Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/04/2015
Dear Julie, What a blessed grandson to have you watching out for him in so many ways. It is surely an uphill battle!
We have dealt with many different coughs over the years. The good thing is that coughs can be treated even when little ones aren’t cooperative about taking stuff. Garlic Salve or Garlic Oil is great for most coughs, and it can be rubbed on the back or chest several times a day, or even more often. I rarely have it to fail. Here are some recipes:
Garlic Oil: I minced a lots of garlic and covered it with olive oil. I let it set for 10 days. I strained out the garlic. I massaged the oil into the back of the coughee and especially at night the coughing would stop and garlic will help with killing infection, too. Store the oil in the fridge. It should keep for several weeks. You can use the oil before 10 days, it just won't be as strong.
Here is a recipe for Garlic Salve, which can be used right away:
Garlic Salve
If he really hates that, you can add make an oil with Eucalyptus and Peppermint Essential Oils, which smells better and often works very well. 1 Tablespoon Oil with 3 drops of Eucalyptus and 2 drops of peppermint essential oil. (You could make up several Tablespoons worth and just massage some into his back and chest several times a day. Definitely a more socially acceptable smell than the garlic. J )
But it sounds as if the root of the problem is a weak immune system. Some things you can try are astragalus root, elderberry and Vitamin C. These things can be given daily.
Astragalus is very mild tasting and a food, so very safe to consume. If you get the powder form, you can add ½ teaspoon to some yogurt or applesauce each day and it may not even be noticed.
Elderberry Syrup is easy to make and quite tasty. You can buy a syrup but it is expensive. I have made my own. Here is a recipe:
Elderberry Syrup
Vitamin C powder could be added to juice. Electro C by Nutribiotic is quite tasty. I would try and get 500mg into a 4 year old several times a day. If it should give him diarrhea, cut back a bit.
Giving him a warm bath with Epsom Salt or Baking soda (1 cup of either) for 20 minutes several times a week may help with overall health. Epsom Salt before bed may help to calm him and help him to sleep well.
We found kefir to help very much with a child who had chronic health problems. You can buy milk kefir, or it is not hard to make yourself. I would make kefir smoothies each day. Kefir, raw cacoa powder, raw sugar, a bit of vanilla, half a banana. (Astragalus root powder could be added to this.) Drinking this daily did so much for my daughter. She and I had it for breakfast almost daily for a long time.
If your grandson does have allergies, nettle leaf would be great, if you can get him to take it. Nettle leaf tea is quite mild, or a nettle leaf tincture could be added to juice.
Well, I do have more thoughts on cough solutions, but these are the easiest and least expensive. Please keep in touch and let us know how you and your grandson are doing.
~Mama to Many~
