in treating whooping cough. Additionally, adding essential oils to the humidifier may be beneficial.
- Oregano
Oregano is a natural expectorant that has antibacterial properties (19). This may help in treating whooping cough.
You Will Need
4-5 drops of oregano oil
1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like coconut oil
What You Have To Do
Mix a few drops of oregano oil with any carrier oil.
Rub this mixture on your chest and back.
Alternatively, you can also add 4-5 drops of oregano oil to hot water and inhale the steam or consume oregano tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times a day.
- Honey
Studies have found honey to be helpful in treating cough in children (20). Hence, it may also help in treating the symptoms of whooping cough.
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of organic honey
1 cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
Add organic honey to a cup of warm water and mix well.
Consume this mixture daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Lemon
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C and possesses antibacterial properties (21). These properties may be effective in treating whooping cough.
You Will Need
1/2 lemon
1 glass of water
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water.
Add honey for flavor and consume daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Licorice
Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid (22). This compound exhibits immune boosting activities. It also works as a demulcent and helps in accelerating the healing of tissues damaged by persistent coughing (23). This may help in treating whooping cough.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of licorice root
1 cup of water
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Steep the licorice in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Strain and consume this tea before it turns cold.
You can also add honey for flavor.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Almonds
The polyphenols present in the skins of almonds exhibit antibacterial properties (24). This may help in fighting the bacteria that cause whooping cough.
You Will Need
6-7 almonds
1/2 teaspoon of butter
What You Have To Do
Soak some almonds in water overnight.
Grind them the next morning with butter.
Consume this mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Chamomile
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiphlogistic (ability to reduce inflammation) properties (25). This may help in relieving fever and inflammation associated with whooping cough.
You Will Need
1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile
1 cup of water
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Steep two teaspoons of chamomile herb in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Strain and add honey for flavor.
Consume the tea before it turns cold.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
- Saffron
Saffron acts as an expectorant and is also an antibacterial (26). This may help in treating whooping cough.
You Will Need
6 saffron strands
1 cup of warm water
Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
Soak the saffron strands in a cup of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
Add honey for flavor and consume this daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this 2 times a day.
All these remedies can help relieve the symptoms of whooping cough for you and your little one. However, you must use them in moderation.
In addition to the remedies, you may also follow the tips mentioned below to prevent the recurrence of the infection.
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