Mothers are most afraid of their babies coughing because babies have no self-control. When they are uncomfortable with coughing, they will only cry and make mothers extremely anxious. So, what are the causes of baby coughing? Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes targeted treatment. Here are three tips for treating baby cough with traditional Chinese medicine. Remember to save them!
【Causes of Baby Cough】
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, coughing can be classified as cough due to wind-cold and cough due to wind-heat, which can be determined by observing the baby's tongue coating. White tongue coating indicates cough due to wind-cold, while yellow or red tongue coating indicates cough due to wind-heat. According to Western medicine theory, baby coughing may be caused by bronchitis, respiratory tract infection, allergies, etc.
Coughing can be divided into external cough and internal cough, and external cough can be further classified as cough due to wind-cold and cough due to wind-heat. This can be determined by observing the baby's tongue coating.
If the baby's tongue coating is white, it indicates cough due to wind-cold, which means the baby has a heavier cold condition. The phlegm is relatively thin and white, and the baby may also have a stuffy nose and runny nose. In this case, the baby should consume warm and phlegm-clearing foods.
If the baby's tongue coating is yellow or red, it indicates cough due to wind-heat, which means the baby has a higher internal fever. The phlegm is yellow and thick, and it is easy to cough up. The baby may also have a sore throat. In this case, the baby should consume lung-clearing and phlegm-clearing foods.
When the cough is caused by internal factors and lasts for a long time or recurs, parents should pay attention to feeding the child foods that regulate the spleen, nourish the kidneys, and replenish lung qi.
【Three Tips for Treating Baby Cough with Traditional Chinese Medicine】
One, Foot Compresses
1. Gypsum 6g, bitter orange 10g, trichosanthes fruit 12g, alum and borneol each 3g.
Grind the above herbs into fine powder and mix well. Add vaseline to make a paste, and apply it on the baby's Yongquan acupoints on the soles of both feet. Change it once a day, continuously for 5-7 days. This method can clear heat, relieve lung congestion, and stop coughing.
2. Evodia fruit 10g, processed pinellia 6g.
Grind the two herbs into fine powder, add an appropriate amount of vinegar to make a paste, and apply it on the baby's Yongquan acupoints on the soles of both feet. Wrap it with cotton cloth and change it every 24 hours. If there is phlegm sound in the throat, add 10g of wind-cured nitrate, which will have a better effect. This method can dissolve phlegm and stop coughing.
Two, Foot Bath
1. Put 30g of ginger in a medicine pot, add an appropriate amount of water, soak for 5-10 minutes, then boil and extract the juice. Pour it into a basin and let the baby soak their feet when the temperature is warm. Use it once a day, 2-3 times a day, 10-30 minutes each time, continuously for 2-3 days. This method can warm the lungs and dispel cold.
2. Ephedra, almond, licorice 5g each, magnolia flower 15g, gypsum 30g. Use the above herbs in the same way as described above for foot bath, 15-30 minutes each time, 2-3 times a day, once a day, continuously for 3-5 days. This method can clear heat, relieve lung congestion, stop coughing, and is suitable for cough due to lung heat.
Three, Navel Compresses
1. Alum, soapberry each 3 parts, asiatic plantain, almond, and gardenia each 2 parts. Grind them into fine powder and store in a bottle. When using, take an appropriate amount of the powder, crush 1-3 scallions, add a little egg white, and mix with the above powder to make a paste. Apply it on the baby's navel, cover it with cloth, and secure it with adhesive tape. Change it once a day, continuously for 7-10 days. This method can stop coughing and dissolve phlegm.
2. Perilla leaf, ledebouriella root, processed pinellia, poria cocos each 4 parts, tangerine peel 3 parts, licorice, almond each 2 parts, and white mustard seed 1 part. Grind them into fine powder and store in a bottle. When using, take an appropriate amount of the powder, mix it with a little water to make a paste, and apply it on the baby's navel. Cover it with cloth and secure it with adhesive tape. Change it once a day, continuously for 5-7 days. This method can dispel wind and cold, relieve lung congestion, and stop coughing.
Baby coughing is more difficult to deal with than adult coughing because babies have no self-control. When they are uncomfortable with coughing, they will only cry, especially when the cough becomes more severe. When a baby coughs, parents should create a good environment for cough relief and take effective cough medicines under the guidance of a doctor.
【What to Do If Baby Has a Scratchy Throat When Coughing?】
1. If the cough is not severe, try not to take medication.
Babies should not take strong medications for coughing, as it may damage their natural immune system. If the cough is not severe and only accompanied by mild symptoms such as nasal congestion or sore throat, it is best not to use medication. The baby's immune system needs to be strengthened through fighting against viruses. If the cough can be cured by the baby's own immune system, the chances of getting cough in the future will be greatly reduced.
2. It is not recommended to use antibiotics.
If the cough worsens and medication is necessary, parents should selectively choose medication for the baby. Although both bacteria and viruses can cause coughing and can be treated with antibiotics, it is not recommended to use antibiotics for babies. It is best to choose medications with low antibiotic content or use traditional Chinese medicine to treat coughing in babies, which can also help regulate the baby's body functions. The effect will be much better. The use of medication should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor and should not be used blindly.
3. Use a humidifier properly.
Insufficient air humidity and excessive dryness can also worsen the baby's scratchy throat. In such cases, if conditions permit, families can use a humidifier to increase air humidity and alleviate the baby's scratchy throat.
4. Drink more water.
Let the baby drink more water to moisturize the dry throat, keep the baby's throat moist, and relieve the scratchy throat. This can also help with the treatment of coughing to some extent.
